3-man mechanics

[Snake~eyes]

Anyone have last years 3-man mechanics manual? I figure it would be more beneficial for the HS level beacause of NCAA's 20 second count rule change. Not sure as I haven't seen the old manual in a while but I'm interested in taking a look.

Was wondering what you guys do in you area for the following mechanics:
1. Trail calls foul, do you signal to L/C before reporting to the table?
2. How do you signal that you're ready for play to start, do both of your partners give you the ready signal before you blow the whistle?
3. What kind of signal(if any) do you use to let your partners know you're about to warn them to keep it in?
4. Who communicates with their partners by letting eachother know who is the on/off goal official?
5. Do you have any more discreet mechanics/signals to communicate with your partner?

Just interested in how these things are done in various areas, I have seen different groups do it differently.

[shrekjr]

1. Trail calls foul, do you signal to L/C before reporting to the table?
Yes

2. How do you signal that you're ready for play to start, do both of your partners give you the ready signal before you blow the whistle?
The Center is the traffic cop (most of the time). Everyone watches him.
He waits for the lead to give the ready signal before he gives it. The trail waits for the signal from the Center before restarting play.

3. What kind of signal(if any) do you use to let your partners know you're about to warn them to keep it in?
Just about to be inside of 2 minutes, just a verbal remember that we're almost at 2:00. If it is outside the final two minutes, we usually just try to get each others attention and wait for the Referee to give the delay signal if he thinks the attack is stalling.

4. Who communicates with their partners by letting eachother know who is the on/off goal official?
As the center, I assume the lead always has the goal, unless I see he is out of position and I take it verbally, or if he gets caught unable to get there and and he tells me take it.

5. Do you have any more discreet mechanics/signals to communicate with your partner? No, pretty standard here.

By the way, you should be able to go to John Hill's website, www.zlax.net, and download those mechanics.

[laxfan25]

In regard to #3, if we're thinking we want to give them a stalling warning, we'll cross our arms in a stalling signal and look at our partners - if they give a nod we'll watch a little more of the play and if necessary, give the Keep It In signal a la last 2 mins.

On/Off - We cover that in pregame as to zones, but I've never used a verbal On or Off. Another key thing down by the goal is for the Lead to follow paly behind the goal, especially if closely contested - so that if they get near the end line you can be there to spot it. The center then drops down to the GLE and takes Goal responsibility until the Lead works back to GLE. We've used this the last couple of games and it is a great mechanic to follow. For instance, the other night the lead was on the play behind. The attackman did an inside move and was pushed in the back. He slid in the crease, shot and scored. The lead, who was still behind GLE, indicated goal. I was center and had dropped down, saw that he was clearly in the crease before the shot and waved it off. Penalized the D and gave the ball to the attack outside the box. Good positioning was key to be on top of that crucial play late in the game.

[Snake~eyes]

By the way, you should be able to go to John Hill's website, www.zlax.net, and download those mechanics.
I know, I already have it, I was just wondering if anyone had last years. Just a minor difference in mechanics with the 20 second count. Not a big deal though.

[LaxRef]

I just sent you the 2003 version. I can't find a 2004 version on my hard drive, which makes me think maybe there wasn't one.

[gfink]

i have it on disc, just let me know where to send it.

[gfink]

Every crew i work with does things slightly different. All is worked out in pregame. But for the most part they are are done like this.

1. Not unless we have two flags down. will give a give a discrete signal to partners if they give me ? look.

2. Both officials signal to the restart official. Good rule of thumb is if no official is holding play(arms up) then we restart. I am sure we all get in the game daze from time to time.

3. I don't use a hand signal. I know some guys like tograb there belt buckle, some liketo give the delay signal discretely. Mostly i like to (as lead) call over to the single official "What do you think?". If we both agree, then we both put it on. The trail by now is picking up on the conversation.

4. Discussed in pregame, do not usually communicate this on the field. I will if we are starting to have coverage problems.

5. not that i can use in public