I was watching a scrimmage (ours got double booked) and thinking about the upcoming season and I came accross something in the Officials Manual.

I just wanted to know if anyone puts their hand straight up (like the signal for Dead ball) right after the ball is dead, a sort of additional visual cue for the players and everyone? I see NFL using this mechanic and wondering if anyone else uses this; Pros v cons, thanks!

I think the NFL does it to start the 40-second play clock.

Is there a smiliar need in NFHS?

Nope, not used in NFHS or NCAA. Personally, I think it looks kind of goofy.

It is used to start the 40 second play clock but also to alert other officials that the ball is dead when you are in cicumstances such that the whistles cannot be heard. If the NCAA ever goes to 40 second play clock, I imagine we will be using it as well.

The only time we use it is when we call a game between deaf school teams (we have one in our area). Since they can't hear the whistle, we have to give them some signal that the play is over.

Other than that, I don't think it is necessary.

Many years ago it was part of NFHS mechanics.

OK, I admit it, for the forst few games of my High School career, I was guilty of doing this, but that was cause I had watched too much NFL ball and seen the big dogs doing it. Once corrected, I stopped that awfully bad habit.