I froze and missed a call.
 

In my second year as an official and had this happen for the first time now. I saw a block in the back. Clear as day, right in front of me. I saw it and I'm not sure how or why I didn't drop the flag. I watched it and then took off with the runner who was sprung by it. I'm running down field and I'm thinking I saw a block in the back why the hell didn't I throw my flag. I've never froze like that and I'm not even sure what happen there.
Usually if I miss (which hopefully ain't too often) it's a situation where I saw only the tail end of a foul or I thought I saw something but can't say for sure. In those situations I write it off as learning. I'll get better and see more with experience. But this situation I saw the whole foul and I'm not sure why I didn't call it.
I still can't even figure out why I was thinking what I was thinking. Anything I come up with sounds like an excuse in my head. I know I was thinking "that's a BIB and it's the same guy..(just called one the last series that called back a 30 yard run)" Then next thing I know I'm 20-30 yards downfield on this current play asking myself why didn't I flag that.

Has anyone else done this. I'm not asking if anyone has missed a call...obviously that has happen, but has anyone froze on a call like this? How...why? Any thoughts on how to avoid this and how to deal with it now. I know trying to forget and concentrate on the next play and that's what I did during the game. I guess I'm just looking for company in my misery.

"I know I was thinking 'that's a BIB and it's the same guy..(just called one the last series that called back a 30 yard run)' "

REPLY: Might this be the reason?

Possibly. Just not sure why it would have mattered to me.

Don't give up on the foul just because you didn't call it right away. I guess there is a point where it's better to let it go, but throwing the flag for a play like this does not have to be instantanious. Although it will look bad, a late flag would be better than no flag at all. At least you could explain to the coach that you were reviewing it in your mind.


If you see it and didn't call it and then think, "Oh, I should have flagged that", you probably still have time. If your 30 yards down field covering the run back, it's too late.

REPLY: Just remember that a flag that comes in 3-4 seconds after you see the contact is not late. It's the prudent amount of time you need to possibly replay the foul in your head, assess its relevance to the play in progress, determine if it put the opponent at a disadvantage, and finally get the hankie out of your pocket and on the ground.

Yes I have and I'm willing to bet everyone has. Why? I'd guess that I wasn't mentally prepared for that particular play. Either my mind was on something else - the last play, a previous call, my feet hurt, it looks like rain, wow, look at that bod on that gal, whatever. I should be thinking it's 3rd & six...85 is split wide and on the line... 23 is a back...The covered lineman is 75 so no problem there.... My key is 85, etc, etc.

Basically we freeze when we are caught be suprise by something we weren't prepared for. You didn't describe the play but if you were going through all the proper thoughts and watched 85 cut back toward the defensive end and block him in the back, you'd have no problem with making the call.

It happens.

Brainfarts just happen sometimes.

If they can help you be more focused next time, that's what this is all about - you learn more from blowing or choking on a call than you do when you get it right, I believe. But that's just me.

I think its a sophomore thing...this is my third year as a varsity official and that happend more than once last year. I agree that its more of a not mentally prepared to see what you saw. Also consider that as you get more experience you start to pick up on more of your keys and assignments. As such geting your brain to integrate all these things to work together takes some time and practice.

I will say that I haven't had that happen once this year...so try to keep focused and just work through it...I'm sure it will get better.

Sometimes, the brain just sits there and talks to itself and forgets to tell the arm to throw a flag. :) It will happen less and less as you gain experience - but it WILL still happen.

Thanks for the support guys. I talked with the officials on my crew that day and they were also all very supportive. Then the assigner came in on the conversation and picked on me a bit about it. But after a few good laughs about it he told me that I'm doing very well for an inexperienced official. He then told me that an official cancelled on him for a local semi-pro game in a few weeks and that I was to fill in. Go figure, I make a huge mistake and get rewarded with another game. :)
I tell ya, it's odd being on this side of the game but I'm having so much fun being on the field again. I'm sure with lots of study and paying attention to experienced officials like y'all I'll get better and better.
Thanks again everyone!

The guy probably wants you on the crew because he knows you actually care that you missed a call. Some people don't think twice about it.