Playoff scoldings from B. Mauer
 

2014 Football Bulletin 12 ? Week 13 | OHSAA Football Officials


Many of the things I have brought up are being addressed, still!

Bruce Maurer, DOD

Don't agree that # 31 is an absolute that fits all circumstances. YES, the incomplete pass signal advises that the clock should be stopped, but depending on the specific venu variables (the lighting, the elevation, the size of the wing official, is the signal given in front of the team box, etc.) even a perfect incomplete signal may simply not be seen.

The purpose of a signal (ANY signal) is to convey a message. If adding a traditional "stop the clock" signal helps convey the proper message, in a timely manner, why not include it? Is avoidance of some innocuous redundancy more important than completing a message?

Of course, a "stop the clock" signal immediately given by the mid-field officials (Umpire or Referee) responding to a sideline "incomplete signal" likely somewhat more visible (away from sideline congestion) can be very helpful in sending the intended message to the target recipient.

I agree with ajmc on #31. In Colorado, the mechanic is to have the covering official signal incomplete and the remaining 4 officials to give the stop clock signal. It reduces the chances that the clock will keep running, and it makes all officials aware of the clock status.

From the notes:
This is one of those things we seem to argue about a lot here. We ALWAYS ask the captain. In this situation we'd probably tell him "Captain. There was a facemask. I'm sure you want us to add the 5 yards to the run, right?" IMO, it never hurts to ask.
Is this an Ohio mechanic? Here in WA we have been told in no uncertain terms not to mimic NCAA mechanics (catch signal, out of bounds signal--the two hands moving to the sideline, covering official dead ball signal, etc). I don't think it is part of the NFHS mechanics book (then again, WA has issued its own mechanics manual, and I haven't seen the NFHS one in a while).

Also, we have had observers dock us for having more than 1 official signal incomplete. It means there was confusion on who was the covering official. Our mechanic is one and only one official signals incomplete.
I agree with ajmc. And more. Our mechanic is that ONLY the covering official signals incomplete, and others signal timeout. Indeed, we are told to mirror timeout signals in all cases (incomplete, out of bounds, timeouts, etc). I get what they are saying, but the clock operator needs all the help he can get.

Incomplete stops the clock. Period. An off official can grab a quick glance at the clock.

I'm glad that we don't do any of this extraneous nonsense.

Hey, for once I agree with Ohio!

I spoke too soon.

"Try‐Run or Try‐Pass: Wings do NOT signal “no score” when short of GL – the R does this. Why? What if one Wing signals “no score” & the other Wing gives the TD signal."

Really? Our covering official signals this. Confirm with the other wing first, then signal. People are looking at the covering official, not the R.

It's not for us. It's for the clock operator.

I agree with OH on this. If they didn't score, just blow the play dead. If they scored, signal the score. No need to confirm with the other wing at all.

I'd never ask on this. Ever. Do you ask on false starts, too?

(And I always ask the sidelines on penalties.)

It's an extraneous signal. It may help once in a few games, but since you can always put the time back on the clock, it's just not needed.

It amazes me how many mechanics are local/regional.

By confirm with the other wing, I mean "make sure he isn't signaling a score."

Yep. But we usually phrase it as I said. With the case of a FS, we usually say "You want it, right?"

Well, putting time back on the clocks is a challenge around here.

In this case regarding incomplete passes, our mechanic is a statewide mechanic.

I know what you mean. But that isn't even necessary if the wings are not signaling no-good on a try.

That's 5-10 seconds I do not take. Official gives me a prelim, I report, U steps off, we go.

So in a tightly contested, overtime game with a large crowd, A attempts a run up the middle for the win and is stopped inches short of the goal. Ohio would want their wings to_______?

Run and report to R and let him signal?
Make eye contact and then communicate with R a la Aquaman?
Covering official attempt to yell over the apprehensive crowd what he's got?

Those circles coming out of the wing's forehead would give it away.

I would think marking the dead ball spot would suffice.

Mayer must have taken a course in micromanaging 101. I get it to a certain extent, but come on. 30+ complaints on every bulletin?

It's the Stepford Officials!