I think this was covered earlier but I don't remember all of the replies. How many areas follow up the incomplete pass signal with a timeout signal, same thing for the TD signal?

one question: why would we do that?

If I remember correctly, the Fed Officials manual might even say to do that, but why???

Unless you are planing on working for the SEC conference, no one up my way does it. Issuing redundant stop the clock signals is just plain well, stupid.

I agree, its unnecessary although some officials' mechanics may require it. And doing it after a TD looks even more stupid.

Like Tom says, the only college conference I know of using both is the SEC. Apparently clock operators over there are too ignorant or slow to pick up on the incomplete pass signal. It is not used in Texas HS mechanics (which are pretty much just a duplicate of CCA mechanics)

The "SEC mechanics supporters" always point out that it is done so that the clock operator who is standing at the sideline in the SEC, can see that the clock is to be stopped.

Well, would you not solve the problem of not seeing the entire field if you moved him up to the press box, like everyone else has?

SEC mechs are still weird, but I do think there has been an improvement the last few season.

Canadian Mechanic
 

3 signals stop the clock:

<li>any signal that also signals a score</li>
<li>incomplete pass signal</li>
<li>signal to stop the clock for a reason other than the first two</li>

3 signals stop the clock:


any signal that also signals a score

incomplete pass signal

signal to stop the clock for a reason other than the first two
---------------------------------------------------------------------------



... and touchback.

He was talking Canadian mechanics for Canadian football.

USA has the following signals to stop the clock:
Timeout
Safety
Touchdown
Touchback
Incomplete

Z29, You might have noticed that my posts relate to the Canadian game. We don't have a touchback. Nor a fair catch. Our field if bigger, too. We have more ways to score points.

Oh ya, did I mention that our balls are bigger? :P

Darn canucks! Always whizzing in our cheerios!

In our official's clinic (and at the state camp a few years ago) we were told not to do both. The covering official is to signal incomplete, touchdown, etc. but not to signal timeout.

However, the other officials on the field are to stop the clock. I.e. an incomplete pass to the HL side of the field: HL signals incomplete, R/U/LJ/BJ all signal timeout.

I can see that in SubV or PeeWee when you might have poor clock operators, but in a REAL game, surely that's not necessary, and it likely looks bad.

I perosnally would never do it unless my assignor required me to do so (ala SEC). There is no need, all the other officials should give the stop the clock signal if your clock opeartor is a doink. I would only give the stop the clock signal after another stop clocking signal if I lookedup and the clock was still running.

I wonder why each conference can't do things the same. We always preach for the consistency in the rule enforcements. How about the rule on FR-128 that says we are to use the same manual produced under the jurisdiction of the CCA.

That's my issue with topics like this. Many times, associations, states, or conferences do things differently. Why? Who knows. Maybe just to peeve us. But it causes lots of confusion in all aspects of the game.

In my previous profession, it was all about consistency. Consistency from one store to the other, no matter what state we were in. Same thing should hold true for officiating. What so-and-so does in Washington should be the same thing that whats-his-nuts does in Florida. Granted, there are states that choose to go with NCAA. That's cool. Do whatever you want, as long as you are following what the NCAA and CCA prescribes.

The last thing I will say before I get off the soapbox. If shorts are allowed, at least wear black with shorter socks. The white with the long socks looks funny. As if we didn't look funny enough already!

Grant,

I see what you are saying, the problem is when you have an assginor who thinks the mechanics are bad at something and wants it done a different way.

We could sit here and debate different mechanics and what is better. How to cover a field goal in 4-man mechanics, measurement mechanics, kickoff mechanics ect. Different mechanics have different advantages and disadvantages, some feel some are better than others. Its just an opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

PS I like white shorts over the black ones. :p

I completely agree about the different philosphies depending on assigner/observer. I cannot tell you the number of times I've told something different from observers. They're suppose to be on the same page, but we all take our own liberties with things. It's a fact of life.

White shorts? Really? If I were to wear them, people would have a hard time telling the difference between the shorts and my legs!!!

Hehe, reminds me of a HS game I worked in Texas a few years back. Not being a resident of the Lone Star state, and this being in November (?), my skin color was closer to ivory than anything else.

Went out to the field before the game, and a guy up in the stands starting yelling: "Hey ref, you're blinding me up here! And I didn't bring my sunglasses!"

Had to laugh at that one.

How this topic went from Incomplete Pass-Timeout signal to wearing white of black shorts is amazing.

Regardless, I'll wear shorts when the players are allowed to wear shorts as well. Until then, no way. Totally inappropriate to me.

I really believe that 4/5/6 and 7-man mechanics should be standardized and controlled by national committee for NFHS right up through NCAA/NAIA ranks. No state to state deviations, no conference or assignors tweeks allowed.

If you don't like a mechanic, grin and bear it then submit a change for approval and if approved we all do it.

[Edited by Theisey on Nov 18th, 2005 at 08:42 AM]

Standard mechanics and you can never go wrong.

I wish those in charge of mechanics had never approved the wearing of shorts. It took one picture where I was in the background of a play shown in the local newspaper and the shorts went in the trash.

Not to brag but my 5'9" frame with 180 pounds looks reasonably athletic especially considering I work out 13 months out of the year but some of my colleagues look like their biggest exercise is fork lifts -- lifting the fork from the plate to their mouth -- yet, they always want to jump into shorts.

Give me a break, ban the shorts, it's indecent exposure!

Sure was in my case! :-)

Pretty good scheduling on your part, being able to work out 13 months in a 12 month year and all!

I agree! I wish I had his schedule!

Recently I gave up weightlifting to get in better shape. I stopped doing the 12 oz curls as often. Made a big difference!

Guys---
We all know that Lawyers & Accountants can bill 15 months in any 1 year period. Good thing the aren't clock operators

This could also be solved if the don't give the "incomplete" signal at/below their knees.