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You are here: Experts > Sports > Football > College Football > Spotting of ball, distance between lines
College Football - Spotting of ball, distance between lines
Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/26/2009
Question
Since a line marker is 4 inches wide, which side of the line (or is it the middle?) is the ball spotted on, say for a touchback. If it is the center, then isn't the distance between the 1-yard line and the end zone shorter than the other "yards"?
Answer
Dean, hello!
All lines are supposed to be the same width and distance. The furthermost point of the ball is placed towards the goal the offense is heading, in order to keep it all relative. It is not perfect. When the chain crew holds the chains, the "Clip" is usually marked at the BACK of the yard mark, closest to the first down, Line to Gain, heading towards the offense's goal line. Some crews have used the center of the four inch line.
When a measurement is called, the clip would then be used as a measurement to determine if the First Down was achieved when the chain is taken out onto the field. The Umpire takes the stick and the referee determines if the First Down was made. If the officials pay attention, then the ball is seldom marked in error.
I called a high school game a few weeks ago and the end lines were off by 4-5 inches at each End Zone. We measured prior to the game. The 3 Yard Line was actually 2 1/2 yards. I was the Umpire that night (standing over the ball on the Defense side). The score was 39-16, so I stepped off the ball after each score since we knew it had been measured wrong. So, the crew will adjust when we see the imperfections.
We're always watching for the ball to be placed down incorrectly, especially after an end in the quarter. The officials confer and write down the exact yard mark, going in or going out.
The Wing officials mark the ball with their leading foot at the end of the play. The Umpire uses that mark plus the hash marks to place the ball where the Wing ssid the play ended.
Dean, I'm finishing my 4th year. It is amazing how the player, fan and coach see a different game than the officials. It took me two years to quit focusing on the ball and start looking at the action around the ball.
I see the standard routine of the officials but didn't understand them as an observer. The coaches that understand the official rules are usually the ones that win more games. They pay attention.
It's an Art and I love it.
Take Care,
Thom Brooks
BrooksInsuranceSchool.com
Please review the following websites. The first one is my youngest son's band!
Listen2Three.com
Official Web Site of the NCAA
ncaa.org/library/rules/2006/2006_football_rules.pdf
GHSA.net > www.ghsa.net
NFHS
REFEREE, the Magazine for Sports Officials
National Association of Sports Officials
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