IW question

[waltjp]

Correct. The penalty is enforced from the end of the run, B's 32. If B accepts the penalty it's first down from B's 22.

If B declines the penalty then A will have the choice of putting the ball in play from the spot of the fumble or replaying the down.

NF 4-2-3

[ChickenOfNC]

.....and the official blowing the IW gets the choice of 4 lashes or walking home.

[Warrenkicker]

We had one of the worst situations possible for an IW on Monday. Newer official, second year, was LJ on a kickoff. K onsides and the ball hits K about 5 yards down field and rolls around there for a bit. While the ball is still moving LJ blows his whistle. So now not only does R not get to take the ball at the spot of first touching but K gets to kick off again. Let's just say they were none to happy with us about that one.

[andy1033]

We all make mistakes. On lower level games this may occur with newer officials.

[mikesears]

Originally Posted by andy1033

We all make mistakes. On lower level games this may occur with newer officials.

It has happened at all levels of play. Several years ago, I heard an IW at an NFL game. And every year, there seems to be an IW at the college level somewhere.


It is just more likely to occur at lower levels because younger officials haven't developed the whistle control needed.

[Warrenkicker]

I wouldn't say that this was an issue of whistle control though I agree that is an issue with newer officials. This was just an issue with a new official seeing a situation he was not familiar with. This first touching by K on a kick-off was new to him. Talking to him later proved that he did know most of what he needed to know on the play except the fact that the touching by K didn't cause the ball to become dead. I said that if the ball had stopped moving prior to his whistle then we could have gotten away with just declaring a stationary ball dead but since it was still moving we had to go with IW. This guy has had tentative whistles since he started but is getting much better. It appears that he will probably be on a varsity crew next year and that will only help him to get better. One thing I notice about him is that he is working in a small town on Saturdays and is the only registered official working those games. With that he has no mentoring and may develop bad techniques so these JV and freshman games are his big test right now to make sure he is doing things correctly.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by ChickenOfNC

.....and the official blowing the IW gets the choice of 4 lashes or walking home.

Or awarded a finger whistle because he didn't get the whistle spit out at the snap.