2017 FHSAA Football 7 Man Mechanics Notable Past

2017 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 R - 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. Mechanic For A Blocked Kick Or Snap Over R HL LJ The Kicker’s / Holder’s Head - 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 Judge’s U SJ BJ FJ Coverage On Scoring Kicks Clarified - 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 (S 13). 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 team B’s 20 yard line, the HL and LJ will have the goal line. 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 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 Press Box 5 Man Field Inspection - Releases R And U To Talk To The Coaches LJ X X X X 5 0 4 0 3 0 FJ R BJ U SJ 1 < HL < 3 0 < 4 0 < <1 0 < 2 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 R U Referee And Umpire - Talk to the head coaches - 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 SJ FJ - 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

Pregame Field Policing Cover The 45 Yard Line Zone - 4 Corners Version Press Box FJ LJ X X X X 4 5 4 0 3 5 BJ 1 SJ < HL 5 0 < < 4 5 < <3 5 < 4 0

Coin Toss Press Box Proper Positioning FJ Once you reach the hash, direct the captains forward then turn around and return to the sideline LJ T Score Board R U < 3 0 < 4 0 SJ 5 0 4 0 BJ T 1 HL < <1 0 < 2 0

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

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

Onside Kick Proper Positioning Press Box LJ BJ Did Either Team Did The Ball Touch The Ball? Go 10 yards? Hit The Ground? R <1 0 < 2 0 HL < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0 SJ U < Score Board FJ 1

Standard Play Press Box Standard Play Proper Positioning LJ FJ FJ, SJ and BJ will ALWAYS line up on a major yard line BJ R U 5 Yards Deeper Than SJ and FJ <1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 18 -22 Yards HL 1 SJ 5 0 4 0 < Score Board 18 -22 Yards

Inside The 25 / 20 Yard Line 25 / 20 – 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning Press Box FJ LJ At The Pylon R U On The Endline BJ <1 0 At The Pylon < 2 0 < 3 0 HL 1 SJ

Approaching The Goal Line > G 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning 5 - Press Box FJ LJLJ 5 Yard Line RR U BJ <1 0 HL HL 1 2 SJ < 2 0 < 3 0

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 To G Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 to G LJ Press Box FJ 3 Yard Line U BJ R <1 0 HL < 2 0 SJ < 3 0 2

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 – 5 Reverse Goal Line Mechanics 3 to 5 LJ Moves To G At The Snap LJ Press Box FJ 5 Yard Line U BJ R HL Reads The Play And <1 0 < 2 0 Moves To G If Appropriate HL SJ < 3 0 2

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

Collapsing Box Coverage Boxing The Play In The “Accordion” Principle Press Box LJ FJ X At The Snap, All Officials BJ, FJ And SJ “Accordion” In Move Back X X R U BJ < 3 0 SJ HL 1 <1 0 < 2 0 “Accordion” Principle - Dead Ball Officiating - Talk To Players < 4 0 5 0 4 0 - Break Up Confrontations - Make A Presence < 2 Score Board X LJ and HL Hold Position Square In X X Until The Ball At The Spot Crosses The Line

Long Run Down Sideline Press Box Keep Relative Positioning LJ At The Snap, BJ And Deep Wings Start Backing Up R U BJ Trailing < 4 0 <Get The Spot 1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 Official 18 -22 Yards SJ HL 1 Assume Clean Up Leading Goal Line Out-Of-Bounds Official Position 5 0 4 0 < Score Board FJ

Long Run Down Sideline Press Box Keep Relative Positioning - Don’t Run Over The SJ Or FJ LJ FJ R U BJ Trailing < 4 0 <1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 Official 18 -22 Yards SJ HL 1 Assume Leading Goal Line Official Position Signals Touchdown 5 0 4 0 < Score Board 2 Yard Line

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

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

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

Initial Keys Press Box “Stacked” Formation LJ FJ R BJ BJ U <1 0 < 2 0 < 3 0 < 4 0 SJ HL 5 0 4 0 < 1 Score Board No Formal Keys

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

Punt Mechanics Press Box Punt Proper Positioning LJ FJ 45 Yards BJ U 3 Deep Officials Stand On The Closest Major Yard Line 5 0 4 0 HL 4 SJ < 3 0 < 4 0 < <1 0 < 2 0 3 0 < Score Board R

“Reverse” Mechanics Press Box Reverse Mechanics - Occurs On Punt And Interception Returns, HL/SJ And LJ/FJ Duties Flip Assume Goal Signals R Has Goal Line Duty Touchdown Line Position LJ R FJ Leading Official Trailing Official <1 0 < 2 0 HL U < 3 0 < 4 0 BJ 5 0 4 0 SJ < Referee Shares Goal Line Duty (Don’t Get Beat) 3 0 < 4 Score Board 2 Yard Line

FG And Try Mechanics Press Box FG And Try Proper Positioning LJ FJ U R HL < 3 0 < 4 0 5 0 4 0 < <1 0 < 2 0 3 0 < 4 BJ SJ

Measurement Mechanics Press Box FJ 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 U < < SJ 2 Side Judge Takes Charge Of The Box HL 2 0 < 3 0 HL 1 0 < 4 0

Penalty Enforcement Mechanics FJ Line Judge Goes To Where The Foul Will Be Assessed To LJ Offensive Holding BJ R U < 1 0 HL 2 SJ < Head Linesman Marches Off The Penalty 2 0 3 0 With The Umpire From The Enforcement Spot < 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) 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 § 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” .