the basics of five- person mechanics jason s. capps pacific northwest football officials association
TRANSCRIPT
The Basics of Five-The Basics of Five-Person MechanicsPerson Mechanics
Jason S. CappsJason S. CappsPacific Northwest Football Officials AssociationPacific Northwest Football Officials Association
When the Offensive Team Assumes Their Formation:
• Check for eligible receivers in your “area”– Numbered 1 – 49 or 80 – 99– Are either on the end of the line OR legally behind the
line AT THE TIME OF THE SNAP.
• Find Keys – Intended to help determine coverage at the initial snap.
• After every play, be able to answer, “What did my key do on that play?”
Important Definitions
• Strength of Formation: determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle.
• Tight End: Man on end of line no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman.
• Back in Backfield: Player in backfield between the tackles at snap.
• Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle.
FIVE MAN MECHANICS – Back Judge
• BACK JUDGE HAS FIRST KEY– BASED ON STRENGTH AND NUMBER OF
RECEIVERS– USUALLY THE END ON THE STRONG SIDE.– TRIPS: IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO OUTSIDE
RECEIVERS– BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH
TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE
FIVE MAN MECHANICS- Linesman & Line Judge
• LINESMAN AND LINE JUDGE HAVE SECOND KEY– DO NOT KEY OFF THE SAME PLAYER AS BACK
JUDGE– STRONG SIDE - KEY STRONG SIDE BACK– WEAK SIDE - KEY OFF RECEIVER(S) TO YOUR
SIDE– TRIPS: INSIDE ELIGIBLE RECEIVER– BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH
TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE
• 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 side official in determining a catch, incompletion, fumble or player foul.
Back Judge
• Stay out of bounds on sideline. 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.
• Be prepared to assist the Back Judge on all plays, especially passes into the end zone.
• Have goal line responsibility on all plays. • Snap inside the “5”- Move towards goal line as soon as the ball is
snapped and “work back.”
Linesman and Line
Judge