This series is the continuation of an outline of items that is recommended to be discussed at a pregame meeting held by the officials before any football contest played under NFHS rules. Each of the eight previous installments has taken us somewhat sequentially from the pregame assignments through kicks, passing plays, scrimmage runs, and penalty enforcements.

This edition will cover the mechanics of line to gain measurements, explaining what the crew should be doing during such a phase of the game.

Communication

The most important thing to do in situations where the ball becomes dead near the line to gain is to communicate. Seldom does the Referee have a good read on whether the ball has reached the second stick or not in close situations. The Line Judge and possibly the Umpire or Head Linesman will have the best view of the ball's relationship to the line to gain

Continued...