Wings on the field

[Bob M.]

REPLY: Personally, I prefer to see wings working off the field. However, with the Fed coaching box allowing three coaches to be up against the sideline, I think it's prudent (i.e. safer) to work between the 25's with your heels on the sideline. In NCAA rules, there's a 6' restricted area that even coaches are prohibited from entering so being off the field is a natural (except for one unnamed conference). Why we ever went away from that in Federation is a mystery.

[chris s]

We use this term for baseball. My first football season i was trying to be mr speedster on the wing(no 17 year old is faster than me) Got smoked in a pile.....start wide, keep it wide......trail the play, especially if ya got a BJ. Kiddie ball.....cheat!!!!

[GBFBUmp]

Good advice, some which I will heed. Last night had a JV game, I am primarily and umpire, yet wanting to learn other positions was LJ, only second time. For some reason I kept unconsciously creeping toward the middle of the field (still outside the hashes though).... that is until the WH gently said ... "It is best if you stay off the field".

Now, I continued to officiate from the side, hoping beyond all hope the WH didn't really mean get in your car and go home.

[WyMike]

My first year officiating and I'm LJ'ing all of them already. From Varsity down to Little Guy and some double games on Saturdays!

Where I stand depends upon whom the WH is! One hollers at me, "Get in here some! How can you see way out there?!"

The other will holler, "Get on the side and stay out of the way!"

One wants you to come ALL the way in to mark forward progress. The other wants you to mark from the sideline.

What's up with White Hats anyway???

My likes are to begin about 2 yds into the field from the sideline. Being cut from the same cloth, I give the coach on my side some latitude on moving around and hollering at his guys. But when he gets alongside of me I let him know to step back and also when I've had enough "working the ref" commentary.

Plus, in my mind, if I'm in a couple of yards the coach must yell at me from behind. I'd rather be in a few feet than have him in my ear all night long.

[GBFBUmp]

Originally posted by WyMike

One wants you to come ALL the way in to mark forward progress. The other wants you to mark from the sideline.

I hear ya WyMike. Only my second season, and I have only done 3 games at wing, and about 20 as Ump. In each of the 3 games each WH had a different philosophy as to how far in a Wing should come.

In fact in our last Association meeting this topic was discussed, as the Official's manual indicates we can come in up to 9 yards from nearest player, outside the hash marks. There was actually a pretty heated debate as to what to do, and no real final resolution. The president was all for keeping wings off the field, and about half the WH's felt they should be on the field. Now, for a new official, that really makes it difficult to get into the swing at a position.


I like being at Ump where its safe, there I only have to worry about getting run over, very little access to the coaches

[Forksref]

Originally posted by New AZ Ref

You don't come in to get the spot or retrieve the ball? [/B][/QUOTE]

We do come in and get the spot or retrieve the ball, but not until after the play and all other activity is over.

Probably starting out slow since I have only done 1 JV game and (3) 7th & 8th games.

[/B][/QUOTE]

New AZ you are off to a good start! Keep up the good work.