Transcript Clipping/block in the back zone

Turnin´ it up a notch
By Einar Bolstad
NoAFF
NFLE LJ #150
This presentation deals with some things that, in
my mind, separates the good officials from the
even better officials.
This is based on my own game experience, things I
see when I review officials for EFAF and things told
to me by officials and instructors at different levels.
So, in no particular order, here are a few things that
I hope you already do, or will start doing.
• Assist in penalty enforcement
Too many times the crew leaves this completely to the
Referee, which is not correct. While the entire crew would
probably not be downgraded for an enforcement mistake, it is
a crew responsibility. The calling official should briefly
discuss penalty enforcement with the Referee, with the
Umpire listening in, and he will make sure the penalty is
correctly enforced. The Linesman will move together with the
Umpire when he enforces the penalty, and the Line Judge
will remain at the enforcement spot until the Umpire has
measured it off, and will then double check the distance. This
should ensure correct enforcement of all penalties.
• Back out to your position
Get into the habit of never turning your back on the
ball/players prior to the snap whenever possible.
• Always officiate the play to its full
conclusion, including dead ball action,
before geting a ball.
Stuff happens after the ball is dead. Make sure those players
in your area of responsibility are not candidates for fouling
before getting a ball. Officiating is your primary job, ball
handling is always secondary.
• Keep players in view after ruling on a score
Too many times you see officials thinking they have to freeze
in a TD signalling pose and look straight into thin air when
ruling a TD. Your job is still to officiate, just like any other
dead ball or out of bounds situation. Turn your head to follow
the players in the end zone or outside it. If necessary, turn
your entire body, as on any other out of bounds play. Your
signal will be visible no matter which way you turn. Same
thing applies on incomplete passes and similar situations.
• Wing officials, try to stay parallel to the
sideline as much as possible (side step)
It´s always best to face the play with your shoulders parallel
to the action. That gives you the best peripheral view and
gives you a better chance of seeing the whole play and
action around it. A nice side step motion also makes it easy
to transition to a nice and accurate square off when taking
the spot. However, if the play is getting away from you, do
turn to not get too far behind. If possible, try to get back to a
side step the last couple of steps.
• Be aware of when to use signals to sell the
call, and when it´s not necessary
Your signals must be clear and crisp. On tight calls, you
should use your body language and signals to sell the call. To
be able to sell the call on tight plays you must ”save” your
”big signals” until you actually need them. On normal
incomplete passes, 1 or 2 signals is enough and should be
given in a calm unhurried manner, preferably while standing
still. This makes you look calm and in control. Overselling
obvious calls puts you in the same position as the boy who
cried wolf. Add extra signals when necessary, such as a
catch signal, tap the ground, sweep arms out of bounds etc.
• Recognize post play situations when
tempers may flare and nip it in the bud
After a big play, a hard hit or similar, players sometimes tend
to get in each others face. You need to be aware of situations
when tempers may flare and move to a position where they
can see you, getting between them if necessary, thereby
detering them from fouling. Another prime example of when
you should show your stripes is when a WR and DB jog back
towards the LOS after an incomplete pass. Many times, the
DB will try to get into the WR´s head, sometimes even
taunting him. Deep officials should get between them and jog
back with them for a while, until they split up.
• Use cross field mechanics if working on a
sideline
Using cross field mechanics is the mark of an experienced
official. On some plays involving a catch and progress, often
close to a sideline, it can be difficult for that official to get a
good spot. The official on the other side can have a flatter
angle and can be able to more accurately judge the receivers
progress. The backside official should take progress and
show the playside official that he has a spot by moving
clearly into the field, up to the hash if necessary. Playside
official must recognize potential cross field situations and be
ready to look for it. Nevertheless, he must be prepared to
take a spot of his own.
• Know the number(s) of your key(s), and
preferably the player facing him
This makes it easier to clarify post play questions regarding
formations, such as who was eligible on a SKF play.
Remembering players number can make it easier to get the
number in case he fouls. You must also always know if your
key can legally block low and in or not, and be able to tell
other officials about this after the play.
• Wing officials should ”program” the
distance to the LTG before the snap
This aids you in stopping the clock when it should and the
mental preparedness might also help in spotting the ball.
Remember, in our mechanics, the LTG should be treated as
the goal line mechanically for the wings on 3rd and short
(and 4th and short when going for it). To be able to move to
the line while watching the action means that you must know
where it is before the snap.
• U should keep R informed of the result on
long plays
The R may not, and often should not, know what the result of
a long play was, completion, score, interception and so on.
The Umpire can help him out and keep him informed.
• Take pride in getting the clock right on
close sideline plays
The clock is very important. As a wing or deep wing, you will
have many plays that involve the sideline. You must get the
clock status correct on these plays. If the ball is dead close to
the sideline (and clock should continue to run), about 3 yards
or less, give the wind signal.
• Wing officials must help R with clock status
on first down plays ending near the sideline
The R will often not know if the runner went out of bounds on
a play resulting in a first down close (in or out) to a sideline.
The covering official must communicate this to the R. He
should, without R asking for it, use supplementary signals to
inform him if the clock is to be started on the snap (OOB) or
on the RFP (inbounds). He can also help signal this by
spotting the ball clearly out of bounds or inbounds.
• Do not rush calls where other officials´
angles can be important
Often, especially on a larger crew, most plays will be covered
by officials from several angles. If unsure, do not rule on the
play until you have checked with other officials if they have a
better angle. Eye contact is often sufficient, so this may take
no more than a second, but can save the crew from an
embarrassing situation or even an incorrect ruling.
• Clean up behind the play
Officials finding themselves on the backside of a play or
trailing far behind can not relax. Instead, they must pick up
blocks and hits behind the play. On a run away from the wing
official, he could be in the best position to see for example a
clip against a pursuing defender. He could also pick up a hit
against the QB fading away after a hand-off. On long plays,
R will have clean up. On a long return, BJ would get the
same job, after the play has moved away from him
sufficiently.
• Indicate direction after change of
possession
After COP in your area, you must, after you stopped the
clock, signal direction. Be sure not to make a premature or
incorrect signal but you must let everyone know what
happened. You are also responsible to make sure the
Referee gets informed as he often will not know what the
result of the play was.
And some bigger things...
• Use reverse mechanics properly
When there is a change of possession, L/LJ switches
mechanics with FJ/SJ and preferably, they'll keep the normal
cushion. In order for a reverse mechanic situation to be
officiated properly, it's important that this is done correctly. If
not, blocks ahead of the play and the goal line will not be
handled correctly.
• HL/SJ and LJ/FJ (and BJ) keep their cushion
To ensure that all plays are boxed in and that the goal line is
covered, the deep officials must keep their distance, approx.
20 yards (BJ 25 yards), during the play. The first step of a
FJ/SJ/BJ should be backwards, until you get a good read of
the play. If it's a running play, slow down and read how it
develops. Sometimes it's best to freeze during a run, but be
sure you read it properly. If it's a pass play, keep moving
ahead of the play. If you are standing still while the ball is in
the air, except if you are on the GL/EL, it might be to late to
get in position.
• Keep your head up and get a wide angle
view if possible after the play
Too often, late hits, especially players hitting opponents
around the pile, are missed because the official spotting, and
other officials, are too focused on the spot and the players in
the pile. Yes, the runner must be protected from late hits, but
don't forget the other players around the pile. Most of these
hits that we miss are made by the offense.
• Keep your sideline clear
You are in charge of your sideline and you must keep it clear.
This is necessary to give yourself the space you need to
officiate the play without running the risk of running into
someone and miss something, or even getting injured. This is
also a safety rule that protects all participants from injury.
Don´t throw a flag if they move back when asked before the
play, but don´t be afraid to use a Sideline Warning either.
Running into someone in the 6 foot area during the play
should result in an immediate flag.