End of Quarter Mechanics...

[l3will]

I observed this at a high school varsity game last Friday night.
Just thought that it may be instructional for some.

With 15 seconds left in the first quarter, team A makes a first down
by running. Clock stops, chains reset with ball on A's 47. Then the clock is restarted.
Time runs out without a play being run.

Umpire and Referee take charge of the ball and places the ball at A's 48.
Head Linesman and chain crew flip the chain with clip on A's 45. Head linesman
looks at the ball, says nothing to R and U. HL then has the chain crew set up with
the new ball position and has the chain crew reset the clip. First and 10 for
A at the new ball position. Clip moved at least three feet on the chain.

Not crucial to anything in the game....just looked bad.

[waltjp]

We'd have at least 2 people checking the ball location after the move and speaking up. The LJ, independent of anyone else, notes the location of the ball when the period ends. He then moves to the appropriate spot on the other end of the field.

The HL notes the ball's location, down and distance, and clip location.

R and U note the ball's location, down and distance, and clip location. When R, U and HL confirm this information the U moves the ball to the new spot as the HL moves the chains.

Once the ball is placed and the chains are set all officials verify that we're in the correct place.

If the U places the ball incorrectly both the LJ and HL should speak up.

[JugglingReferee]

The Canadian mechanic has a minimum of 3 people double checking the position of the change of quarter particulars.

In fact, some crews even demand a thumbs up from everyone that they have the sticks and ball in the correct position.

3-man crews: HL is independent of the R+U.
4-man: HL, LJ are each independent of the R+U.
5-man: HL, LJ are each independent of the R+U+BU.
6-man: HL, LJ, BJ are each independent of the R+U+BU.
7-man: HL, LJ, SJ, BJ are each independent of the R+U+FJ.

[officialvb]

I believe way too many seasoned officials take it for granted that they will get the placement right & don't take the time needed to note down, YTG, yard line, etc... We need to take the time we need to get it right. Plus, what is this exhibiting to the new officials?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by officialvb

I believe way too many seasoned officials take it for granted that they will get the placement right & don't take the time needed to note down, YTG, yard line, etc... We need to take the time we need to get it right. Plus, what is this exhibiting to the new officials?

Yup. Besides, what's the rush?

This will be part of the pregame for my crew this week, though. No reason to take anything for granted.

[ppaltice]

A quick question:

On 1st and 10 with a quarter change, do you have the HL clip and move the chains or just line up on the ball's succeeding spot, then clip?

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ppaltice

A quick question:

On 1st and 10 with a quarter change, do you have the HL clip and move the chains or just line up on the ball's succeeding spot, then clip?

I would not require my HL to clip before the switch.