National Federation New Kickoff Mechanics

[bcl1127]

Originally Posted by footballref1970

Our association has used an old mechanic till this year. Under our old mechanics the umpire is with the kicker in the middle of the field. With the line judge having the kickers restraining line and the linesman having r's line and the back judge and referee deep with receivers. In the new mechanic is the umpire deep with referee and line judge and the back judge with K's line. Just wondering since this is new to me this year.

I think now the BJ has K's line at the 40, U and Linesman have the R line at the 50, the LJ is at the 10 on the sideline and R is at the goal line on the sideline.

Prior, the BJ has the K line at the 40, LJ has the 50, the Linesman was on the sideline at the 30, the U on the opposite sideline at the 20-10, and R was on the linesman's sideline at or near the goalline.

SO the U and LJ flip and the Linesman moves up 20 yards to the 50 with the new mechanic if I am reading it correctly.

[Forksref]

Are we talking 5-man mechanics here?

[bcl1127]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Are we talking 5-man mechanics here?

yes for the federation it is the 5-man mechanics. The new mechanic is also 5-man.

[Forksref]

bcl has it right.

I am wondering why the Fed thinks the L has to be so far forward. Having 2 guys on the 50 in a 5-man crew doesn't seem to make sense.

[IAUMP]

Originally Posted by Forksref

bcl has it right.

I am wondering why the Fed thinks the L has to be so far forward. Having 2 guys on the 50 in a 5-man crew doesn't seem to make sense.

Actually it does, when you take into consideration the new rule on when K can legally block R. Since K can not initate contact with R until the ball has gone beyond R's restraining line, or K has a legal right to recover the kick. It would be too difficult for one official, to determine if/when the ball crossed the restraining line and when/if K initiated contact with R. I am the U in my crew and we have discussed if the ball comes my direction, I have the ball and the L has the blocks. It would be reversed if the ball goes to the L side of the field.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by IAUMP

Actually it does, when you take into consideration the new rule on when K can legally block R. Since K can not initate contact with R until the ball has gone beyond R's restraining line, or K has a legal right to recover the kick. It would be too difficult for one official, to determine if/when the ball crossed the restraining line and when/if K initiated contact with R. I am the U in my crew and we have discussed if the ball comes my direction, I have the ball and the L has the blocks. It would be reversed if the ball goes to the L side of the field.

And there's the rub. How many unexpected on-sides kicks do you see in a year? I can remember entire seasons without seeing an attempted on-sides kick, let alone one that was unexpected. And when we expect it we put 2 guys on each restraining line.

I don't see the reasoning behind putting 2 officials on R's line in a 5-man game for something we'll be lucky to see once a season.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by waltjp

I don't see the reasoning behind putting 2 officials on R's line in a 5-man game for something we'll be lucky to see once a season.

Agree. Ohio doesn't use this mechanic.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by waltjp

And there's the rub. How many unexpected on-sides kicks do you see in a year? I can remember entire seasons without seeing an attempted on-sides kick, let alone one that was unexpected. And when we expect it we put 2 guys on each restraining line.

I don't see the reasoning behind putting 2 officials on R's line in a 5-man game for something we'll be lucky to see once a season.

As a BJ I have clearly seen onside kicks, but not where we are surprised in any way.

I think coverage down field is more important. Then again maybe this will show some that 5 man crews are going to be flawed in our current game with the focus on safety and passing. I can only wish.

Peace

[jchamp]

Originally Posted by waltjp

And there's the rub. How many unexpected on-sides kicks do you see in a year? I can remember entire seasons without seeing an attempted on-sides kick, let alone one that was unexpected. And when we expect it we put 2 guys on each restraining line.

I don't see the reasoning behind putting 2 officials on R's line in a 5-man game for something we'll be lucky to see once a season.

It seems that it would be best for the WH to have this alignment as an option for the "expected" onside kick. Some schools (like Arkansas' Pulaski Academy) EXCLUSIVELY use the onside kick. Pulaski Academy Onside Kicks vs Cabot - Sept 9, 2011 - YouTube <-- These are all from one game, and PA was up 29-0 before their opponent made its first snap from scrimmage.

But discretion should be available to the WH who will be aware of the coaching styles, and can make an intelligent assessment of the game situation and what he needs to do. There is no need for a one-size-fits-all kickoff procedure.