Philosophy of not flagging something when it wouldn't otherwise matter

[JugglingReferee]

Usually involves PI.

Play: Team A is guilty of OPI, but Team B intercepts the ball anyways. Team B has a 6-yard interception return. When you, the official who passed on the OPI because B caught the ball anyways, look up at the R, he's got a RTP foul.

Discuss.

[CT1]

Are you fer it, or agin' it?

[JugglingReferee]

The issue rarely comes up in my neck of the woods.

I was wondering what others thought where it may come up more often.

[HLin NC]

'"oh, crap"

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

Usually involves PI.

Play: Team A is guilty of OPI, but Team B intercepts the ball anyways. Team B has a 6-yard interception return. When you, the official who passed on the OPI because B caught the ball anyways,

I've had this happen...

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

...look up at the R, he's got a RTP foul.

...but, not in conjuction with this.

That would suck.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by DLH17

I've had this happen...

What was your situation?

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by JugglingReferee

What was your situation?

QB throws a long pass downfield along my L's sideline. The L is trailing the play while I'm moving to stay in position deep and boxing the play in. Normally, the defender is trailing the receiver downfield. In my play, the defensive player beat the receiver "to the spot", but they are both still running full speed. As the ball is descending into the waiting arms of the defender, the intended receiver places his hands on the shoulder pads of the defender. Doesn't matter...the ball lands in the defenders bread basket for an INT as both players fall to the ground. My L couldn't see the hands on the shoulder pads. I could. But, I passed after seeing the defender posses the ball to the ground.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by DLH17

QB throws a long pass downfield along my L's sideline. The L is trailing the play while I'm moving to stay in position deep and boxing the play in. Normally, the defender is trailing the receiver downfield. In my play, the defensive player beat the defender "to the spot", but they are both still running full speed. As the ball is descending into the waiting arms of the defender, the intended receiver places his hands on the shoulder pads of the defender. Doesn't matter...the ball lands in the defenders bread basket for an INT as both players fall to the ground. My L couldn't see the hands on the shoulder pads. I could. But, I passed after seeing the defender posses the ball to the ground.

I'd have flagged it anyway. As mentioned before, you don't know for sure what other laundry is already on the field. Not right to not let this offset, when it would have offset had he NOT caught the ball.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I'd have flagged it anyway. As mentioned before, you don't know for sure what other laundry is already on the field. Not right to not let this offset, when it would have offset had he NOT caught the ball.

Good word....thanks for the feedback.

[legend]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I'd have flagged it anyway. As mentioned before, you don't know for sure what other laundry is already on the field. Not right to not let this offset, when it would have offset had he NOT caught the ball.

Also I've been told several times by the "vets" in my chapter, you never know who may be in the stands watching the game. Their may be someone there evaluating the crew for post season play, or just a casual observer there who can infulance future assignments. It's our job to finish the game weather it's a 1 poss. game or a "mercy" rule game. The kids play til the clock says 0:00 we should do the same.

[Suudy]

The only time I've done something similar is near the end of a blowout game. The team behind holds, illegal shifts, motions, etc. About the only thing we don't let slide, even when the game is out of hand, is a flagrant false start and safety issues.

I've been fortunate never to have had the OPI/RTP, but I have had cases where I ignored a hold by the team that is behind only to have a facemask or DPI on B. But being a blowout....

Besides, in the OP I wouldn't worry too much in a blowout about such an occurrence. And by blowout, I mean something like < 5 minutes left in the game and a team up by 30 or more.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Suudy

The only time I've done something similar is near the end of a blowout game. The team behind holds, illegal shifts, motions, etc. About the only thing we don't let slide, even when the game is out of hand, is a flagrant false start and safety issues.

I've been fortunate never to have had the OPI/RTP, but I have had cases where I ignored a hold by the team that is behind only to have a facemask or DPI on B. But being a blowout....

Besides, in the OP I wouldn't worry too much in a blowout about such an occurrence. And by blowout, I mean something like < 5 minutes left in the game and a team up by 30 or more.

When did this become about blowouts? The OP has nothing to do with officiating differently at the end of a blowout.

[Suudy]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

When did this become about blowouts? The OP has nothing to do with officiating differently at the end of a blowout.

It wasn't specified. I qualified my "not flagging something when it wouldn't otherwise matter" to be in the cases of blowouts. I injected blowouts into the conversation.

And I would never ignore a clear flag during a game, other than a blowout situation. And I said that I wouldn't worry about the OP in a blowout.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Suudy

It wasn't specified. I qualified my "not flagging something when it wouldn't otherwise matter" to be in the cases of blowouts. I injected blowouts into the conversation.

And I would never ignore a clear flag during a game, other than a blowout situation. And I said that I wouldn't worry about the OP in a blowout.

My stance, no matter the sport, is to try and have the tape prove me right each and every time. That means calling the clear and obvious without regard for the time or score.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

When did this become about blowouts? The OP has nothing to do with officiating differently at the end of a blowout.

True, but the question didn't restrict to non-blowouts games either.


If someone has a relevant take during a blowout, I'd read that too.