For the Officials Out there, Here is an easy one for you

[cpg1970]

Why does the BJ signal an X made by crossing his arms over his head? What does that indicate? It happens pre snap

[Coach Nowlin]

taking a stab at this, but I think that means he has counted more than 11 players on defense who broke the huddle or are on the field..... which signifies to the Referee to throw the flag for illegal participation 

 

[cpg1970]

4 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

taking a stab at this, but I think that means he has counted more than 11 players on defense who broke the huddle or are on the field..... which signifies to the Referee to throw the flag for illegal participation 

 

That might make sense, because I notice it didn't happen on every play.

[Bobref]

Many crews have a few signals unique to them, which is fine. “Crossed hands” are often used to remind other crew members that it’s 4th down. The signal means “game clock stops after this play.” It reminds the crew to kill the clock at the end of the play.

Edited August 15, 2025 by Bobref

[Bobref]

6 hours ago, Coach Nowlin said:

taking a stab at this, but I think that means he has counted more than 11 players on defense who broke the huddle or are on the field..... which signifies to the Referee to throw the flag for illegal participation 

 

Keep in mind that having more than 11 in the huddle is not a foul. I don’t know how many coaches I’ve had to explain this to over the years, but it’s a lot. The substitution rule requires only that a player who is being replaced leave the field “immediately.” The official interpretation of “immediately” is that the player being replaced must begin to leave within 3 seconds of being replaced.

[tl8_owie]

Every official I’ve talked to including myself uses the crossed arm to remind the crew that it’s “4th down so we’re killing the clock once the play is completed.” Anyone on the crew can signal this. 

[oldtimeqb]

12 hours ago, tl8_owie said:

Every official I’ve talked to including myself uses the crossed arm to remind the crew that it’s “4th down so we’re killing the clock once the play is completed.” Anyone on the crew can signal this. 

I think I have seen it used as ‘double sticks’ - meaning it was 3rd and more than 10 yards. Although now I’m wondering if those also might have been 4th down plays, so the clock would stop regardless of outcome. 

[tl8_owie]

Double sticks is usually using two hands and doing quick mini chops with your finger to indicate double sticks. (I don’t know how else to describe it).

[Julio]

If there are 12 players in the huddle, how can the replacement leave immediately after being replaced?  Are you saying that the huddle takes less than 1 second and the player can get off the field in 2 seconds, 1+2=3 seconds.  Don't see this as possible, will have to try it out at practice I guess to make sense to me.

 

[Bobref]

2 hours ago, Julio said:

If there are 12 players in the huddle, how can the replacement leave immediately after being replaced?  Are you saying that the huddle takes less than 1 second and the player can get off the field in 2 seconds, 1+2=3 seconds.  Don't see this as possible, will have to try it out at practice I guess to make sense to me.

 

The replaced player must begin to leave the field within 3 seconds of being replaced.

[Impartial_Observer]

5 hours ago, Julio said:

If there are 12 players in the huddle, how can the replacement leave immediately after being replaced?  Are you saying that the huddle takes less than 1 second and the player can get off the field in 2 seconds, 1+2=3 seconds.  Don't see this as possible, will have to try it out at practice I guess to make sense to me.

 

Don’t split hairs.