I'm not sure I'm too impressed with officiating mechanics that suggest you throw out any loose article of clothing.  The rule on freekicks is pretty clearly stated: "When the ball is kicked, all members of the kicking team must be behind the ball with the exception of the kicker and the holder."  Don't let my online name fool you - I have no connections with Central."
Previous post was correct, if there's no flag on the ground-there's no penalty!

DutchTackle

Quote from: Purple Heys on November 23, 2009, 07:09:29 PM
I am by no means an expert, but I have officiated Football, Basketball, and Baseball for 20+ years; I have been the UIC (Umpire in Chief) for the local Little Leagues...it doesn't attest to my skill or lack thereof, but I do have some experience.  As an official you need to MAKE the call.

In baseball, you signal FAIR/FOUL, SAFE/OUT, or STRIKE so there is no confusion;

In Basketball, you hit the Whistle and raise your hand;

And in Football, YOU THROW THE FLAG, YOUR BEAN BAG, YOUR HAT, OR ANY LOOSE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING so there is NO DOUBT a call has been made.

A Head Linesman or  Line Judge doesn't amble on over to the Referee and converse in secret about a call he was thinking of making.

If I'm the Referee in that game, at that point (and really anytime) I ask, "Where's the Flag?"

No Flag, no call...especially not at that point in the game.  If you don't have the conviction to MAKE the call, there was no call to be made.