1. AHSAA 7-Man Mechanics
2014

2. 2014 Changes
No 2nd Half Meeting Of The Captains. Captains no longer meet at mid-field to start the second half. The decision on the direction of the kickoff will be obtained from the head coach during the mandated 3 minute warm up prior to the second half by the Line Judge or Back Judge. Still meet at the center of the field for Star Formation

3. Pregame Be on the field 45 minutes prior to kickoff.
BJ, LJ, FJ, and SJ:
Police the 45 Yard Line Zone. Keep players out of the 45 Yard Line Zone. Minimize fraternization. You do not need to be stationary. Check for illegal or missing equipment during this time. This zone remains vacant even if one team has left.
Check the field.
Meet the Head Coach and ball boys.
Make sure players are off the field during the Coin Toss

4. Pregame Referee and Umpire Linesman Clock Operator
Talk to home and visiting head coach.
R: Verify legality of the balls.
U: Check equipment and casts. Verify legality.
Linesman
Verify chains
Meet and Instruct chain crew. (Should LJ also meet during this time?)
Meet the Head Coach and ball boys.
Clock Operator
Determine how to operate the clock (setting time, starting/stopping, procedure for adjusting the time).
Verify the game clock and play clocks are working on the field.
Set the game clock to countdown to scheduled kickoff time (synchronized to SJ’s time).

5. Star Formation To Kick Off
Proper Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ U R BJ K
Score Board HL SJ
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< 1

6. Kick Off LJ FJ U R 2 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 HL SJ BJ Proper Positioning
Press Box LJ FJ
Count R
U Hands The
Ball To The Kicker U R K
Score Board
Count K
2 0
4 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
< HL SJ BJ 1

7. Kick Off Pre-Kick
Everyone count your players (fist at shoulder level):
K: U,B,S,F
R: R,L,H
Ensure Restricted Area is clear.
U: Remind K of new rules (4 each side of kicker and only kicker 5+yds).
Determine your key players.
Hold hand up to signal to referee when ready.
Blow whistle and stop play for encroachment (this includes the new rules).

8. Kick Off Initial Key Players
Press Box LJ FJ 1 2 3 4 U 5 BJ
Responsible for both K’s Restraining Line and 5 yards behind.
Anticipate Short Kick.
On normal kick, moves to near hash mark and watches initial blocks against kicker and inside kicking team players (4-5)
LJ & HL
Start on 20 (30 from R’s Restraining), even with each other
Key on players outside the 20 and outside gunner (1)
Responsible for sideline from goal line to about the 40 U
Moves to Press Box hash mark on kick.
Watches for initial blocks against inside kicking team players (4-5).
Is responsible for actions in front of the runner. R
Score Board 5 4
Referee:
Start between 5 and goal line.
Watch for 4 on each side of kicker.
Key on players inside 20.
Responsible for goal line calls. 3
SJ & FJ
Start on R’s Restraining Line
Anticipate Short Kick
Responsible for initial blocks near R’s Restraining Line on near kicking team players (2-3)
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
4 0 2
<
<
<
<
< 1 HL SJ BJ 1

9. Kick Off
Movement and positioning determined by your initial keys. Don’t watch the kick, watch the players.
Start the clock when the ball is legally touched in your area. Remember, start the clock before you stop the clock on fair catches, possessing the ball on the ground, etc.
Linesman or Line Judge typically have forward progress. SJ, FJ, and BJ should be prepared for goal line coverage.
BJ, SJ, FJ, and U: Anticipate short kick.

10. Standard Play FJ LJ R U BJ 1 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 SJ HL
Standard Play Proper Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ
20 Yards R U
Score Board BJ
25 Yards
1 0
2 0
4 0
<
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
<
20 Yards SJ HL 1

11. Inside The 20 Yard Line FJ LJ R U BJ 1 0 2 0 3 0 HL SJ
20 – 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ
At The Pylon R U
Deeper than deepest defender.
On the EL if ball is snapped inside the 10. BJ
<
1 0
2 0
<
<
3 0
At The Pylon HL 1 SJ

12. Approaching The Goal Line
5 - G Yard Line Proper Positioning
> 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ LJ
5 Yard Line R R U BJ
<
1 0
2 0
3 0
<
< HL HL 2 SJ 1

13. Reverse Goal Line Mechanics
Press Box LJ FJ
3 Yard Line U BJ R
<
1 0
2 0
<
<
3 0 HL SJ 2

14. Pre-Snap Duties FJ LJ R U BJ 2 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 SJ HL Counting
Press Box FJ LJ
Count Offense
Numbering
Count Defense R U
Score Board BJ
2 0
4 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
< SJ HL 1

15. Collapsing Box Coverage
Boxing The Play In
The “Accordion” Principle
Press Box FJ LJ
LJ and HL
Move Downfield Only When Needed
LJ and HL
Square In
At The Spot
At The Snap,
BJ, FJ And SJ
Move to Cover Deep Receivers X X X X X X
All Officials
“Accordion” In R U
Score Board BJ
“Accordion” Principle
- Dead Ball Officiating
- Talk To Players
- Break Up Confrontations
- Make A Presence
1 0
2 0
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
<
<
<
< SJ HL 2 1

16. Long Run Down Sideline FJ LJ R U BJ 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL
Keep Relative Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ
At The Snap,
BJ And Deep Wings
Read and React R U
Score Board BJ
1 0
2 0
Trailing Official
<
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
Get The Spot
<
20 Yards SJ HL
Assume
Goal Line
Position
Clean Up
Out-Of-Bounds 1
Leading
Official

17. Long Run Down Sideline FJ LJ R U BJ 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL
Keep Relative Positioning
- Don’t Run Over The SJ Or FJ
Press Box FJ LJ
3 Yard Line R U
Score Board BJ
Looks at HL to Confirm Inbounds
Signals Touchdown
2 0
Trailing Official
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
<
20 Yards SJ HL
Assume
Goal Line
Position 1
Leading
Official

18. Initial Keys FJ LJ R U BJ 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL Pro Set
Press Box FJ LJ R U
Score Board BJ
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< SJ HL 1

19. Initial Keys FJ LJ R BJ U 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL Double Wing
Press Box FJ LJ R BJ
Score Board U
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< SJ HL 1

20. Initial Keys FJ LJ R BJ U 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL
Trips Formation
Press Box FJ LJ R BJ
Score Board U
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< SJ HL 1

21. Initial Keys FJ LJ R BJ U 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL
Trips Formation - Motion
Press Box FJ LJ R BJ
Score Board U
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< SJ HL 1

22. Initial Keys FJ LJ R BJ BJ U 2 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ HL
Double Tight End
Press Box FJ LJ R BJ BJ
Score Board U
2 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
< SJ HL 1

23. Punt Mechanics FJ LJ R BJ U 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 SJ HL
Punt Proper Positioning
Press Box FJ LJ
5 Yards
Even or Slightly Behind Deep Receiver R
5-8 Yards BJ
Score Board U
1 0
2 0
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
3 0
<
<
<
<
<
5 Yards SJ HL 4

24. “Reverse” Mechanics LJ FJ R U BJ 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 HL SJ
- Occurs On Punt And Interception Returns, HL/SJ And LJ/FJ Duties Flip
R Has Goal Line Duty
Press Box
Assume Goal
Line Position LJ FJ
Checks With FJ for Inbounds
Signals Touchdown
Leading
Official
Trailing Official R
3 Yard Line
Referee Shares
Goal Line Duty
Score Board U BJ
1 0
2 0
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
4 0
<
3 0
<
<
<
< HL SJ 4

25. FG And Try Mechanics LJ FJ U SJ BJ R 2 0 4 0 1 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 3 0 HL
FG And Try Proper Positioning
Press Box LJ
Side Judge
Acts as a Second Umpire
R and U communicates Snapper Protection.
All crew needs to communicate if Field Goal Attempt (To Treat Short as Punt)
BJ and FJ Under Uprights.
BJ has crossbar and whistle
Only One Swipe and Hold for Missed FG FJ U SJ BJ R
2 0
4 0
<
1 0
<
<
3 0
<
4 0
5 0
<
3 0
< HL 4

26. Of The Remaining Officials Are Exactly As
Measurement Mechanics
Press Box FJ
Side and Field Judge
Clears Players Away
And Secures A New Ball
If Appropriate
The Mechanics
Of The Remaining Officials Are Exactly As
In A NFHS 5 Man Crew LJ FJ BJ R U SJ HL
4 0
<
3 0
<
2 0
<
1 0
< SJ
Back Judge
Takes Charge
Of The Box 2 2 HL BJ

27. Penalty Enforcement Mechanics
Press Box LJ FJ
Line Judge Stays At Enforcement Spot
Offensive Holding R BJ U
Linesman Marches Off
The Penalty
With The Umpire
From The Enforcement Spot
3 0
2 0
1 0
<
<
< HL SJ 2
All 3 Should Agree on Enforcement

28. During Game Responsibilities For Side Judge and Field Judge
Deals with all issues involving the game clock
Responsible for Time Outs and Timing between Quarters
Side Judge And Field Judge
During time outs, assists Linesman and Line Judge in returning team
to the field at the 15 seconds to ready-for-play whistle by the SJ
Acts as the apprentice to the HL or LJ and assists them whenever
possible
- Help with ball rotation, those coming out from the BJ and those
going in to the U SJ SJ FJ .

29. Ejections and Disqualifications
Record Player’s Team, Number, Name and Reason.
Call Ken Vest immediately after the game and give him the information. (256) ;
Fill out a written report by noon the following day. This is found in the Officials Member section at Under General Menu->Official’s Forms.
Responsibility is on the official(s) who made the call.

30. Odds and Ends
Crew is responsible for all errors: timing, penalty enforcement, downs, 12 players, etc.
Accurate Clock Operation is crucial for all games. Study Rule 3! Check clock operation before the game. Always be attentive while the clock is hot.
We are in the spotlight during penalty enforcements and measurements.
Study the rules! With HUDL, TV games, etc. errors on the field are recorded.