Measuring for a first down using the chains

[wheezer]

it seems like this is rarely done anymore...... Has there been some sort of technical advance in the game here I am not aware of, or are they just assuming first down or no first down a lot more?

 

[Upstream]

it seems like this is rarely done anymore...... Has there been some sort of technical advance in the game here I am not aware of, or are they just assuming first down or no first down a lot more?

You really want them to waste time on the charade of bringing out the chains when it isn't even close.

 

[LC-88]

Those yellow lines they have now make it easier.

You are right. Alot less measuring it seems.

 

[wheezer]

You really want them to waste time on the charade of bringing out the chains when it isn't even close.

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Not what I am saying, it seems like there are lots of times it is fairly close and the officials assume a first down much more than in the past........ just asking

 

[Scarlet Bri]

I always thought measuring for the first down was dumb given how imprecise spotting the ball is. You really think that spot in precise within inches?

 

[Piscataway]

I always thought measuring for the first down was dumb given how imprecise spotting the ball is. You really think that spot in precise within inches?

I agree the spot is imprecise. But we aren't measuring the the preciseness of he spot. We are measuring if you went ten yards from the first imprecise spot.

 

[RUich]

Seems to me that the really good teams get the benefit of the doubt and the lousy teams don't. Keeps the game moving forward. :okay:

 

[VirtualKnight]

Officials now meet at a local bar to discuss who they screwed the most and have a good laugh. Chains only slow the process and delay the arrival time.

 

[wheezer]

I always thought measuring for the first down was dumb given how imprecise spotting the ball is. You really think that spot in precise within inches?

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It is pretty much a given fact that the placement of the ball is not precise, but the follow up measurement must be....... It was always that way till recently .... But now there are very few measurements following the placement, and just wondering why..... I don't remember any in our games lately

 

[RUtix4me]

Who is the guy that paints and erases the yellow line theses days? They should use gps or lasers to spot the ball and measure first downs. J/k

 

[wheezer]

I agree the spot is imprecise. But we aren't measuring the the preciseness of he spot. We are measuring if you went ten yards from the first imprecise spot.

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Exactly

 

[DJ Spanky]

I agree with the OP: I've noticed in a lot of games, not just our, but both college and pro, they seem to measure a lot less than they used to.

 

[hrdcorhays]

Officials generally "round up" after first downs so the sticks are on a yard marker rather than floating between yards. This makes it much easier to tell, especially when the ball is on or close to a hash mark. They really only should need to measure when the ball is between good the hash and the sideline or somewhere in the middle of the field.

I don't know if this was always protocol as I agree these have gone down, but this practice definitely helps.