What is that on the Ref's hand?
 

My GF has noticed a bracelet/strap on NFL Ref's hands, and has questioned me many times what it is. Not really knowing, but taking a educated guess, I suggested that it was what they used to keep track of downs, looping it over their fingers. She finds that answer completely absurd, stating, "How hard can it be to count to 4!". Sticking to my answer, I stated that when you have as many things going on that you need to keep track of and pay attention, it's pretty easy to forget (I pitched for 6 years within a MLB system, so I understand how easy it is to lose track of outs, counts and what not).

Then she noticed that she has never seen a Ref throw a flag, she just notices one on the ground. So now this "down counter" as I call it, has now become a Penalty Flag Slingshot, lol.

So I come here today to ask of you all, what is it? I could be wrong, wouldn't surprise me if I was, but I'm guessing it is not a Slingshot :D

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/KBQB_blog/ed.jpg

This Photo didn't help my case since the loop is now off of the fingers :rolleyes:
http://www2.iwu.edu/iwunews/magazine...s/ref_flag.jpg

You're right, it's a Down Counter. Fortunately, most of us have 4 fingers.

As evidenced by the second photo, your GF is correct, it is indeed a sling-shot.

Just adding fuel to the fire my friend, fuel to the fire! :D

If you watch closely you may see the umpire wearing a strap on each hand. One is used to keep track of the down and the other is used to keep track of the ball position in relation to the hash marks.

btw - I like Hocculi's Did-you-notice-my-guns holding signal.

My last game, I had to wear gloves due to the cold. First time working with gloves and the down counter. Next time i may just risk frostbite, as it harder to work with those things than it seems.

Hochuli

Cold? In Texas? C'mon - what was it, 75 degrees F? LOL Come up to Canada to officiate for 2 weeks. We ref in snowsuits and hang out in the igloo at halftime.

I use two as well - downs counter on the left hand and field placement on right hand. Been doing so for 6-7 years.

I use the field placement marker like this:

• Referee
  • Left and Right are from my vantage spot as the R
  • Index finger for left hash
  • Pinky finger for right hash
  • Middle finger for left upright
  • Ring finger for right upright
  • Around middle and ring fingers for between the uprights
  • Around index and middle fingers for between left hash and left upright
  • Around ring and pinky fingers for between right hash and right upright
• Umpire, Back Umpire, Back Judge, Side Judge, or Field Judge
  • Left and Right are from my vantage spot as the U, BU, BJ, SJ, FJ
    • In my system, the U's (or BU etc...) left hash is the R's right hash
  • Index finger for left hash
  • Pinky finger for right hash
  • Middle finger for left upright
  • Ring finger for right upright
  • Around middle and ring fingers for between the uprights
  • Around index and middle fingers for between left hash and left upright
  • Around ring and pinky fingers for between right hash and right upright
• Head Linesman, Line Judge
  • Closest and Farthest are from my vantage spot as the HL, LJ
  • Index finger for closest hash
  • Pinky finger for farthest hash
  • Middle finger for closest upright
  • Ring finger for farthest upright
  • Around middle and ring fingers for between the uprights
  • Around index and middle fingers for between closest hash and closest upright
  • Around ring and pinky fingers for between farthest upright and farthest hash

It works like a charm and it's part of my routine; I don't even know that I do it anymore. :p

See the following link for proof that this is down indicator. But be warned, if she is a typical women, she still won't believe you :D

http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=34&Item=271

If someone uses this thing to tie their hair up, it becomes a hair tie.

She could claim that it's something else and that officials saw it and have "claimed it for their own", then called it something different. :D

Tell her to try it sometime.

This avocation looks really simple from the couch.

http://www2.iwu.edu/iwunews/magazine...s/ref_flag.jpg

Field Judge Doug Rosenbaum - great guy - I had the chance to learn from him a clinic and the man knows his business.

Man, look at Ed... talk about weak! Ha Ha - just kidding.