Communication signal

[OverAndBack]

Whatever subtle signal (eye contact, thumbs up, point, whatever) a wing and a back judge might make to say "I got him inbounds" and "I got him over the goal line" so that you are on the same page before a touchdown signal is made, that's absolutely the way to go.

Signalling that a guy is still inbounds seems superfluous to me.

[daggo66]

I don't even understand the thumbs up. Wouldn't you blow your whistle the second he steps on the line? The BJ shouldn't be waiting for a TO signal. the wing should blow his whistle as soon as someone goes OOB, then continue until he is at the spot and signal TO. If it's close to the pylon the BJ shouldn't be signally anything anyway. There is no rush to signal a TD. The wing should get to the pylon and make the signal.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by daggo66

I don't even understand the thumbs up. Wouldn't you blow your whistle the second he steps on the line? The BJ shouldn't be waiting for a TO signal. the wing should blow his whistle as soon as someone goes OOB, then continue until he is at the spot and signal TO. If it's close to the pylon the BJ shouldn't be signally anything anyway. There is no rush to signal a TD. The wing should get to the pylon and make the signal.

I think it's just a final check to make sure. I've always been told that you can take an extra second on the back end to make eye contact just in case and it's better than having the guy say "Oh, shoot, wait, I actually had him out back here, my bad. Sorry."