Monday Night football

[Jaysef]

I am digressing from the original topic (not nit-picking), but marching off penalties is frowned upon at the highschool level. Something I have struggled with on poorly marked High school fieldss. I have been told walking off penalties is not mechanically correct. Any advice from any veteran middle men?

J

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

How do you know the ball is correctly placed after marching 5 yards? The tape on the chain is pretty much a standard mechanic at all levels. If the down box guy isn't on the ball then the HL has to keep him in line.

Interestingly enough, this is where the phrases "on the ball" and "keep him in line" originated.

[Jim D]

You don't want to look like a storm trooper goose stepping down the field when you mark off a penalty. It's better to see where the spot is and just move it back 5 or 10 or 15 yards. For example, if the ball is at the 24, you know it has to end up on the 19 so start at the 24, pick up the ball and walk to the 19 and place it there. If it's at the 24 1/2 then it goes to the 19 1/2, etc.

[Jaysef]

Are there any sound techniques for a spot that begins a football length and three inches behind the 43yl (going out), and you're marking off a 15-yarder? I have struggled with this, feeling rushed to keep the game moving, and, as I stated, these high school fields aren't always marked well. NFHS says to walk and point to major yard lines.

Thanks for the input

[JasonTX]

Another option is to use a reverse measurement to determine if the ball will be beyond the line. Just grab the chain at a yard line and bring it onto the field. Then depending on what the penalty yardage is (5, 10, 15) and move the chains backwards. If the ball is in advance of the front stake then you know it will be a first down after you walk off the yardage. If it's short, grab the spot on the chain and move the chain the penalty distance and spot the ball at that spot.

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Jaysef

Are there any sound techniques for a spot that begins a football length and three inches behind the 43yl (going out), and you're marking off a 15-yarder? I have struggled with this, feeling rushed to keep the game moving, and, as I stated, these high school fields aren't always marked well. NFHS says to walk and point to major yard lines.

Thanks for the input

The number one suggestion is to slow down - don't feel rushed because the 30 - 60 seconds it takes to get this right won't be noticed. On this type you have to do a little math. It's 15 yards from the 43 so you have 7 to the 50 and then 8 to the 42. Since you are about a ball this side of the 43, you have the same distance on the same side of the 42. Say all of this out loud to the rest of the crew as you're figuring it out. Have the HL mark it off independently and it should work out easily.

[waltjp]

I don't even do the math. I pick up the ball and pace the distance to the next yard line. In this case I'll have 2 yards to A's 45, the 50 makes 7 yards, the B's 45 makes 12 yards, then pace off the 3 additional yards needed. Do not pace off all 15 yards. If the field is marked off well enough that I can determine that the ball was 3 inches short of A's 43 to start I'll mark the ball that same 3 inches from B's 42. In the grand scheme of things that 3 inches isn't very significant.

[Sonofanump]

When all possible, start the new series on the yard line.

HL should always know if 5 gets a first down.