1. WDFOA Mike Peel and Ricardo Green
Downfield Mechanics
WDFOA
Mike Peel and Ricardo Green

2. Where Do I Find The Mechanics?
MPSSAA Website
Under Football->Officials->6 Man Mechanics
WDFOA Website
Under Mechanics and Pre-Game

3. What Is Our Key?
Your key is the player you watch at the beginning of the play before transitioning to zone coverage
Typically the most outside guy
Sometimes you have no key in very strange formations
Sometimes you have a secondary key
If he is pressed (defender within 1 yard of the LOS) we watch him from the snap
If no press, we can eye the tackle to see if we have a run or pass

4. Typical Formation (Double Double)
S and F always have the widest guy. But, because there is no B, F must take the second guy as a secondary key too. Starting position is 20 yards, doesn’t have to be though.
20 Yards S F

5. Typical Formation (Trips)
F should end up at yards deep. We expect one of the three to go deep so be ready for it. Why don’t we take the widest guy in this formation?
20 Yards
22-24 Yards S F

6. Why Do We Have a Key? We need coverage of all offensive players
Your key will usually take you to the play
You can then move or stand still based on his action
If he blocks, we have a run and there is no need to back peddle yet
If he goes around the defender, we probably have a pass and you’ll move back a bit and transition to zone
Only stick with your key if he stays in your zone and the play still has a chance of coming that way

7. Reverse Mechanics Read and react
Don’t go past the runner, stay behind
You have the spot unless it ends right away in front of the short wing
Take the spot from the wing, we have to work together and if the wing doesn’t know to go to the goal line, we have to help

8. Reverse Mechanics F S

9. Reverse Mechanics What do we look for?
In charge of the final spot
Run to your side, watch the blocking in front of the runner
Run away from you, watch for illegal blocks toward the middle
With no B, everyone must watch the defensive backfield for personal fouls behind the play

10. Punt Plays
Decide pregame with your fellow downfield person if we’re splitting 50/50 or 33/66
Signal to your partner who has the receiver pre-snap
If the ball takes the receiver into the opposite official’s area, switch responsibilities
Offside, watch for block in the back fouls
They come quick but are easy to see if you’re looking for them

11. Punt Plays
What is everyone looking for?
F? S? F S

12. Fake Try and Field Goal Know your ineligible eligibles
Who has an eligible number but lined up in an ineligible position? Typically the center
Work from inside out
Begin a spread from under the upright to around the inbounds marks
Watch receivers stepping out of the endzone

13. After the Play
Jog in to the 9 yard marks if play is inside the numbers
Survey the field, look for any players you may need to separate
Watch for personal fouls
Slowly back out
The football is your last responsibility