Overruling your partner?

[rdfox]

If the call is a judgment call, I would never overrule...i.e. a block in the back, or possession before going out-of-bounds.

If it is a specific rule call, and, as the R, I have some doubt, I would ask for the facts and make a final decision...i.e. a newer wing official throws a flag and tells me he has an illegal "crack-back" block.

If I have two officials on the crew differing on a call, I would listen to the facts from both, and guide them to the "exception"...i.e. the LJ saw the ball hit the ground on a pass but the BJ thought it was complete. The BJ cannot swear the ball DIDN'T hit the ground - he can only say that he didn't see it hit the ground...whereas the LJ says he did see it hit the ground. So I go with the LJ.

My pet peeve, however, is the wing official who, when confronted by a coach on the sideline about a questionable call by another official, tells the arguing coach, "It wasn't my call, coach". IMHO, that totally undermines the authority of the other official and basically is saying that if it was his call, he would have ruled differently. The wing needs to say, "John was right there, coach...he called what he saw...you and I can't see from here all that he saw."