teeboan

a muff is not a fumble

wrong....kicking team cannot advance a muffed punt. they may recover it, but not advance it

if you mean sometimes an official may work on different crews you are correct. This week our L.J. can't work. We picked up another off a crew that doesn't have a game this week. We call both coaches with the replacement to see if they approve.

You're all clueless. We (board memebers of the chapter) meet with every area caoch early in August and the COACHES pick us. They start with the last week of the season and work their way to week 0. The 2 schools playing that week sit together and decide which crew they want. We send each head coach a photo album before the end of school with each crew's pictures, names, home address, years of experience and any conflicts. Get some facts before you form an opinion.

Texas is the only state that goes by NCAA rules

teach proper techinques and fundamentals, I see so many kids that don't know how to tackle it's scary.. and a spinal injury waiting to happen

We (officials) talked about this type play before. If they verbalize before or during the play (yell wrong ball) it's 15 yards for unsportsman like conduct. They are purposely trying to deceive the opponents. Personally I think it shoud be allowed. Isn't a reverse "purposely trying to deceive the opponent"? But I don't get to make the rules so -DON'T DO IT!

Well it's about time somebody gets it right. I am an official and this is the EXACT reason for the rule being a point of emphasis (again). It is a safety issue. You will also see spearing or leading with the crown of the helmet called more this year. Why? To keep kids out of wheelchairs! Not the ball carriers but the tacklers.

You are right on about the fumble rule. If you ever notice, on 4th down or PAT's we (ref's) signal each other by rolling our fist over each other. That's a reminder to all that the fumble rule is in effect. What do the clockgate and brotherinlawpickedthecrewgate have in common? Both crews were from Houston Chapter not Bmt.

As A HS official let me say a few things. 1) you will never see a 1st year guy working a varsity game 2) as an umpire my job is to wacth the play in FRONT of the direction of the ball so how could I call holding on the weak side when I'm not looking that way 3) Texas is one of 2 states to go by NCAA rules and the NCAA tie breaker is the best available, if the NFL wasn't so hard headed they would adopt it but they will never admit that college has a better way and last but most important, the rule I would change is I would eliminate ALL blocking below the waist.

Why don't you join us and maybe you could help us improve. I go to several clinics a year (football official state meeting in college station in 2 weeks) for football and baseball. The majority of us work very hard to stay up on the rules and mechanics. Do you? The Beaumont Football Chapter begins holding meetings in 2 weeks at the Jefferson county courthouse. We welcome your expertise.