Bad Mechanics? - Spotting

[a4caster]

Originally Posted by With_Two_Flakes

...and yelling "Close! Close!" when it is a play to the Linesman's side should encourage him to come further in so he can ensure the ball is placed exactly where he wants it, East/West as well as North/South.

Looks awful when you measure to a spot that is a distance laterally from where the kid was tackled.

I would disagree with this one. If you are close to the first, shout it out to him, but do not come further into the field. place it right at your feet if you believe you have the right spot. Then, bring the chains over to you. You'd be surprised how much deviation there is in 20 yards of running. jmho

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by With_Two_Flakes

...and yelling "Close! Close!" when it is a play to the Linesman's side should encourage him to come further in so he can ensure the ball is placed exactly where he wants it, East/West as well as North/South.

Looks awful when you measure to a spot that is a distance laterally from where the kid was tackled.

Originally Posted by a4caster

I would disagree with this one. If you are close to the first, shout it out to him, but do not come further into the field. place it right at your feet if you believe you have the right spot. Then, bring the chains over to you. You'd be surprised how much deviation there is in 20 yards of running. jmho

I'm with With_Two_Flakes.

I realize that I'm Canadian, and my mechanics have little to do with US mechanics. But when I'm a side guy, I know where the LTG is. If a forward progress mark threatens that line, I can literally focus on a blade of grass that I have determined to be the spot. I trust my mark and will run in to make it clear that I have an accurate spot.

We're way more accurate to spot the ball at the tackle than to judge 20 yards away. You'll be off. Even on a well lined field, you'll be off.

Just my 2 cents and what works for me.

[ppaltice]

Wingmen who have a close spot should come in no further than where the ball became dead. It is that spot you need to focus on. So, if the ball becomes dead in the middle of the field, you may come in further than the hashmarks, if the ball becomes dead at the sideline, you should stay near the sideline. Relay the ball to the wingman that has the spot and have him spot the ball himself.

The U (on the HL side) or the LJ should indicate if the ball is close to the LTG. Once spotted, the R should determine quickly if the spot is close enough for measurement.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

We're way more accurate to spot the ball at the tackle than to judge 20 yards away. You'll be off. Even on a well lined field, you'll be off.

Just my 2 cents and what works for me.

The HL should always have an idea where each LTG is in front of him. When it's anticipated as being close, our practice is for the covering wing to move towards his spot, rather than have the ball be tossed out to him.

Either approach, done correctly, will yield the same result, but going to the spot provides a more emphatic perception.

[Mike L]

The wings, especially the LJ, usually go up with the down count.
They mark the spot with feet together, downfield foot is the spot.
Wings will come in for the spot, usually no closer than the numbers, but could come in further if it's close to the LTG or the GL. Of course if there are players in the way they have to stop. No dodging around and trying to re-establish your spot.
If there is a "close" call, the U takes the ball to the spotting wing and hands it to him to spot, throwing it to him only creates a chance he has to move off his spot to catch it, which would be bad.
I then decide if we measure or not.

[Jim D.]

On a close play on his side of the field, the wing should come in as far as he can without moving off his line; he should not be jumping over or going around players to get to the ball. If he can come all the way into the ball he should, but if he starts coming in and players get in his way, he should stop there.

If he couldn't get all the way in and a measurement is needed, the ball can be moved to his feet and measured from there.