Umpire Signaling TD

[Warrenkicker]

Sometimes you have to. The year before I joined my current crew they worked a 4-man game. Some time in the first half the LJ had his leg broken during a play. (No this wasn't a mafia game ) They had to work the rest of the game as a 3-man crew. You might not want to do it but you'd better be ready for it if it happens.

[FredFan7]

I understand that you may have to finish a game with fewer officials, but for a school to say "we'll only pay for three officials to work our varsity game" that's a little too stingy in my book. I know public schools have money problems these days, but come on, I doubt they'll balance the budget on the backs of the zebras!

[Forksref]

Originally posted by chris s
Youth ball, LJ was an oldtimer ump, slow and LAZY on the wings.Dive play from about the 6, kid breaks plane, I'm saying, "he's in, he's in", look towards LJ, he's maybe at the five, I signal and he goes freaking ape-**** crazy on me.....gee thought I was helping him out????

The wings should be moving to the goal line right after the snap. On balls snapped inside the 10, the wings go to the goal linea and the BJ has the endline. This is a coverage mistake.

[Rich]

Originally posted by FredFan7
Believe it or not, we're working a varsity reserve game in the Madison area with 3-officials on Saturday morning. It's all the school will pay for. Normally I'll bring 5 if they'll pay for 4 and we'll split 4 checks, but when they only pay for 3 at $35/per they get 3.

--Rich

This is cheating the kids. No way can a three man crew see all that's needed to be seen in a varsity game. Too bad. Are you going three man "by the book" or having a R, HL and LJ? [/B][/QUOTE]

Read closer. It's a varsity RESERVE game. the bigger schools play VR and JV here.

My preference is to work without an umpire and have the referee watch the line play closer. Since I'm the referee that's what we'll likely do.

In WI it is REQUIRED to have at least 4 in a varsity game, with 5 strongly recommended.

--Rich

[Deep]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

It's a varsity RESERVE game. the bigger schools play VR and JV here.

That's interesting. I've never heard of that before. Anybody else on the board doing that?

[Bob Proctor]

Totally agree with Mike and Crowder! I do prefer the pointing down signal however since it is a completely undefined signal to the sidelines and fans AND announcers. It relays a clear signal to the crew and yet gives nothing to anyone else. A thumbs up might indicate "I have a touchdown" to a coach, but pointing down only indicates that I can see the ball down. The explanation to the coach is that yes, the Umpire saw the ball down but it's still the flank's call as they have the best perspective relative to the ball and the goal line.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally posted by JRutledge

I do not think there is any situation where you could unless you have a fumble and they see the recovery in the end zone. But as a general rule, I would not advocate having the Umpire signal TD. Because in most situations the umpire does not have the angle to decided if the knee was down or not. I think all the umpire should do is use a crew signal that helps the wings make a decision. I just see more going wrong than going right if the umpire signals a TD.

Peace

This is hilarious because here in Canada, the U has no restrictions on what he can/should do/not do.

The U in a Cdn totally has the ability to judge forward progress.

What is it that causes this fundamental difference? Field size?