What's The Proper Official's Reaction to this Scenario

[Wildcat Larry]

I noticed this in one game over the weekend and it just got my curiousity up.

There are two officials on the line, one on each end. Areboth officials responsible for whatever happens on either side of the line, is one responsible for defense and the other offense. or is one responsible the two lines on their side of the ball?

The reason I ask this is that in this game, a guy encroached right in front of one official (who didn't call it), but the other official on the other side of the field called the foul and penalty.

Was it proper for him to make the call?

[lighthouse]

Please remember, basketball is my game, but I called some football. The 2 positions you're talking are the Headlinesman, and the Sidejudge. They are both responsible for line play, and they count the number of players on the OL. They also signal each other as to whether a WR on their side is on the line or not. Either official can make the encroachment, or movement call.

[Wildcat Larry]

Sorry for the onset of senility, but I just remembered what was so weird to me about the play.

The wide receiver checked with the official right beside him to see if he was lined up onsides and the official said yes. Then the official on the other side of the line threw a flag on the play and said the wide receiver was lined up in the neutral zone.

That would have ticked me off a little if I were the wide receiver. :?:lol:

[lighthouse]

Larry, I have to disagree that the official said the WR was ok. Proper procedure would be this, the WR comes up to the LOS and asks the official if he's ok, the official simply points to the LOS and says "this is the LOS." It's the players responsibility to realize he's offsides. An official should never tell a player one thing and then call something else. Why the closest official didn't call it, he must have been watching the line or something else. Are you sure it was the WR that was in the neutral zone?

[Wildcat Larry]

Okay, this was probably my mis-interpretation of what the official did. I assume (bad thing to do) that when the official pointed towards the receiver's feet he was telling him that he was okay, when in he apparently was just showing him where the line of scrimmage was. I didn't notice it, but maybe the receiver cheated up a little after being shown the line.

And, yes, it was the wide receiver, but he was only split out about 3 or 4 yards from end of the line.

Thanks for the responses.

[lighthouse]

My pleasure Larry.