End of Quarter Mechanics...

[umpirebob71]

Do any of you use a tape measure to get the exact location of the ball after the 1st and 3rd quarters? I've always used one.

[mv7267]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

Do any of you use a tape measure to get the exact location of the ball after the 1st and 3rd quarters? I've always used one.

We do.

Also as the BJ, I go to the new spot while timing the break and wait for the R & U. After they set the ball, I get a new one to start the quarter. We were complemented by an observer last season that it looked "sharp".

[Ref inSoCA]

With a 1st Down at the quarter change, you don't bother with the clip. Set the box and chain and the boxman sets the clip.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by mv7267

We do.

Also as the BJ, I go to the new spot while timing the break and wait for the R & U. After they set the ball, I get a new one to start the quarter. We were complemented by an observer last season that it looked "sharp".

Must be a north eastern Ohio thing...

I've never seen anyone take a tape measure onto a football field. Or any field for that matter.

[umpirebob71]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

Must be a north eastern Ohio thing...

I've never seen anyone take a tape measure onto a football field. Or any field for that matter.

How do you get the exact spot to place the ball? The way I see it, the only way is to use a tape to measure where to spot it. Maybe that isn't important in the Chicago area, but in northeast Ohio, it is.

[Bullycon]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

How do you get the exact spot to place the ball? The way I see it, the only way is to use a tape to measure where to spot it. Maybe that isn't important in the Chicago area, but in northeast Ohio, it is.

When recording the yardline, we also note how far the point of the ball is from the next hash. It's not exact, but I don't think the location changes any more than when the umpire spots the ball on an inbounds spot based on the foot of a wingman in the side zones.

If it's close to the line to gain, we'll use the chains to measure the exact spot, similar to moving the ball from a side zone to the inbounds spot after a measurement.

This reminds me of a funny scene from a preseason scrimmage about a month ago. The only lines on the field were the boundary lines, goal lines, 20s and 50. Yet, the format called for regular series-based possessions. Once, it was close enough to require a measurement. Fortunately, the ball was very close to the 20. The referee noted that the point was exactly one foot length from the 20. He then ran over to the sideline, noted the line to gain was half the length of his foot from the 20, and signaled first down for team B. It was the most unique measurement I've seen.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bullycon

When recording the yardline, we also note how far the point of the ball is from the next hash. It's not exact, but I don't think the location changes any more than when the umpire spots the ball on an inbounds spot based on the foot of a wingman in the side zones.

If it's close to the line to gain, we'll use the chains to measure the exact spot, similar to moving the ball from a side zone to the inbounds spot after a measurement.

This reminds me of a funny scene from a preseason scrimmage about a month ago. The only lines on the field were the boundary lines, goal lines, 20s and 50. Yet, the format called for regular series-based possessions. Once, it was close enough to require a measurement. Fortunately, the ball was very close to the 20. The referee noted that the point was exactly one foot length from the 20. He then ran over to the sideline, noted the line to gain was half the length of his foot from the 20, and signaled first down for team B. It was the most unique measurement I've seen.

Same stuff for us at our scrimmages. Except we had no chains at all. So anything close was a first down. Nobody said a word. I wondered if we could do that in the regular season.

[jjrye22]

I think it is interesting that most of you who have mentioned it say you flip the ball then set the chain and clip if it is first down.

I go the other way. Set the chains and clip, then flip and set everything based on the clip. We have some horribly marked fields however, so maybe it is a local thing, but I think the chances of the U being off are greater than of the chain.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

How do you get the exact spot to place the ball? The way I see it, the only way is to use a tape to measure where to spot it. Maybe that isn't important in the Chicago area, but in northeast Ohio, it is.

As previously mentioned by Bullycon, we'll use the LTG equipment when necessary. Otherwise, we'll note the ball position between the hashes and put it in the same position between the hashes in the appropriate spot on the other end of the field - it's not that difficult.

Personally, I'm not opposed to the use of a tape measure. I've just never seen or heard of anyone doing so until this thread.

[buckrog64]

When the quarter ends with a 1/10, we take the ball to the other end and have the chains line up on the ball. I am careful to note yardline for ball so it's properly placed at the other end. But my R and U are experienced and are careful to set the ball properly. If the ball is set, then the chains can lined up on the ball and all will be well. If we've had penalties however, then I'm a lot more diligent on making sure everything is properly clipped when switching ends just to be safe. I think it's possible to overdo things just like it's possible to underdo them.

[JugglingReferee]

My crew in a summer provincial game had the interested case of an end-of-quarter situation with a measurement.

On the last play of the first quarter, the LJ had progress (outside the hash marks) to which we had to measure to see if a first down was earned or not. (It was not earned.) Our measurement mechanics employ a checks and balance system so that if any one mechanic fails, there is a fallback method to redo all of the previous decision with 100% accuracy.

The cool thing was I was working with two rookie side guys, and they both nailed the transformation from 1Q to 2Q!