Spotting the ball, close to line-to-gain

[bossman72]

If it's close, toss it to the wing to get a true spot. Your instincts are right.

[Warrenkicker]

If it is close then the wing must bust it to the spot and put the ball down himself. Then there is no doubt.

[Rich]

The wing comes in to the spot and spots it himself. Tossing it out to the wing looks terrible and the umpire spotting it isn't precise enough (even though it's good enough on other plays).

[ChicagoLJ]

If you are on the wing, and the play is in the middle of the field, bust your *** to give the spot. If it is on the sidelines and close, you have to hold the spot so I don't see a problem with the ump getting the ball to you. You'd hope the kid would give you the ball, but good luck with that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ChicagoLJ

If you are on the wing, and the play is in the middle of the field, bust your *** to give the spot. If it is on the sidelines and close, you have to hold the spot so I don't see a problem with the ump getting the ball to you. You'd hope the kid would give you the ball, but good luck with that.

Well, of course. I was talking about officials who have a spot inside the hash marks who stop and spot the ball in the sidezone rather than busting in -- I see guys do it all the time and it looks terrible. My crew knows they have to come in -- and if it's close I'll be yelling "get a spot, get a spot" if they don't immediately pick up on it.

[jTheUmp]

Thanks guys. It's always nice to have my instincts validated.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

The wing comes in to the spot and spots it himself. Tossing it out to the wing looks terrible and the umpire spotting it isn't precise enough (even though it's good enough on other plays).

The wing loses his precision when he comes in to the spot - the umpire may as well spot it at this point.

Bring the ball out to the wing and have him set it.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

The wing loses his precision when he comes in to the spot - the umpire may as well spot it at this point.

Bring the ball out to the wing and have him set it.

No, the wing sees the spot of the field where the ball should be spotted and he runs to that spot. He puts the ball down exactly where he saw it become dead.

[InsideTheStripe]

Originally Posted by LDUB

No, the wing sees the spot of the field where the ball should be spotted and he runs to that spot. He puts the ball down exactly where he saw it become dead.

I couldn't disagree more. As written, that is a terrible mechanic.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by InsideTheStripe

I couldn't disagree more. As written, that is a terrible mechanic.

Everyone on here as well as all NFL officials and all NCAA FBS I have ever seen do it the way I described. Might be possible that they know what is best.

[RMR]

Originally Posted by bossman72

If it's close, toss it to the wing to get a true spot. Your instincts are right.

Hand it to the wing.

[With_Two_Flakes]

As RMR said - HAND it to the wing, don't toss it. If you make a poor toss and he instinctively moves to catch it, then he's lost his spot.

The hardest thing is when it is the head Linesman's spot and close to the front stick. He is reliant on the Line Judge to be yelling "Close, close" to draw him in to the exact spot (East/West as well as North/South). Under no circumstances do you want the HL turning away from dead ball action by players and looking over his shoulder at the front stick himself.

The great Linesmen have a good idea (before the ball is snapped) of where team A need to get to to make a 1st - that patch of mud, that next 5yd line, that faded grass, etc.