How does an umpire get outside the tackles like that? I've never seen one that far outside before...

I move around on every play to make sure the offense can't plan a play to run a receiver off me. Sometimes I get wider than the tackle to get a good view of the snap and G-C-G. I usually line up in the middle or on the tackle opposite a TE. This was a technique taught to me by a couple Big 10 officials at a clinic this summer.

He started on the left hash. The surge was up the middle, to his left. His natural reaction would be to his left and away from the pressure up the middle. The QB bounced the run outside where the U was standing. The U's position at the time of his tackle was only 2 or 3 steps from his starting position.

Boy isn't that the truth! Full backs running middle screens don't move too well either...or so I've heard. :o

I occationally start outside the O-tackles. I find I need to sometimes when the D is playing tight on the center (noseguard) and I can't see the ball very well.
One of the good angles to see the snap is a very flat angle from the weak side about the normal position of the TE.

The only comment I have to make about the videos is that I OFTEN have to tell myself I am an offical and repeat in my head "not allowed to tackle, not allowed to tackle" when things are comming at me!

Yes, that is my point. Absorb a blow, fine. That's one of the hazards of the gig. And if he was a player, he's not going to get killed by shoring himself up and taking the hit rather than delivering it.

He sure showed good instincts, though, didn't it? Stepped forward and nailed him.

Exactly. With more teams running a 3-4-4 or a 3-3-5 with a nickel back, the noseguard is so close to the ball, you can't possibly see it from the middle of the field.

I work umpire once in a while. Let's just say that the player would go down before I would if I see it coming.

Exactly. It's about self preservation in this situation. I gotta go to work tomorrow.

Well, we have long known that you're Superman, anyway.

I'm not saying you can't protect yourself. I'm sure you know after years of doing this that contact is an occupational hazard. But you can steel yourself against a blow or get out of the way before you have to resort to going forward and into an onrushing player.

I didn't know it was a player's responsibility to avoid us.

Well my theory is "If someone is going down it isn't me"

It's not, you're forcing them to react to you as they would to a defender. Some runners are just better at reacting than others. And if we do collide, its on my terms not his.

I do not think most players would have fallen down. The problem the player did, so all this hullabaloo about nothing if you ask me.

Peace

39 seasons---most games at U--- when a runner explodes like that in front of me I stand still and put out my hands as in an open hand blocking technique--at 6'3" 285 the players usually just bounce off me if they don't make a cut move. The camera sure makes it look like he did more than just protect himself. But--as Spurrier said---things happen !

No, you do NOT get out of the way as an umpire. You hold your ground and give the player the opportunity to move around you. If you move left, he moves right you go down. If you move right and he moves left you go down. If you pivot or stand your ground, he can go EITHER direction.

And the guys who mention going to work are right. I am not wearing pads and gear, the player is. I'd never hurt a player, but I'm OK if the player goes down.