Signal TD when OPI is going to be called
NFHS rules - Last night we had a 4th down play where A1 threw a pass into the end zone and A2 caught the ball for an apparent TD. My wing official threw an OPI flag and signalled TD. He reported the foul to me and we administered the penalty correctly and moved on.
Following the game we had a discussion about the appropriateness of signalling TD. His rationale was to signal the score so the B coach would know the results of the play when decision making. I suggested that B was not going to be allowed to decline the penalty because accepting was the ONLY right decision and that signalling the score would be 'teasing' the A fans into thinking there was a TD and then we take it away with the penalty. Any thoughts about the pros/cons of signalling or not? |
There are no cons to signalling.
There are no pros to not signalling. The TD signal merely signals the result of the play. Of course, as an R, I would never even ask B what they want to do. As for the other, let them be teased. |
Finish the play, signal and all. You would signal if this is someone else's flag, wouldn't you?
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I see no reason not to signal. The result of the play was a touchdown.
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You should complete the signal. Yes we all know that the opponent will accept the foul but the referee and umpire also need to know the result of the play for clock purposes after penalty assessment.
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If the R sees the flag, he can withhold a TD signal until after sorting it out. I agree that the appropriate downfield officials should signal TD.
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I have had mixed feelings about this, but I cannot think of a good reason other than by practice not to give a TD even when you personally throw the flag. I have always wondered, what if the ball is just short of the end zone and we do not let everyone know we are calling a TD or just short of the EZ. I got scolded years ago for signaling a TD on an OPI foul I called, but I always did not see the argument not to signal the obvious result of the play.
Peace |
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We have some very old school WHs in my LA and it looks so silly when they turn to face the press box to signal TD. They're removing their eyes from the players, and then whack - Ooops we missed that one coach.
Only signal TD if it's part of a penalty enforcement as Rich says. |
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I do signal the press box on the PAT, but even that's unnecessary if you think about it. |
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Peace |
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Yes, there are times we *need* to look away from players. This is not one of them. |
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Peace |
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.
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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). |
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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. |
Is a fist (with or without thumb up) signal by subsidiary officials no longer an allowed mechanic?
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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. |
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