Winding and stopping clock

[ajmc]

This seems like another, "much ado about nothing" special attention. Wing officials giving a wind signal on plays close to the sideline is one of a clock operators best friends. It answers an otherwise open question.

I can't see where eliminating this practice makes the tiniest bit of sense or serves any useful purpose. One of the other "Timer's best friend" signals is the often criticized practice of giving a stop the clock signal after giving the incomplete pass signal. Yes, I understand that the incomplete pass signal, in and by itself denotes the clock should be stopped, but it only works when the clock operator can see the signal.

Giving an incomplete pass signal in front of the team area on the clock side of the field is, a lot more often than not, unseen by the clock operator, and following up with a fully extended Stop the clock signal is the ONLY signal the clock operator will actually see. Of course that brings up yet another "Timer's best friend" signal, which is the TO signal given by the opposite wing man (Umpire or Referee) who follows up the incomplete pass signal.

Thr single most important purpose of any officials signal is to convey a message to an intended party. #1 priority of clock related signals is communicating with the clock operator, anything and everything else is secondary and doesn't matter nearly as much.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Giving an incomplete pass signal in front of the team area on the clock side of the field is, a lot more often than not, unseen by the clock operator, and following up with a fully extended Stop the clock signal is the ONLY signal the clock operator will actually see. Of course that brings up yet another "Timer's best friend" signal, which is the TO signal given by the opposite wing man (Umpire or Referee) who follows up the incomplete pass signal.

Never seen this as a problem if they give the proper signal the way you are supposed to.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Never seen this as a problem if they give the proper signal the way you are supposed to.

Peace

Every time I see an official give the stop clock signal, I wonder what part of "incomplete pass stops the clock" the official doesn't understand.

Of course, I've seen white hats wind the clock on the snap, which I find even more idiotic.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Never seen this as a problem if they give the proper signal the way you are supposed to. Peace

If you haven't done so already, some time when you get a chance watch a ballgame from the booth (from the clock operators vantage point) take a moment and observe how little you see of the wing official on the near sideline while he's in front of the team area.

Even the most perfect incomplete pass signals easily go unseen. Perhaps the best way to understand what's happened is to find an off official, who has picked up the incomplete and is signalling to stop the clock.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ajmc

If you haven't done so already, some time when you get a chance watch a ballgame from the booth (from the clock operators vantage point) take a moment and observe how little you see of the wing official on the near sideline while he's in front of the team area.

Even the most perfect incomplete pass signals easily go unseen. Perhaps the best way to understand what's happened is to find an off official, who has picked up the incomplete and is signalling to stop the clock.

I will put it this way, then they are not doing it right or multiple officials are not doing it. I cannot imagine not seeing a signal if you do it the proper way by staying upright and signaling more than once and under control. I personally go to the press box every game as I give the game cards. I always look around from the vantage point of the timer. There are not many instances where they would not be able to see officials on the field. And with the teams moving back in from the restricted area, not sure why an official would not be seen.

Peace

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I will put it this way, then they are not doing it right or multiple officials are not doing it. I cannot imagine not seeing a signal if you do it the proper way by staying upright and signaling more than once and under control. I personally go to the press box every game as I give the game cards. I always look around from the vantage point of the timer. There are not many instances where they would not be able to see officials on the field. And with the teams moving back in from the restricted area, not sure why an official would not be seen.

Peace

Been a long time, but I have run the clock in several games, and I never recall having a problem seeing ANY official signal anything.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by BroKen62

Been a long time, but I have run the clock in several games, and I never recall having a problem seeing ANY official signal anything.

Maybe it's just me, or where they place booths here, but when you have a 5'10" Line Judge, making a call on sideline pass, from a position off the field, in front of the Team Box, filled with 30-40 6'+ players in full football gear, I often have trouble (1) finding that official (2) if finding, trouble clearly seeing anything he might signal below over his head.

Usually, the off officials converging on the spot from within the field pick up the incompletion and signal stopping the clock, which is often the only signal I can see. Other than those type plays, seeing and understanding incomplete pass signalling is not a problem. The point is, that whatever the reason even the most perfect signal, that for whatever reason is not seen by the person it's intended for, isn't working and requires adjustment.

Despite our desire for consistency, "one size rarely, if ever, fits all".

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Maybe it's just me, or where they place booths here, but when you have a 5'10" Line Judge, making a call on sideline pass, from a position off the field, in front of the Team Box, filled with 30-40 6'+ players in full football gear, I often have trouble (1) finding that official (2) if finding, trouble clearly seeing anything he might signal below over his head.

Usually, the off officials converging on the spot from within the field pick up the incompletion and signal stopping the clock, which is often the only signal I can see. Other than those type plays, seeing and understanding incomplete pass signalling is not a problem. The point is, that whatever the reason even the most perfect signal, that for whatever reason is not seen by the person it's intended for, isn't working and requires adjustment.

Despite our desire for consistency, "one size rarely, if ever, fits all".

Our LJ is shorter than 6 feet as he is almost always on the home or press box side. I cannot recall that the clock has not stopped when he gave a signal. You are right not everything fits perfectly. Just never seen this as a major problem.

Peace

[parepat]

Originally Posted by BroKen62

Been a long time, but I have run the clock in several games, and I never recall having a problem seeing ANY official signal anything.

You wouldn't recall something you didn't see, would you?