NF: Tough Penalty enforcements

[DJ_NV]

We've got several guys who believe in that philosophy as well. Personally, I'm not one of them but I certainly don't have an issue when guys do bag a fumble behind the NZ, as long as they get their enforcement right and ignore the bag if there's a penalty.

As far as mechanics go, I have much more of a problem when there's a fumble at the LOS and I'm working U and I see a beanbag come flying over my shoulder that was chucked by the BJ 15-20 yards behind me. That's definitely because he can, not because he should.

thanks again

[MJT]

Bean bags only need to be tossed or dropped to the "yardline" not thrown to the "spot." I've seen them thrown like that as well and it has cracked me up a time or two when I see someone do it on a game I am watching.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by MJT

Bean bags only need to be tossed or dropped to the "yardline" not thrown to the "spot." I've seen them thrown like that as well and it has cracked me up a time or two when I see someone do it on a game I am watching.

REPLY: This does present a bit of a dilemma of sorts. The primary reason for using the bean bag is that the spot might become an enforcement spot. And remember, it's the spot (not just the yardline) that we should enforce from. Therefore, dropping the bag (which I do agree with) will provide only one dimension for enforcement, i.e. the correct yardline. You'll need to rely on your memory to remember where sideline to sideline the foul occurred.

[MJT]

Great point Bob! This is something that a good U will always have in that photographic memory of theirs. Along with the visual of the king size Snickers bar!

[Jim D]

Originally Posted by Bob M.

REPLY: This does present a bit of a dilemma of sorts. The primary reason for using the bean bag is that the spot might become an enforcement spot. And remember, it's the spot (not just the yardline) that we should enforce from. Therefore, dropping the bag (which I do agree with) will provide only one dimension for enforcement, i.e. the correct yardline. You'll need to rely on your memory to remember where sideline to sideline the foul occurred.

I'd hate to guess what percent of holding fouls are penalized from the correct yardline but from the previous location of the snap widthwise instead of where the foul occured. I'd bet most Umpires don't do it correctly. It's just not something I've ever heard emphasized. Maybe it's a local omission but I'd say most crews around here do it wrong.

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by Jim D

I'd hate to guess what percent of holding fouls are penalized from the correct yardline but from the previous location of the snap widthwise instead of where the foul occured. I'd bet most Umpires don't do it correctly. It's just not something I've ever heard emphasized. Maybe it's a local omission but I'd say most crews around here do it wrong.

REPLY: I don't think it's just a "local omission." If I were a betting man (I'm not), I would guess that most officials aren't even aware of this requirement.