Quote from Veteran Official that's seen the most A-11 Games in the Nation

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by KurtBryan

Sam Moriana, 50-year veteran of officiating, (CA)

“... It doesn’t take extra work, just intelligence. There may be flags thrown on each play, but once the ball doesn’t cross the line of scrimmage (let’s say on a screen play for instance) we just pick up the laundry. It’s really no big deal. We have had no complaints from any officials whatsoever that have refereed their games. The biggest pressure really is on the wing men – the head linesman and the line judge – because they are the ones who determine who is eligible. Piedmont doesn’t jockey back-and-forth. They let their position players be known which makes it easier on us. They declare it. They stay in the SKF (Scrimmage Kick Formation) with two deep backs all the time at least seven yards behind the LOS so they can still deploy five potential receivers...”

My questions:

1) Sam says five eligible receivers. Did he mean 5 plus the player receiving the snap? There should be 6 as the player under the snapper is eligible.

2) Flags on each play!? Yikes! That sounds like a real slow game and I cannot imagine coaches, players, spectators, etc. getting tired of all the picked up flags.

3) "The biggest pressure really is on the wing men – the head linesman and the line judge – because they are the ones who determine who is eligible." Isn't this what wing men do all the time? I think he means they have to determine eligibles and once the ball is snapped determine where the ineligibles are. He does not mention the U who must determine players who are eligible by number but ineligible by position. Without the numbering exception the U only has to look for easily identifiable numbers 50-79. The expectation is when the numbering exception is in the U focuses on a kick but must be alert for a fake or blown kick.

Without attacking Coach Bryan personally you have to wonder his motives. The game seemed to be just fine without the A-11. Maybe soccer would be a better game for him, they don't have the complication of numbering requirements.