Field Goal Responsibilities

[Ed Hickland]

After all these years we finally got the fifth official on the field.

My question for you experienced guys what method and/or signals do you use when it is apparent A is attempting a FG to make sure the correct wing moves under the goal post?

Or, do you go over that in your pregame?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

After all these years we finally got the fifth official on the field.

My question for you experienced guys what method and/or signals do you use when it is apparent A is attempting a FG to make sure the correct wing moves under the goal post?

Or, do you go over that in your pregame?

CANADIAN MECHANIC:

In 5-man, the short side official goes with the Back Umpire to rule on the FGA. The short side guy, often obvious, is assigned by the Umpire. The Umpire points (and optional motions to downfield) to the short side guy.

[FBullock]

Always go over it in pregame. The R should line up facing the holder. Yard line he is on depends on what you're supervisor wants. The wing facing the back of the R should go under with the BJ. Find out from the coaches if you're kickers are Left or Right footed. This will help you pre-arrange at which end the LJ and H will go under.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

After all these years we finally got the fifth official on the field.

My question for you experienced guys what method and/or signals do you use when it is apparent A is attempting a FG to make sure the correct wing moves under the goal post?

Or, do you go over that in your pregame?

Yelling his name usually works!

But seriously, ask the coach if his kicker is right or left footed during the pregame meeting with him and share that with the crew. Also be aware that the coach doesn't always give the correct information and they may change kickers depending on the length of the kick.

Now that I think about it - watch the holder and then yell to the appropriate wing official.

[HLin NC]

For our group its always the LJ so no biggie.

[MJT]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

For our group its always the LJ so no biggie.

Why do you always have the LJ go under? If the R is to the H's side, you have a HUGE problem if they run a fake cuz no one can cover the sideline on the LJ's side. The R would be behind the runners and the L is under the post. That is the reason for the different wing going under, to get proper coverage if there is a fake.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by MJT

Why do you always have the LJ go under? If the R is to the H's side, you have a HUGE problem if they run a fake cuz no one can cover the sideline on the LJ's side. The R would be behind the runners and the L is under the post. That is the reason for the different wing going under, to get proper coverage if there is a fake.

The U favors the LJ's side of the field. It's not a problem.

[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.

[MJT]

I remind my guys, "if you can see my a**, get to the post!!!!"

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by MJT

I remind my guys, "if you can see my a**, get to the post!!!!"

Monte stole my quote: "Butt side wing goes under!"

[JRutledge]

In my state we do the "flip flop" mechanic inside of the 25 Yard Line.

We always want the Referee to be looking in at the holder directly (see the front of jersey). Anytime the Referee has their back to a sideline, the wing official on that side goes underneath the upright with the BJ.

Outside of the 25 Yard Line, the BJ stays under the upright all by themselves. I am not happy about that last mechanic, but that is what we are told to do.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

In my state we do the "flip flop" mechanic inside of the 25 Yard Line.

We always want the Referee to be looking in at the holder directly (see the front of jersey). Anytime the Referee has their back to a sideline, the wing official on that side goes underneath the upright with the BJ.

Outside of the 25 Yard Line, the BJ stays under the upright all by themselves. I am not happy about that last mechanic, but that is what we are told to do.

Peace

I've done quite a few Varsity games in 3-man crews, due to shortage of officials. Luckily now, we've had a good decade of new recruits, but back at the turn of the millenum, it was tough. In 3-man crews, we'd have 1 guy under the uprights for longer field goals. Like you said, it's not the best mechanic, but I had no problems with it. You do what you need to, because it is what it is.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

I've done quite a few Varsity games in 3-man crews, due to shortage of officials. Luckily now, we've had a good decade of new recruits, but back at the turn of the millenum, it was tough. In 3-man crews, we'd have 1 guy under the uprights for longer field goals. Like you said, it's not the best mechanic, but I had no problems with it. You do what you need to, because it is what it is.

Understand I am talking about 5 man mechanics here. And in my opinion there are more than enough officials in that system to give up a sideline for a very brief period to cover appropriately a point scoring play. Points in my opinion are a little more important than a sideline play. The games where I would work 3-man would not decide playoff and state tournament opportunities. I can settle for working that mechanic at a game where they might not even play under all the rules.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Understand I am talking about 5 man mechanics here. And in my opinion there are more than enough officials in that system to give up a sideline for a very brief period to cover appropriately a point scoring play. Points, in my opinion, are a little more important than a sideline play. The games where I would work 3-man would not decide playoff and state tournament opportunities. I can settle for working that mechanic at a game where they might not even play under all the rules.

Peace

Yup - I've been reading all along, so I know that 5-man is the topic.

In Cdn ball, there aren't many fake FGA. I see about 2 to 3 a year, tops. IOW, the majority of the time, FGAs do become FGAs. I was just commenting that I think one guy under the uprights is a rather easy call. I start in the middle and then move to the upright that is threatened. Since I do start in the middle, I move at most 5 yards, which takes way less than the time it takes for the ball to reach the uprights.

But I do agree with you, too: if you have the people, put two under the uprights.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Yup - I've been reading all along, so I know that 5-man is the topic.

In Cdn ball, there aren't many fake FGA. I see about 2 to 3 a year, tops. IOW, the majority of the time, FGAs do become FGAs. I was just commenting that I think one guy under the uprights is a rather easy call. I start in the middle and then move to the upright that is threatened. Since I do start in the middle, I move at most 5 yards, which takes way less than the time it takes for the ball to reach the uprights.

But I do agree with you, too: if you have the people, put two under the uprights.

I do not know that fake field goals are unique in the United States. I do not know if I see even 2 or 3 a year personally. I see more bad snaps that lead to no kick than a fake that I can remember. But I do run into a few very good kickers that have D1 talent. And based on the configuration of many uprights which are not always the NFL or College style uprights with the soccer hybrid, it can be difficult to get into a really good position if one of the uprights is threatened. It is not the end of the world, but I would hate to have a game decided with a close FG and not have two officials in already good position to make the call. I will say this since this mechanic was instituted; I have yet to have a FG where we had to only have the BJ at the uprights alone. I just feel if we could sacrifice some sideline coverage for points. Maybe because this situation is rare, is the reason they have the mechanic. Oh well, life goes on.

Peace