NCAA ball hits the rafters

[Robert Goodman]

Would any of you see how much the carom affected the ball's flight, and then decide whether to ignore it?

[jTheUmp]

Nope.

The officials shouldn't be looking at the ball's flight anyway, we've got players to watch.

If it hits the rafters you'll know easily enough. (just watch for the ultra-confused punt/kick returner).

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

The officials shouldn't be looking at the ball's flight anyway, we've got players to watch.

This was my question too... what official saw it?

[parepat]

As the referee, I take a quick look at the ball after I clear the kicker to make sure it is not heading out of bounds. I think the R would catch it.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by parepat

As the referee, I take a quick look at the ball after I clear the kicker to make sure it is not heading out of bounds. I think the R would catch it.

Not dogpiling... but why? Do you do something differently if it's headed out of bounds than you do if it's not?

[parepat]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Not dogpiling... but why? Do you do something differently if it's headed out of bounds than you do if it's not?

Yes. Since I have to chop the spot where a punt goes out of bounds on the fly, it helps if I know where the ball goes out of bounds. To know whether the ball is heading out of bounds, I take a quick look at the direction of its flight. If I see it heading out of bounds, I'll follow it to give a reasonably good spot.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by parepat

Yes. Since I have to chop the spot where a punt goes out of bounds on the fly, it helps if I know where the ball goes out of bounds. To know whether the ball is heading out of bounds, I take a quick look at the direction of its flight. If I see it heading out of bounds, I'll follow it to give a reasonably good spot.

OK. I'll watch it on a shank... but on most punts, I watch my kicker, move to my spot (where the kick was from), watch the cleanup area for cheap shots, and then find the ball - using the actions of the players to guide me. I doubt I would ever see the ball before it's at least halfway down.