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[FootballRef05]

Certainly we all understand preventive officiating however in the 10 years I have been doing this I have always been intrigued with how we interpert the rules and which ones we feel are nit picky and are allowed to be let go for a certain amount of time, and how each official has a different level of tolerance for this.

In this situation what the center is doing is clearly illegal, however the respinses have varied from talking to him, letting him do it several time before tossing a flag to no harm no foul. I guess this is part of what I love about officiating.

I would love to know how all of you would handle a D linemen with his hand in the NZ?

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

Certainly we all understand preventive officiating however in the 10 years I have been doing this I have always been intrigued with how we interpert the rules and which ones we feel are nit picky and are allowed to be let go for a certain amount of time, and how each official has a different level of tolerance for this.

In this situation what the center is doing is clearly illegal, however the respinses have varied from talking to him, letting him do it several time before tossing a flag to no harm no foul. I guess this is part of what I love about officiating.

I would love to know how all of you would handle a D linemen with his hand in the NZ?

I would handle this way, if I am the wing official I would talk to my umpire and have him move the D player back. If the D player's team is on my side I would talk to the coach.

[FootballRef05]

When do you throw the flag? Off coach is in your ear, looking right down the NZ with you.

[Jim D]

I hope having the coach yelling in your ear should not be a factor on whether to call this. I would tell the coach something like "I'll deal with it" and then talk to the player or to the Umpire. Most coaches understand because, even though they'd like the free 5 yards, it may be their kid next play. Think of all the times on a punt when offensive linemen point to the players that they will block and actually cross the neutral zone with their arms when they point. Nobody is going to call that infraction.

I wouldn't let it go on all game and, if the kid won't respond to our suggestions, then I'd start flagging him but I would work to fix the problem first.

[FootballRef05]

Of course the coach is not going to influence the call however, after several plays and it is clear that the D is encroaching he has a valid point.

I agree with trying to fix it but sometimgs guys that don't work the flanks look at the wing guy calling that is nit-picking and don't have a grap on what is happening out there on the wings.

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

When do you throw the flag? Off coach is in your ear, looking right down the NZ with you.

Is that case I really may not have a choice but throw a cheap (IMO) flag.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

When do you throw the flag? Off coach is in your ear, looking right down the NZ with you.

"Coach, I need you to give me some space to work in. Can't have you right beside me."

"U - back up number 72 for me."

Flag the next time. (unless these are 8th graders - where they probably get a few more "Hey, back up!" 's.