Really, No Holding Call!!!!!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Aaaaaaaah, no it is not. If you are being held, you are prevented from going somewhere or some movement. This is the equivalent to calling a holding call on a player that either makes the tackle or the defense loses yards in the backfield on a play up the middle. For one it is very suspect by all accounts on the video and the defender beat the blocker despite any attempt to stop him from the ball carrier. Again, this would be a rookie call, not a call from an experienced official.

Peace

On second look at the play, I'm not so sure. The defender may have been slowed a bit by the grab. If I see that, I would likely flag it.

Problem is, as a white hat I'm probably not going to see it - I got a QB being pressured by another defender and I have to rule on the pass. And the umpire may not get it, either -- and from his angle, it's probably not going to look like anything.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

On second look at the play, I'm not so sure. The defender may have been slowed a bit by the grab. If I see that, I would likely flag it.

Problem is, as a white hat I'm probably not going to see it - I got a QB being pressured by another defender and I have to rule on the pass. And the umpire may not get it, either -- and from his angle, it's probably not going to look like anything.

I saw the replay and there are like 3 or 4 players all near the ball. The defender does go around the blocker and runs into another player. That is why I am not calling a hold here and it does not seem like he was prevented from getting to the ball simply on the "grab" attempt alone. There is a reason we say "MIBT" and that was clearly not "there." I certainly see an attempt at a grab, but not an actual clear grab, not with several players around the ball.

Peace

[BigBaldGuy]

Did anyone notice the Referee (White Hate) going to the wrong side of a right handed QB?

If he is on the correct side does he get a better look at the hold (or not a hold)?

[BigBaldGuy]

I would have to call a hold on the play...the defender #70 Holds would have made the tackle before the other defensive player hits the QB.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BigBaldGuy

Did anyone notice the Referee (White Hate) going to the wrong side of a right handed QB?

If he is on the correct side does he get a better look at the hold (or not a hold)?

Is it clear that this is a right handed QB? After all he does flip the ball in the air unorthodox on this play.

Peace

[CT1]

Originally Posted by BigBaldGuy

Did anyone notice the Referee (White Hate) going to the wrong side of a right handed QB?

If he is on the correct side does he get a better look at the hold (or not a hold)?

Why do you think it's the "wrong" side? In a 5-man crew with the ball at the hash, I almost always "balance the field", regardless of the QB's throwing arm.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by CT1

Why do you think it's the "wrong" side? In a 5-man crew with the ball at the hash, I almost always "balance the field", regardless of the QB's throwing arm.

For a 4-man or 5-man (or 6-man or 7-man) crew, the proper mechanic is to be on the passing arm side. Our keys don't change, after all.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by Rich

For a 4-man or 5-man (or 6-man or 7-man) crew, the proper mechanic is to be on the passing arm side. Our keys don't change, after all.

"Proper" according to whom? (Our state gives the R the option to be on either side in 4 or 5-man.)

The number of times I have to rule on a QB's arm going forward (or not) in a season is very small. The number of times I can't judge that from the opposite side is miniscule, if ever. The key is to be deep enough initially, then move to get a good angle. This also allows the R to maintain his view of the off-side tackle.

In the play shown in the OP, the QB actually rolls past where I would initially be as the R, which would put me on his passing arm side when the ball is released. I'd be in good position to cover a sweep to the wide side, and be close enough to help on a run into the short sideline.

[MD Longhorn]

What is your state? Honestly, in all my time doing this, today is the first I've heard of this not being universal.

That said, if being on the throwing side was not preferable and normal (here at least), and we were told to switch sides based on which hash the ball is on, I'd put the R on the SHORT side, not the wide side. For about 6 reasons.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by CT1

"Proper" according to whom? (Our state gives the R the option to be on either side in 4 or 5-man.)

According to the NFHS and according to the Referee Mechanics guide I happen to have here.

First time I've heard of this option. I've never heard of it at other levels, either.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CT1

Why do you think it's the "wrong" side? In a 5-man crew with the ball at the hash, I almost always "balance the field", regardless of the QB's throwing arm.

Because that's not what you're supposed to do.

[cdoug]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Because that's not what you're supposed to do.

New in Ohio this year R is supposed to be on the wide side of the field no matter what hand the QB throws the ball with.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by cdoug

New in Ohio this year R is supposed to be on the wide side of the field no matter what hand the QB throws the ball with.

That's idiotic, quite frankly. But it does explain why the R does what he does.