Goal Line Help

[Jaysef]

Gentlemen,

As an Umpire, what kind of help, if any should I give the wings on goal-line play? If I'm watching tackle to tackle play, and the run comes up the gut, can I assist the wings in determining ball location with relation to the goal line as the runner attempts to blast through the pile?

I was faced with this in a JV game last night when, on a 2nd and goal the runner came through, and broke the plane with the ball. I did nothing since it is the wing's call. both wings had him short of GL. The LJ saw the runner's knee down short, but what is the best way, as a crew, to determine which occurred first: knee down, or ball breaking the plane? If the wings can't see ball through the pile of bodies, should my angle I enter into the call?

2nd Yr Ump