Bean Bag use

[dogleg]

Are the Linesmen and LJ's suppose to drop the bean bag to get the ball or do they stand still and have the Umpire get it on sweeps outside of the inbound lines?

[James Neil]

I’m not real sure what you’re asking here. When working the wing, the only time I drop my bag to retrieve the ball is when I need to mark the spot where the runner went out of bounds or the ball left the field on a fumble or kick. As far as the Umpire retrieving the ball outside the hash, that usually depends on who I’m working with. There’s some WH’s I work with who like the old school way where the U never goes outside the hash. Then there’s the newer type who want you to be more mobile. I like the more mobile type myself. It shows more hustle and keeps the game moving along. As far as working collage ball goes, it’ll be down-gradesvill big time to the Ump who stays inside the hash

[RefNVa]

When I'm working the U I go where I think I need to, to heck with what the WH wants! :"D

[Bob M.]

REPLY: As opposed to "getting the ball," the primary reason for the wing to leave the sideline and move into the team areas would be to 'protect' the opponent. When an official is in the area, it's less likely that bad things will happen. Dropping the bean bag and going in is one means of doing that. When the line to gain is threatened by the runner's progress, it would be advantageous for the wing to hold his progress spot, face the opponents in the team area, and rely on either the R or the B to assist in cleaning up. Some may disagree with this but it's one way to manage this situation. If solely for the purpose of retrieving the ball, wait till things calm down and players begin to return to their huddles. Then worry about the ball.

[Jim D]

You have to assume that if you drop your bean bag to go retreive a ball that the bean bag will be be moved/kicked. It's more important getting the correct dead ball spot or saving ten seconds in retreiving the ball. Let the Referee or Back Judge help in getting the ball or wait until someone else gets your spot before you leave it.

[irefky]

I understand why you are asking about wings dropping the bag. I get to the spot and hold it, the BJ or WH will take care of the ball if it is away from me. Now, JV games, grade school games, I will do this because we do not have a 5 man crew, sometimes only 3.

[grantsrc]

Using the bean bag to save a spot should be used seldom, if ever. Yes, even in three man games. What can happen is the R coming to help out, or the U can come in behind you from the center of the field, take your spot, thus freeing you to get the ball. I don't mean coming all the way over, but to he hash. Once he has it, simply say, "I've got your spot" or "Go ahead, (name), I have your spot." Or, simply ask assistance from the sideline or ball carrier.

The ball is always such a priority for many officials, when they neglect much of their other dead ball responsibilities. Slow down, take your time, and worry about the ball last. I tell myself that on almost every play.

[booker227]

Bean bag, uses:
momentum, fumble, out of bounds, and PSK
If my linesman or line-judge need to vacate their area, it's my responsibility as the back judge to cover their spot

[dogleg]

Thanks for all the input; we are trying to get one standard for the Association following the mechanics book as close as we can. There are a grey areas. Does anyone's Association have a good plan we can follow?

[Jim D]

Booker,

Why would you use a bean bag for out of bounds?

[booker227]

Jim. On my crew, when the player or the ball travels outside the lines and if the official covering the play must leave the field of play, they will drop the bag at the spot where the ball/player left the field, giving the trailing official the spot, while he/she follows the player and/or retrieves a ball. Being the back judge, I'm usually trailing the play.

[Jim D]

As mentioned in the discussion above, we do not drop our bean bag at the sideline. The covering official, HL or LJ, will follow the runner to the sideline and stop there and hold the spot. The HL/LJ will continue to face the runner and cover the play. Since 99% of the out of bounds plays end up within a yard or two of the sideline, we get both an accurate spot and good coverage. The BJ will go to the ball to help cover the runner and to retreive the ball while the wing observes action from the sideline to the runner. The U covers the action inbounds.

[grantsrc]

Originally posted by booker227
Jim. On my crew, when the player or the ball travels outside the lines and if the official covering the play must leave the field of play, they will drop the bag at the spot where the ball/player left the field, giving the trailing official the spot, while he/she follows the player and/or retrieves a ball. Being the back judge, I'm usually trailing the play.

Booker, what level is this? I assume HS. Also, where do you work?
The reason I ask is that this mechanic is 180 degrees opposite of what the Fed recommends. Also, the publication from Referee Mag suggests something different too.

The way that most of us do it (I assume) is that if a play continues out of bounds, the covering officials turns his back to the play while staying at the spot. At this point in time, he trail officials, usually the BJ but sometimes the R comes over and cleans the sidelines. That way, the bean bad won't get kicked or moved in all the commotion.

Watch a college or NFL game. The LJ or HL will stay at the spot, will the SJ or FJ, and if it is the QB the R, will come in and personally escort the opposite team's player back into the field of play.

[Bob M.]

Originally posted by Jim D
As mentioned in the discussion above, we do not drop our bean bag at the sideline. The covering official, HL or LJ, will follow the runner to the sideline and stop there and hold the spot. The HL/LJ will continue to face the runner and cover the play. Since 99% of the out of bounds plays end up within a yard or two of the sideline, we get both an accurate spot and good coverage. The BJ will go to the ball to help cover the runner and to retreive the ball while the wing observes action from the sideline to the runner. The U covers the action inbounds.

REPLY: We do the same thing as Jim describes here. It's perfectly feasible inside either 25 since the covering wing can easily watch what happens OOB. But if a runner is run out of bounds into either team box, and disappears into a bunch of team members, we do have the closest official (might be the wing) head into "no-man's land" to ensure the safety of all participants. If it's the wing, he drops the bag. Other officials (R and/or B) rushing to the spot key on the bag to ensure it doesn't get misplaced. If the R or B are nearby at the time and can get into the sideline mix, they let the wing know, "I got it" so that the wing can remain at the dead ball spot.

[booker227]

We use five men crews for varsity where I am an official. I am aware of what the federation wants, but with my crew of geezers, it works better. This doesn't happen on every play. but those where the side offical is forced by circumstance across the sidelines. My favorite offical, God bless his soul, with more than thirty years of experience and countless play off games, while working the wings would simply hold up the number of fingers corresponding with his receivers. Simple, but effective. I am still (hope) quick enough and experienced enough to move where I need to be to cover.