Goal line -- not seeing the ball

[Rich]

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:

Originally Posted by Markbreit's Column

Let's say an official on the sideline isn't sure if the ball broke the plane of the goal line because his view of the ball was obstructed. He looks at his counterpart across the field, and he didn't have a clear view either. How do they make the call? In that situation, does the head lineman's best estimate prevail? --David Englund, Belvidere, Ill.

There is no estimating by officials in ruling a score. If no official sees the ball break the plane of the goal line, they will continue to run toward the pile of players. If they find the ball over the goal line while digging through the players, a touchdown is signaled. In the pro game, replay can assist when no one sees the ball break the plane of the goal line.

[cougar729]

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

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by cougar729

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.

[FootballRef05]

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.

[PSU213]

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).

[JasonTX]

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.