Really, No Holding Call!!!!!

[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.