field goal......good?

[paulis]

I am not a football official (hoops is my thing) but while watching tonight's Stanford vs. Notre Dame game something just did not look right. A field goal was attempted and the officials who determine whether or not it is good were standing directly underneath the goal posts. It was difficult to tell if the ball traveled within the posts. If the ball is kicked high enough that it travels over the goal post, does the official standing right underneath it really have that good a view? What about the other official under the other goal post? Looks like he has the worst view of anyone yet there he is with arms stretched up. Seems like the referee or someone out on the field might actually have a better view. What's up with this?

[BktBallRef]

We stand directly under the post because the ball must be completely inside the post. If you stand further behind the post or under the cross bar, you can't tell if the ball is inside the post or over the top of the post. As for the official on the other side, the two communicate with each other before signalling. The mechanics that you describe are correct.

[Edited by BktBallRef on Nov 25th, 2001 at 01:33 AM]

[paulis]

sorry, but your response does not make sense. You say that if you stand further behind the goal post you get a better look. So why do you stand directly underneath it?

[BktBallRef]

Sorry. I'm an official, not a typist. Reply corrected.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by paulis
I am not a football official (hoops is my thing) but while watching tonight's Stanford vs. Notre Dame game something just did not look right. A field goal was attempted and the officials who determine whether or not it is good were standing directly underneath the goal posts. It was difficult to tell if the ball traveled within the posts. If the ball is kicked high enough that it travels over the goal post, does the official standing right underneath it really have that good a view? What about the other official under the other goal post? Looks like he has the worst view of anyone yet there he is with arms stretched up. Seems like the referee or someone out on the field might actually have a better view. What's up with this?

If you notice, the officials covering the posts stand a few feet back initially and adapt to the flight of the incoming ball. Once the kick is either good or no good they look at each other and communicate via voice -- yes or no -- before moving to give the signal.

Happens so fast and smooth you almost never notice.

[bluezebra]

paulis:

Did you read this answer?

"We stand directly under the post because the ball must be completely inside the post. If you stand further behind the post or under the cross bar, you can't tell if the ball is inside the post or over the top of the post."

This was your response:

"sorry, but your response does not make sense. You say that if you stand further behind the goal post you get a better look. So why do you stand directly underneath it?"

BktBallRef said if you stand further behind the post, you can't tell....He answered your question.

Bob

[paulis]

Did you read the response? The part at the bottom which states that he edited it? The edited version has changes in bold.