Not the biggest question but it still bothers me
 

Question...do BJs in other states use the mechanic where they raise their hand with five seconds to go in the playclock. And, if you do does it help---hinder or have any effect on either the QB or you. Thanks!

In Iowa, we have SPECIFICALLY told by our state office to NOT do that mechanic.

In NC, we use it. However, we have more and more schools that install play clocks each year, so we don;t have to use it too often anymore.

I'm not sure it helps the QB. It's usually a coach that's watching the BJ and yelling to the QB. Why do you think it would it have any effect on the BJ?

Texas does it at 1o secnds left

NY does not use it.

Like NC, Oklahoma uses it if there is no 25 second clock on the field or if they
aren't working. If they have clocks then no.

Louisiana does it at 10 seconds, but with all the 25 second clocks now I can't remember the last time I had to do so.

The San Diego Section of California does not use it and never will.

Is there something about it that makes it so distasteful??

in Wyoming
 

here in the cowboy state, we use a 5 second count similar to that used in basketball. When there are 5 seconds left the back judge begins counting..

The only time we do it is when the play clock doesn't start on time and the 25 second clock is kept onfield.

We use it in Ohio.

I wish we had the same directive. In ND we are told to do the illegal motion signal repeatedly for the last 5 sec. of the 25 sec. count. Yuck!

I think it's catering to the offense.

Pass Interference in HS football
 

Requesting answer from experienced HS refs, is pass interference ever a spot foul?

Not if you are using NF rules, but if in Texas or Conn (I think it is Conn) and using NCAA rules, then yes. In NCAA it is a spot foul if the DPI occurred less than 15 yards from the PS, but in NF it is a 15 yard penalty from the PS.

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.