Reduction of measurements

[gindie]

Was there a definitive point in time when the officials (at all levels) started putting the ball on a yard line to reduce the number of measurements?  You hardly see any measurements nowadays, when there used to be at least one every game, it seemed.

Edited January 1, 2021 by gindie

[Bobref]

48 minutes ago, gindie said:

Was there a definitive point in time when the officials (at all levels) started putting the ball on a yard line to reduce the number of measurements?  You hardly see any measurements nowadays, when there used to be at least one every game, it seemed.

The accepted mechanic is to “find the line” on change of possession plays, i.e., the first down to start a possession, so long as the possession doesn’t start inside either 20. For the most part, the decline in measurements is a consequence of the increasing prevalence of turf fields, with their precision markings.

[JustRules]

The IHSAA has told officials to not use the "Find the line" mechanic because it's a college mechanic. They don't realize it's not a college mechanic. It's a solid officiating mechanic at any level. It's going to be first and 10 whether you start at the 23 or 23.5 so why not start on the 23 or 24? Statistically they are going to put it on the next year line anyway. If it can allow the officials to use the lines on the field to determine the LTG it makes so much sense. A very wise coach told me he doesn't understand why we use the chains as the official determination of first downs. First, the location of the back stake is an estimation by a volunteer at least 20 yards away from the ball which was placed at an estimated spot by the wing official in the first place. Then you have another volunteer trying to eyeball where the clip goes. If you have a measurement you are bringing the chains out to a ball that was often placed by an umpire who was eyeballing a somewhat estimated spot by the wing official (good crews will have the wing official place the ball). If you use the lines on the field to start each series and it's a well marked field, then use the lines. You can then use the yard lines similar to a goal line to determine if the runner reached the LTG.

There will always be exceptions to doing this, but if you do it 90% of the time you are able to much better manage the flow of the game.