Question about the football itself

[rockyroad]

A question about the balls used during the game - we had a game Saturday night and the weather was pretty sloppy. We were trying to change balls every play (as much as we could). The HS where I coach is vey small, so we don't have a huge budget...we have three game balls, all three were checked and OK'd prior to the game...two are leather and one is composite. At halftime, the U told us that if we switched from a leather to the comp ball during the same offensive series, he would flag us 15 yards for USC...I have never heard anything like that before - I understand you can't do that when kicking - switch to a specific ball, but between first down and second down? I looked at the white hat and he just shrugged and walked off. Any thoughts?

[FootballRef05]

By rule you are not supposed to change ball type during a series. If you start with a leather ball you are supposed to keep a leather ball for the entire series.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

By rule you are not supposed to change ball type during a series. If you start with a leather ball you are supposed to keep a leather ball for the entire series.

Could you cite that rule for me - I can't find it in the book...and does that apply to the enitre series, or just until we make a first down?

[FootballRef05]

1-3-2 Each team may use any referee approved ball of it's choice to free kick or start a new series of downs. If a touchdown occurs following a change of posession and the socring team did not put the ball in play, any referee approved ball my be used for the try.

1-3-3 If the field is wet, the referee may order the ball to be changed between downs.

Unless your state has a different rule then we do here in Ny we do not allow the ball to be changed from one typr to another. If the field is wet we allow the ball to be changed every down however it must be the same type of approved ball.

[BIG UMP]

I don't have my books with me but there is a play explaining the switch from leather to composite in the case book.

Thanks David, knew I had seen it just last week while taking my part 2 test online.

[DavidTN]

If you are permitting a change of the football within a series, a change from leather to rubber or vice versa is still not permitted within the series. See Casebook 1.3.2 Situation A.

[FootballRef05]

Originally Posted by BIG UMP

I don't have my books with me but there is a play explaining the switch from leather to composite in the case book.

Case Book 1-3-2

A change from leather to rubber or vice versa or from longitudinal striping or conventional striping can only be made for a free kick or to start a series. If weather conditions warrant, a switch can be made by the officials from leather to leather or rubber to rubber within a series.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by FootballRef05

Case Book 1-3-2

A change from leather to rubber or vice versa or from longitudinal striping or conventional striping can only be made for a free kick or to start a series. If weather conditions warrant, a switch can be made by the officials from leather to leather or rubber to rubber within a series.

Thanks guys...now I can go show my head coach the rule and case...it caused quite a stir amongst the crew (4 man) during the halftime conversation according tto the Line Judge on our sideline...thanks again!

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Thanks guys...now I can go show my head coach the rule and case...it caused quite a stir amongst the crew (4 man) during the halftime conversation according tto the Line Judge on our sideline...thanks again!

Under your conditions I would ask the coaches if it was okay to use all three balls whenever if it was the only way to keep a good/dry ball in the game.