“Unofficial” Mechanics West Coast Officials Association Tampa WCOA 2016 FHSAA Football Field Clinic “Unofficial” Mechanics
“Unofficial” Mechanics There are numerous useful mechanics which are not specifically addressed in the mechanics book These do NOT rewrite the book These enhance the existing mechanics Help the crew operate effectively
Field Markings / Reference Marks Mikaela Hoover 26’ 4” 26’ 8” 26’ 8” 26’ 4” 2 0 2 0 R R 3 0 R 3 0 Chris Pratt John Reilly
3 - 5 Yards To The Side Of The Kicker 2 - 3 Yards Behind The Kicker Referee Place Kick Mechanics Referee Place Kick Positioning 3 - 5 Yards To The Side Of The Kicker 2 - 3 Yards Behind The Kicker Upright R LJ For A Try, The 15 Yard Line Is Usually The Correct Place To Be Standing TAMPA BAY K Right Footed Kicker BJ Upright And Crossbar 2 0 < 1 0 < H 4
Referee Positioning Save Your Steps On a long run or pass completion downfield, you are supposed to trail the play There is NO reason to run all the way up to the new line of scrimmage to signal first down then back out to your position This is wasted running and energy Instead, pull up about 10 – 15 yards short of the new line to gain and signal first down As the box is moving down field, slide laterally to whatever position is appropriate When the box is in place, give the ready for play Magically, you are in position without all the unnecessary running
“Unofficial” Mechanics For a false start or encroachment penalty, please throw your flag about 5 yards toward the direction of the team committing the foul Toward the offense for a false start Toward the defense for an encroachment For a sideline warning Wait until that team is on offense Disrupt their team’s rhythm and game tempo If they have a crappy sideline, it will still be crappy when they get possession of the ball back If you are going to give a sideline warning, do it early and not in the 4th quarter
Punt Mechanics LJ R U BJ 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 HL Umpire Rotates Towards The LJ Side Press Box LJ R Score Board U BJ 1 0 2 0 < < < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0 < 3 0 < HL 4
“Unofficial” Mechanics Long 5 vs. Short 5 The piece of tape the Head Linesman places on the chains is there for a reason Will make penalty enforcement clear and the Referee will give the proper signals / announcement It remains 3rd down The penalty will result in a first down 3 Tape, Zip Tie, etc. marks the 5 yard spot
Official Mechanics Remember signals are given twice (This is in the book) Incomplete Pass Stop The Clock Wind The Clock Remember no embellishments with the incomplete pass signal No pounding the ground No bobbled the ball No sweeping out of bounds The “catch” signal is also not a NFHS signal
Position / Key Mechanics Back Judge Mechanics LJ Read Your Key - The Outside Most Eligible Receiver To The Strong Side 81 Read The Strong Side And Move To That Side R 86 40 U BJ 7 NEVER Move Wider Than The Uprights 24 < 1 0 < 2 0 3 0 84 < H 3
Back Judge Proper Positioning For Strength Press Box LJ R BJ U 1 0 2 0 4 0 < < < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 < HL 1
Back Judge Proper Positioning For Strength Press Box LJ R BJ U X 2 0 4 0 < 1 0 < < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 < HL 1
Bean Bag While fumbles are to be bean bagged, this applies only to fumbles BEYOND the line of scrimmage There is NEVER a time when a bean bag spot for a fumble behind the line of scrimmage would ever be used If a penalty was committed during the loose ball time after the fumble, we would not use the bean bag spot we would use the previous spot The previous spot is nicely marked by the down box
Kaiserisms Avoid stupidity penalties from poor officiating Delay of game from letting a team snap the ball prior to the ready for play Illegal equipment fouls Encroachment on the offense Encroachment on the defense lining up in the neutral zone These are ALL preventable fouls! It is inexcusable to penalize a team for us not doing our jobs
Chain Crew Don’t Think You Aren’t Part Of The Crew! - You are very much part of the crew! - You can help save the crew What down is it? How much time was on the clock? Short 5 vs. Long 5 Where was the previous spot? 1