1. “Unofficial” Mechanics
West Coast
Officials Association
Tampa
WCOA
2016 FHSAA Football Field Clinic
“Unofficial” Mechanics

2. “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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. “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

7. 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

8. “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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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