Wearing the white hat for the first time...

[MJT]

Originally posted by sloth
Well I wanted to update everyone on how it went. All things considered I'd give myself a C+ for the night. I made some early mistakes, and I've identified some things to work on, but I also was able to have some success and did something well.

Things I messed up on...

Gave PI signal for a bloack in the back.

Had 4-5 times in the first half where I forgot to wind the clock on the ready for play (after 1st down).

I think I missed some holding calls in the interior of the line.

I lost track of the QB following turnovers (which will lead into a question later).

In the first half I was rushing the RFP and sort of hung out my chain crew and linesman.

Positive things...

The issue with rushing the RFP when the chains were moving as well as winding the clock on the ready for play went away in the late 3rd/early in the 4th.

Had an issue with the visiting head coach and my umpire...he ended up throwing a USC. I ended up having to physically pull my umpire back from the head coach. (this was due to a flag that was thrown for defensive holding on the DE on a pass play the resulted in an interception for the defense. Coach was hot and the umpire is known for his short temper). I was able to get the visiting head coach and the LJ that threw the holding call together As we were going in at halftime), and in a rational way explained why the flag was thrown. HE wasn't happy, but I think the fact that he was able to hear what the LJ saw and I was able to give him the rules interpertation made him accept the call. I also could feel the play was getting a little bit chippy at the end of the half, so I spaoke brielfy with each head coach and asked them to make sure the players kept a cool head. The second half went much better. IT didn't help that we had a 1 point final score (as for the emotion and intensity). But I think being able to resolve the conflict was a positive that I took from the night.

In the 4th as I felt the game coming to me, I relized that I really enjoyed the position. I think I might be hooked. I do need a lot of work wearing the white hat, but I was encouraged by my progress from the 1st to the 4th.

Now my question...after throwning a interception, how much protection do you afford the QB? In both interceptions, the same player (the DE) cmae looking specifically for the QB. While both hits we pretty rough, they were clean. The player passed other potential blockees to look for the QB. I felt bad as thought I needed to stay with the QB longer (I was looking for hold and blocks in the back on the return).

Also, I had several cases where I had a couple players rolling around on the ground. ON a punt, kicks away, I'm watching the punter and as the action goes down field, I notice a couple blockers that have gotten tied up and are rolling around. I don't know how they got there, and there's noting really flagrent (punches, kneeing or anything else)...it just sort of looked ugly. What do you call?

Thanks.

If the QB is directly involved in the play, trying to make a tackle and so on, he is fair game if blocks are legal. If he is out of the play, we have a foul, and there may be more of an opportunity for someone to look for him and hit him out of the play more than other players. The NFL has more protection for the QB after an INT than the NF does.

One big thing is after a punt or pass goes downfield, you should step in and yell "balls away," or "we're done here" to line man who are still blocking and getting into it. This cleans up 99% of those potential problem. They do not always know when to let up. When the ball is gone, get in there and let them know, cuz they do not need to keep blocking each other when the ball is downfield and continuing to go that way. I talk a lot after every play. If a big pile up occurs after a short run, I get in there quick and yell, "up easy, roll off, push off the ground."

Also, your positive comments towards the players goes a long way. When they let up on hitting the QB, tell them "good job of letting up 65", or when they stand a guy up after a whistle for forward progress, tell them. Positive talk towards players can REALLY HELP in your game management.