Stump the chump - philosophy questions

[MJT]

1. Do we tell them, or not? Here is the case. Under NF rules, 6-5-4 states "The captain may choose to free kick or snap anywhere between the inbounds line on the yard line through the spot of the FC is made or thru the spot of interference, when a FC is awarded. These choices remain if a DB foul occurs prior to the down, or a foul or any IW occurs during the down and the down is repeated." Let’s say a FC, or awarded FC occurs at the B-35 with 9 seconds left. On the next play we have DPI, or another foul, so the free kick after a FC is still an option for team A after the penalty enforcement and we still have 2 seconds on the clock. Team A is behind by 2 points.

Team A and their coaches are none the wiser of this “opportunity” that by rule exists for them. Do tell them they have this opportunity to free kick from the 20 yard line? Are we required to tell them?

My opinion is, we do not have to tell them. Why? This is not a penalty situation where we need to give them all there options. When R completes a fair catch, or an awarded fair catch, they have that option, but we do not have to tell them they can snap the ball or have a free kick anywhere between the hashes.

That being said, if they know they can do so, and take the free kick option and a penalty occurs, we should tell them that they still have the free kick option cuz that is part of the penalty situation.

That’s my 2 cents, what’s yours?

2. Tell coach penalty options, or not? If you have a very complicated penalty enforcement, one in which the captain could easily be confused, and would be looking to the coach for help anyway, would it be ok to take the captain over by the sidelines so the coach can hear the options? I have seen it done in the NFL and NCAA before, or at least it appears that’s what they are doing. I think it is ok, and if the other coach has a problem with it, tell him you would give him the same courtesy if needed. This would be a 1 or maybe 2 times a year situation at best.