Signal TD when OPI is going to be called

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Exactly my reasoning. Why would I want to turn my eyes away from dead-ball activity?

I do signal the press box on the PAT, but even that's unnecessary if you think about it.

Then what are the other 4 officials doing? Part of the reason I see we signal is to clarify we have no issues on the play. And I used to do this as a WH and I never took my eyes off the players when something was going on. I often did it when players were have clearly stopped playing. But we take our eyes off of players in many situation (like to go chase a ball on a long play or pass). I do not find that as a viable reason either way. If you do not want to do it I am OK with that, but not just because we take our eyes off the players when we have to do that a lot in this sport.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Then what are the other 4 officials doing? Part of the reason I see we signal is to clarify we have no issues on the play. And I used to do this as a WH and I never took my eyes off the players when something was going on. I often did it when players were have clearly stopped playing. But we take our eyes off of players in many situation (like to go chase a ball on a long play or pass). I do not find that as a viable reason either way. If you do not want to do it I am OK with that, but not just because we take our eyes off the players when we have to do that a lot in this sport.

Peace

If you asked me when the most extracurriculars happen I'd probably say during or at the end of long TD plays.

Yes, there are times we *need* to look away from players. This is not one of them.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

If you asked me when the most extracurriculars happen I'd probably say during or at the end of long TD plays.

Yes, there are times we *need* to look away from players. This is not one of them.

Out of bounds plays that happens or plays near the sidelines and because we do not have ball boys or 7 officials on the field it is possible two or three officials to have to completely take their eyes off the players. Again I do not totally disagree with you and this is something I have always done. I just think that we take our eyes off of players many times and the Referee is not in the EZ or near where most players are, they would be the last person I would rely on to watch players. Unless something is taking place way behind the play, not much the WH needs to be looking at. And if there is, this signal is not as important as watching players IMO.

Peace

[Jim S]

I give tthe signals. Both on the goal line and as a Referee. First off that's the proper mechanics per the book. Next as any R can tell you the worst thing that happens to him is that he doesn't get the information. All you are doing when you signal a TD is that you are saying that the ball crossed the goal line. That's all. The R then checks with ALL the crew to make sure that no one has any issues. And then he signals the score. This doesn't have to happen immediately. If you have one of those games where there may be a problem then you use the scan of the crew to check for those types of problems. I have seen that most dead ball problems occur fairly quickly after a score (Most problems actually start BEFORE the dead ball). So taking a few seconds before giving the signal will suffice to making sure you're not going to have a battle.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Then what are the other 4 officials doing? Part of the reason I see we signal is to clarify we have no issues on the play. And I used to do this as a WH and I never took my eyes off the players when something was going on. I often did it when players were have clearly stopped playing. But we take our eyes off of players in many situation (like to go chase a ball on a long play or pass). I do not find that as a viable reason either way. If you do not want to do it I am OK with that, but not just because we take our eyes off the players when we have to do that a lot in this sport.

Peace

+1
We should signal the press box when the score is official. They should not change the score until they see the R signal to them. (PS - the idea that you're taking a look away from the play is silly - you have crew out there, and additionally, it's not like you're in a rush to make this signal ... signal it when it's clear the play is over and you have no fouls).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

+1
We should signal the press box when the score is official. They should not change the score until they see the R signal to them. (PS - the idea that you're taking a look away from the play is silly - you have crew out there, and additionally, it's not like you're in a rush to make this signal ... signal it when it's clear the play is over and you have no fouls).

When I chop in the RFP on the try they know the score is official. On top of that, I really don't care about the scoreboard. Eventually, the points will go up there regardless of whether or not I signal.

[JasonTX]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

When I chop in the RFP on the try they know the score is official. On top of that, I really don't care about the scoreboard. Eventually, the points will go up there regardless of whether or not I signal.

I do signal as the R. But I wait till the players have cleared each other. I also don't look right at the press box. I keep my head turned to the players when I signal.

[Texas Aggie]

Signal it, but be smart. The guys on my crew know what we're doing. First, the goal post guys know to hold their signal as I'm watching the players (on a FG/try) and more or less waiting for them to clear. I turn pretty late compared to many others.

While watching the players is important, don't use it as an excuse to stop doing something we need to do. Figure out a way to do it all.

[Robert Goodman]

Is a fist (with or without thumb up) signal by subsidiary officials no longer an allowed mechanic?

[Theisey]

While I no longer work the field for ECAC games... the mechanics still are clear.. do not signal TD if there is a foul that would negate the score.

That's the way it should be for high school ball too. The team-B coach wll find out the results of the play, etc. by using standard official/coach communications as for any other foul.