Counting players

[dh898]

As a newbie, one of the frustrating aspects of line judge is counting B. What are some ways you have found to make it quick and easy? I find myself sometimes not ready for the snap trying to count, particuarly if I'm running chains. It seems there isn't enough time to set the chains, count, recognize the formation and get ready for snap.

[Patton]

Try counting in groups of 3. You can count much quicker by going 3-3-3-2, instead of 1-2-3-4-....

[jrfath]

-If you can, try to count B in their huddle.
-Step off of the line of scrimmage into the backfield to get a better angle to count B if you have the time.
-If B is the team on your sideline, try to monitor the substitutions. If B had 11 the play before, and makes no subs, they have 11 for the next play. If two substitutes come on the field, make sure 2 come off.
-I agree with counting in groups of 3 (3-3-3-2). You would be surprised how fast you can count that way.
-Also, try not to count with your hand (making motions with your hand as if you are ticking off each player counted). This just looks bad.
-If you are working the chains, tell the BJ and LJ that you may not always be able to count B. They will understand.

[Jim S]

JN has a trick... He always uses a shoe with one toe sticking out. That way he does have to start again on his fingers and get confused.

[Daryl H. Long]

Everyone has good suggestions and the more you officiate the more efficient you will become in performing your duties.

Sometimes counting all players cannot be completed but at least try to know there are seven on the line.

On my crew the Referee (counting Offense) and Back Judge (counting Defense) signal with a pump of the fist that we have counted 11 respectively. If the wing official doesn't get his count completed he can look to see if R or BJ are pumping.

Finally, if you can not get the count done before the snap give a quick count immediately after the play is over. You may have to quickly stop any subs from happening but if there are 12 on the field there was illegal participation.

[lucky1313]

once you have counted eleven players on the field, why not just try to count how many come on and off the field? If it isn't a kicking situtation, usually only 1-3 players enter the field.

[MJT]

For team A, it is very quick to count 4-4-3. I have it done before they ever get close to the LOS, so I can look for other stuff then.

[WyMike]

Originally posted by Jim S
JN has a trick... He always uses a shoe with one toe sticking out. That way he does have to start again on his fingers and get confused.

Nice tip. Now maybe our LJ will shut his fly.

WM

[JugglingReferee]

High level game, appropriate officials flag for too many men on the offense.

After the Illegal Substitution signal, the Referee says out loud to the coach to help describe the play: "Coach, you had too many men."

Before the next play, coach yells to have a player run off the field.

Guess what happens next? (I'll wait 1 minute while you guess.)

Ok, that was 1 minute.

Same officials flag again for too many men, same team.

"How can there be too many men, I took a player off."

"Coach, you originally had 14 on the field."

[SWFLguy]

funny that this topic came up here---
at our last meeting down here in SW FL--the officials voted
to use the Federation mechanics of having the umpire and
Referee count the offense.
When I first came here four years ago I was taken back a bit
by them using a mechanic where Umpire and Back Judge
counted the defense !
I came from CNY where for 32 years it was the Federation mechanics.
It was hard for me to change- but I complied with our local
association's wishes.
I'm glad they changed to the one that is certainly easier for the U !!
Especially when the Offense uses the "coir boy" huddle-
I'm able to tell my white hat right away---
"we got 11" !

[michaelpr]

i learned 7-man mechanics a couple of years ago when my college conference started using it. we had johnny grier and ben montgomery from the nfl in teaching us. on 7-man LJ and HL do not have counting responsibilities. i asked ben (lj) if he counted anyone anyway. he said that he counts the offense and defense 3 times each. that just goes to show you counting comes easier with experience.