PI mechanics question, 4-man crew

[zm1283]

4-man crew.

For full disclosure, I coach football and have a question because I really don't know how this works.

Does the Umpire in a 4-man crew have pass interference responsibilities on the receivers closest to the sidelines on vertical routes? We had a play where the HL on our sideline was watching the other team's receiver and our corner on a vertical route about 15-20 yards downfield. The receiver had to come back to the ball a little and there was some contact between the two of them, but the HL did not throw his flag. (He did start to reach for it though) The U turned from just behind the LOS and threw the flag for the PI down the field and toward the sideline a considerable distance. We disagreed with the call and I told the HL that if he was going to call the penalty, we may not like it but at least we can buy it since he is right on top of the play, but it looked bad for his U to penalize something from that far away that he could only have seen the very end of.

The U told us that once the ball crosses the LOS he is supposed to turn and watch things downfield, so that is why he threw the flag.

Maybe I am way off here, so if I am, let me know. I just thought it looked like the U stepped on the HL's toes when the play was right in front of the HL. I also realize that if there was a BJ on the field he would have helped the HL, so there are limitations to 4-man mechanics in football.

[Welpe]

Everywhere I've worked, it's always been taboo for the Umpire to throw a PI flag. We'll turn with the pass to help rule on incomplets on trapped balls and if a ball was touched but should not be throwing PI.

As you said, there are some serious coverage gaps with a four man crew and there could be extenuating circumstances where the umpire might throw on PI but in your case, it doesn't sound like that it fits.

[JRutledge]

I do not see why the U cannot call those things in a 4 man system. They rule on passes in a 5 man system. The BJ is not there with 4 man and part of my understanding is that U/BJ is always to rule on deep plays and situation in the passing game. Of course they are not going to see all these plays, but I do not see why they cannot rule on these plays if you are going to use 4 officials in a game.

Peace

[bisonlj]

5-man the U should stay away from this. With a 4-man crew he probably needs to help. Also realize distance is not always a factor that should prevent an official from throwing a flag. Angle is often much more important than distance. In a play like this the U has a completely different angle than the H and may have had a better view.

[MD Longhorn]

In 4 man, a lot of the B responsibilities can be and should be covered by U, depending on how deep they occur. I have no problem with U calling a PI that he is sure of, and would not consider this poaching a call.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

In 4 man, a lot of the B responsibilities can be and should be covered by U, depending on how deep they occur. I have no problem with U calling a PI that he is sure of, and would not consider this poaching a call.

Agree. With more and more JV teams running spread offenses, trying to watch all 4 or 5 receivers with 2 pairs of eyes is impossible. If you want a DPI on an underneath route, either the U gets it or you need a fifth official.