Linesmen- Overworked!

[Ed Hickland]

No matter how many officials you have R and U should work together to count the offense because U is looking directly at the offense and waiting to count his 5 players numbered from 50 to 79. R is in the offensive backfield and has the best view of the offense pre-snap, plus, must maintain the proper number of players in the huddle.

If I only had that fifth official, my back judge would count the defense as he has the best view with HL and LJ confirming.

As the R I have my U give a thumbs up signal for 11 and thumbs down for less than. He is also empowered to flag too many in the huddle. I give him the thumbs up if I count 11 or down for 10.

As the R I depend on my wings to signal on or off the line. That lets me as the R know who is in the backfield and it is a simple matter to count to four.

If I only had that fifth official!