Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Officiating the Dead ball

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Definition Primary Dead ball times Communications Penalty Administration Hints/tips - Dead ball efficiencies

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Definition Term used to indicate the interval between downs Most of a football game is during the dead ball, therefore to be a great official, you have to be a great DEAD BALL official! Jon Bible – “Avoid the tendency to relax...this is when disaster can strike”

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Primary Dead Ball Times Before/after scrimmage plays After scores Timeouts Penalty administration / measurement Injuries Between periods

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication Sidelines Crew Players Press Box

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication - Sidelines Wing officials – good personal skills – develop rapport Communicate unusual rulings or problems w/players Maintain poise at all times. “...keep your head when all about you are losing theirs – and blaming it on you”. Silence can never be misquoted

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication - Crew R calling out the down and distance on every play All officials counting all players on every down Wingmen signals to indicate 7-men on the line - un-balanced “Tee” or “brick” to alert the LJ / BJ of an attempted kick

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication - Crew “Take a look” to alert the R of a possible first down “It’s my goal line…” - reminder between wings and BJ After a penalty occurs - toot your whistle several times LJ/L – Play in sidezone signal live ball or dead ball to the R LJ / BJ communication on kicks between the uprights

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication - Players Talk to players as they un-pile – Compliment the players - “good tackle”, “good run” Umpire relationship w/players is critical Use preventive officiating techniques …

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Communication - Press box Signals – make sure to watch players Don’t oversell or become emotional in giving signals Plays inbounds close to the sideline wind the clock Penalty administration – give clear signal

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Penalty Administration Dead ball fouls administered separately- in order of occurrence Never combined with live ball fouls Play situations …

B1 intercepts and returns to his own 40 yd line. After the play B2 commits a dead ball personal foul at the 35 yd line. Dead ball foul occurs a)1 st & 25 from 25 yd line b)1 st & 10 from 25 yd line c)1 st & 10 from 20 yd line

B1 intercepts and returns to his own 40 yd line. After the play B2 commits a dead ball personal foul at the 35 yd line. Ruling: Penalty is enforced from the end of run, not the spot of foul. When a new series is awarded all fouls prior to the ready for play are enforced before chains are set (5-3-1) b)1 st & 10 from 25 yd line

On the last play of the 2 nd quarter K1 commits a dead ball personal foul. How is this administered? Ruling: Dead ball fouls are always enforced from the succeeding spot. The foul is administered on the 2 nd half kick-off. Make sure both coaches are aware before they leave the field (10-4-5c)

2 nd & 5 for A from B’s 26 yd line. A1 gains 6 yards. After the play A2 commits a dead ball personal foul on the 25 yd line. a.) 1 st & 10 from 35 yd line b.) 2 nd & 14 from 35 yd line c.) 3 rd & 14 from 35 yd line d.) 3 rd & 19 from 40 yd line Dead ball foul occurs

2 nd & 5 for A from B’s 26 yd line. A1 gains 6 yards. After the play A2 commits a dead ball personal foul on the 25 yd line. a.) 1 st & 10 from 35 yd line Ruling: On first, second, or third down new series is awarded when considering any act including any dead ball foul by B (5-1-2a)

4 th & 5 for A from B’s 24 yd line. A1 gains 4 yards. After the play B2 commits a dead ball personal foul on the 25 yd line. a.) 1 st & goal for A from 10 yd line b.) 1 st & goal for A from 12 1/2 yd line c.) 1 st & 10 for B from 10 yd line Dead ball foul occurs

4 th & 5 for A from B’s 24 yd line. A1 gains 4 yards. After the play B2 commits a dead ball personal foul on the 25 yd line. 1 st & 10 for Team B c.) 1 st & 10 for B from 10 yd line Ruling: On 4 th down a new series is awarded based on the acts during the down (5-1-2b)

3 rd & 5 for A from B’s 20 yd line. During an incomplete forward pass A1 holds at the 25 yd line. After the play A1 commits a dead ball unsportsmanlike conduct. How is this administered? Hold by A1 Ruling: Dead-ball fouls are not coupled with live- ball fouls to create multiple or double fouls. Approach – Assume the dead-ball will be enforced. Options to present: 3 rd & 35 from 50 or 4 th & 20 from 35 yd line. Unsport. Conduct

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Hints/tips – dead ball efficiencies Use preventive officiating techniques … Get to the pile … Line player up … Kicks going into the end-zone Work as a unit The type of game …

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Hints/tips – dead ball efficiencies Spotting the ball … Hustle but don’t hurry to the spot Ball relay … Off-ball officiating … Players going out-of-bounds … Continue to watch players Use the bean bag

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Hints/tips – dead ball efficiencies Digging for fumbles … Only the closest official becomes the digger Don’t be shy – tap/pull players off the pile Verbal techniques … Red Cashion – Concepts of rings in dead ball officiating Covering official responsible for the first ring Rings expand with to the other officials Accordion effect – creates a presence

L LJ R U BJ

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Questions ?????? References: Referee Magazine - Jan 2004 Football Officials Guidebook Referee Magazine - Oct 1984 Referee Magazine - Sept 1997 Referee Magazine - Nov 1985

Metro Detroit Officials Association August 20, 2005Fred Wirth Thanks for coming and have a great season