Field Goal Responsibilities

[NoAlaUmp]

This year Alabama has decided to put the Umpire back with the BJ. (It's been the LJ until this year.) The move was made because of the fear there was not sufficient line coverage when the LJ moved back. The U now moves back and still watches the line for center protections, etc. I'm waiting to see how well this works, especially on a long attempt with time running out. The Referee will have to hold the RFP until the Umpire is in place, and I can hear the screaming already. Not that Umpires are any slower than LJs.

[FBullock]

My question about U going back, other than watching the center, who's going to be watching the pull and shoot with the linemen trying to block the kick. That would have to fall to the H & L. R can't because he has to protect the kicker (he may sneek a look). this will also require that following the kick, H & L will need to get on the field and make let the lineman know they are there.

But, we in Rome......

[Theisey]

That would be my concern as well. The "R" can't watch all the points where
holding might be occuring. You know it's going on too.

I worked a lot of 5-man (NCAA) and while it was a minor concern, leaving the LJ side open just required a little more hustle in case of a breakdown.

With the NFHS change in mechanics from last year, the open side is covered now by the "R". No more real need to send the Umpire under.

[ajmc]

The recent suggested mechanics revision of either wing official moving downfield based on where the Referee positions himself, to avoid leaving a sideline uncovered seems reasonable. Clearly that should be something discussed in a pre-game, including what signal, reminder or instruction will be given when each situation arises during the game. Actually telling a specific wing official doesn't seem unreasonable, should eliminate any confusion and seems about as fullproof as possible.

As for moving the Umpire, that's something new and worth at least a try, but the obvious disadvantages seem to outweigh the possible advantages, considering that the very nature of most FG situations presents additional focus on line play because of the defense's efforts to disrupt, or block, the attempt.

[Texas Aggie]

We always have the LJ go under. I've never heard of a HL going under, but I guess some places are different. But frankly, I think any mechanic putting the HL under is silly. Who instructs the down box if there's a penalty?

R lines up wide on the open sideline and is ready to cover the sideline on a run. If a pass, the LJ needs to get over to the sideline as quickly as possible and BJ has the end line. This is one area where U may be n the best position to cover the goal line.

Now, if there's a block and its going the other way...

[3SPORT]

5-Man in Nevada, we have the Umpire/BJ underneath. The coverage issues in the middle are a concern but we feel the coverage is needed on the sides for breakdowns or fake plays.

[Mike L]

In our area, it's BJ & LJ always. If the play breaks down and it goes to the LJ side, the LJ & R just have to haul buns.
I would think switching which line guy covers according to where the R's butt is pointing only produces confusion/delay and only gives the R a few yard head start anyway for the "open" sideline coverage.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by NoAlaUmp

This year Alabama has decided to put the Umpire back with the BJ. (It's been the LJ until this year.) The move was made because of the fear there was not sufficient line coverage when the LJ moved back. The U now moves back and still watches the line for center protections, etc. I'm waiting to see how well this works, especially on a long attempt with time running out. The Referee will have to hold the RFP until the Umpire is in place, and I can hear the screaming already. Not that Umpires are any slower than LJs.

It's the "SNICKERS" factor!

[Careyy]

Since R needs to face the kicker/holder, the wing seeing the R's rear, is the guy to go. If you find out in pregame that all the kickers have the same foot, and once direction is decided by the coin toss, one wing will be under one post and the other under the other. We get together after the coin toss, and communicate that the HL will be under the "score board" post and the LJ under the other post. This saves a little time in the set up and both wings know that a score in a particular direction gives them post responsibility. That holds for the game.

It is a little different with a RFK on one team and a LFK on the other as one wing goes under for the 1st Q and the other for the 2nd Q. Likewise in the 3 & 4 Q's.

We always ask the coaches if all of the Kickers on their team are R/L, in most cases they are all the same, if not it moves to don't look at my butt.