Several methods and a system to perform determination of a field referencing pattern are disclosed. In one aspect, a method is disclosed. A motion vector of a previously coded frame is analyzed using a processor and a memory. A statistic is updated based on whether the motion vector includes one or more of a fractional pel vertical component, a half pel vertical component, and an integer pel vertical component. A field referencing pattern of a target field is determined based on the statistic and an exception protocol.