Really, No Holding Call!!!!!

[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.

[JugglingReferee]

I've got a hold. In the games that I work, this would be among the easiest calls of the night.

However, our mechanics would make it difficult to catch this. It would easiestly be called by the U or wing, though I bet the wing was had no view on this play. An experience R could catch this too.

[IAUMP]

This was definately a hold. Would like to think I would catch it. My real question is with the play going to the U's right, why is he still in the middle of the field. There is no way he could see anything from that far away.

[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.

[Texas Aggie]

there are like 3 or 4 players all near the ball

I saw this too and its a very important observation: don't bail a team out when they have a chance to make a play and don't. This may not be absolute (15 yard "dangerous" foul, for example, happens), but if you think of it as a philosophy, you'll make better calls.

A similar scenario in basketball: player driving to the hole and is a bit ahead of himself. Loses his balance and throws up a prayer, then goes down. Sure, there was contact (can't really drive without contact) but he's out of control, and not due to the contact. Don't bail him out by calling a foul -- a shooting foul of all things.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

He sprints out left and has the ball gripped in his right hand to throw. It is definitely a RH quarterback.

[bigjohn]

I have always been told ANY
contact outside the FRAMEWORK of the Blocker's body is illegal.


b. Open hand technique. The hand(s) shall be:
1. In advance of the elbow.
2. Inside the frame of the blocker’s body; the frame of the blocker’s body
is the front of the body at or below the shoulders


SECTION 2 ILLEGAL USE OF HANDS AND HOLDING
ART. 1 . . . An offensive player (except the runner) shall not:
a. Use a blocking technique which is not permissible by rule. (See 2-3-2, 3)

PENALTY: Illegal use of hands or arms (Arts. 1a, 2, 3a, b, d) – (S42); interlocked
blocking (Art. 1b) – (S44); holding (Arts. 1c; 3c) – (S42) – 10 yards.

[maven]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

I have always been told ANY
contact outside the FRAMEWORK of the Blocker's body is illegal.

True. Using that technique makes a player liable for a flag. But it must also be near the point of attack and meet the other criteria for a blocking foul to be called.

And you know that, and wouldn't want your team flagged for a little jersey pull by a WR on the opposite side of the field from the play.