Moving the chains
 

What signals/methods do you use to move the chains on long runs/passes or change of possession plays? As a white hat, I don't want to be too obvious. The linesman is usually way down field in these situations and he may be concerned about keepin the spot either inbounds or out of bounds.

We have any official who throws a flag blow 2-3 quick whistles after the ball is dead so I (the R) and the chains know we have a foul. So in the play you are describing, once I know we have no flag, I am signalling 1st down a time or two while moving down the field. The chains have been instructed to look at me on longer plays when the H is downfield. This works really well and gets them moving quickly.

Why don't you want to be obvious? If you know the chains are going to move, get them moving is my philosophy. I will do it and the H will also.

I give them a big old wave. Who cares if it's obvious -- I *want* them moved.

That said, only the R or the HL move the chains on my crew.

The HL should be moving the chains, not the R.

Why? I'm in a better position to see the entire field, note there are no flags, and get them moving. The HL may be getting a spot WAY downfield and I'm not going to wait for him to move the chains. Some of those guys aren't fast enough as it is.

We instruct the chains to not move unless the linesman OR the WH instruct them.

Moving the chains
 

When we have a first down:
1. Our LJ is usually the first to stop the clock. Make sure the clock is stopped-sometimes we signal, but the clock still runs.
2. Once the White Hat gets the first down indication (with us it's a small jab of the index finger, plus the verbal, "you've got one," by the LJ) the White Hat will signal the HL to move the chains. (We use one hand moving the palm to the shoulder.-)
3. While the chains are moving- the white hat will signal first down.
4. Following the first down signal, the white hat will wait until the chains are set and the HL points to the white hat.
5. The ready comes after the signal from the HL.

Key Points:
1. Stop the clock- make sure
2. Verbalize the first down
3. Dont get into a hurry- make sure not to sound the ready until the chains are set.

This is another situation where it pays to be deliberate-the clock is stopped, so take your time.

It's just a responsibility issue. If I'm the HL, I want the chains to work only off my instructions. Flip the down when I tell them to, move when I tell them to, etc.

I'm the same. In the pregame instruction to the chain crew, I tell the boxman to watch me on long gains and either:-

a) I'll wave him to bring up the chains once I see the WH signal a new 1st down and I'm happy there were no flags, or

b) I'll be giving him the freeze signal if there is a flag.

I prefer to have the boxman watching just me for movement signals, I find that keeps things simple and simple works best especially with folks who might be a reluctant chain crew.

I agree - I'm HL on my crew, and the chain guys should be looking solely at me.

Canadian Mechanic
 

CANADIAN MECHANIC:

Only the WH moves the chains. We don't run into any issues of the HL being too far downfield to bring them. The R - HL - stick crew communication works like a charm up here... it's very efficient.