Signal TD when OPI is going to be called

[MNBlue]

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?

[JugglingReferee]

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.

[MD Longhorn]

Finish the play, signal and all. You would signal if this is someone else's flag, wouldn't you?

[Rich]

I see no reason not to signal. The result of the play was a touchdown.

[HLin NC]

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.

[mbyron]

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.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by hlin nc

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.

+1