1. “NJFOA Six Man Mechanics Manual”
North Jersey Chapter
6-Man Mechanics Positioning
To be used in conjunction with the
“NJFOA Six Man Mechanics Manual”

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

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

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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L “leapfrogs” F and takes position on K’s free kick line
R moves to L’s position on sideline

5. 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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6. Scrimmage Plays (outside B’s 20)
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 near the numbers and drops back to the sideline as the ball is about to be snapped.
20 – 22 yards
Remember, LJ, HL always have the spot on running and passing plays. SJ,FJ should dead ball officiate, observe action around the play and be responsible for covering GL

7. Scrimmage Plays (at B’s 20)
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 ‘20’, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds
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8. Scrimmage Plays (Redzone outside B’s 5) Press Box
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays inside the redzone but outside B’s 5 are illustrated in the following diagram:
Scrimmage Plays
(Redzone outside B’s 5)
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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.
F administers the play clock count at the sideline once the ball reaches B’s 20. When play clock reaches ‘20’, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds

9. Scrimmage Plays (Inside, or at B’s 5)
The proper initial officiating positions for scrimmage plays at or B’s 5 are illustrated in the following diagram:
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F and S are positioned at the end line -goal line pylon and have responsibility for B’s end line.
H and L have goal line and all forward progress. Just as in five-man, move to GL at snap and angle a few yds out of bounds and officiate back into the field of play.

10. Scrimmage Plays (from hash – tight formation) Press Box
20 – 22 yards
When play is from a hash mark and there is a tight formation to the wide side of the field, the wide side 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 action comes his way.
F should begin on the sideline in this situation. When play clock reaches ‘20’, F moves into the field as he begins to execute his ‘chop’ of the last five seconds

11. “Soft Spot” (Cross-field mechanics)
Using “soft spot” techniques can save you on a crucial forward progress spot, 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

12. The proper officiating positions for punts are illustrated in the following diagram:
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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FJ takes 2/3 of field and observes action around runner. If runner moves to sideline. FJ is responsible for spot. FJ is responsible for play clock
SJ takes 1/3 of field and observes action around runner on his 1/3 of field. Position 5 yds behind receiver

13. The proper officiating positions for field goal and try attempts from a scrimmage kick are illustrated in the following drawing:
Field Goals,Trys
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HL, LJ - Pinch in after Try

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

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

16. Passing Keys (balanced; slot to L)

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

18. 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”)

19. 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

20. 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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F times
timeout
All officials will communicate with each other on each timeout to determine how many timeouts remain for each team.

21. 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. 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 and squaring off his spot. Use soft spot from H if necessary.
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 of all players.

22. Long plays (approaching goal line) 1 0 4 0 2 0 3 0 5 0 Press Box
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
(approaching goal line)
1 0
4 0
2 0
3 0
5 0
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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.
F began here
F maintains yd. cushion throughout play, but stops at the goal line approx. 3 yards outside pylon. Takes responsibility for forward progress when ball reaches B’s 2-yd line.
Tackled
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