Chain-gang etiquette??

[jets]

Probably moreso an offseason topic...but interested to hear some stories of ...let's just say "too involved" chain gang members.

They have the best seat in the house...and 99% of the time, most are great dudes who just love the game of high school football.

BUT...some think their status on the sidelines gives them the right to speak to coaches and players...that is when it gets a little touchy for me.

What say you?? 

[Komets2727]

Not a big fan of volunteers talking to coaches and players as I volunteer myself. I line judge volleyball games and works the scorers table for basketball games and I would not interject myself with coaches and players. Now, obviously I speak to the officials quite a bit in my roles as that is necessary.

[tango]

1 hour ago, jets said:

Probably moreso an offseason topic...but interested to hear some stories of ...let's just say "too involved" chain gang members.

They have the best seat in the house...and 99% of the time, most are great dudes who just love the game of high school football.

BUT...some think their status on the sidelines gives them the right to speak to coaches and players...that is when it gets a little touchy for me.

What say you?? 

They should keep their mouths shut at all times

[1st_and_10]

If they want to run their mouths to coaches/players, they should be removed.  We had an issue with a chain guy (who happened to be a parent) a couple of years ago... The guy was literally running his mouth to coaches any chance he got (and some players too).  It was ridiculous.  But where they are from and who their Head Coach is... It doesn't surprise me.

[Impartial_Observer]

Much like assistant coaches, they are to be seen and not heard. 

[hhpatriot04]

1 hour ago, 1st_and_10 said:

If they want to run their mouths to coaches/players, they should be removed.  We had an issue with a chain guy (who happened to be a parent) a couple of years ago... The guy was literally running his mouth to coaches any chance he got (and some players too).  It was ridiculous.  But where they are from and who their Head Coach is... It doesn't surprise me.

Oh. Do say more...

[1st_and_10]

13 minutes ago, hhpatriot04 said:

Oh. Do say more...

LOL.  I wish I could... I have been in trouble for speaking about a certain coach... Several on here know what I think of the guy.

[5GetsYou1]

We remind the chains and timers that they are an extension of the officiating crew for the night. In reality, I get that they are fans of the home team and light cheering here and there is going to happen. 

We almost had to remove a member of the chains, not because of cheering, but because he wasn't doing his task properly and then getting an attitude when our HLJ corrected him. Go figure, he also didn't show up early to get the instructions. 

We told the AD after the game and he apologized profusely and immediately left to go straighten him out. 

[Bobref]

We tell the chain crew that they are part of the officiating crew, and must conduct themselves accordingly. But a lot of them tell you “we’ve been doing this for 20 years, so …” Those are the ones we worry about. 
 

I have some great chain crew stories. Showed up for a tournament game once. The home team’s field was unplayable, so we were at a neutral site. Both teams had chain crews show up, and each demanded to work. They were about to square off with one another, when I had to intervene.

Another time, one of the chain crew had a kid playing for the home team. The visiting coaches were saying some pretty harsh stuff on their sideline and Dad objected. Things started to get pretty close to physical, and I had to stop the game and fire the entire chain crew on the spot.

But my favorite was a college game I worked at Lake Forest, IL. Very cold day, with the wind whipping in off the lake. As we started the 3rd quarter, it became apparent that the chain crew had used halftime to fortify themselves against the elements with adult beverages. Made for a really interesting second half.

[Muda69]

42 minutes ago, Bobref said:

I have some great chain crew stories. Showed up for a tournament game once. The home team’s field was unplayable, so we were at a neutral site. Both teams had chain crews show up, and each demanded to work. They were about to square off with one another, when I had to intervene.

 

I'm curious.  How did you resolve the above situation?

 

[Bobref]

7 minutes ago, Muda69 said:

I'm curious.  How did you resolve the above situation?

 

My wisdom was Solomonic: the team initially designated as the home team worked the first half, and the visitors worked the 2nd half.

[jets]

3 hours ago, 1st_and_10 said:

If they want to run their mouths to coaches/players, they should be removed.  We had an issue with a chain guy (who happened to be a parent) a couple of years ago... The guy was literally running his mouth to coaches any chance he got (and some players too).  It was ridiculous.  But where they are from and who their Head Coach is... It doesn't surprise me.

There is a crew down here that has developed a little reputation...never had an issue before , experienced a little bit of it and now I understand

Has anyone ever seen the chain gang be on the HOME teams sideline?? Only once have I seen this, and that was down at Lawernceburg...I never got an official explanation for why that is/was? 

 

[5GetsYou1]

25 minutes ago, Bobref said:

My wisdom was Solomonic

Did you cut them in half at the chains or at the poles? 😂

[Titan32]

@Titan76  Stories?

[Coach Nowlin]

@Bobref watched me almost lose an eye vs Bowman academy 1st round Sectional game held at Gary Wirt on Bleachers that were condemmed and a field that was painted short 

I witnessed a chain gang get thrown out at North Newton about 15 years ago and NN staff had to finish the 4th quarter 

I watched a NN dad last year come onto our sidelines and " pump" up the Kickoff team by using words and things of " We've waited all year for this".  and other opinions literally right in front of me, then stared right at me with a look of this is our year and he was very glad to be the sidelines... by the time we cored our 50th point in the 1st half he slammed down his yard marker and another coach without knowing of our pre game non verbal exchange comes over and picks it up and hands right back to him.  That was fun.   I also made sure to talk and coach my QB RIGHT behind the chain guy who wanted to interject himself into the game .....  my favorite was:  "Hey Cohen, literally close your eyes and pick anything you want on this play sheet and its a touchdown".    

[Bobref]

8 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

@Bobref watched me almost lose an eye vs Bowman academy 1st round Sectional game held at Gary Wirt on Bleachers that were condemmed and a field that was painted short 

Guy holding one of the stakes didn’t get out of the way, and a pileup on the sidelines resulted in the front stake hitting @Coach Nowlin in the face. Fortunately, it didn’t make him any uglier. 😂🤣

That was the night the officials had to dress in the band room. A couple of kids came in at a most inopportune time to get their instruments. I’m sure they have mental scars for life.

[US31]

57 minutes ago, jets said:

Has anyone ever seen the chain gang be on the HOME teams sideline?? Only once have I seen this, and that was down at Lawernceburg...I never got an official explanation for why that is/was? 

 

I just recently saw a Twitter/X post regarding how it is becoming common in parts of the country for the Home team to be on the opposite side. 

It seemed to be at stadiums that only have stands on one side...AND the coaches wanting to get the Home team away from "parental distractions".  I was shocked how many comments supported this and mentioned that they do it as well.   I've never seen this in Indiana....is there anywhere that puts the home sidelines opposite the pressbox?

 

Edited 2 hours ago by US31

[HHPatriots]

I am on our chain crew and in the sectional game against Memorial in 2024, an intoxicated Memorial fan got mouthy with our clip guy, I thought that was going to result in a fight, fortunately it did not.  My attitude is that no one should ever notice that we are there.  Don't talk except to the guy on the box and don't move until the white hat or the guy on the box says move.  Do that and it will be pretty uneventful as it should be.  

[Coach Nowlin]

33 minutes ago, Bobref said:

Guy holding one of the stakes didn’t get out of the way, and a pileup on the sidelines resulted in the front stake hitting @Coach Nowlin in the face. Fortunately, it didn’t make him any uglier. 😂🤣

That was the night the officials had to dress in the band room. A couple of kids came in at a most inopportune time to get their instruments. I’m sure they have mental scars for life.

And we had to dress outside the gym and share a bathroom with Halloween dance goers.... once we suited up, we just stayed on the track and didn't use the school again 

[foxbat]

2 hours ago, Bobref said:

My wisdom was Solomonic: the team initially designated as the home team worked the first half, and the visitors worked the 2nd half.

I thought you were going to say you cut them all in half. 😀

[tango]

44 minutes ago, HHPatriots said:

I am on our chain crew and in the sectional game against Memorial in 2024, an intoxicated Memorial fan got mouthy with our clip guy, I thought that was going to result in a fight, fortunately it did not.  My attitude is that no one should ever notice that we are there.  Don't talk except to the guy on the box and don't move until the white hat or the guy on the box says move.  Do that and it will be pretty uneventful as it should be.  

Before anyone gets any ideas.... That wasn't me. I watched that game on the livestream from Janko's Little Zagreb in Btown the night before IU beat Michigan at the Rock... 

Unfortunately, every school has its fair share of idiots and in places where fans can get close to the playing field (or even to tower cam guys) this kind of crap happens. 

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by tango

[HHPatriots]

46 minutes ago, tango said:

Before anyone gets any ideas.... That wasn't me. I watched that game on the livestream from Janko's Little Zagreb in Btown the night before IU beat Michigan at the Rock... 

Unfortunately, every school has its fair share of idiots and in places where fans can get close to the playing field (or even to tower cam guys) this kind of crap happens. 

 

 

Well, I'll say that my guy was just as much at fault, so there is that.....

[Titan32]

I know it can be frustrating for them when you get ID10T coaches who constantly step on the chains.  I mean, how hard is it man!

[Titan32]

Oh, and on a related topic.  Much like our politcal leaders, there needs to be an age limit....or test...or licencing or something.  When the crew is so old and decrepit that they can't keep up with the pace of the game.  Unfortunately, it is time to hang it up.