Believe it or not, there is a science to making, throwing penalty flags Last week, back judge Todd Prukop became a mini-celebrity by throwing his penalty flag a whopping 31-yards, impressing announcers and social media all across the country (video). Besides having a great arm, how can officials make their penalty flags fly such a…
Tag Archive for mechanics
Calls, Controversy, Week 16
Packers say refs confused them in final seconds in loss to Steelers
by Mark Schultz •
Packers say officials told them to not snap ball before winding the clock (video) The Steelers-Packers Week 16 game had its fill of controversial plays, but the last play didn’t seem controversial — until today. To set things up, the Packers were knocking on the door of a tying touchdown when the officials called a Packers’ lineman for…
Mechanics
Float like a butterfly…dodge like a ref
by Mark Schultz •
How NFL officials stay out of the way to preserve life and limb We’ve all seen it. For the fans it is a funny sight but for anyone who has been knocked down by a football player always cringes when a football official gets knocked down. The officials do not wear any padding and when…
Calls
The eyes have it
by Mark Schultz •
Officials double check with each other on tight and routine calls NFL officials each have a specific area and specific player or players to watch during each play. But do you know that officials also watch each other during a play? The glance may be a few hundredths of a second, but that glance helps…
2012, Follow-up, Playoffs
Can umpire make calls for referee?
by Mark Schultz •
Since the umpire is in the backfield, I wondered if the umpire is now permitted make calls that historically fall within the referee’s purview.
Controversy, Week 1
Official turns back to potential tinderbox
by Mark Schultz •
Week 1: Packers at 49ers There were many controversies between the Packers and 49ers, but one of the more minor disagreements in the game could have erupted into a major fracas partly due to a lack of observation and game sense from the back judge, Peter Shafer, number 94. With 4:47 remaining in the second…