1. football officials CLINIC
District 4

2. NEW RULES AND EMPHASIS WEATHER DELAYS & FREE-BLOCKING ZONE
PLAYER AND GAME EQUIPMENT
VIDEO REPLAY IN POST-SEASON OPTION
PERSONAL FOUL ADDITIONS
SCRIMMAGE FORMATIONS
40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK

3. HORSE-COLLAR TACKLE CURRENT HORSE-COLLAR RULE:
Illegal to grab inside back or side collar of either shoulder pads or jersey of runner and subsequently pull (backwards or sideward) that opponent to the ground, even if possession is lost.
ADDITIONAL NEW LANGUAUGE:
Now applies to grabbing the name plate area (directly below the back collar).

4. TRIPPING
TRIPPING
Use of lower leg or foot to obstruct or tackle an opponent below the knee.
Always has been illegal against most players.
Now, illegal to trip the runner.
This is an intentional act.
Leg whip into the runner is illegal.
Feet getting tangled is not tripping.

5. TEAM A REQUIREMENTS MAXIMUM OF FOUR PLAYERS CAN BE BACKS
Player getting snap (QB) is always a back
Player numbers are not an issue
AT LEAST FIVE PLAYERS ON THE LINE
Five #50-79 (or numbering exception)
No problem having more than 5 on the line
REASONS FOR THE RULE CHANGE:
Don’t punish offense scoring with 10 players.
No disadvantage to defense.
Easier to officiate (esp. w/ 40-second clock).
MECHANICS AND PHILOSOPHIES
Work to make the formation legal.
Communication still important.
R and U still counting offense.

6. 40-second play clock

7. 40-second play clock NEW LANGUAGE: GENERAL RULE
Immediately when the ball is ruled dead by a game official after a down, a 40-second play clock shall then begin, except for the start of any period, including an overtime period, or an administrative stoppage when a 25-second count shall then begin.
GENERAL RULE
After a normal non-kick scrimmage down ends, the offensive team has 40 seconds to snap the ball.
PURPOSE
Ensure that each team is given a consistent interval between plays in all games.
Avoid inconsistency among different Referees.

8. 40-second play clock When is the 40-second clock used?
After a “normal” scrimmage play when there is no administrative stoppage.
It doesn’t matter if the game clock is stopped or running.
When does the 40-second count start?
When the ball is dead and the official gives one of the following signals:
Dead ball overhead
Stop-clock for runner OOB or making line to gain
Wind-clock signal when runner is near sideline
Incomplete pass
When is the ball ready for play?
Official places the ball at spot and steps toward position.
Umpire is primary, but not only.
Important in determining how to enforce dead-ball fouls.
Important in setting new line-to-gain.
25-second clock after Administrative Stoppage

9. 40-second play clock WHAT IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE STOPPAGE
Score.
Penalty administration.
Charged team timeout.
Injury.
Helmet coming off of a player.
Measurement.
Before and after a Free Kick.
Change of team possession.
First down following a punt or field goal attempt.
Start of each period, including each overtime period.
Official’s timeout, except new series for Team A (normal play).
Something that delays normal football play during a possession series.
Rule 3-6-1(a)(1)

10. Covering Official’s Signal(s) To End Play
WHICH play clock?
Event
Play Clock Starts At
Game Clock Starts On
Covering Official’s Signal(s) To End Play
Referee’s Signal
Dead Ball Inbounds 40
Running 7
None
Dead Ball Out of Bounds
Snap 3
Incomplete Pass 10
Offense (Team A) Awarded First Down
Ready*
Silent Wind*
Penalty Administration 25
Whistled Wind*
Charged Team Timeout
Chop
Injury / Helmet Off
Measurement
Double Change of Possession – Offense (Team A) Snaps
Change of Possession – Defense (Team B Snaps)
Touchdown, Try, Field Goal, Safety
Varies**
Varies
Start of Each Period / Each Overtime Period
N/A
Before and After a Free Kick / Kickoff
After a Punt / FG Attempt Followed By a First Down for Either Team
Other Official’s Timeout / Administrative Stoppage***

11. 40-second play clock NO SUBSTITUTION / MATCH-UP / HOLD UP RULE
The new rule does not allow officials to hold up the snap or provide a matchup opportunity for the defense. However, all 11 players must be within the 9-yard marks (“numbers”) after the ball is ready for play, and the entire offensive unit must be set for one second before snapping the ball.
You might have to hold up for officials to be in position.
BUT SEE CASEBOOK Comment 1
DON’T WAIT FOR THE CHAINS TO BE SET
HL should be ready to drop a bean bag on the ground if the down box is not in position.
SIGNIFICANT DELAYS IN SPOTTING THE BALL
If really late spotting, Referee can “pump up” the play clock to 25 without stopping game clock.
In some, rare situations, when time is critical, Referee may have to stop game clock and set play clock to 25.
Normal time to spot should be about

12. 40-second play clock
A – 2nd & A-30. QB A9 hands the ball to RB36, who runs to the A-45 where he is (a) tackled in bounds; (b) forced out of bounds.
ANSWER: (a) and (b). A – 1st & A-45. Play clock: 40 seconds. In both cases, the play clock is set to 40-seconds and begins when the ball is dead and the covering official signals. A first down is awarded in both situations. In (a), silent wind of the game clock.
A – 1st & A-30. QB A9 throws a pass intended for A88, but the pass is incomplete.
ANSWER: A 2nd & A-30. Play clock: 40 seconds. The play clock is set to 40 seconds and begins when the ball is dead and the covering official signals incomplete.
A – 3rd & A-30. During a sweep to the right, A76 holds B99 at the A-30, as RB runs to the A-35 the ball becomes dead. Team B (a) accepts; (b) declines the penalty.
ANSWER: A – 3rd & A-20 OR A 4th A-30. Play clock: 25 in either situation. It does not matter whether the penalty is accepted or declined. The administration of penalty procedures is an administrative stoppage.