Why don't referees just throw flags at their feet?

rockmanslim · Post #1 » by **rockmanslim** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:12 pm

They're always trying to throw the flag into the action, towards the players. Have they learned nothing from the Orlando Brown incident?

What difference does it make where the flag is? If there's a yellow flag on the field, no matter where it is, it will get noticed regardless. There really is no need to throw the flag towards the players.

Why do they do this? Ego? "Hey look at me! I'm throwing a flag! Asserting my authority!"...?

High 5 · Post #2 » by **High 5** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:10 am

I imagine it's so everyone sees that there's a flag and they can have idea about what it's going to be. A flag away from the action would be harder to notice and would cause some confusion when teams are preparing for the next play.

Post #3 » by **Icness** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:19 am

It's a good question. I was taught to throw the flag as close to the spot of the foul as possible to help mark the yardage. It also shows other officials where the spot is, and that does help logistically.

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rockmanslim · Post #4 » by **rockmanslim** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:28 am

High 5 wrote:I imagine it's so everyone sees that there's a flag and they can have idea about what it's going to be. A flag away from the action would be harder to notice and would cause some confusion when teams are preparing for the next play.

Nobody knows why a flag is thrown anyway until the referee gives his explanation, regardless of where the flag is thrown. Throw the flag at your feet, or somewhere in front of your feet, then make the explanation, like always.

:dontknow:

rockmanslim · Post #5 » by **rockmanslim** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:30 am

Icness wrote:It's a good question. I was taught to throw the flag as close to the spot of the foul as possible to help mark the yardage. It also shows other officials where the spot is, and that does help logistically.

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Wouldn't you have to be a pinpoint flag thrower for that to be of any real value though? Surely they rely on more reliable means to mark yardage and to spot the ball, than the location of a thrown flag?

rockmanslim · Post #6 » by **rockmanslim** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 12:34 am

So I'm reading more about the Orlando Brown incident, and it seems refs stopped weighing their flags down with BBs as a result. This just makes flag throwing even more inaccurate. Like throwing a wiffle ball in the wind, no?

High 5 · Post #7 » by **High 5** » Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:38 am

rockmanslim wrote:
High 5 wrote:I imagine it's so everyone sees that there's a flag and they can have idea about what it's going to be. A flag away from the action would be harder to notice and would cause some confusion when teams are preparing for the next play.

Nobody knows why a flag is thrown anyway until the referee gives his explanation, regardless of where the flag is thrown. Throw the flag at your feet, or somewhere in front of your feet, then make the explanation, like always.

You have a pretty good idea about the foul depending on where it's thrown. Holding is the main one. It's a small convenience for everyone involved. There's really no reason not to do it. The Orlando Brown incident was one flag toss out of a billion.