August 31, 2007
During one of the Packer preseason games there were 3 seperate penalties called on the same return. I do not recall if it was a punt or kick. I know that on the first penalty an official throws his flag and on the second they throw their hat. What do they throw on the third penalty? A shoe? — Ryan S.
Officials carry a bean bag to mark the spot of fumbles and other anticipated situations so they might use that to mark the spot of a third foul call by the same official on the same play. Some officials also carry a small second flag in the event that it is needed during a play (i.e., a dead ball foul following a live ball foul during the play).
In most cases, however, given that the foul that has the greatest impact if going to be the one that is accepted, in a punt run back situation, the first flag is going to be the one that marks the most important spot. And if all else fails, the officials just rely on their memory.
August 22, 2007
In high school football. Are you allowed to have 12 players in the offensive huddle at any time during the game? — Jon W.
It has been a while since I looked at the high school rule book in detail, but Rule 3-7-2, "Substitutions" indicates that "between downs, any number of eligible substitutions may replace players. Replaced players shall leave the field immediately."
As a result, if a substitute comes into the huddle, he must indicate to the player that he is replacing that he must leave and the replaced player must go in a timely manner, typically 2-3 seconds. Sometimes there is observable confusion and the Referee will take this into account in making the call. However, if a team has 12 players in the huddle for an extended period of time or breaks the huddle with 12 players, that should be called every time as it is confusing to the defense.
It should also be remembered that not all states use the National Federation of High School Rule Book. I believe Texas is one and there are some others. In the NCAA Rule Book (and the NFL), the rule is basically the same as in high school.
August 20, 2007
Offensive holding. There is a running play, say from the offensive 30 yd line and a hold occurs at the 35 and the end of run is the 45. Where is the penalty enforced from?? From the spot of the foul or from the previous spot (line of scrimmage)?? Another situation. Running play, sweep to the right, hold is at the 28 and run ends at the 32 with LOS the 30. From the spot of foul or previous spot? – Jon V.
In the NFL, if the hold by the offensive team occurs behind the LOS, the penalty, if accepted, is assessed from the LOS no matter where the run ends. If the hold occurs beyond the LOS and it is behind the end of the run, it is assessed from the spot of the foul. If it occurs in front of the end of the run, it is assessed from the end of the run.
So if I understand your question correctly, in scenario "A," the penalty would be assessed from the spot of the foul. In scenario "B," it would be assessed from the LOS. The only time an offensive holding penalty behind the LOS is assessed from the spot of the foul is if the hold occurs in the end zone, in which case it is a safety.
August 12, 2007
The Giants – Carolina game was the first referee assignment for the only new white hat in the league this year, John Parry (#132). Parry, whose father is Supervisor of Officials in the Big-10, replaces Bill Vinovich (#52) who had some physical problems and has moved upstairs to be a replay official. There are a relatively large number of new NFL officials at other positions this year as well.
Also of note from an officiating point of view, in weeks 1 and 3 of the pre-season, the Umpire will be working in the offensive backfield instead of behind the defense. With all of the shallow crossing and screen pass patterns that teams are running, the Umpire has become an increasing target when lined up behind the defense. Some teams have even been trying to use the Umpire to pick off defensive backs on short pass patterns. There was even some thought to having the Umpire wear a helmet of some kind to protect him.
Having the Umpire in the offensive backfield opposite the referee (who is always on the passing arm side of the QB) will actually allow the Umpire to have a better look at Offensive holding infractions. However, there will be a significant loss in control of the line of scrimmage and in defensive holding calls.
There may also be some problems in spotting the ball, protecting the center and seeing the catch on short passes over the middle that are often hard for the outside officials to see. If the positioning of the Umpire behind the offense works out, its use will be considered for the 2008 season. |
