Skip Harrison

Chain Gang Duties

Clips

• The purpose of the clip is to ensure that the original line of scrimmage is not lost due to the movement or relocation of the chains and as an aid when a first down measurement is required.
• There are two clips that are used to make the transition of marking more efficient but only one clip at a time is considered the "official" marker.  Remove the old clip after a play is run with the new clip in position.
• When a new line of scrimmage is established the clip is put on the closest five yard marker forward of the new scrimmage line.  Some officials may ask you to put the clip on the 2nd five yard marker if the 1st marker is less than 1 yard from the line of scrimmage.  
• In the example below   shows the initial line of scrimmage on the 28 yard line so the clip would be placed on the closest five yard marker which in this case is the 30 yard line.
• Example shows the ball on the 30 so the clip would be on the 25.
• The third example going the other direction with the ball on the 48 yard line so the clip would be on the 50 at mid-field.

• The proper positioning of the clip is on the very edge of the major 5 yard mark mentioned above that is closest to the back chain pole.  In other words, if the ball is moving left to right the left edge of the line is the proper place for the clip .
• The clip has a spring-loaded clasp and ten numbers on an orange strip from 5 to 50 in increments of 5.  A black plastic square slider runs up and down the strip to indicate which yard line  the clip was placed on.
• When the proper position of the clip is determined from the placement of the ball on the field, slide the black plastic square so the number highlighted matches the position on the field.

Chains

• The first rule to learn is to be aware of what's going on around you and if any player is running your way, drop the chains and get away from possible injury.  One the main reasons for the clips is to restore the chain placement in this situation.
• The linesman official will meet with the crew approximately 30 minutes before the game begins and check several things listed below.
• The length of the chain will be verified by placing one pole at exactly one of the major yard markers and stretching the chains as taut as possible.  It should measure exactly 10 yards in length.
• A small wrap of tape should be on the chain exactly equidistant from each pole putting it exactly at the 5 yard mark on the chain.
• The chain duties start when the first play of the game from scrimmage happens.
• The linesman will mark the spot on the field with his foot where the back pole is to be positioned, in other words the line of scrimmage.  The front pole should be stretched out as far as possible toward the end zone the offense is trying to reach.
• Allow the guy that is taking the spot from the linesman to plant his pole before tugging too hard on the front pole chain because it is easy to pull him off his mark.  But do make the effort to fully stretch the chain so the clip guy can get an accurate marking.
• Sometimes the linesman will call out an exact yardage mark and you can use that verbal command in lieu of a foot spotting
• Once the spot is determined the chain is stretched along the sideline and the "Clip Man" marks his spot before the chain guys move the chains back away from the sideline by about 10 feet for safety reasons.
• Sometimes there is  inadvertent pulling of the chains one way or the other, the "Box Guy" should note where the line of scrimmage mark is and have that spot ready for the back pole to match once they move away from the sideline.
• It is helpful if the two chain guys decide on a team that they will be on the scrimmage spot and maintain that throughout the game so you'll know if you are at the scrimmage line or the line to gain spot for your team.
• The linesman will signal when there is a first down and the chains need to be moved.  Don't move the chains until you get a signal to do so.
• Once the signal is given move the chains as quickly as possible as to not delay the flow of the game.
• If the offense gets the ball down inside of the defenses 10 yard line you may move back from the sideline and drop the chains until the next first down is achieved.

                 Measurements

• When a measurement is required the officials will come over to the chains and gasp the chain right at the closest major yard marker.  The box guy will be directed to move his pole to the spot where the front pole is positioned.  The chain guys and the official will run out to the spot where the ball is on the field.  The front pole guy then hands his pole to the referee and the ref will stretch the chain to determine if there is a first down.  The back chain guy needs to continue to hold the chain but spotting it on the field is not necessary.
• If the first down is achieved the linesman will spot the new line of scrimmage, the chains are moved up ten yards and the clips are repositioned and the box is re-spotted.
• If the first down is not successful and the down count is less than 4 then the linesman spots the ball on the sideline for the box guy to move to.  The chain guys will get back to position by replacing the clip  on the major mark and pulling taut again.
• If the measurement is unsuccessful and the down count is 4 the lineman spots the ball on the sideline and the chain crew moves the former front chain to the spot and the former back chain becomes the line to gain spot.  The clip is repositioned and the box is moved to the line of scrimmage and the down count changed to 1.  All the crew then moves back ten feet away from the sideline.

               Chain Placement

• On a kickoff to start the game or after a score, if the ball goes for a touchback then the ball will be spotted on the 25 yard line.  If the ball is kicked out of bounds than the ball is spotted on the 35 yard line.  Of course if the ball is run back it will be spotted by the referee. 

             Change of Field Direction

• When the 2nd and 4th quarters start the teams change the side of the field they occupy.  The chain crew with the assistance of the linesman will move to the same yard line but on the opposite side of the field as the chain guys do a 180.  Even if the ball is one the 50 yard line I recommend the swap to maintain the consistency of the team you are on the line to gain pole position.
• When moving the chains it is preferable to get onto the field away from the players because it is the clearest and safest path to take.

Opposite Field Down Marker and Auxiliary Box

• The opposite field down marker gives a better view of where the players need to get to obtain a first down when the play is on that side of the field
.
• This marker is not official for determining a first down but is very crucial for the players that are operating on that side of the field when trying for the last few feet to get the first down.
• This marker is placed at the line that would give the offense a first down and should closely match the front pole of the chain crew across the field
• The auxiliary box also shows the down and the position of the line of scrimmage.  The auxiliary box person will hold their position until the snap is imminent and this move to the position The Box holds on the opposite side of the field.  

The Box

• The Box, as the name implies, has the rectangular box on top that displays the current down count.
• The Box moves to the line of scrimmage after each down.  If the linesman signals the spot with his foot put the pole at the point but at about ten feet off the sideline where the chain poles are located.
• If the linesman does not signal the spot use your best judgment as to the proper placement of the Box.
• The linesman will verbalize or hand signal the down that should be on the box each down.  If there is any question about the down count refer to the official.  Do not rely on the scoreboard, you are the official person for keeping the correct down count.
• On first down measurements follow the information stated in the Chains section of this document about measurements.
• After a touchdown the Box moves to the three yard line as the extra point(s) attempt is made. 

Back to top