2014 FHSAA Football 7 Man Mechanics

Notable Past Mechanics Changes

Coin Toss Mechanics Clarified (Adapted To FHSAA)

HL LJ BJ

- Following the coin toss, the HL or LJ should secure the proper game ball of the team kicking off and provide it to the BJ.

Referee Responsible For A Pass’ Direction Inside The 5 Yard Line If the ball is snapped on or inside B’s 5 yard line, the R is responsible for knowing if the pass is forward or backward.

R

Mechanic For A Blocked Kick Or Snap Over The Kicker’s / Holder’s Head

R HL LJ

- The R and the wing official he / she is facing will retreat to cover the ball and box in the play.

- The wing official on the same side as the R will remain on the line of scrimmage until that line is no longer threaten. As the play develops, he / she will then move to officiate the play.

Notable Past Mechanics Changes

Umpire, Side Judge, Back Judge And Field Coverage On Scoring Kicks Clarified Judge’s

U SJ BJ FJ

- On all trys and field goal attempts, the SJ should be positioned on the side of the defensive formation that has the most players.

If the defensive formation is balanced, the SJ should be on the side closest to the side line he / she came from (side opposite the press box).

Referee Microphone Mechanic For A Flag That Is To Be Disregarded - If a flag is to be disregarded, the R announces that there is no foul for (name of the violation, explanation or often no further explanation needed) and the disregard the flag signal is given (S13).

For example, “There is no foul for an ineligible receiver downfield, for the pass did not cross the line of scrimmage.”

R

Notable Past Mechanics Changes

Side Judge and Field Judge Positioning From 25 – Goal

SJ FJ

- The SJ and FJ will now be at the goal line pylon when the ball is snapped inside team B’s 25 yard line.

Head Lineman and Line Judge Motion Man Responsibility

HL LJ

- If a man goes in motion, observe him if he is on your side of the ball to ensure his motion is legal.

Head Lineman and Line Judge Reverse Goal Line Mechanics

HL LJ

- From the 3 yard line to goal line, both the HL and LJ move to the goal line pylon at the snap.

From the 5 yard line to 3 yard line, the LJ moves to the goal line pylon at the snap and the HL reads the play and moves to the pylon if appropriate.

Notable Past Mechanics Changes

Fake Field Goal Responsibilities

HL LJ BJ FJ

- When a fake field goal is attempted from a snap inside 20 yard line, the HL and LJ will have the goal line.

team B’s When a fake field goal is attempted from a snap on or outside team B’s 20 yard line, the BJ and FJ will have the goal line.

Umpire Positioning

U

- The starting position for the Umpire is on the side

opposite

the tight end, generally 5 – 7 yards (but not more than 8 yards) from the line of scrimmage. For non-scoring kicks (punts), however, the Umpire may be up to 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.

Pregame Mechanics

6:45 pm Officials take the field in uniform. At least 2 officials monitor the 45 – 45 yard line “no fly zone” Prior to 7:00 pm – Coach/Referee/Umpire meetings completed Note: If one team leaves the field – the officials may leave the field 7:23 pm FJ and SJ have captains on the 50 yard line by 7:25 pm 7:25 pm BJ and LJ bring teams to the field – home team should enter first 7:26 pm R and U enter together from the home side and take their coin toss positions 7:27 pm Coin toss 7:30 pm Kick Off

Walking The Field

5 Man Field Inspection Press Box - Releases R And U To Talk To The Coaches

LJ

X X X X X

FJ BJ R U

X

SJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0 <

HL

X 3 0 <

Pregame

Head Linesman And Side Judge

HL SJ

- Check the chains and down marker - Find your chain crew and brief them - Spot check the field with the chains (Make sure no 1 st and Goal from the 11 yard line) - Find your ball boys and brief them - Secure the game balls and make sure the Referee checks them - Introduce yourself to the coaching staff, especially the head coach Line Judge And Field Judge

LJ FJ

- Find your ball boys and brief them - Secure the game balls and make sure the Referee checks them - Introduce yourself to the coaching staff, especially the head coach Back Judge

BJ

- Be the police officer on the field. Patrol the 45 yard line zone and look out for unsportsmanlike behavior - Help the Umpire with getting adornments removed

Pregame

Referee And Umpire

R

- Talk to the head coaches

U

- Verify legality of equipment and players (Umpire) - Get the adornments off players - Approve game balls (Referee get with the LJ and FJ, HL and SJ), remember that Spalding ® balls must be used in the post season Side Judge And Field Judge - Find out from the Referee and/or Umpire who the talking captain is for your sideline’s team so you can line up the captains appropriately for the coin toss

SJ FJ

Pregame Field Policing

Cover The 45 Yard Line Zone - 4 Corners Version

LJ

Press Box

FJ

X X X X X X X

BJ

< 3 5 < 4 0 < 4 5

HL

5 0 4 5 <

SJ

4 0 < 3 5 <

Coin Toss

Proper Positioning Press Box

Once you reach the hash, direct the captains forward then turn around and return to the sideline FJ T R U LJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0

SJ T HL BJ

<

Coin Toss To Kick Off

Proper Positioning Press Box

LJ FJ BJ R U HL SJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0 <

K

Proper Positioning

LJ

Kick Off

Press Box

FJ R

Count R Ball To The Kicker

BJ K HL

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0

SJ

4 0 <

U

Proper Positioning

LJ

Onside Kick

Press Box

FJ BJ R HL

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0

SJ

4 0 <

U

Standard Play

Press Box Standard Play Proper Positioning

FJ

18-22 Yards FJ, SJ and BJ will

ALWAYS

line up on a

major yard line U BJ

5 Yards Deeper Than SJ and FJ

LJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 18-22 Yards 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0

R

4 0 <

Inside The 25 / 20 Yard Line

25 / 20 – 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning

FJ

Press Box

LJ

At The Pylon

R U

On The Endline

BJ SJ

< 1 0 At The Pylon < 2 0

HL

< 3 0

1

BJ

Approaching The Goal Line

Press Box

FJ LJ LJ

5 Yard Line

R R U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0

SJ 2 1

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 To G

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 to G Press Box

LJ

3 Yard Line

FJ U BJ R HL 2

< 1 0 < 2 0

SJ

< 3 0

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 – 5

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 to 5

LJ LJ Moves To G At The Snap

5 Yard Line

FJ

Press Box

R U BJ HL

1 0 < 2 0

Moves To G If Appropriate SJ 2

< 3 0

Counting Count Defense

Pre-Snap Duties

Press Box

FJ LJ

Count Offense

R U BJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Collapsing Box Coverage

Boxing The Play In The “Accordion” Principle

FJ

X X At The Snap, BJ, FJ And SJ Move Back

BJ

X

U LJ

X Press Box LJ and HL Hold Position X X Crosses The Line

R

< 1 0 < 2 0

SJ

< 3 0 “Accordion” Principle < - Dead Ball Officiating < 4 0 5 0 4 0 - Break Up Confrontations - Make A Presence

HL 1 2

Long Run Down Sideline

Keep Relative Positioning Press Box

FJ LJ

At The Snap, BJ And Deep Wings Start Backing Up

BJ U R

Assume Goal Line < 1 0 < 2 0 Leading Official

SJ

< 3 0 Official 4 0

HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Long Run Down Sideline

Keep Relative Positioning Don’t Run Over The SJ Or FJ

FJ LJ

Press Box 2 Yard Line

R U BJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 Assume Goal Line Leading Position Official

SJ

4 0

HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Pro Set

Initial Keys

FJ LJ

Press Box

R BJ BJ U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Double Wing

Initial Keys

FJ LJ

Press Box

BJ BJ R U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Trips Formation

Initial Keys

FJ LJ

Press Box

BJ BJ R U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Initial Keys

“Stacked” Formation

FJ

Press Box

LJ

No Formal Keys

R BJ BJ U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Double Tight End

Initial Keys

FJ LJ

Press Box

R BJ BJ U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

SJ HL 1

5 0 4 0 <

Punt Mechanics

Punt Proper Positioning Press Box

FJ LJ BJ

45 Yards

U

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 3 Deep Officials Stand On The Closest Major Yard Line 4 0 <

HL 4

3 0 <

R

“Reverse” Mechanics

Reverse Mechanics Press Box - Occurs On Punt And Interception Returns, HL/SJ And LJ/FJ Duties Flip R Has Goal Line Duty

LJ FJ R

Leading Official 2 Yard Line Referee Shares Goal Line Duty (Don’t Get Beat)

U

Trailing Official

BJ

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

HL 4

5 0 4 0 <

SJ

3 0 <

FG And Try Mechanics

FG And Try Proper Positioning

LJ

Press Box

FJ BJ U SJ R

< 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0

HL 4

5 0 4 0 < 3 0 <

Measurement Mechanics

FJ

Press Box Field Judge Clears Players Away And Secures A New Ball If Appropriate

FJ R BJ LJ

The Mechanics Of The Remaining Officials Are Exactly As In A NFHS 5 Man Crew 4 0 <

U

3 0 <

HL

2 0 < 1 0 <

SJ

Side Judge Takes Charge Of The Box

SJ 2 2 HL

Penalty Enforcement Mechanics

Press Box Penalty Enforcement - Checks And Balances (Opposite From NFHS) - CCA Holds The Official Calling The Foul Primarily Responsible For Making Sure The Enforcement Is Correct (Whole Crew Really Is)

FJ

Line Judge Goes To Where The Foul Will Be Assessed To

LJ

Offensive Holding

BJ

Head Linesman Marches Off

U

2 0 From The Enforcement Spot

HL SJ

<

2

1 0 <

R

All 3 Should End Up At The Same Yard Line With The Same Down

During Game Responsibilities

Side Judge

SJ

- Deals with all issues involving the game clock  Keeps the time on the field if the scoreboard malfunctions  Alerts the Referee of timing errors Side Judge And Field Judge

SJ FJ

- During time outs, take charge of instructing the teams to return to the field at the 15 seconds to ready-for-play whistle by the BJ - Take chief responsibility for communicating penalty information, time outs remaining, game developments, etc. to the head coach - 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 .

Odds And Ends

CCA 7 Man Mechanics – Sort Of - Use the positioning, coverage mechanics, keys, etc. - Ignore the sections of the book obviously addressing NCAA mechanics such as throwing your hat when players go out of bounds, the 40 second clock, etc.

Ignore the CCA “if in doubts”, they are opposite from the NFHS ones because they have instant replay to fix their mistakes while we don’t It’s only the mechanics, not the rules we are borrowing – it’s still NFHS rules Official Conferences - We now have 7, rather than 5 different opinions and views - Conference when you need to, otherwise keep your distance and positions Numerous conferences make it look like you don’t know what’s going on .

Microphone Mechanics

Sounding And Looking Professional - Practice, practice, practice  Say the words even in games you don’t have a microphone on you - Face the press box and STAND STILL There is no need to yell, that’s why you have a microphone - Speak in a conversational and unhurried tone - Be informative and concise, but not ridiculously brief “Rehearse” with the Umpire to know you have all the information before making a formal announcement (foul, down, ½ the distance, etc.) - Basic information includes:  Foul   Offense or defense / Kicking team or receiving team Yardage of the penalty  Down Use “Prior to the snap” or “After the conclusion of the play” rather than “Dead ball” Never say the number of the player or the player’s position, but when necessary you can say vaguely “the player involved” .