IOWA FB Officials

[buckrog64]

I was watching the Southern Cal/Pleasantville game. The crew was primarily from Sioux City and they did a real good job. You can sure tell the difference between an experienced crew willing to put in a little extra effort, and the crew that shows up each Friday night.

One crucial play towards the game winning scoring drive included a running back who was in three point stance and hiccuped a little during the signal calls. He just jerked slightly, and of course everyone saw it, but he reset, the defense didn't come offside, so the officials let it go. It's very close to simulating the start of the snap, but i've seen more people let it go, than call it. Any thoughts? What if the D sees it and comes offside? Do you blame the back?

[Bob M.]

Originally Posted by buckrog64

...One crucial play towards the game winning scoring drive included a running back who was in three point stance and hiccuped a little during the signal calls. He just jerked slightly, and of course everyone saw it, but he reset, the defense didn't come offside, so the officials let it go. It's very close to simulating the start of the snap, but i've seen more people let it go, than call it. Any thoughts? What if the D sees it and comes offside? Do you blame the back?

REPLY: The problem is not so much the defense encroaching, but rather the possibility that the defense sees it and relaxes or straightens up out of a 'ready' stance believing that a flag will be thrown. Now A snaps the ball and B is already at a disadvantage in the play. That's why I believe that this false start (that's what it is) should most definitely be called. Too many officials give the backs and WRs a pass saying that they can reset. Too much bad stuff can happen when that's permitted. And there's absolutely no rule support for allowing them to reset. Flag it and shut the play down. You won't hear an argument from either side--except for the possible "They let us reset last week."