Linesman and Chain Gang Helpful Hint

[BoBo]

Linesman here is a helpful hint which may help your white hat and the game get along smoother.

Our linesman works the Big XII games in Ames on the Chain Gang.

So he passed this secret to us and I am sure many of you experienced linesman may already do this.

Before the game when you check the chains for the correct length take some tape and wrap it around the mid point of the chain. This allows our crew to know when we have an offsides call against the Defense and the down marker is farther than 5 yards that the down will remain the same. If past the tape then it will be a first down. Saves time in having to bring out the chains and measure or go to the sideline for proper measurement.

White hats I like this because I had a situation where we had running into the kicker (5 yard penalty) deep in the kicking teams side of the field. With the tape I could quickly explain to the captain/coach that it would not result in a first down and they declined the penalty and we moved along quickly to the other end.

Hope you may find helpful.