By Martin Cleypool, By Referee – October 18, 2023
Football officials know how important the chain crew is to the flow. A stellar chain crew helps make the officials look competent, while a careless crew can easily make officials look unprofessional and disorganized. NCAA chain crews usually have consistency in their members and often include individuals who have officiating experience at some level of the game. In the NCAA, both wing officials oversee the chain crew due to switching at halftime, a procedure now adopted by some high school associations. It’s beneficial if both wing officials are available to have a pregame meeting with the chain crew. This column will deal with NFHS chain crews.
The crew often includes community members, parents of players, school employees and occasionally players or students from the host school. They include those who’ve done many games, as well as first-time participants. More experienced members can be cooperative listeners, or “do it my way” types. First-timers are often eager to learn but lacking in knowledge. In either case, good wing officials will take the initiative to get a sense of the crew and adjust the pregame meeting to ensure consistency and accuracy during the contest.
Wing officials should greet the chain crew long enough before game time to review expectations. For high school games, that should occur at least 30 minutes before kickoff or whenever the officials have assumed responsibility for the game. If the chain crew has not arrived, ask the PA announcer to have the chain crew report to the chains.
Make it a priority to tell all chain crew members how important they are and how they impact the overall image of the officials. Remind them, “You are assistant officials, not fans,” which goes a long way to earning their attention.
It is beneficial to start by having the chain crew members set the equipment as they would for a touchback. As that occurs, identify who will be on the down box, the two markers and the clip. Setting the equipment identifies any issues and provides a chance to correct any that exist. Verify the chain is 10 yards long by stretching it between the 20 and 30 yardlines and is marked with tape halfway in between. Remind the clip operator the clip is placed on the back side of the appropriate five yardline closest to the back stake whenever a new series begins.
Setting the chains also provides visual training and often eliminates concerns with “rookie” chain crew members. If you feel you need to test less-experienced chain crews, you can ask them to reset the chain as if the ball had been punted and returned to a specific yardline, such as the 32 yardline. Allow the crew to reset the chain on their own. Review where the back stake and clip should be placed.
Reviewing with the down box operator the importance of delaying movement of the box can be a game- saver. Tell that individual to scan the field for flags after a change of possession. Urge them to inform you if they see a flag on the field when you’re saying move the box. That can prevent incorrect movement of the chains.
Instruct the down box operator and stake holders how you will mark the yardline with the heel of the foot in the direction the ball is going. Remind the crew to set the chains two yards off the sideline, at the back of the restricted area.
Remind the chain crew members they need to be attentive to their safety, as well as that of the players. Tell them to drop the stakes backward and get out of the way when action brings players close to the sideline.
Since the chains will not be set when there is a first down at or inside team B’s 10 yardline, the chains should be placed on the ground well off the sideline. One seemingly minor technique that makes a wing official superior is to supply the down box operator with a beanbag for first- and-goal situations. The bag can be dropped behind the box before the snap. If the box operator needs to take evasive action to avoid contact with players, the previous spot can be recalled by going back to the beanbag.
Advise the chain crew that once requested to reset the chains, their prompt and brisk movement can have a dramatic impact on game flow.
Instruct the chain crew how measurements and end-of-quarter changeovers will be handled.
It is possible other officials have their own methods of accomplishing all that is addressed here. The most important points to cover are safety, proper movement, accuracy and professionalism.
Let them know they’re part of the crew and they are appreciated. Correct them when they’re wrong but praise them when they do a good job, and you’ll find you’re doing more praising than complaining.
Martin Cleypool is a high school football and basketball official. He lives in Alpharetta, Ga.
