Getting rolled over

[ajmc]

I have no idea where the concept that, "beating him to the goal line" matters, comes from. Following the runner, perhaps as closely as practical, is the usual objective as your primary responsibility would be to observe whether, or not, he may touch the sideline and the legality of any blocks in the runner's immediate vicinity.

Working with 5, or even as few as 4, men is a completely different world than working with 6 or 7 men, as far as the wing positions are concerned.

Sadly, it's human nature for many people on the sideline to tend to step forward to watch a runner who has run past them, which is why there is such emphasis on sideline control at every level.

Umpires, good ones, usually lead their crews in bumps, blocks and sometimes tackles, but it's the wing officials, who when they go down, go down hard and are too often unable to get back up. Sideline collisions can be extremely dangerous and damaging and when they happen surprise everyone involved, much like the first time an old dog bites.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by ajmc

I have no idea where the concept that, "beating him to the goal line" matters, comes from.

It comes from the need to go directly to the goal line when the ball is snapped inside the 5 yard line.

Our BJ was backing up last Friday night on a run down the sideline. The next I know, all I see is the soles of his shoes and the seat and backside inseam of his legs. We got a lot of enjoyment out of that.

[ajmc]

Thanks BktBalRef for reminding me of something I've understood, pretty clearly, for the past 40+ years. My question was directed at a previous comment suggesting, "R breaks it for a long one on my side and, surprised by the long return, my only thought was "Beat him to the GL".

Sometimes you need to read what's said in the immediate context of when it's said, so you really understand what it relates to.

[bluezebra]

I'm U in a Varsity game. Normally, on runs up the middle I key off the lead blocker. If he goes to my left, I move to my right, and vice-versa. Lead blocker goes to my right, so I step to my left. As soon as I do, the left-side LB hits me in my back, drives me into the blocker, MLB, AND runner, and we all go down in a heap. To make matters worse, the area is completely void of grass, and the dust flies all over the place. And, to compound the absurdity of the situation, the referee walks over and drops his flag ON ME, and says, "I've got the umpire for blocking below the waist".

Bob

[parepat]

Few years back I was working the wing. Long pass to my side end zone. I was about the fifteen running toward the end zone (at a speed approaching 3mph). The next thing I know I am face down in the grass. I later found out that the chain crew picked up the stick to get out of my way and tripped me with the chain. I looked up just in time to see the receiver out of bounds in the end zone with the ball. I had no idea whether he caught it or not. Thankfully our BJ picked up the slack and called the TD.

Lesson learned: Park the chain crew back to track if you can!

[parepat]

I crew that I used to work worth with has a referee a little long in the tooth. They have a running pool whereby each of the other four members of the crew put in money each game. They then draw numbers one thru four representing your quarter for that game. If the codger R goes down in your quarter, then you win the pool. Pot carries over from week to week. If he does not go down the whole year, the R wins the pot. Great fun for Umpires as well.