Which direction do you point?

[shrekjr]

On a faceoff, if you are not the official doing the faceoff, which direction do you point signifying you are ready, and why?

This came up at the "Big XII Weekend" as we had officials from 3 different parts of the country, and we had different responses.

[laxfan25]

In the past, I've always pointed up field, towards the midfield (as opposed to pointing towards the faceoff man, which is hard to see). That was the reason given also, it's easier for the faceoff guy to see. Someone a few weeks ago said I should point in the direction I'm heading, which makes sense also.
I'm good either way, but have never gotten an "official" mechanic on this. What was the gist of your conversations?

[3rdPersonPlural]

Two man mechanic, you point with your right hand into the attack area. This signifies that you've checked the placement of all players and that they're all legally positioned.

Or sometimes you point to the ref conducting the face off with a 'you da man!' flair. You do this if you have forgotten to point into the box after you did your field check.

Or sometimes you point to the ground, which signifies that everything except the actual faceoff has occurred, and the ref should get on with it before darkness sets in.

Do not point toward the bench, as your partner might suppose that an event is occurring there that should be digested before starting play. Lacking such an event, he may peer expectantly at the bench for an indefinate time before concluding that you had committed an inadvertant point, thereby slowing the game.

Do not point out celebrities, attractive females, or peculiar natural phenomena at this juncture. Unless said attractions are on the field a few feet to your right, they should be ignored until timeouts or quarter breaks.

[shrekjr]

have never gotten an "official" mechanic on this. That was the one thing we all agreed about! Here were the different answers keeping in mind we were all working 3-man mechanics...

1- Point in the direction the faceoff official will be going as a tip and reminder to him

2- Point in the direction you will be going

3- Doesn't matter, point wherever you want to

[Shorelax]

In two or three man - we point to the attack area. Like 3rd mentions above - This signifies that you've checked the placement of all players and that they're all legally positioned

[laxfan25]

In two or three man - we point to the attack area. Like 3rd mentions above - This signifies that you've checked the placement of all players and that they're all legally positioned
Whichever direction you point - you're not doing it until you've checked your zones. Until then I've got my hand in the air - saying "don't start until I point!"

[Shorelax]

Whichever direction you point - you're not doing it until you've checked your zones. Until then I've got my hand in the air - saying "don't start until I point!"

yep - vertical first - then to horizontal (or a tiny bit above) once your zones are checked.

[3rdPersonPlural]

yep - vertical first - then to horizontal (or a tiny bit above) once your zones are checked.

Mercy, no, Shorelax!! Such heresy. You point DOWN toward the field, which eliminates the possibility that your partner will suspect that you're pointing to something else, not just signaling. It's also easier to do when bent over panting. :nahya:

[gfink]

I was informed by the powers that be, that we are again pointing in the direction we are going to be running(ncaa 3-man). With the new mechanic that puts us on the midline, it reminds us and our partners who goes where.

[laxfan25]

I was informed by the powers that be, that we are again pointing in the direction we are going to be running(ncaa 3-man). With the new mechanic that puts us on the midline, it reminds us and our partners who goes where.
It would be nice if we could get a Papal Nuncio when these dictates are handed down from on high - that way we can all be on the same page!

[gfink]

i could not agree more. to many times our mechanics change as the season goes, yet they are not really communicated effectively.

[3rdPersonPlural]

I was informed by the powers that be, that we are again pointing in the direction we are going to be running(ncaa 3-man). With the new mechanic that puts us on the midline, it reminds us and our partners who goes where.

How about NFHS 2 man? Shorelax and I are in agreement about the direction (right toward the goal area), but bitterly opposed as to the angle (slightly up or slightly down).

[Shorelax]

How about NFHS 2 man? Shorelax and I are in agreement about the direction (right toward the goal area), but bitterly opposed as to the angle (slightly up or slightly down).

bitterly :nahya:

I believe slightly higher than horizontal gives the impression of horizontal from accross the field.