1. New Jersey Football Officials Association
NJFOA
New Jersey Football Officials Association
6-Man Mechanics Positioning
To be used in conjunction with the
“NJFOA Six Man Mechanics Manual”
2019 Version 9

2. Coin Toss
The proper officiating positions for the coin toss are illustrated in the following diagram:
Press Box
F and S remain on their respective sideline
H and L remain on their sidelines with game balls
R faces scoreboard

3. The normal free kick positions are illustrated in the following diagram:
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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Umpire moves into the field after kick to be ready to cover a long return
F and S move cautiously toward R’s goal line, ready to reverse field and cover K’s goal line if there is a long return
R has primary responsibility for ensuring that there are at least 4 Team K players on each side of the kicker
H and L should remain on the goal line until the kick ends and the running play phase of the kick return begins.

4. Free Kick (onside kick)
The proper officiating positions for an anticipated on-sides kick are illustrated in the following diagram:
Free Kick (onside kick)
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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U and L strictly rule on encroachment by Team K
R moves to ‘centerfield’ and maintains primary responsibility for ensuring that there are at least 4 Team K players on each side of the kicker
H assists with touching and illegal blocks by Team K and has primary responsibility for ruling on a “pop-up” kick
F and S rule on first touching by K and must be ready to cover a pooch kick over Team R’s restraining line into the area of R’s 30 to 40 yard line.

5. Free Kick (following safety)
The proper officiating positions for free kicks following a safety are illustrated in the following diagram:
Free Kick (following safety)
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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The H and L take a position on the sideline 5 yards behind the deepest receiver
The R takes a position 10 yards behind the deepest receiver
The F, S, and U assume their standard free kick positions

6. Free Kick (following fair catch)
The proper officiating positions for a free kick following a fair catch is illustrated in the following diagram:
Free Kick (following fair catch)
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7. Scrimmage Plays (outside B’s 20) Press Box
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays outside B’s 20 are illustrated in the following diagram:
Scrimmage Plays
(outside B’s 20)
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F administers the play clock count between the numbers and sideline, and drops back to the sideline at the snap or as the play clock is about to expire.
22 – 25 yards

8. Scrimmage Plays (at B’s 20) Press Box
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays at B’s 20 are illustrated in the following diagram:
Scrimmage Plays
(at B’s 20)
F and S are positioned outside the goal line pylon and have responsibility for B’s goal line.
F administers the play clock count at the sideline once the ball reaches B’s 20. When play clock reaches 10 seconds prior to expiration, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds
H and L have forward progress up to B’s 2.
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9. Pass Plays toward End Zone
(at B’s 20)
F and S ‘own’ the goal line and should remain there until it is clear that a forward pass will go beyond the field of play. In this case, the S, only after determining that the pass will be into the end zone, will begin to move toward the end line to rule
H and L have forward progress up to B’s 2.
Press Box

10. Scrimmage Plays (Redzone outside B’s 7) Press Box
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays inside the redzone but outside B’s 7 are illustrated in the following diagram:
Scrimmage Plays
(Redzone outside B’s 7)
F administers the play clock count at the sideline once the ball reaches B’s 20. When play clock reaches 10 seconds prior to expiration, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds
F and S are positioned outside the goal line pylon and have responsibility for B’s goal line.
H and L have forward progress up to B’s 2.
Press Box

11. Scrimmage Plays (Inside, or at B’s 7) Press Box
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays at or B’s 7 are illustrated in the following diagram:
F steps into the end zone to administer the last 5 seconds of the play clock
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F and S are positioned ½-way between their sideline and hash mark pylons and have responsibility for B’s end line. They assist the L and H with plays deep into the end zone near the sideline.
H and L have goal line and all forward progress. Just as in five-man, move to GL at snap and officiate back into the field of play.
NOTE: When the snap is from or inside B’s 7, deep wings and LOS wings swap keys, F and S taking the inside receivers, H and L taking the widest receivers.

12. Pass Plays (Inside, or at B’s 7) Press Box
The proper coverage for the deep wings for pass plays at or B’s 7 are illustrated in the following diagram:
S has responsibility for end line. Eye contact with H before ruling.
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When pass is in flight toward S, F moves along end line toward center of the field, taking the roll of a BJ assisting S if end line is threatened
H, who has moved to the goal line at the snap freezes and is ready to assist the S if the sideline is threatened. Eye contact with S before ruling.

13. Scrimmage Plays (from hash – tight formation) Press Box
22 – 25 yards
When play is from a hash mark and there is a tight formation to one side of the field, the opposite deep wing (S in this example) should position himself at the numbers to help cover action in the middle of the field. He must be ready to retreat to the sideline if any action comes his way.
F administers the play clock count at the sideline once the ball reaches B’s 20. When play clock reaches 10 seconds prior to expiration, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds

14. “Soft Spot” (Cross-field mechanics)
Using “soft spot” techniques can save you on a crucial forward progress spot involving passes and running plays, and your help comes from all the way across the field
“Soft Spot”
(Cross-field mechanics)
Because of his angle on the play, the H can clearly see that progress was to B’s 6. He should step onto the field so that the L can pick up his spot.
Receiver catches a pass and is hit at B’s 6 and driven back where he lands at B’s 10. L has responsibility for forward progress, but in trailing, is not in a good position to judge. As he comes downfield, his eyes should be on the H across the field who will have a pretty good view of progress.
A89 hit and driven back here (B’s 6) ??
L looks across the field for H’s spot
Note: While this slide shows “soft spot” technique on a pass, it is equally useful on running plays where the wing is trailing the play and the runner is driven backwards.

15. The proper officiating positions for punts are illustrated in the following diagram:
Punts (Initial)
The F and S position themselves at the bottom of the numbers approximately 5 yards behind the deepest receiver. If the receiver and ball position favor one side of the field, the opposite deep wing should position himself at the top of the numbers.
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1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
4 0
3 0
Note: If the deepest receiver is positioned at R’s 10 (or inside), F and S should be on the goal line at the pylon and they should not move downfield until it is clear that the kick will no longer threaten the goal line
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
4 0
3 0

16. Punts (Post-snap Coverage Keys)
The proper officiating keys are illustrated in the following diagram:
Punts
(Post-snap Coverage Keys)
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F is responsible for the receiver and all action by and against him, including fair catch signaling and possible KCI. Also must be able to rule on touching of the kick by either team.
L drifts downfield (at most 15 yards) with the second wave of pursuit and is responsible for the flyers on his side of the field
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
4 0
3 0
S observes actions by flyers coming down his side of the field and is responsible for actions in advance of the punt receiver
U has responsibility for actions by second wave of pursuit on L’s side of the field; H, by second wave on his side of the field
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
4 0
3 0
Both F and S need to be mindful of where the airborne kick is heading and be ready to quickly retreat to their respective sideline if the ball is headed their way. Do NOT get caught in the middle of a return. Rather, get to a position where you can properly trail the return, ruling on the runner possibly being out-of-bounds

17. Change of Possession 1 0 4 0 2 0 3 0 5 0 Press Box
Any change of possession—whether planned or unplanned, results in the application of ‘reverse mechanics.’
Change of Possession
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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Interception
On any change of possession (punt, interception, fumble recovery), F and S are now responsible for progress to A’s 2-yard line; H and L maintain a cushion in advance of the return and have responsibility for A’s goal line

18. The proper officiating positions for field goal and try attempts from a scrimmage kick are illustrated in the following drawing:
Field Goals, Tries
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H and L pinch in toward the spot of the snap after a kick try to clean up.
Note: On FGs, H and L pinch in only when it’s clear that the kick will penetrate R’s goal line and there will be no return.

19. Passing Keys (strength to H; slot receiver)

20. Blocking Keys (strength to H; slot receiver)
If stays in to block, L keys his block until becomes a receiver. If clears downfield, H helps the R with ‘s block

21. Passing Keys (strength to H; pro-set)

22. Blocking Keys (strength to H; pro-set)
L helps the R with ‘s block

23. Passing Keys (balanced; slot to L)
Either H or L will key on depending on the route he takes to participate as a potential receiver

24. Blocking Keys (balanced; slot to L)
L helps the R with ‘s block

25. Passing Keys (full house; no backs outside the tackles)

26. Blocking Keys (full house; no backs outside the tackles)
H and L have primary responsibility for the two TEs’ blocks at the line of scrimmage. If, however, they move downfield to lead block for a run, F and S take over responsibility for them.

27. Passing Keys (Trips)
For, (middle on trips), both H and S should watch him at the snap and let his initial movements determine who should take him. (“Share and Declare”)
U needs to spin when the pass is thrown to rule on low passes—trapped or caught

28. Blocking Keys (Trips)
If becomes a lead blocker downfield, and the H becomes responsible for a runner, the S will take over responsibility for ‘s blocks
L helps the R with ‘s block

29. Passing Keys (Empty backfield – Trips & Double)
With an empty backfield, be thinking “a quick pass.” Because of the speed with which this play unfolds, be alert for the possibility of picks being used. F and S…look for quick crossing patterns by your keys or quick sideline routes
For, (middle on trips), both H and S should watch him at the snap and let his initial movements determine who should take him. (“Share and Declare”)

30. Blocking Keys (Empty backfield – Trips & Double)
Because of the possibility of a quick hitch to the outside, H, L, F and S must all focus on blocking in front of the receiver

31. Wings’ movement on long plays emphasize forward progress determination, deep wing’s need to maintain cushion, segregation of duties, and dead ball officiating:
Long plays
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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Tackled
F began here
F maintains yd. cushion throughout play up to the goal line. When down ends, FREEZE, move into FOP and dead ball officiate around the dead ball spot
L trails play (as usual) and has responsibility for assessing forward progress by squaring off his spot. Use soft spot from H if necessary. Also, determines and signals clock status.
S began here
H began here
S also maintains yd. cushion throughout play.
ALL officials ‘accordion’ toward the dead ball spot when the down ends. Maintain vigilance for dead ball activity by all players.

32. Long pass (approaching goal line) 1 0 4 0 2 0 3 0 5 0 Press Box
Wings movement on long pass plays emphasize forward progress determination, deep wing’s need to maintain cushion, communication, segregation of duties, and dead ball officiating:
Long pass
(approaching goal line)
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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“8-yard line, Tom”
L trails play (as usual) and has responsibility for assessing forward progress up to B’s 2 yd line and squaring off his spot. Use soft spot from H if necessary. Listen for help from F.
F began here
F maintains yd. cushion throughout play, but stops at the goal line approx. 3 yards outside pylon ready to rule on possible TD. Can verbally communicate succeeding spot to L who coming up to show progress
Run OOB at 8-yd. line
Long Pass
S also maintains yd. cushion throughout play and stops at goal line.
ALL officials ‘accordion’ toward the dead ball spot when the down ends. Maintain vigilance for dead ball activity of all players.
S began here
H began here

33. Measurements 3 Press Box
F secures the ball. S places the box for the next down. R, U, L, H perform same duties as in 5-man measurement. 3
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R assesses the result of the measurement from the side OPPOSITE the press box.

34. Timeouts
The proper officiating positions during timeouts is illustrated in the following diagram:
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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SJ times
timeout
All officials will communicate with each other on each timeout to determine how many timeouts remain for each team.