On the Line?

Patsfan2431 · #1 (**permalink**) Sun Oct 26, 2003, 08:05am

I will set the stage and the question. I was the wing official at a PW playoff game. During the game the coach on my side (to give you a good idea of his mindset, his team was supposed to be blown out, they played to a 0-0 tie in the first half and then got blown out in the second half), kept yelling that the tackle on the O line was not on the line of scrimage. Upon closer observation, the O line tackle was a tall kid, he would line up, and set his hand about one foot to one and a half feet back from his guard. The coach kept yelling that he was in the backfield. #1, if he did set his hand right where the guard set his, his helmet would have been over the ball. #2, i didn't see any advantage at all gained whatsoever. I didn;t flag it. I am not so concerned whether if i should have or not, because the lineman lineup diff everytime in PW. I'm really looking for a good gauge of how to make the judgement if the player is on the LOS.

Thanks

TXMike · #2 (**permalink**) Sun Oct 26, 2003, 08:42am

Mentally draw a line through the butt of the snapper. If a teammate's head breaks that line, then he is on the line.

Ed Hickland · #3 (**permalink**) Sun Oct 26, 2003, 07:35pm

Had that problem in a JV game this weekend. A tall player who if he stood beside the others and went into the three point stance would be in the neutral zone.

We had this player back up a step from the other players so his hand was in back of the neutral zone. A thinking coach would understand exceptionally tall linesmen will require a position further back than his teammates. No advantage will be gained.

chris s · #4 (**permalink**) Sun Oct 26, 2003, 07:50pm

Today we worked a 3 man(not by choice, someone no-showed) HL tossed 3 illegal formations on cheesy calls. I was counting the line and looking best I could from WH position at my sideline to cover, 9-11's, no passing game at all. Tell HL to back off, these kids are playing, "you cover him and you cover him.....etc." Then, HL decides in the next game to "strictly enforce FED DPI"....UMP got a hold of him this time.....I waved off one DPI, (kid slipped, wasn't touched".game was blow out, big time....ran clock non-stop 4th 1/4, 48-0

Patsfan2431 · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 27, 2003, 05:43am

Ok, so i mentally draw a line through the butt of the snapper, the lineman breaks the line and is considered on the line. The coach is still screaming that he's not on the line. How do i articulate the rule to him?

TXMike · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Oct 27, 2003, 09:11am

"Coach, BY RULE, in order to be on the line of scrimmage all the player has to do is have his head beyond the snapper's butt."