Great Help--Thanks

Massachusetts, not Connecticut.

It's a loose ball play so in Fed ball the basic spot is the previous spot.

I am a new official that maintains an email exchange with an experienced official. He is asking what type of play is it when there is pass interference. Is he referring to a live ball foul?

Forksref:

Thanks for the input. I met a couple of experienced officials at ref camp this past summer in Fresno CA from the Wyoming area. I admire their and your desire to officiate in what are not pleasant conditions for the benefit of the areas footballers.

He's asking if it's a running play or a loose ball play. FED Rule:10.3.1 and 10.3.2

Thanks for your help!

REPLY: It's Texas and Massachusetts that use NCAA rules (I know Monte...all those New England states are the same :D )

Edit: walt...sorry. I hadn't 'refreshed' my browser and didn't realize that you had already mentioned the other NCAA state.

Or at least they should be. The county where I grew up is larger in area than Rhode Island.

Ks
 

Kansas BJ's are instructed to use the five second count method toward the end of the 25 second play clock.

Not necessarily "distasteful", more of we have developed our own mechanics which differ from what the NF has in a few areas, this being one.

REPLY: We use the same technique that cmathews described for Wyoming. The amazing thing is that players/coaches have definitely caught on. When a team is attempting to run out a clock the QB will key on the BJ's signal and snap with 1 or 2 seconds remaining in the count.

Just curious as to how the BJ knows there is only 5 seconds left in the timer. Are you looking at your watch? Shouldn't you be watching the formation and finding your keys? If there is a clock on the field there is no need for this mechanic. My initial reaction is that this is a needless mechanic.

How do you know when to throw a DOG if you aren't looking at your watch?

The few games I've worked as BJ, I've used a watch with a countdown timer. I set it to 20 seconds. I start the countdown with the RFP, and put my hand up when I hear the beeping. No looking at my watch.

I'm a back judge in Illinois and we're supposed to do the high arm motion (like the 10-second count in basketball) starting at 20. I have a Ready Ref (love it), so I just hit it on the RFP and start the motion when it buzzes.

I don't have a problem with it. If it's what they want, that's what I'll do. I don't know why it would be a problem or why someone would think it's distasteful. But that's just me.