mechanics question

[yankeesfan]

i would some input on the following situation:

with the quarterback in the shot gun position, a pass is thrown out towards the hash mark very close to the line of scrimmage. what is the correct mechanic on which official shall either punch it back or blow it dead if it is an incomplete pass.

i would like to hear how various crews handle a forward or backward pass from under center and shotgun.

[ajmc]

The absolute answer is the one that's been decided during the pre-game conference for this particular game. It's pretty much agreed upon that the off wing official (the opposite side) is in the best position to accurately judge forward or not, provided he's still on the LOS.

If your crew decides that someone should "punch" for a backwards pass (many crews would rather nobody punch), the important thing to realize is that if you punch, and another official considers the pass forward and stops everything as an incomplete pass, be ready to convert your one-armed punch into a two armed incomplete pass signal, as you support his judgment.

[Mike L]

Depends on the QB's drop and how quickly the ball is thrown.
While under center, if the QB takes a 3 step drop or less and immediately releases the ball (which is usually the case with this type of drop), the wing is probably in the best position to rule on forward or back. We go with the wing toward the pass rather than the wing away.
More than 3 steps, the wing has now slid down field some depending on what the receivers are doing and his focus isn't toward the QB and the R now has a better angle to make the call.
In the shotgun, it's the R.
In a scramble, it's again going to be the R.