Transcript What To Do As A Headlinesman

PHILOSOPHIES OF OFFICIATING
LAKESHORE FOOTBALL
OFFICIALS FALL CLINIC
SEPTEMBER 2011
THE PROCESS
• Based on NCAA document
• Review of certain rules and situations
• Discussion and agreement on the
interpretation of those rules and situations
• Agreement on philosophy to act as a
guiding principle for all amateur football
officials in Ontario
THE PHILOSOPHERS
• Murray Taylor – OFOA President
50 yrs officiating / 40 yrs OUA Panel
• Al Kirkpatrick – OUA Referee
25 yrs officiating / 15 yrs OUA Panel
• Kevin Mickleboro – OUA Referee
26 yrs officiating / 18 yrs OUA Panel
• Murray Drinkwalter – OUA Referee
26 yrs officiating / 11 yrs OUA Panel
• Bill Szigeti – OUA Referee
13 yrs officiating / 7 yrs OUA Panel
• Kevin Baird – OUA Side Official
17 yrs officiating / 1 yr OUA Panel
• Ken Green – OUA R.I.C.
55 yrs officiating / 19 yrs OUA Panel / 21 yrs OUA RIC
DEFINITIONS
• Rule: One of a set of explicit or understood
regulations or principles governing conduct within
a particular activity or sphere
• Interpretation: An explanation or way of
explaining
• Philosophy: A theory or attitude held by a
person or organization that acts as a guiding
principle for behaviour
TOPICS
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Blocking & Holding
Line of Scrimmage
Pass Interference (Dpi & Opi)
Passing Situations
Kicking
Unnecessary Roughness/Rough Play/DQs
Miscellaneous
Rule Interpretations
• Each association across the country has their own
‘rules gurus’ that we depend upon.
• Each guru or association may have own
interpretation of a specific rule or situation.
• We need to leave here today all on the same page
to ensure consistency.
• Some may be controversial but we must agree.
BLOCKING AND HOLDING
• Holding, blocking, and takedowns at the
point of attack, those in the open field, and
those affecting the result of the play, create
special focus and will be called in these
situations.
• If there is a potential offensive or defensive
holding foul but the action occurs away
from the point of attack, and has no (or
could have no) affect on the play, holding
will not be called.
• For illegal blocks and blocks from the rear
the initial contact must be on the back. The
severity of the actions of the offending
player (push vs. block) defines the foul.
• Severe contact away from the play on a
player who is not defending himself, or is
not participating in the play shall be called
unnecessary roughness or RP.
• Blocks in the back away from the play shall
be called unnecessary roughness.
• Rarely will you have a hold on a double
team block unless there is a takedown, or
the defender breaks the double team and is
pulled back.
• If there is uncertainty as to whether an
illegal block occurs in the EZ or the FOP;
rule that it occurs in the FOP.
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
1. Offensive line players, tackle to tackle, must
have their head and shoulder within a yard of the
LOS at the snap.
2. The two ends on the line may not necessarily
have both shoulders within the yard.
3. Receivers, (not ends) in motion towards the
opponent’s goal line can be within 1 yard of the
LOS as long as he is not offside. This does not
affect the eligibility of any receiver.
4. Don’t be technical. If there is any uncertainty, it
is not a foul.
• Officials will work to keep linemen and
receivers legal and will call a foul only
when it is obvious or where warnings are
ignored. Don’t wait till the 4th quarter to
enforce rule.
• Work with both offensive and defensive
players early in the game to ensure they are
lining up properly. (pro-active officiating)
• Defensive linemen moving forward at the
snap must be in the neutral zone to be called
for offside. Moving forward on their side of
the neutral zone is not a foul. Defensive
line men who have entered the neutral zone
and are retreating at the snap of the ball
shall not be called for offside.
• When a defensive player moves into the
neutral zone and then retreats prior to the
snap and the offense moves, DOF will be
called only when it is the player(s)
immediately opposite of the defensive
action that is affected.
• Any illegal movement that draws the
defense offside shall be whistled dead. If an
offensive lineman obviously breaks his
stance or leaves early, the play shall be
whistled dead. Any situation where a
defensive player breaks the plane of the
LOS or makes contact with the opponent
prior to the snap shall be whistled dead.
• Any slight movement or rocking by an
offensive player that does not draw the
defense offside is not to be called.
• Formations during executions of a trick or
unusual play have the highest degree of
scrutiny and should be completely legal.
PASS INTERFERENCE
DPI - Actions that constitute DPI
include but are not limited to:
1. Early contact by a defender who is not
playing the ball is DPI provided other
requirements for DPI have been met and the
ball is deemed catchable. (Remember
“illegal contact”)
2. Playing through the back of a receiver in an
attempt to make a play on the ball.
3. Grabbing a receiver’s arm (s) in such a
manner that restricts his opportunity to
catch a pass.
DPI - Actions that constitute DPI
include but are not limited to:
Extending an arm across the body (arm bar) of a
receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a
pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the
defender is playing the ball.
5. Cutting off or riding the receiver out of the path
to the ball by making contact with him without
playing the ball.
6. Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the
ball in such a manner that it causes the receiver’s
body to turn prior to the ball arriving.
4.
Not DPI - Actions that do not constitute
DPI include but are not limited to:
1. Incidental contact by a defender’s hand,
arm or body when both players are
competing for the ball or neither player is
looking for the ball. If there is any question
whether contact is incidental the ruling
shall be no interference.
2. Inadvertent tangling of the feet when both
players are playing the ball or neither
player is playing the ball.
Not DPI - Actions that do not constitute
DPI include but are not limited to:
3. Contact that would normally be considered
pass interference, but the pass is deemed
uncatchable. It is still possible to have
other infractions such as holding.
4. Laying a hand on a receiver that does not
restrict the receiver in an attempt to make
a play on the ball.
OPI - Actions that constitute OPI
include but are not limited to:
1. Initiating contact with a defender by
shoving or pushing off thus creating
separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
2. Driving through a defender who has
established a position on the field. (i.e.
under thrown ball)
Not OPI - Actions that do not constitute
OPI include but are not limited to:
1. Incidental contact by a defender’s hand,
arm or body when both players are
competing for the ball or neither player is
looking for the ball.
2. Inadvertent tangling of the feet when both
players are playing the ball or neither player
is playing the ball.
Not OPI - Actions that do not constitute
OPI include but are not limited to:
3. Contact that would normally be considered
pass interference, but the pass is deemed
uncatchable. Pick play notwithstanding.
4. It is not OPI on a pick play if the defensive
player is blocking the offensive player when
the pick occurs.
PASS INTERFERENCE NOTES
1. If there is any question whether the player
contact is incidental, the ruling should be no
interference.
2. Defensive players have as much right to the
path of the ball as eligible offensive players.
3. Pass interference for both teams ends when
the pass is touched beyond the LOS.
4. Both players have a right to the ball and
there must be “an obvious intent to gain an
advantage” to rule pass interference.
P.I. - First and Ten Notes
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Screening is defined as having the hands
and arms above the shoulder level
interfering with the receiver’s view.
Screening then turning to look for the ball
is a foul.
Turning to look for the ball, then putting
hands up is not a foul.
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A defensive player who perfectly times putting
his hands up at the instance the ball arrives is
making a good defensive play.
When two players are both looking at the ball
and playing the ball, contact while attempting to
catch is not a foul.
On a pass that is underthrown, if a player tries to
come back and is prevented from doing so by a
player who has established position, no foul.
PASSING SITUATIONS
• If any pass is touched by any player prior to
crossing the LOS, normal PI rules apply.
Therefore if any pass is touched by any
player after the LOS, normal PI rules do not
apply.
• For the passer to be ruled beyond the LOS
when he releases the ball, his entire body
and the ball must be beyond the LOS. Must
be clearly obvious. Can be called by LOS
officials.
• If a receiver who is airborne controls the
ball and is either contacted or falls to the
ground on his own, in bounds, he must
maintain control of the ball through his fall
to be awarded a catch. (Must survive
contact).
• If he goes out of bounds without contact
rule incomplete.
• Special focus shall be given on defensive
action against the passer. The defender must
be under control. (Must see the whole
circumstance)
• Once the pass has been released, there shall
be no unnecessary contact on the passer, it
is a foul. The passer does not have to be the
QB.
• If there is uncertainty as to whether a pass is
complete or incomplete; rule as incomplete.
(Including behind the LOS)
• Any primary contact above the
quarterback’s shoulders with anything i.e.
hands, helmet, etc. is a foul. (should go for
any player in the open field, but must be
sure of the actions of the ball carrier)
• To rule on intentional grounding, the QB
must throw the ball away in an attempt to
avoid a loss. (Any one can call, but must be
discussed)
• Catch- If the ball touches the ground
simultaneously in the receiver’s hands the
pass is incomplete.
• Special focus to all hits on defenseless
receivers.
• If there is uncertainty on interceptions near
the goal line, rule that it occurred inside the
EZ
• To be ruled a catch the receiver must be
able to demonstrate and maintain firm
control of the football. If there is any
uncertainty, rule incomplete.
KICKING
• The kicker and holder are considered onside
on a kick off.
• If the kicker runs out from punt formation
prior to punting the ball he loses his
roughing protection unless he re-establishes.
Unnecessary roughness may still be called
if warranted, but not roughing the kicker.
• Special focus should be given to the
vulnerability of the punter when not in his
normal kicking position (UR)
• Remember illegal interference on the punter
prior to LOS.
• U.R. vs. Contact vs. Interference
END OF PLAY SITUATIONS
• The ground cannot cause a fumble but it can
cause an incompletion.
• If contact occurs before a runner has a foot
down OB, rule legal hit.
• Runner continuing down sideline: If
whistle has blown, runner has eased up, and
there is more than incidental contact
initiated by a defender, this is a foul. Be
alert and be sure any action is not part of the
initial play before calling a foul.
• A runner crossing the goal line inside the
pylon with the ball crossing outside the
pylon is a TD. (Ball in possession and in EZ
or ball must break the plane)
• If there is ANY uncertainty in your mind
that a ball carrier or any player steps out of
bounds, rule still in bounds.
• If a ball carrier is being held up or being
driven back, forward progress has stopped
and get on your whistle.
UNECESSARY ROUGHNESS /
ROUGH PLAY / DQ’S
• Unnecessary roughness is roughness that is
unnecessary.
• Rough Play must be a deliberate action.
• If action is deemed to be RP then the player
must be disqualified. If there is any
uncertainty, rule UR.
• Deliberate contact with the helmet in “such
a manner as to cause calculated injury” is
always a foul whether by offense or defense
and is RP.
• Fouls on any player after the ball is dead,
that are obviously late, must be called.
• Spitting on an opponent requires
disqualification. Classified as OC.
• ANY racial slurs require DQ. However, one
must be clear of the entire conversation.
Reports need be made.
MISCELLANEOUS
Taking Of A Knee
• Officials will be notified by Team A of
intention to take a knee.
• Officials notify Team B of the intent.
• Team B will be expected to notify officials.
of intention to play or respect Team A’s
intent.
• If Team B intends to play, Team A is
advised.
• Referee/Umpire awareness and proximity to
LOS is imperative.
• H.L. And L.J. Will move in from sidelines.
• Other officials move closer.
• Referee will remind QB to go directly to a
knee.
• One the referee sees a clear exchange of the
ball between the Team A centre and QB, he
will whistle the play dead.
• All officials will be attentive to the potential
of U.R.
Player Losing Helmet
• If ball carrier - blow the play dead.
Possession at PBD.
• If any non ball carrier loses a helmet during
the play officials are to use judgement
related to proximity of play action and
danger of injury before blowing play dead.
• Players who remove their helmet while on
the field to confront an opponent or official
– penalize as Objectionable Conduct.
• If any part of the ball is touching the goal
line, it is deemed to be in the end zone
whether it is going in or coming out.
• Side men don’t blow whistles on plays up
the middle if they don’t see the ball.
• Only the covering officials wind the clock
on a kick off
• Three step side line warning. First Sideman warns coach. Second - Sideman
goes to Referee and Referee warns coach.
Third- Throw flag and call OC. (do not have
rabbit ears)
• The ball can be placed on a yard line to
begin the next possession. At all other
times, the ball is placed where it is.
(Exception: If the change of possession
occurs on a 4th down running or passing
play, the ball will be left at the dead ball
spot to begin the next series.)
WRAP UP
• Study and know the rule book and
mechanics.
• Be professional, focused and give it your
best effort on field.
• Remember that the game you are officiating
could be that one player’s Grey Cup.
• Be confident and proud of what you do each
and every game, BUT check the ego!
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See the foul, find the ball, make the call!
If you THINK it is a foul, IT IS NOT.
If you THINK it’s a UR, IT IS.
Don’t blow you whistle if you do not see
the ball!
• Above all, work together as the third team
out there, communicate, get the job done,
but have fun!