2015 OHSAA State Rules

Interpretation Meeting: Mechanics

WWW.OHSAAFB.COM

Officials must attend:◦ 4 Local Rules

Meetings &◦ 1 State Rules

Meeting (Online or Drive-In)

Meeting Attendance

Important that all officials study & use the Gold Book Mechanics so we can standardize our mechanics & improve consistency.

There are more “holes” in 5 man coverage than 7 man so these mechanics allow us to address these “challenges”.

OHSAA Gold Book

www.ohsaafb.com

Goal: Within 5 years, to be the #1 website in the world for HS FB officiating.

Over 14,000 site visits were recorded in 2015.

See P. 3 in the Gold Book for a description.

Football Website

OHSAAFB.COM

For 2015: ◦ Officials can wear either

the 1” or 2 ¼” stripe shirt. For Varsity Games ONLY all officials must wear the same style shirt.

◦ Officials can wear both the 1” & 2 ¼” stripe shirts for Sub Varsity Games.

◦ All Officials must wear the 2 ¼” shirt for all OHSAA State Playoff Games.

Uniform – Shirts:

For 2016: ◦ The 2 ¼” stripe shirt

must be worn for all games.

Uniform – Shirts:

For a Class 2 Official to work a Varsity Game the Crew must obtain permission from the OHSAAA Office.

There are NO exceptions to this Requirement.

State Requirements:

One or Both Penalty flags must be carried in the front only.

In 2016 Jackets can not be worn during the Game.

Uniform – Flags & Jackets:

Gold Book Rules Index Has over 300 Rules References.

NFHS Rules Book Index has less than 200 Rules References.

Rules Index

Mechanics Points of Emphasis

2015 Season

HS Teams throw the FB less than 15 YDS a vast majority of the time.

The average completion in the NCAA & NFL play is less than 10 YDS.

As a result there is no need for Wings to move downfield immediately at the snap.

Instead pause at the LOS & read the play.

Play Tendencies for HS FB Teams:

PM (R&R1): Pass In Flat – “Stay Home”

Turn to see Catch/No Catch

PM (R&R2): Short Pass – 5YD Drop

RUM: SL Run: Back Side Wing

New OHSAA Gold Book Mechanics

2015 Season

1. U: When the DBS is in the SZ, the U will hustle into the SZ, grab the FB, hustle to the HM & Spot the FB off the Back Side Wing. Then vary your IP laterally.

2. U: When it is raining or snowing cover the FB with a towel at the DBS.

3. BJ: When DBS is outside the HM, secure a new FB before measuring for a 1st Down.

Ball Handling Mechanics:

R/Wing: If the HC asks for a Coach/Referee Conference to discuss a Misapplication or Misinterpretation of a Rule, we MUST grant it.

Crew: We “stay out of trouble” by granting the Conference, & using Our Books if needed.

Crew: If the HC does not believe you, then show him in the Books. Use the Rules Index.

Coach/R Conference Mechanics:

The CT can be held early if both teams are ready. This is especially true in cold or inclement weather.

Coaches & players, who are not involved with the CT, must be outside the HM’s.

Players do NOT have to be in uniform for the CT. They can be in street clothes.

Coin Toss Mechanics:

1. Only the U will sound his whistle when the kick is either successful or not successful.

2. This applies to the Try-Kick also.

Field Goal Mechanics:

1. For 4 Man Mechanics the U’s IP will be on the EL.

2. For example, this will give us much better coverage when the ball is snapped on 8, 9 or 10 YL & the Receiver runs a “streak pattern” to or near the EL.

Goal Line Mechanics:

GLM: U’s IP

Eye Contact

1. Players do not have to be legally equipped until the Opening KO for Grades 9 – 12 or the ball is spotted for Grades 7 & 8.

2. R/HL (4 Man Mechanics): The R will wind the clock (2X) when the FB is caught or hits the ground between the far HM & his SL. The HL will wind the clock when the FB is between his near HM & SL.

KO Mechanics:

The Chain Crew cannot wear stripe shirts. It causes confusion when the LJ looks across field.

Measurement Mechanics:

1. U/HL/LJ/U: They need to move to a position to be a minimum of 5 YDS from the Catch.

2. Only many plays you need to move while the FB is airborne for a much better angle to see the “whole play”.

Pass Mechanics:

1. R: If TV Cameras are located on the SL opposite the PB then the R will give all Penalty Signals to both SL’s.

2. Crew: On a “Challenging” Penalty Enforcement it is IMPERATIVE that the R gives each Official the opportunity to talk, NOT just the Aggressive Official. Last year there were multiple times when the newer official had the right answer & the Crew did not listen!!

Penalty Enforcement:

1. NEW: If the Scoring Margin is 8 or less points then tell both teams to “defend themselves”.

2. If the Winning Team is ahead by 9 or more points & the Opponent is out of TO’s, or tells the Wing that we will not use our TO’s.

3. And the Winning team HC informs Crew that “we are going to take a knee” then implement Victory Formation Mechanics.

Victory Formation Mechanics:

5. Wing: Communicate with losing HC.

6. Crew: “Pinch in”. Be Assertive!

7. R/U: Inform A/B that A will take a knee.

8. R: Tell QB he Must take a knee.

9. QB: If he Fakes taking a knee, Unfair Act.

Victory Formation Mechanics:

Victory Formation Mechanics (VCM)

1. DQ: If a player or non player (coach, or replaced player) is DQ’d in a scrimmage, file an Ejection Report online. They are ineligible to participate in the Week 1contest.

2. Drones are prohibited during the OHSAA State Playoff Games.

3. During Weeks 1- 10 & Scrimmages the High Schools decide the Drone Policy.

Regulations:

1. It is Mandatory that the Crew meet with both HC’s at all levels of FB prior to the game.

2. In Sub Varsity Games Numbering Rules do not apply. Ask HC’s before the game if they have any players with ineligible numbers positioned in an eligible position.

3. Communicate during the game with both teams when this occurs in Sub Varsity Games.

Regulations:

Have a great 2015

season

QUESTIONS?