AHSAA Football Mechanics Basic Mechanics, Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 7 2011 Football Season

Why use seven officials? Why not just adopt the college 7-man mechanics? The speed of the game is different and AHSAA wanted consistency between AHSAA 5-man and 7-man mechanics. A crew of 7 will provide more consistent, area coverage resulting in: Better detection and enforcement of rules which are designed to protect safety of players Better detection of rules infractions which would otherwise give one team an unfair advantage Better side line control Preventive officiating is improved Dead ball and back side officiating is improved Alabama High School Athletic Association

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 15 to 20 yards 5 yards 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Pre-snap (Initial) Keys Referee – All backs and far side tackle Umpire – Guard/center/guard and tackle on referee side Linesman/Line Judge – The third eligible receiver in on strength side of the field; otherwise second in. Side Judge/Field Judge – The widest eligible receiver on your side. Back Judge – Second eligible receiver in from the strength side of the field. If no strength of formation, key second eligible receiver on the Line Judge’s side. Takes man in motion all the way. Alabama High School Athletic Association

Responsibilities during the Down Referee – Observe actions and illegal acts by or against QB and far side tackle Umpire – Concentrate on the “point of attack”, line actions Linesman/Line Judge – Officiate actions of players approaching and/or in your zone Side Judge/Field Judge – Officiate actions of players approaching and/or in your zone Back Judge – Officiate actions of players in the center, deep zone Alabama High School Athletic Association

Situation/Responsibility Summary of Positions for a Crew of 7 Referee, Umpire, Linesman and Line Judge Alabama High School Athletic Association 2011 Situation/Responsibility Umpire Linesman Line Judge Kick Off Give ball to kicker then position even with and to the side of kicker prior to RFP 30 yards from R’s free kick line, opposite press box 30 yards from R’s free kick line, press box side Obvious Short Kick Off Kicker’s free kick line opposite press box 20 yards from R’s free kick line, press box side Scrimmage Downs Same as Crew of 5 Same as Crew of 5 but recognize Side Judge help deep. Responsible for forward progress spot except inside the 3 yard line Same as Crew of 5 but recognize Field Judge help deep. Responsible for forward progress spot except inside the 3 yard line Scrimmage Downs snapped inside the 5 yard line Same as Crew of 5. Scrimmage Kick (punts) Field Goals and Trys Same as Crew of 5 and communicate with Side Judge as “Second Umpire” Remain on LOS during kick Game and play timing Secondary responsibilities Note: Referee positions same as in a Crew of 5.

Situation/Responsibility Summary of Positions for a Crew of 7 Back Judge, Field Judge and Side Judge Alabama High School Athletic Association 2011 Situation/Responsibility Back Judge Field Judge Side Judge Kick Off Kicker’s free kick line on press box side Receiver’s free kick line on press box side Receiver’s free kick line opposite press box Obvious Short Kick Off Scrimmage Downs 5 yards behind Field/Side Judge, generally center of the field - adjust as needed to strength of offensive formation 15 to 20 yards from the LOS, on the press box sideline, even with Side Judge. During play, maintain separation with Line Judge 15 to 20 yards from the LOS, opposite press box sideline, even with Field Judge. During play, maintain separation with Linesman Scrimmage Downs snapped between the 20 yard line and the 5 yard line In the end zone or on the back line, generally center of the field - adjust as needed At the goal line pylon Scrimmage Downs snapped inside the 5 yard line On the back line, generally center of the field - adjust as needed Outside the back line/side line pylon Scrimmage Kick (punts) 5 yards behind the receiver, generally center of the field - adjust as needed 5 yards in front of deepest receiver, on the sideline, even with the Side Judge 5 yards in front of deepest receiver, on the sideline, even with the Field Judge Field Goals and Trys Behind the goal upright opposite the press box. Responsible for his upright and crossbar rulings. Behind the goal upright on the press box side. Responsible for his upright. “Second umpire”, position even with umpire opposite the press box. Game and play timing 25 Second clock Secondary responsibilities. Accuracy of the game clock, management of all other game timing situations (time outs, following scores, media time outs) and having the correct local time at the pregame conference.

Alabama High School Athletic Association Communications Special situations Snap inside the 5-yard line Sideline pass reception – possession and feet End line pass reception – possession and feet Close goal line plays Alabama High School Athletic Association

Alabama High School Athletic Association Basic Positions For Snaps Between the 20 Yard Line and the 5 Yard Line Crew of 7 SJ L 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U BJ R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Basic Positions For Snaps Inside the 5 Yard Line Crew of 7 SJ L 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U BJ R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Positions During Kickoffs Crew of 7 SJ L 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R U 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 BJ FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Positions During Obvious Short Kickoffs Crew of 7 L SJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 BJ FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Basic Positions For Punts Crew of 7 L SJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R BJ U 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Basic Positions For Kick Trys and Field Goals Crew of 7 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 SJ BJ FJ U R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

Free Kicks Following a Fair Catch or Awarded Fair Catch Crew of 7 SJ L 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 BJ U FJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R LJ Press Box

Keys and Responsibilities Seven officials, 22 players, one football and nonplayers on each sideline Keys are intended to help determine officiating coverage requirements at the snap Keys include: Formations and players Position of ball on the field Down and distance Score Formation and player keys will be summarized herein by position Alabama High School Athletic Association

Priority of Player Keys The priority of keys to determine initial assignments for each group of officials is as follows: Field judge and side judge Back judge Line judge and linesman The general rule is not to key the same player as the group of officials ahead of you priority-wise. Alabama High School Athletic Association

Officiate “Man-Zone-Man” “MAN” - Before the snap, identify and read your key(s) and note initial actions on and by key(s) “ZONE” - After the snap, officiate player action in your zone “MAN” - When direction of ball has been established (pass or run), officiate at and around the ball if in your zone; otherwise, back side officiating. When the ball is dead, continue to officiate your zone (dead ball officiating) Alabama High School Athletic Association

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ Single Slot 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ Trips 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 BJ U X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ SJ Double Slot 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 BJ U X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ Double Slot, Tight End 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Double Slot, Double Tight End SJ Double Slot, Double Tight End 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ Man in Motion 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

Alabama High School Athletic Association SJ Communication 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box