umpire on pass routes

[sj]

I have a friend who is a secondary coach in college and he has asked me more than once when are they going to move the U back behind the LOS with the R in order to avoid the problem all together. Keep in mind he coaches defense. You probably won't get any votes for a move like that from the offensive side of the ball.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by sj

I have a friend who is a secondary coach in college and he has asked me more than once when are they going to move the U back behind the LOS with the R in order to avoid the problem all together. Keep in mind he coaches defense. You probably won't get any votes for a move like that from the offensive side of the ball.

That will never happen. You can see holds by O-linemen much better setting up behind the D-line cuz you can see their hands and what they are doing. When behind the O-line, you often have their body between you and their hands on the defense. You need someone there.

[jjrye22]

jaybird:

Right, I'm not sure why I wrote TE instead of T - Must have been lack of concentration.

James

[grantsrc]

Originally Posted by sj

I have a friend who is a secondary coach in college and he has asked me more than once when are they going to move the U back behind the LOS with the R in order to avoid the problem all together. Keep in mind he coaches defense. You probably won't get any votes for a move like that from the offensive side of the ball.

This was discussed by Pereira on an Official's Review segment after the NFL umpire was hit, I believe in Tampa. Garth De... something. Pereira said that the NFL has talked about moving the U to the offensive backfield but like MJT said, they see less over there.

I just don't see that change taking place.

[Rick KY]

There are two pass plays I hate to see as an umpire. The first is the TE coming across toward me bringing the LB with him. The second is the middle screen well desguised as a drop back pass play.

I try to get to the line quickly to avoid downfield pass plays, but then you've got to keep your head on a swivel to see that screen play when the slot receiver slides down the LOS to the middle where the snap took place.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Rick KY

There are two pass plays I hate to see as an umpire. The first is the TE coming across toward me bringing the LB with him. The second is the middle screen well desguised as a drop back pass play.

I try to get to the line quickly to avoid downfield pass plays, but then you've got to keep your head on a swivel to see that screen play when the slot receiver slides down the LOS to the middle where the snap took place.

I know you said pass plays but a well executed draw is just as bad. You read pass and start to step up and all of a sudden you have someone with the ball chugging right for ya!

[RoyGardner]

I would agree with Walt. The middle draw where the QB and O-Line have done a good job of creating a "pass read" so U is moving up to the LOS, then O-Line and RB fire straight back up the middle leaves the U with players in the front coming at him with 1 or more linebackers coming hard from his back. I can attest to the fact that the suggestion of "stay planted and let the RB go left or right around you" does not work real good on this kind of draw.

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by RoyGardner

I would agree with Walt. The middle draw where the QB and O-Line have done a good job of creating a "pass read" so U is moving up to the LOS, then O-Line and RB fire straight back up the middle leaves the U with players in the front coming at him with 1 or more linebackers coming hard from his back. I can attest to the fact that the suggestion of "stay planted and let the RB go left or right around you" does not work real good on this kind of draw.

I think they'll avoid you if you get a reputation as a good tackler.

[Rick KY]

Last season, in the state quarterfinals, I got caught up in a draw play just as you described. The runner, his lead blocker, several defenders, and I all met at the same spot. I was in the middle with players all around so I did not go down. But it was a tense moment to be sure.

Does anybody have tips on reading the draw or the middle screen?

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by Rick KY

Last season, in the state quarterfinals, I got caught up in a draw play just as you described. The runner, his lead blocker, several defenders, and I all met at the same spot. I was in the middle with players all around so I did not go down. But it was a tense moment to be sure.

Does anybody have tips on reading the draw or the middle screen?

Of course you'd be most concerned about a middle draw (or the middle screen). If you look at how they coach blocking schemes, middle screens (and to some extent draws) stick out in that they'll have the guards doing opposite things. If at least one guard pulls, you're probably safe (though not against a trap). Usually on non-pull plays the guards will be blocking in the same direction, left or right. If you see the RG blocking left, and the LG blocking right -- in other words, each one is giving the defender the inside, then you have a problem. If you see each one giving the defender the outside, you're probably seeing pass protection, but that could easily develop into a middle draw if they do it to an extreme.

However, if you see the middle of the line all cut block, then you have a quick pass over the middle!

Robert

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by grantsrc

This was discussed by Pereira on an Official's Review segment after the NFL umpire was hit, I believe in Tampa. Garth De... something. Pereira said that the NFL has talked about moving the U to the offensive backfield but like MJT said, they see less over there.

I think it'd strongly affect the game. Like when the IWFL (or at least the local team) cheaped out and went to 4 man crews -- fine if you have games with little or no passing, but when they pass a lot it really affects the game vs. the 5- or 6-man crews other leagues were using.

Robert

[The Roamin' Umpire]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

I think it'd strongly affect the game. Like when the IWFL (or at least the local team) cheaped out and went to 4 man crews -- fine if you have games with little or no passing, but when they pass a lot it really affects the game vs. the 5- or 6-man crews other leagues were using.

Robert

We're in a place where the schools' association has steadfastly refused to go to 5-man. Speaking from that experience, the difference between four and five officials on the field is immense, and moving from five to four is a really poor decision.

Moving the umpire to the offensive backfield would be an order of magnitude worse. (And this from the guy that HATES to work in the umpire slot.) His presence on the defensive side of the ball has such a positive effect on game control that no amount of improved visibility (which I question anyway) is worth giving that up.