Goal line -- not seeing the ball
 

I know it doesn't look good when we have to do this, but it's nice to see Markbreit address this in a column:

Gotta find that ball... if you cant see it way out on the side, thats why you have to come bustin' in...

REPLY: Also...set up a signal with your U that he can use to indicate to you that he has the ball in the runner's possesssion in the end zone. He shouldn't signal TD, but he should be able to help the wings in these cases. Our U puts his closed fist on his chest like he grabbing a lanyard.

We were doing the same with the closed fist on the chest, until some started picking up on the signal. Now most guys here will just call out their name if the have the ball in.

We had a big discussion about this following a close play on a QB sneak on the GL that we could not cleary see. Here is what we came up with. First, wings have to crash. Second, the umpire gives a signal to the wings if he has the ball in the EZ (not a TD signal mind you). If the wings crash and don't see the ball break the plane and the U doesn't see the ball in the EZ, then we have no TD (and we will not see the ball in there 30 seconds later, then rule TD, as he could have gotten it in there will a roll).

I was watching a college game (Cincinatti vs ?) on TV over the weekend and seen a play like this. The wing came rushing in and before he could find the ball the Umpire done threw his arms up and signaled TD. The wing finally seen the ball and signaled as well.

I have a problem with the NFL's mechanics on the goal line. Both wing officials stay on the side lines. They never move toward the ball or "pinch in". Then, if they don't see the ball cross the goal line, they come running in. Three days later they signal touchdown. Now, you know that ball carrier had all the time in the world to move that ball across the line while under the pile. I just don't think you should signal touchdown unless you watch the ball cross over the goal line, not just find it in the end zone after you run in.

This issue was addressed Mark Baultz (NFL official) at the Indy clinic this summer. He made a very convincing arguement for crashing the pile and spotting the ball where it ends up. In the past I had been calling the play short if I didn't see it cross the line...but upon relection, I think awarding the ball where you find it (the umpire freeze the pile and help you out with what he sees) is the best way to make the right call the most times.

How in the heck does the umpier "freeze the pile"?? I understand he is right there and starts digging but there is no way he is going to prevent the runner from advancing the ball over the goal line after he is down.

Look for your umpire to nod, or tip his cap

if none of the 3 of you think he is in... he isn't

If you don't see the ball, don't make the call.

Bob

If you crash, you can usually tell by how the player is laying whether he has advanced the ball. If the ball is still tucked away and is a foot beyond the endzone, you got a TD. If you never saw the kid stretch the ball in front of him on his feet and when you crash you find him with the ball stretched just barely breaking the plane, it's probably short.

As for pinching in before the play, what do you do if the play doesn't go up the middle? What if it comes to your sideline? What if you have a pylon play? Do you want to be officiating while backing up? Worse yet, do you want to have the play go behind you? The NFL mechanic is a good mechanic - start wide and crash once you KNOW the ball went up the middle.

As the umpire on our crew I us a thumbs up signal when I have the ball in the EZ. Holding teh fist to my shest is not always visible to wings, so I extend my arm out in front of me. Our wings know that I have the ball in the EZ, but that does not mean TD, so they still must use their own judgement.