What do you guys think about using the catch signal you often see in the NFL? Do any of you guys use this signal?

I used it once in a scimmage, and was "yelled" at by the umpire because "we don't use it in high school ball."

That being said, I like those types of signals. If there is a pass over the middle that is close, the catch signal can communicate with fellow officials and the fans that you definitely have a catch.

Also in communicating with the fans, things such as the "bobble" signal or the "out of bounds" signal (what NCAA officials use to indicate that a FG went wide) can be helpful so the fans know why the pass was incomplete. Anyway, just my opinion on the subject.

[Edited by PSU213 on Oct 3rd, 2004 at 11:20 PM]

Sounds like the type of U that signals a TD. :)

Rich, don't just make fun of the U, tell me how you feel about it! ;)

I think it's a useful supplementary signal. I don't know (and don't care) if it's in a book. It adds to the communication.

I reserve the right to continue making fun of the U. ;)

--Rich

At the risk of offending Snake~eyes, the U is too busy eating his snickers to signal TD (yeah, that a lame, worn out shot at umpires). Plus, umpires aren't supposed to do that high school ball.

They aren't supposed to do it anywhere. My point was this sounds like a guy who's really good at telling everyone ELSE what to do.

We ALL reserve the right to make fun of U's.

But seriously folks, I like the signal, but it is not required. The lack of an incomplete signal should be enough, along with a timeout signal if a first down is made.

I think the bobble signal is good. Also, the wind the clock signal to indicate the player was down inbounds is not required, although it adds to communication.

I don't know of anyone around here who was chewed out for using these signals although I have mentioned it to U's who gave the TD signal! THAT is a no-no!

Our association does not use it. I find it to be unnecessary. FED has signals that work well for communicating whether a pass is complete or incomplete.

I don't think any of our officials would "yell" at anyone for using it, but we would explain that it is not a FED signal and that we are often evaluated during games by both our association and state evaluators. They downgrade for use of non-Fed signals.

[Edited by GarthB on Oct 4th, 2004 at 12:45 AM]

lol, it don't offend me, you won't ever catch me at the U spot. I'll work the wings and deep but refuse to go to the middle. I just couldn't allow Rich to ding the U without letting answering the main question.

We DO NOT use this "NFL" signal, in the pregame we talk about communicating with each other on a play like this. If one official rules complete then they just go to the spot, if another official has incomplete then they would show the incomplete. A lot of people watch Sunday ball and this catch signal will only get you into trouble at the high school level (because of Sunday ball). You are screwed if one does show this signal and the ball does hit the ground, one official might have been screened (we know that a catch is ruled if someone does not see the ball hit the ground, even if it did).

With re. to your two points: I agree, no U at any level should do it, and yes, sometimes he (that particular U) can be like that.

I agree that it can be trouble if that signal is made and another official sees a reason that the pass is incomplete. Also, the signal should be used only in certain situations, and if the official is 100% certain it is indeed a catch. One example of when it can be used would be a low pass over the middle for a TD. The umpire should not signal TD (sorry to bring up another topic on this thread), but he needs to indicate to the wing guys that there was indeed a catch.

[Edited by PSU213 on Oct 4th, 2004 at 02:09 AM]

We have been told not to use it by several officials in my area. It is not needed. Either you have a catch or you have an incomplete pass. I used to not agree with that, but I see too many people using it on routine catches. I see no real need for the signal.

For all those that seem to be offended by the "NFL" comment, the reality is that we do not do everything the NFL does. But if it is accepted in your state, by all means do that. I just think we have to understand the NFL does things not for the same reasons we do things.

Just my opinion.

Peace

Don't know of anyone who uses it in may area either in NF games. Even though is a supplemental signal for NCAA, I've not used there and had many plays where it could have been used.
I feel it is just an unnessary signal. If you don't have a catch, the incomplete pass signal tells everyone that. If you have a catch, then marking the spot is good enought. I have no problem if others want to use it.