Mechanic Training Series 2020 NFHS RULE CHANGES Impact

Mechanic Training Series 2020 NFHS RULE CHANGES Impact on BJ & Back Judge Positioning August 4, 2020 Prepared/presented by Anthony Jenkins Gabe Quintana

2020 NFHS RULE CHANGES Defining Team Designated Representative for Penalty Decisions [1 -4 -1, 1 -4 -4 (NEW), 2 -32 -5, 3 -5 -2, 10 -1 -1, 10 -1 -2, 10 -2 -4] Prior to the game, the head coach will notify the referee of the designated representative (coach or player) who will make decisions regarding penalty acceptance or declination. BJs need to be Half-time Intermission Option Following Weather Delay [Table 3 -1 NOTES 2 (NEW)] aware of this rule § The halftime intermission may be shortened bychange. mutual agreement of opposing coaches if a weather delay occurs during the last three minutes of the second period. § 40 -Second Play Clock Clarification [3 -6 -1 a(1)e EXCEPTIONS 2 and 3 (NEW)] § To eliminate a potential timing advantage gained by the defensive team, the rules committee approved the play clock being set to 40 seconds when an officials’ time-out is taken for an injury to a defensive player or a defensive player has an equipment issue. Ineligible Receivers [7 -5 -12} § Ineligible team A players may advance into but not beyond the expanded neutral zone on a legal forward pass play before a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone is in flight.

2020 NFHS RULE CHANGES 25 -Second Play Clock Clarification [3 -6 -1 a(1)f (NEW)] § Disconcerting Act Penalty Reclassified [7 -1 -9 (NEW), 7 -1 -9 PENALTY (NEW), 9 -5 -1 d] § Following a legal kick when either team is awarded a new series, the play clock will be set to 25 seconds. Disconcerting acts or words by the defense has been reclassified from a 15 -yard unsportsmanlike foul to a 5 -yard foul. BJs need to understand this clarification. Spiking the Ball to Conserve Time (7 -5 -2 EXCEPTION) § The exception to allow a player to conserve time by intentionally throwing the ball forward to the ground immediately after receiving the snap, has been expanded to include any player positioned directly behind the center. This exception now includes snaps that are not hand-to-hand. 2020 POINTS OF EMPHASIS Sportsmanship Intentional Grounding Ineligible Downfield and Line of Scrimmage Formation, As of February 7, 2020

Training Objectives To develop consistency in our Back Judges (BJ) To ensure each Back Judge has a thorough understanding of the NFHS mechanics and what is expected of them. To establish the GMACFOA as the superior football officiating association in the State.

Mechanic’s Overview General Mechanics Good mechanics can save you in a very tight situation Bad or sloppy mechanics can get you in all sorts of trouble, its also unprofessional! Be consistent in calls – What you call early is what you call throughout the game. Only call fouls in your area of responsibility No Surprises Sell your call or get help Attitude/Mode Leave attitude at home Remember, there is NO “I” in Teamwork! It is not about you !!!

Mechanics by Game Activities Appearance/Arrival Officials Meeting/Pre-Game Coin Toss Kick Off Responsibilities Scrimmage Down Positioning Pass Coverage Positioning Scrimmage Kick (Punt) Scrimmage Kick (FG/Try) Goal Line Positioning (20 & 10 YD Line) Quarter Changes Time Outs Game Management Overtime Procedures

Appearance Dress Professional Well Groomed and Clean Uniform Arrival 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. When possible, arrive to the event BEFORE or at least 1 Hour prior to designated kick off time (7 & 7: 30 Starts) Make sure you have all your required equipment. Get dressed and meet with crew. Ensure you have a Stopwatch and/or a 25/40 second clock Confirm with Timer and R the correct time Radio check with crew 45 minutes before kick off complete a field inspection with LJ/HL 30 minutes before kick off meet attend R pre-game

Back Judge Pre-game Attend Pregame with Referee • Be responsive to R and listen to and write down all information obtained from the coaches/official’s conference • Be responsible for all timing situations (Timer) • Responsible for 25/40 second count and oneminute timeouts. • Bring a Positive and Polite Attitude • Assist R with checking game balls • Be Professional

Coin Toss – 3 minutes before Kick Off Post Flip Prior to and Coin Flip The Back Judge and the Line Judge are responsible to ensure that the captains are at their respective sidelines by three (3) minutes prior to the scheduled kick off. At conclusion of toss procedures and when captains have been dismissed, § all officials will meet on the 50 -yard line at the center of the field, BJ will remain at the sideline. § Restrict all other team members to their team box areas and well away from the vicinity of the toss. Review and write down what each team selected as their options, § Receive final instructions from the Referee. No team personnel should be on any part of the field during the toss. At Referee's signal, all officials will hustle to their kickoff positions at the same time – TROTTING!. The Back Judge will secure the ball that the kicking team will use to start the game. Back Judge should clear the sidelines before going to kickoff positions.

Kick-Off Duties Before kick: After kick: Take charge of ball. Time 25 second count. Go to the 40 yard line of the kicking team Be alert for first touching by K - mark spot with bean bag. Assist kicking team in getting into position. Watch illegal action on kicker and/or holder. Count K players and verify 11. Make sure there at least 4 K players on each side of the ball Be alert for a pop-up kick. Always hand the ball to the kicker. Instruct kicker not to kick until the Referee has sounded his whistle. Be alert for short kick which does not cross K's free kick line. Determine along with LJ the legality of the ball traveling 10 yards Stay with kicker until R releases you. Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out-of-bounds in your area: Relay signal to LJ to go to his/her sideline Move to a position just outside the sideline on K’s free kick line opposite the press box side on the Linesman's side of field. Be certain all non-team personnel are behind the limit lines and coaches and substitutes are in team box. Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready. If there is a dead ball foul, administer the penalty and place ball ready for play. § Bean bag if last touched inbounds by R. § Penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R or not last touched inbounds by R. Watch initial blocks by players in ten (10) yard zone and action against kicker and holder.

HL BJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 Area of Responsibility R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U LJ

Scrimmage Down 1. Always position yourself deeper than the deepest defensive back. 2. Normally taking a position no closer than 15 yds deep and no more than 20 yards deep. 3. When the ball is on an inbounds line (hashmark), position yourself no wider than the opposite upright. 4. Know your eligible receiver responsibilities. 5. Echo referee's down signal verbally and with an overhead hand signal back to the Line Judge and the Linesman. 6. Responsible for the 25/40 seconds play clock. 7. a) The GMACFOA mechanic is to raise and hold one arm straight overhead if the team has not snapped the ball at 10 seconds after the ready have elapsed; b) Count down the last 5 sec – arm extension c) Lower your arm at the snap or when the team has committed delay of the game. If the field clock malfunctions, the LJ will keep the game time and the BJ will continue keeping the 25/40 seconds clock.

Scrimmage Down 8. 9. Responsible for counting defensive team. a) Confirm count with Line Judge using an extended fist; once in agreement, drop hand. b) Observe that replaced players leave the field immediately. Keys a) b) 10. 11. unbalanced formation, key on the tight end on the strong side. balanced formation, key the end to the Line Judge's side. On outside runs to either side of field, a) move to a position so that the runner is between you and the Linesman/Line Judge, b) observing blocks ahead of runner. c) Be ready to help relay the ball to the Umpire On out of bounds plays - especially in the team areas, a) move into the area of the dead ball b) assist other officials with any illegal dead ball activities. 12. With the Line Judge, echo the Referee's signal (winding the clock) when he starts the clock 13. The Back Judge has responsibility for the end line.

Pass Coverage 1. Responsible to cover deepest receiver on the play 2. Do not let any player get behind YOU! 3. Key on tight end or end on strong side. a) If formation is balanced, key on end on side of Line Judge. b) Watch that the receiver is not held attempting to move downfield c) Watch the receiver for any illegally blocking or clipping defensive players (especially linebackers). 4. Be ready to rule on all passes at the end line and the goal line. 5. When ball is thrown, watch for interference by either team; 6. a) on passes between you and sideline, box the play in b) officiating from inside out c) assisting side official in determining if there is a catch, incompletion, fumble or any player foul. If ball is intercepted inside of the 5 yard line, be ready to rule whethere is a momentum exception if interceptor is downed in his end zone. a) Drop a bean bag at spot of on all interceptions inside the 5 yard line.

Unbalanced Formation

Scrimmage Kick 1. Initial Position is normally 7 to 10 yards wide of and slightly behind the deepest receiver on the Lineman's side of field. a) Be no closer than the hashmark with both different colored bean bags in your hand. 2. Count Team B Players. 3. When it appears that the ball will land in either the Line Judge's or Linesman's area, you are responsible for: a) Dropping one of your bean bags to indicate end of kick. b) Covering the play in the vicinity of the receiver and play behind the runner if the play is away from you. c) Being ready to take over runner if the return comes back to the middle of the field. d) Watching the action of the receiver who signaled fair catch and does not touch the ball ( prohibited from any blocking). 4. When it appears that the ball does not land in the Line Judge's or Lineman's area, you are responsible for: a) Moving into position ruling on validity of catch or signal, ruling on interference, and following the ball the way to the goal line if the receiver fails to field the kick. b) Being in position to rule on legality of any handoffs. c) Ruling on play of the ball into end zone; be alert for batting violations. d) Covering the runner until he enters another official's zone.

Scrimmage Kick/Punt 5. 6. On kicks caught inside the 5 -yard line, a) be prepared to rule on momentum, if the receiver is downed in the end zone. b) Drop a bean bag at the spot of the catch on any kicks caught inside the 5 -yard line. Be prepared to rule on touching of the kick by either team. a) If the Kickers are the first to touch the ball beyond the neutral zone, 1) b) 7. drop a bean bag at the yard line of 1 st touching, and continue to cover the play. If the Receivers are the first to touch the ball beyond the neutral zone and the kicking team recovers the kick, 1) signal time-out and whistle the play dead immediately – 2) the kicking team may only advance a fumble by the receivers beyond the neutral zone. When the play is completed and you are the covering official, point in the direction that the team next to snap will be advancing.

Scrimmage Kicks Positions

Scrimmage FG/Try 1. Back Judge and LJ/HL a) Take positions inside the 2 yard restraining line. b) Rule on success or failure of field goal and try attempts. c) Official nearest ball rules on play with the other official reflecting the signal. 2. Be alert for ball striking an upright or a cross bar. If ball strikes crossbar, the BJ is responsible for the ruling. 3. Break out into position to cover end zone in the event of a fake attempt and be ready to cover passes and runs as usual. a) The Back Judge will move to cover the end line and the Linesman/Line Judge will move to cover the sideline deep in the end zone. Example 1, w/ LJ Deep Example 2, w/ HL Deep

Basic Goal Line 1. Initial position is on goal line (but always positioned deeper than the deepest defensive back). Move as the play dictates. 2. Responsible for Goal line on all plays. 3. Be alert. Be ready to rule on loose ball plays and on recovery in the end zone. 4. Protect the end line. Be able to determine whether a catch of a pass was made in or outside of bounds 5. Watch for eligible receivers going over the end line before they catch or touch a pass. 6. ALL § ONLY the official who sees and rules the touchdown should signal touchdown. § Do NOT mirror the touchdown signal of other officials! Ball between 10 – 20 yard line

Goal Line 1. Initial position is on end line. Move as the play dictates. 2. Be alert. Be ready to rule on loose ball plays and on recovery in the end zone. 3. Protect the end line. Be able to determine whether a catch of pass was made in or outside of end line. 4. Watch for eligible receivers going over the end line before they catch or touch a pass. 5. On pass plays to sideline, assist side official in determining a catch, incompletion, fumble or player foul. 6. ALL § ONLY the official who sees and rules the touchdown should signal touchdown. § Do NOT mirror the touchdown signal of other officials! Ball between Goal line and 10 yard line

Time Outs Officials, Team, Injury, Water Break Position Responsibilities Position yourself in defensive backfield Observe Team location Do not huddle with other officials during T. O. interval. Time the dead ball period Give 2 - 3 tweets at 45 sec mark Indicate to referee that the time out period has ended. Use radio to communication with other officials

Quarter Change Position Responsibilities Find the spot of the clip Write down spot of clip Go to other end of field where clip is to be set Go to other end of field where clip will be set Wait for HL to bring chains Inform the HL of the new spot Verify the spot where the clip should go with the HL Time the 1 min interval Let Referee know when interval has expired Go to ready position

Measurements Position Hold the ball in place for the measurement Responsibilities Make sure the press box can see the measurement results Get new ball if necessary

Game Management Keep game moving – Minimize Dead Time Communicate with coaches in a positive and professional manner Be professional on the field ALWAYS! Preventive Officiating Goes a Long Way! Video on Back Judges Responsibilities https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=A 5 i. Xt. ZTwi. M 0

End of Game Meet as a group Leave the field together, promptly Questions/Concerns?