Pre-Snap Communication w/ Players

[whitehat]

High school
I find myself communciating more than I would like to wideouts and Db's. It seems they are taught to look at the official first instead of the ball in order to lineup correctly. Having said that, I usually tap my thigh and nod to indicate they are OK. This is usually only if they are trying to line up on the line. If they are back that is usally fairly obvious to them and me.
I do not tell wideouts to "move up" because as soon as you do the ball would be snapped then we have a flag for IM.

In your example this play would never have gotten off as a DB violating the NZ is a dead ball foul and the play never happens. Of course context and timing is important, if the RFP has not been whistled then the DB can get back on his side of the NZ without a foul.

I have moved DB's and wideouts back. Most often the wideout is supposed to be on the line but he is too far back...

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by whitehat

I do not tell wideouts to "move up" because as soon as you do the ball would be snapped then we have a flag for IM.

I used to worry about this, until I realized that if they don't move up, they'll probably be flagged for IF.

Lining up ain't rocket science, and it's not my fault if a player can't do it. Still, I'm willing to help him go where he's supposed to be.

[PocketSidewalk]

Originally Posted by whitehat

I find myself communciating more than I would like to wideouts and Db's. It seems they are taught to look at the official first instead of the ball in order to lineup correctly.

+1

This is definitely a pet peeve of mine, and I'm just a rookie. Nothing like having a coach standing right behind you yelling to his wideout, "Look at the ref, check with the ref."

If coaches want to teach their players to look at me to see if I'm punching them on or off the line then that's their prerogative; but when the wideout is trying to communicate with me before every play, it's distracting and sometimes annoying.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by PocketSidewalk

+1

This is definitely a pet peeve of mine, and I'm just a rookie. Nothing like having a coach standing right behind you yelling to his wideout, "Look at the ref, check with the ref."

If coaches want to teach their players to look at me to see if I'm punching them on or off the line then that's their prerogative; but when the wideout is trying to communicate with me before every play, it's distracting and sometimes annoying.

I think this differs from place to place. At most places, at non-varsity levels I've worked at, HL and LJ are encouraged to help them line up. It varies at V. And even varies by crew. Some tell you to help, some to ignore, others to help only if asked. OTOH - watch on Sunday ... you'll see wideouts looking at the officials, sometimes pointing, asking. I see no harm in helping.

[ajmc]

I've found that responding to questions, or even just looks, by tapping my leg, and stating, "My foot's on the line" seems to provide enough information so they can adjust to whatever they're supposed to be.

I usually try and tell each receiver the first time I see them, "My foot will be on the line all day", and they usually check and adjust.