Opinions on this........

[Brandon Kincer]

What are your opinions on carrying a rulebook with you on to the field?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by brandon kincer

what are your opinions on carrying a rulebook with you on to the field?

never!

[HLin NC]

Leave it in the car or bag for discussion in pre-game or post-game. NEVER take it on the field.

You shouldn't have room for it anyway- bag, flag, 2nd bag, 2nd flag, zip ties, golf tee, back up whistle, pencil, back-up pencil, car key, spare coin, game card, gum, game check, handwarmer packs, reading glasses- where am I going to put a rule book?

[Welpe]

You HLs carry too much crap.

What these guys said, don't carry one. In the middle of the game is the wrong time to be digging through it to prove a point.

From what I understand, Ohio, or certain parts, has a requirement that the chain crew have one with them, which is provided by the officials. Glad I don't work in Ohio in that regard.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Welpe

You HLs carry too much crap.

What these guys said, don't carry one. In the middle of the game is the wrong time to be digging through it to prove a point.

From what I understand, Ohio, or certain parts, has a requirement that the chain crew have one with them, which is provided by the officials. Glad I don't work in Ohio in that regard.

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

Would have made much more sense to replace your interpreter!

[parepat]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

This argument always amuses me. I admit, I am one of the poor abused officials who is required to have a rulebook available to me. And, I must admit, I respectfully disagree with each and every one of you that opposes that idea.

We need look no further than this situation to show why having one available is a good idea. This situation is kind of wacky and the official blew it. If he had the book he could have taken a minute to check the rule. Instead, out of ego or stubborness this error stood. I don't get it.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Leave it in the car or bag for discussion in pre-game or post-game. NEVER take it on the field.

You shouldn't have room for it anyway- bag, flag, 2nd bag, 2nd flag, zip ties, golf tee, back up whistle, pencil, back-up pencil, car key, spare coin, game card, gum, game check, handwarmer packs, reading glasses- where am I going to put a rule book?

Golf tee?

[Brandon Kincer]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Leave it in the car or bag for discussion in pre-game or post-game. NEVER take it on the field.

You shouldn't have room for it anyway- bag, flag, 2nd bag, 2nd flag, zip ties, golf tee, back up whistle, pencil, back-up pencil, car key, spare coin, game card, gum, game check, handwarmer packs, reading glasses- where am I going to put a rule book?

Zip ties, Reading Glasses, Back up whistle?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Brandon Kincer

Zip ties, Reading Glasses, Back up whistle?

Zip ties - To facilitate a quick repair on a broken chain

Reading Glasses - You'll find out. Wait til your 45-50.

Back up whistle - Obvious, used to signal those behind you when you're about to back up.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Back up whistle - Obvious, used to signal those behind you when you're about to back up.

... which is activated by escaping exhaust triggered by reverse action leg motion!

[dumbref]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Back up whistle - Obvious, used to signal those behind you when you're about to back up.

Where do you carry your back up whistle?

[With_Two_Flakes]

Originally Posted by Brandon Kincer

Zip ties, Reading Glasses, Back up whistle?

Zip Ties.
Every chain set of the teams I work has one of my (bright yellow) zip ties at its midpoint, easier to see than tape that gets dirty over time. So I can see where the down box is in comparison with the ziptie and know whether a 5yd penalty (eg offside) on the D gives us a 1st down or not. When the crew go round the horn with the down, HL adds the distance so that the white hat will know it too.
We try to stick to a set vocabulary for distance - inches, short, five, long, ten, two stakes. Very occasionally might use other exact distances, 15, 20 or 25, etc.

I also keep a black or white zip tie with me for repairing the chains if they break. I keep one inside the band of each of my hats, that way I never have to remember to take one out on the field - if I remember to wear a hat, I've got one with me. I've needed it several times so far in my career.

Backup whistle.
I always make sure I got two of everything out there with me - and that includes a whistle. Where do you put all this stuff? That's why officials pants have 4 pockets.

Reading glasses
Well in my case, I've worn regular glasses since I was a kid. Now I'm old, I get to wear varifocals.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by With_Two_Flakes

Zip Ties.
I also keep a black or white zip tie with me for repairing the chains if they break. I keep one inside the band of each of my hats, that way I never have to remember to take one out on the field - if I remember to wear a hat, I've got one with me. I've needed it several times so far in my career.

Now that is a really great idea and an ideal spot to keep what may a really important piece of repair equipment. It's not like a chain breaks every game, so putting that tie in your hat inside band may cover you for an entire season, or longer. Great, and practical, tip.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by With_Two_Flakes

Zip Ties.
Every chain set of the teams I work has one of my (bright yellow) zip ties at its midpoint, easier to see than tape that gets dirty over time. So I can see where the down box is in comparison with the ziptie and know whether a 5yd penalty (eg offside) on the D gives us a 1st down or not. When the crew go round the horn with the down, HL adds the distance so that the white hat will know it too.
We try to stick to a set vocabulary for distance - inches, short, five, long, ten, two stakes. Very occasionally might use other exact distances, 15, 20 or 25, etc.

I also keep a black or white zip tie with me for repairing the chains if they break. I keep one inside the band of each of my hats, that way I never have to remember to take one out on the field - if I remember to wear a hat, I've got one with me. I've needed it several times so far in my career.

Backup whistle.
I always make sure I got two of everything out there with me - and that includes a whistle. Where do you put all this stuff? That's why officials pants have 4 pockets.

Reading glasses
Well in my case, I've worn regular glasses since I was a kid. Now I'm old, I get to wear varifocals.

I like the idea of the zip tie.

My crew toolbag has extra clips, reading glasses and quick links -- for broken chains.

Quick links are great and we have different sizes for the different chains we encounter. Had a big playoff game where the chain broke away from the stake which usually requires a massive tape job and quite a few minutes. We took a big quick link hooked it to the stake and the first link of the chain in less than a minute.