Is hand chop required?

Originally Posted by dldsooner

We call a lot of 8 man in Oklahoma, and they do not have the luxury of a play clock. Our back judge will chop the final 5 seconds so the offense is aware that time is about to expire.

MJT, I do not understand why Iowa will not let you chop for any play, does the offense not have the right to know how much time is left before they get hit with a d-o-g penalty?

In Nebraska, we count out the 5-seconds, just like in basketball, with the chopping movement. Back judge is required to do it in 5-man crew, while R and U (or just R) are supposed to do it in 4-man (and don't ask me why!).

In Iowa, NO signal whatsoever. The IHSAA feels that giving any kind of signal puts the offense at an advantage of knowing the 25-seconds is winding down, since the BJ is always behind the defense. It "disadvantages" the defense. I think it's stupid because if the defense knows the clock is winding down, then they can shift and show a different blitz or whatever that would force the QB to reaudible or call timeout or risk the DOG penalty.

[PSU213]

Our BJ does not 'chop' for any plays. He just puts his hand up at the 5 second mark. I would doubt if the QB (obviously at the LOS) could even see his 'chopping' 20 yards deep.

Originally Posted by PSU213

Our BJ does not 'chop' for any plays. He just puts his hand up at the 5 second mark. I would doubt if the QB (obviously at the LOS) could even see his 'chopping' 20 yards deep.

I can see your point, and this was raised at the Nebraska rules meeting when this was brought up the first time. The NSAA said the chop is better than the raised hand, otherwise the QB would think there's a dead ball.