Get Away Signal

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by daggo66

My crew has never had an invalid signal. My BJ will instruct the deep receiver as to what a proper fair catch signal is each and every time we are in a punt situation.

We had one a few years ago. The BJ gave good instructions but the receiver's hand never got above his chest. Sometimes they just won't do it right, no matter how much help we give them.

[yankeesfan]

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

I think I'd get out of his way. As long as his 'get-away' signal couldn't be mistaken for a fair catch signal I have nothing. Play on.

[Sonofanump]

We had this occur. The kicking team peeled away like a fair catch signal had been given. Out wing saw this and killed it. R's ball at spot of securing possesion.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Sonofanump

We had this occur. The kicking team peeled away like a fair catch signal had been given. Out wing saw this and killed it. R's ball at spot of securing possesion.

Did you treat it as an invalid fair catch signal?

[Sonofanump]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Did you treat it as an invalid fair catch signal?

I am sure alot on here will not like what we did.

We awarded R first down at the spot in which they secured possession (end of the kick), we did not penalize R for an invalid fair catch and advancing the ball. We felt that since K believed the signal to be a fair catch signal, peeled away from the receiver and stopped, the proper call was to kill the play and not penalize. We informed both coaches that an invalid signal was given and where the ball was going to be placed. Neither had a problem with it.

[yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

if you have a situation in high school football under fed rules where the returner gives that "get away" signal, and then retrieves the ball and starts to run what would you call? i would like to hear different opinions on this exact situation.

would someone please answer my question?

[ajmc]

Let me try again, there are only 3 signals; Fair Catch, Invalid Fair Catch and Illegal Fair Catch (which applies only to the runner). There is no such thing as a "get away signal" under the NF code.

If a player invents some sort of signal to warn his teammates to stay away from the ball, unless it meets the requirements of a Fair Catch signal, or in the judgment of the covering official could be interpreted as an invalid FC signal, it's nothing.

Now what kind of hand or arm movement might be interpreted as a possible invalid FC signal may vary between officials. As always rational, sound judgment is the deciding factor.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

would someone please answer my question?

waltjp did, and then ajmc did.

[Forksref]

Having not seen the signal given, I can't say for sure but it sounds like it could be an invalid FC signal. I hope it doesn't become another trend that we have to deal with.

[yankeesfan]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

waltjp did, and then ajmc did.

yes they did, with a lot of "i think" and "maybe". it is probably going to happen sooner than later, we should all be on the same page.

[OverAndBack]

Then maybe you should ask the Fed, instead of your fellow officials, if you don't like the way your fellow officials answer your questions.

[PSU213]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan

yes they did, with a lot of "i think" and "maybe". it is probably going to happen sooner than later, we should all be on the same page.

Unfortunately, getting on the same page is pretty much impossible for a group of officials all across the country with only a message board between them. In order to get even close to a consensus we will all have to see various videos. As has been proven on here, one video will get you many different interpretations.

As a side point, where in ajmc's post does he use "maybe?" He made a very good attempt at trying to sort out a very difficult issue that does not have one good answer.