Counting 7 on the line

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I didn't think there was another way.

The method whitehat describes is the mechanic used by all NCAA officials I've talked to or seen post.

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Get the signal from the R/U. Count the backs. Simple.

It's never presented a problem.

Doesn't the NCAA now do it the same ? 'Nuff said.

Because they changed the rule. Counting 3 on each side of the snapper is even simpler and doesn't have the problems of having 4 in the backfield but 8 or 6 on the line.

You only have to count 3 players not 4. You don't have to rely on the other wing official to determine if any players you are counting are on the line. Then you confirm that the other official has 3 on his side of the snapper which is no harder than getting the count from the referee and umpire.

Overall the system is easier and you actually know how many lineman there are.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Because they changed the rule. Counting 3 on each side of the snapper is even simpler and doesn't have the problems of having 4 in the backfield but 8 or 6 on the line.

You only have to count 3 players not 4. You don't have to rely on the other wing official to determine if any players you are counting are on the line. Then you confirm that the other official has 3 on his side of the snapper which is no harder than getting the count from the referee and umpire.

Overall the system is easier and you actually know how many lineman there are.

If your system is better, then why did they change the mechanic?

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

If your system is better, then why did they change the mechanic?

Because the rule changed.

Now the rule says not more than 4 backs so there is no need to know how many linemen there are.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Now the rule says not more than 4 backs so there is no need to know how many linemen there are.

And previously, if you had more than 4 backs, what did you know about linmen? You knew how many linemen there were, if 11 men were on the field. So the method of counting backs was just as effective last year as it is this year.

Here endeth the lesson.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by LDUB

Because the rule changed.

Now the rule says not more than 4 backs so there is no need to know how many linemen there are.

Several conferences (Big XII, MWC, C-USA, Southland, LSC, etc.) just changed this year as a result of the rule change which allows a play to be legally run with only 6 on the LOS when they only have 10 on the field. It is a dumb rule that has fostered a dumb mechanic.