Manitowoc County Sports Officials Association

9/13/06 Football Meeting

Announcements / Games

Interesting Play

• 2nd and 10 from the 50 yard line. A1 runs to the 45 where he is tackled for a 5-yard gain. After the play, B1 piles on. Then A2 punches B1.

• What are the fouls?

• Where will the ball next be put into play?

• What down is it?

Ruling• The penalties are both dead ball personal fouls. B is penalized 15

yards from the end of the run (to the 30). A is penalized 15 yards (back to the 45). A2 is ejected.

• It will be first down for A at the 45 yard line.– 5-1-2 A new series of downs is awarded:

a. After a first, second or third down, a new series of downs shall be awarded only after considering the effect of any act during the down and any dead-ball foul by B.

– 10.2.4 SITUATION A: With third and 8 on B's 40, A1 advances to B's 35 where he is downed. B1 piles on and, almost immediately thereafter, A2 spears B1. RULING: Both dead-ball fouls will be penalized in the order of their occurrence. This is not a double foul. However, since the yardage penalties offset, the proper signals will be given and the line-to-gain equipment will be set first and 10 from B's 35 since the foul by B1 gave A a new series. However, if A2's foul had occurred first, it would not be a new series. If A2's spearing is judged to be flagrant, he shall be disqualified.

Signals1. S7 ("Dead ball foul" or maybe "after the play")

2. S38 ("Personal foul")

3. Point at defense ("on the defense")

4. S8 ("That penalty results in a first down.")

5. S7 ("Dead ball foul" or "after the play")

6. S38 ("Personal foul")

7. Point at offense ("on the offense")

8. S47 ("That player is ejected for fighting.")

9. March it off (again, possibly noting the yardage)

10. S8 (Yes, I would do this again here, probably saying simply "First down.")

Discussion?

Pre-Snap Check List• What down is it?

– Everyone signals everyone and all agree• What’s the game situation?

– 3rd and 1 or 3rd and 12– Different punter or QB suddenly in the game– Need to score– Need to run time off the clock or get out of bounds

• Where’s the LOS and Line to Gain?– Helps you determine if you should stop clock– Helps in case there is problem with the chain

• Clock Status– Running or stopped

• Help White Hat after penalty enforcement– How much time left

• Knowing this prevents big problems if clock fails

• Count Players – Every Single Play– Illegal participation foul is usually the officials’ fault– Who counts who?– Helps determine legality of last-second subs

• Note Subs Coming Into Game– Sub can’t run in play and then leave

• “Third and five from Team A’s 32. First down is at A’s 37. Clock is running with about five minutes to play. Number 43 brought in the play.

Discussion

Point of EmphasisGoal Line Plays

• These are the plays that count.

• Get them right.

• Be in position to do so.

• Requires teamwork.

Basic Goal Line Responsibilities Ball between the 20 and 10 yard lines

• Back Judge• Initial position is on goal line or within several yards of the

goal line (but always positioned deeper than the deepest defensive back). Move as the play dictates.

• Goal line responsibility on all plays. • Be alert. Be ready to rule on loose ball plays and on

recovery in the end zone. • Responsible for goal line on a running play when the line

of scrimmage is beyond the 10 yard line. • Protect the end line. Be able to determine whether a catch

of pass was made in or outside of end line. Watch for eligible receivers going over the end line before they catch or touch a pass.

Basic Goal Line Responsibilities Ball between the 20 and 10 yard lines

• Linesman and Line Judge• Stay near the sideline – you can pinch if possible.• Close in towards play only after you are positive the play

has gone into line or away from you. • When ball is dead on your side, mark forward point. • Do not give a signal (visual or verbal) until you are

positive you see a touchdown -SEE THE BALL CROSS THE GOAL LINE PLANE. If you are not sure if the ball crossed the goal line plane, move towards the ball ON THE FIELD SIDE OF THE GOAL LINE.

• Be prepared to assist the Back Judge on all plays, especially passes into the end zone.

• Back Judge

• Initial position is on end line. Move as the play dictates. • Be alert. • Be ready to rule on loose ball plays and on recovery in

the end zone. • Protect the end line. End line responsibility on all plays.

Be able to determine whether a catch of pass was made in or outside of end line. Watch for eligible receivers going over the end line before they catch or touch a pass.

• On pass plays to sideline, assist wing official in determining a catch, incompletion, fumble or player foul.

• Make sure to maintain good eye contact with wing official.

• Linesman and Line Judge

• Stay near sideline at start of play – can pinch if possible. • Line Judge moves towards goal line as soon as the ball

is snapped. Linesman will also move towards the goal line as soon as the ball is snapped inside the 5 yard line.– Move to goal line at snap and referee back to the ball.

• Close in towards play only after you are positive the play has gone into line or away from you.

• When ball is dead on your side, mark forward point.• Do not give a signal (visual or verbal) until you are

positive you see a touchdown -SEE THE BALL CROSS THE GOAL LINE PLANE.

• If you are not sure if the ball crossed the goal line plane, move towards the ball ON THE FIELD SIDE OF THE GOAL LINE.

• Be prepared to assist the Back Judge on all plays, especially passes into the end zone.

• Have goal line responsibility on all plays.

• ALL• ONLY the official who sees the touchdown should

signal touchdown. • Umpire and Back Judge rarely give touchdown

signal.• Do NOT mirror the touchdown signal of other

officials!

Discussion

IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW

• What do you know today that you wish you would have known your first year?– Don’t get too close– Hustle, don’t hurry– Don’t complicate the game

Odd Plays / Questions

Next Meeting

• October 4 - 7 p.m.

• Manitowoc County Office Building

• Good Night!