Advice for first year ref...

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

...I've seen two D-I deep guys blow IWs on muffed punts in the last year.

REPLY: And I'll bet this evening's game check that they were blown on situations where R signalled for a fair catch...right?

OK, here's my soapbox rant and many of you have heard it before. But for the newer guys:


There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hurry your whistle when a receiver makes a fair catch. Too many officials think it's their sworn duty on such plays to 'protect the receiver' with a quick whistle. It's not!!! R's signal has already done that. Everyone in the stadium knows that the ball will become dead when R catches or recovers it. Let the play reach its logical conclusion and only blow the whistle after it's absolutely clear that R has possessed the ball. And do you think that your quick whistle would prevent a hit on R in this case. Of course it wouldn't. All it does is increase the risk of an IW exponentially. On some occasions, I haven't sounded the whistle until the receiver turns to toss me the ball or set it on the ground.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: And I'll bet this evening's game check that they were blown on situations where R signalled for a fair catch...right?

OK, here's my soapbox rant and many of you have heard it before. But for the newer guys:


There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hurry your whistle when a receiver makes a fair catch. Too many officials think it's their sworn duty on such plays to 'protect the receiver' with a quick whistle. It's not!!! R's signal has already done that. Everyone in the stadium knows that the ball will become dead when R catches or recovers it. Let the play reach its logical conclusion and only blow the whistle after it's absolutely clear that R has possessed the ball. And do you think that your quick whistle would prevent a hit on R in this case. Of course it wouldn't. All it does is increase the risk of an IW exponentially. On some occasions, I haven't sounded the whistle until the receiver turns to toss me the ball or set it on the ground.

Believe it or not, Bob, I pregame this with my crew (and especially the back judge) every week. To me it's the ultimate nightmare scenario.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Believe it or not, Bob, I pregame this with my crew (and especially the back judge) every week. To me it's the ultimate nightmare scenario.

REPLY: Was I right...or do I owe you my game check from tonight? Actually, I can't really lose since we don't have a game tonight!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: Was I right...or do I owe you my game check from tonight? Actually, I can't really lose since we don't have a game tonight!

Of course you're right. But I wouldn't take that bet