Covering Field Goal with 5-man mechanics (NFHS)

[bisonlj]

We tried to use the new mechanic last year but having to remember which wing goes under the upright depending on both end of field and kicking leg of kicker created too many situations where we didn't get to the upright in time. It's easier to remember the LJ is the one who always goes back and the L can focus on the same thing for every kick.

Mechanics are designed to cover the most likely situations and make sure they are covered. I've been officiating for 8 years now and have had to bust to the sideline as a LJ a great total of TWICE. To adjust your mechanics to cover something that happens very rarely is a bad idea. I understand the philosophy of alternating which wing covers the goal post but it just didn't work for us.

Also, we have the BJ alone on field goals snapped from the 20 or farther out. He has plenty of time to get to a challenge goal post. This type of play is much more likely to have something crazy happen back at the line of scrimmage and having the LJ there can only help.