4th and 5+/-inches then Def. Encroachment

[Snake~eyes]

It's 4th and 5 + or - inches, defense encroaches, ball/LTG are not on a line/tick. What do you do? How do you make this look good?

[Welpe]

If the HL did his job properly, then there should be a piece of tape or zip tie on the chains at 5 yards. He should know when the ball is spotted near that point on the previous down and if the ball was behind or beyond that point. If behind, then it is still 4th down, if beyond then it's 1st down and the chains are moving.

[McMac]

Had this happen on a 3rd and 5 (plus a few inches). Told the WH, U moved the ball, spotted it and WH called it a first down. What do you do then?

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by McMac

Had this happen on a 3rd and 5 (plus a few inches). Told the WH, U moved the ball, spotted it and WH called it a first down. What do you do then?

You communicate before the foul even occurs so that doesn't happen.

We communicate before the ready for play either by signal or verbally...thumbs up means the box is past the tape, thumbs down means the box is behind the tape....or "5 gets us 1!"

[Jim S]

Communications, communications, communications..... That sort of thing should NEVER happen!

[McMac]

I did tell our WH, I ran out to the center of the field, told him we were behind the tape. U marked it off, WH looked down at the stake and said 1st down.

[ump33]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

You communicate before the foul even occurs so that doesn't happen.

We communicate before the ready for play either by signal or verbally...thumbs up means the box is past the tape, thumbs down means the box is behind the tape....or "5 gets us 1!"

In addition to what BkBallRef said, I ask the HL to set the Box at the appropriate spot. If we started an inch or two behind the tape, he sets the Box an inch or two behind the Line to Gain. Likewise, if we started an inch or two beyond the tape, he sets the Box an inch or two beyond the Line to Gain.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by Welpe

If the HL did his job properly, then there should be a piece of tape or zip tie on the chains at 5 yards. He should know when the ball is spotted near that point on the previous down and if the ball was behind or beyond that point. If behind, then it is still 4th down, if beyond then it's 1st down and the chains are moving.

This is among the best advice that a HL can do. If the downsbox is a carded official, I even have him be responsible for telling me if it's close to that tape or not - within half a yard. If the downsbox is a volunteer, then I manage the tape noticing myself.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

This is among the best advice that a HL can do. If the downsbox is a carded official, I even have him be responsible for telling me if it's close to that tape or not - within half a yard. If the downsbox is a volunteer, then I manage the tape noticing myself.

The Canadian mechanic is to report to the R all pertinent information which includes this type of information. It even includes info such as how the play ended. We don't say "offside 21 defence". We do say: "offside, 21 defence. The play resulted in an interception. The offence had less than 5 yards to go."