Dead Ball Officiating and Communication with players Definition

Dead Ball Officiating and Communication with players

Definition s Rule 2 -1 -1: A Dead Ball is a ball not in play. The ball is DEAD during the interval between downs. “ Avoid the tendency to relax… this is when disaster can strike. ” Jon Bible, Big 12, Referee of the 2008 BCS national championship game

Dead Ball Fundamentals • An official's whistle seldom kills the ball. It is already dead by rule. • No Live ball foul causes the ball to become DEAD. • A DEAD ball may become LIVE only by a legal snap or free kick. • Catching is ALWAYS preceded by touching of the ball; thus, if touching causes the ball to become DEAD, securing of the ball has no significance.

Dead Ball Fundamentals • A live ball foul followed by a foul by the opponents after the ball becomes dead IS Not paired as a double foul. • Penalty enforcement for any DEAD BALL, non-player, or unsportsmanlike foul is from the succeeding spot.

Primary Dead Ball Intervals ØBefore/After scrimmage plays ØAfter scores ØTimeouts ØDuring Penalty administration ØDuring measurements ØDuring Injuries ØBetween periods Review Rule 4 -2 -2 (a-k) for examples of when the ball becomes dead and the down has ended…

Communication →Sidelines →Crew →Players “ If we can’t communicate, we can’t officiate. ” Red Cashion, retired NFL Referee

Sideline Communications v. Good personal skills v. Communicate unusual rulings or problems w/players v. Maintain poise at all times. “Silence can never be misquoted”

Crew Communications § Communicate down and distance every play § Understand who you are responsible to count and signal count before every down begins. § Alert official of “who has responsibility for the game clock. ” § Alert official(s) of “who has responsibility for the goal line. ” § Repeated whistle blasts to alert crew of penalty marker.

Player Communications Ø Talk to players as they un-pile Ø Compliment players… “good tackle”, “good run”, “good sportsmanship” Ø The Umpire relationship with players is critical for crew success during a game!

Penalty Administration Rule 10 -2 -5: DEAD BALL fouls are administered separately and in order of their occurrence. Not coupled with live ball fouls or another DB foul to create double or multiple foul. Rule 10 -4 -5 -b: The basic (enforcement) spot is the SUCCEEDING spot for a DEADBALL foul.

Officiating the “HALO” • Covering official responsible for first ring. • Rings expand outward toward “off” officials. • Accordion effect- creates a presence of officials. Each play has 3 - “HALO’s” of Officiating Responsibility

Tips to improving your DEAD BALL officiating q. Spotting the ball… • • • Hustle but don’t hurry to the spot Good ball rotation Off-ball officiating q. Players going out of bounds… • Continue to watch players • Use the bean bag q. Digging for fumbles… • • • Only the closet official become the digger Actively locate the ball and determine who has possession Use good verbal techniques while digging, announce yourself to players