Chain crew
The chain crew is the name given to the three assistant referees who operate the 10-yard chain and downmarkers on one of the sidelines during an American football game . The two rods at the ends of the chain always indicate the beginning and the end (the line to gain ) of the current 10 yards that the offense still has to bridge to reach a new first attempt ( first down ). A new first down is achieved when the tip of the game ball extends beyond the front end of the yard chain. The measurements and displays of the chain crew then begin again. If the line to gain has not been reached after four attempts, no new first down has been achieved and possession changes to the previously defending team.
The downmarker itself shows the number of attempts played and at the beginning of each attempt marks the current position of the game ball and thus the respective line of scrimmage on the playing field.
The assistants who operate the chain are called rod men , the assistant who shows the line of scrimmage is called box man .
On the opposite sideline of the field of play there are two more assistant referees who have the task of indicating the respective line of scrimmage or marking the position of the ball on the field of play at which the attacking team gained possession. The two rods used for this are not connected by a chain, but have the same appearance as the rods of the chain crew.
Web links
source
- Falken Verlag, American Football, The Official Rules, Niedernhausen 1996, ISBN 3-8068-1673-5 .