Ready for Play

[ajmc]

Let's not forget, even though sometimes we allow the wrong perception to exist, coaches, and certainly not ball boys, do not decide when a replacement football is required. That is a decision reserved ENTIRELY, for the officiating crew.

When a field is wet, a pass is incomplete or the ball bounces way out of bounds is one thing, but when the field is dry and there's no delay getting the ball ready for the next down, the ball we're using will continue to work just fine.

This is not hockey, so when running a deep pattern that goes incomplete, receivers simply exiting down field while a new ball and replacement receivers simultaneously enter, up field, looking for a quick snap before the defense is ready is not appropriate. As others have suggested "Hustle" is the objective, "Hurry" is not what we should be looking for.

[Jim D]

One point of emphasis we got at a clinic with NFL officials was to slow it down on getting the ball in. Avoid long throws that get can get away from people because, aside from looking really sloppy, it ends up taking more time than bringing the ball closer before tossing it in would.