5 man mechanics

[NWA_UMP]

We are working something new this season. If you are the wing on the throwing arm side of the QB you hold the line...if your not you release 5-7 yards down the sideline and read the throw, if there is one. The wing that releases reads the pass to stay behind the receiver and box in with the BJ. Our crew chief is a DI NCAA WH and I guess this is a college type mechanic that we are adapting to High School.

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by NWA_UMP

We are working something new this season. If you are the wing on the throwing arm side of the QB you hold the line...if your not you release 5-7 yards down the sideline and read the throw, if there is one. The wing that releases reads the pass to stay behind the receiver and box in with the BJ. Our crew chief is a DI NCAA WH and I guess this is a college type mechanic that we are adapting to High School.

Just for my information - why key off the passing arm of the QB? Is there a greater tendency for him to throw that way as opposed to the other? Just trying to grasp the concept. Thanks.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by NWA_UMP

We are working something new this season. If you are the wing on the throwing arm side of the QB you hold the line...if your not you release 5-7 yards down the sideline and read the throw, if there is one. The wing that releases reads the pass to stay behind the receiver and box in with the BJ. Our crew chief is a DI NCAA WH and I guess this is a college type mechanic that we are adapting to High School.

That is not a college mechanic. The wings in college (or 7 man) hold their line of scrimmage on just about every play but a running play. And on a running play they allow the runner to pass them by then follow the play for forward progress.

Then my next question is how is your HS crew chief a D1 official? Those guys have to be at the game site the day before their college games if the game is on Saturday. At least that is how it is with guys in the Midwestern Conferences at that level. Not saying you are lying just is not possible here to have a guy that works a high school schedule (on Friday) and then turn around and work a college game in D1 the next day.

Peace

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That is not a college mechanic. The wings in college (or 7 man) hold their line of scrimmage on just about every play but a running play. And on a running play they allow the runner to pass them by then follow the play for forward progress.


Peace

No longer true. College is going to something similar to the NFL. On obvious pass plays the HL is to drift about 5yds down field. The LJ is to drift about 2 yds into the backfield.

In answer to the OP, the mech for our 5 man around here is the wings drift downfield but should not go beyond the shortest route receiver on their side of the field.
And until now, I don't think I've heard anyone, anywhere think "working back to the ball" is a good way to go.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Mike L

And until now, I don't think I've heard anyone, anywhere think "working back to the ball" is a good way to go.

It's a good way to go...if you want to get tangled in the middle of the play on your sideline.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by NWA_UMP

We are working something new this season. If you are the wing on the throwing arm side of the QB you hold the line...if your not you release 5-7 yards down the sideline and read the throw, if there is one. The wing that releases reads the pass to stay behind the receiver and box in with the BJ. Our crew chief is a DI NCAA WH and I guess this is a college type mechanic that we are adapting to High School.

Frankly, I don't get this. If anyone should hold, it's the wing on the side favored by the back judge (using whatever criteria are used).

Personally, I don't see why both wings don't hold a bit longer. In the HS game, most plays are running plays and blindly running downfield at the snap puts the wings at a horrible place to observe running plays. Plays to a wing's side are best observed from behind with a good cushion so the official has a good, wide view of the blocking. And the wing should be picking up the nearside tackle if he engages with a defender. You can't do that if you're running downfield blindly at the snap.