NFHS Bagging the Down Marker

[stevestod]

Has everyone gave a bean bag to the down operator to mark the line inside the Ten yard line? We have a lot of discussion at our meetings stating it is useless or it's a good mechanic. What are your thoughts and ideas? thanks

[JugglingReferee]

For what purpose?

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by stevestod

Has everyone gave a bean bag to the down operator to mark the line inside the Ten yard line? We have a lot of discussion at our meetings stating it is useless or it's a good mechanic. What are your thoughts and ideas? thanks

For more than 10 years, our HL has been instructing the chain crew to 'clip' the goal line before removing the chains. He thought this would be more convenient than carrying a down box bean bag.

JR - the purpose is the same as clipping the chains. If it is first and goal, and the play goes toward the down box so he has to vacate AND we need the previous spot for anything, we can find it again. Since there are no chains, the bean bag is to replace the clipping mechanic. The bean bag works, unless it gets moved as well. Clipping the chain, we should never lose that spot.

[JugglingReferee]

Ok, thanks MN. Here in Canada we keep the chains clipped in all situations.

Edit: after reading bison right below this post, I see now what the bean bag is for... we don't do that here.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

For more than 10 years, our HL has been instructing the chain crew to 'clip' the goal line before removing the chains. He thought this would be more convenient than carrying a down box bean bag.

JR - the purpose is the same as clipping the chains. If it is first and goal, and the play goes toward the down box so he has to vacate AND we need the previous spot for anything, we can find it again. Since there are no chains, the bean bag is to replace the clipping mechanic. The bean bag works, unless it gets moved as well. Clipping the chain, we should never lose that spot.

Clipping the chain would only tell you where the series started. If the series started at the 7 and it's 2nd and goal the 4, the clipped chain isn't going to help you remember where to spot the ball if the box has to vacate. The same is true anywhere on the field if you are looking for the previous spot. I've heard of this mechanic but we've never used it. It seems like a good idea.

[Blue37]

Our mechanics have the clock operator mirroring the down box. If the down box has to vacate due to a play in his area, we have the clock operator to go to.

[OverAndBack]

I've never understood "clipping the chain" on a series that starts inside the ten and don't know what it accomplishes if the chains then are dropped and only the indicator comes with you. But I'm willing to be educated.

[Ed Hickland]

Understand the bag marks the previous spot. But what happens if the bag gets moved during an incomplete pass play? Wouldn't it be better to have the box man 2-yards from the sideline and simply drop the box?

[LeRoy]

Our Linesman uses a golf tee inside the 10 and it works fine.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by LeRoy

Our Linesman uses a golf tee inside the 10 and it works fine.

Great idea!

[umpjeremy]

Originally Posted by LeRoy

Our Linesman uses a golf tee inside the 10 and it works fine.

We discussed the golf tee in our area meeting last week. All the officials in our association agreed the golf tee is a liability that as an official we're not going to take. A player could easily dislodge a tee sliding out of bounds and then you've got a lawsuit. We don't like the beanbag, but agreed that at least for friday nights we'll give one to the box man.