I thought that I would call on the combined wisdom of this board (I miss Derock) to discuss a topic I don't think is avaibable for review in any mechanics manual. Maybe it's too easy to understand.

Under the NFHS and NCAA codes, in which situations is it mandatory to drop a bean bag? I know the mechanics differ a bit between codes. Please be specific with which code you're citing when posting.

Thanks, fellas.

Buy youself a copy of the Officals Manual from the NFHS.
All the conditions for using a bag are documented there.
It's on those books that has a lot of good stuff in it, like mechanics for 4 and 5 man games.
We get it every other year (only updated every other year) as part of our chapter dues.

Thanks, Theisey.

Can't believe in all these years that we never got one!

How about NCAA?

there is a summary page in each of the CAA mechanics manuals, which we use in NCAA games.

NFHS Officials Manual states:

A. The bean bag is to be dropped on the appropriate yard line in accordance with the situations calling for such action in this manual.

B. The bean bag is to serve as an aid to enforcement and not an absolute reference point.

Here are my instructions to my crew on using the bean bag.

- When the player possession is lost during the down - mandatory
- When you need to mark a spot and then to tend to the players

The new one this coming season, when possession of the ball following a scrimmage kick occurs. With the PSK enforcement this season you have to be able to mark the enforcement spot. In previous seasons, you returned to the previous spot.

One last and important caveat, DO NOT use your beanbag to throw at a spot. If you can't hustle to a spot, then unhustle yourself to another crew.

One More
 

There is at least one additional beanbagable situation for both FED and NCAA that I'm sure you include... marking the spot when ruling momentum.

Bean Bags
 

In regards to the Bean Bag question posted earlier, it is proper to drop a bean bag on those situations where possession is lost. Keep in mind that snaps from center and backward passes are not possession lost situations.

In addition, this year in Federation, officials need to drop a bean bag where a scrimmage kick is successfully fielded in the field of play so as to mark the Post Scrimmage kick spot (PSK) for penalty enforcement.

HeyRef...one correction...
 

You mention that a backward pass is not (??) a lost possession situation. I disagree. If a backward pass from <b><i>beyond</i></b> the neutral zone occurs, you had better mark the spot with a bean bag. That spot is the end of the related run and may become the spot of enforcement for a foul by the offense that occurs after the pass and before possession of the loose ball is regained. Correct?

To be a little more precise...
 

Actually, to be more precise, the spot of the backward pass <b><u>may</u></b> become the enforcement spot for a foul by the offense during the pass, and <b><u>will</u></b> become the spot of enforcement for defensive fouls during the pass.

As a general rule, I was taught to bean bag fumbles, muffs and where punt's are caught. Some people do interceptions and backward passes, but I don't know that I understand the value.

Team possession versus player possession...
 

Bob brings up some good points...

We need to mark the spot where the run ends for penalty enforcement.

For example, at the spot of the backward pass made beyond the neutral zone.

Player possession is given up at this spot, but team possession remains the same unless the defense intercepts or recovers the backwards pass.

Therefore we must be alert to know the sequence of events in order to properly administer the play.

Hey Sleeper, I've been a big fan of Monty Python for almost the past 30 years. How is your semi-pro officiating going? Our league starts a week from Saturday...

I had a good game during the pre-season and got picked up as a substitute. I am hoping for a more regular spot when one opens up. I found another league that needed help and I am hoping to work some there as well. I also picked up a 7 on 7 tournament. I am trying to get as many games as possible to suppliement my offseason workout I started a couple of weeks ago.

I have the two CD set of Monty Python's Greatest hits. Keeps me sane (although my sanity may be questionable at best).

The value is this:
-Momentum may be involved on an interception.

-The spot of the backward pass when beyond the NZ is the end of a run and could be an enforcement spot for fouls by team-A

Re: HeyRef...one correction...
 

You are both correct. A backward pass involves a loss of player possession but not a loss of team possession.

You should drop a bean bag anytime player possession is lost becuase that will be the spot where the run ends and as Bob M mentioned it becomes the basic spot for enforcement.

On a backward pass or any loose ball play or situation the ball remains in team possession until the other team gains possession. It is important to note when that occurs because the time of the foul and how it is enforced may depend upon who has possession.

REPLY: Up until this season, there was no reason in Federation to bag the spot where a punt was caught unless it was inside B's 5 yardline and momentum was being ruled. Same for interceptions. This season, we'll need to bag the spot that punts are caught because of the potential for a PSK enforcement foul by B. However, I still contend that you absolutely <b>must</b> bag backward passes from beyond the neutral zone. Now, if it's a quick pass and possession is regained immediately, you can probably get away with leaving the bag tucked in your knickers, but if the pass falls loose, I would bag the spot of the pass immediately.