lineman down field question
 

New head linesman here.

Not a question on the rule, but just looking for some advice from some vets as to how to cover it the best. I am having difficulty as to how to call this. I am getting down field to cover my area on a pass and finding it hard to determine if a lineman is down field on a ball thrown past the los.

Any words of advice?

Generally, that would be the U area of expertise. The only time I have called illegal man downfield is when a TE is covered and goes out for a pass. Leave the interior lineman to the U.
cheers,
tro

The big, ugly guys, with mud in their faces are my responsibility. Go fish in your own pond. :mad:

The only way I am calling it as a HL is if I have a receiver covered and he goes downfield, or I have a receiver downfield catching the ball and a 55 next to him.

Exactly, Brett. My old R and I (when I was a U) used to disagree over this topic. He insisted that our wings needed to use all kinds of signals to indicate who was on and off the line because "Walt and I need to know that."

My argument was this - once the snapper is in position over the ball and especially after the rest of the line is in place I can't divert my attention from the ball to look at the wings to see who is and isn't on the LOS. For one, they're not my responsibility. Two, they could shift after I turn away from them. Three, there may be some sort of false start or snap infraction while I'm looking away.

I'll check to see if I have 5 lineman numbers and when I find then I'll make sure they don't go down field on a pass that crosses the LOS. If you have an eligible number that's covered then you make the call.

That's the way we do it, also, Walt. I'm the U on our crew, and I dont' have the luxury of being able to look out and see who is and isn't punched off at the snap.

Rock... from the HL position, make sure your first inside ineligible isn't downfield when the ball is actually thrown across the LOS, and let the U handle the interior guys.

Ditto here in the UK. Our mechanics have U handle the 5 interiors and wings handle anyone covered........for the reasons stated above.

The U should position on the LOS after the snap and in the ideal spot to see linemen downfield.

As a wing unless you see a 50 to 79 fifteen yards downfield don't concern yourself.

Agree with these guys, you'll know if #66 is too far downfield for you to throw the flag on him. The main concern for yourself with #88 covered up by his wideout.

In my state this is a collective effort. Both wings can call this and even the Referee can call this with some help. The Umpire is the person we look to, but our wings might be on the line and if they see it, they can call it.

Peace

Like everyone else has said, except for one addition.

You should also read the tackle on your side for run or pass. If he fires out and continues downfield, regardless of what the other lineman do, you can hold your position on the line, because you've read run. If they do pass the ball beyond the LOS, you'll have a flag.

Leave it to the "Snickers" guys.

Just wondering...do you work w/ 6man crews?
cheers,
tro

No.

Peace