08/23/10 Plays wrongly penalized and plays in which there should have been a penalty called
1. Too many men down on a punt, 2. first touching by the kicking team on a kick-off that only goes 8 yards, 3. pass interference called on a pass which does not cross the line.
1. High pooch kick on a kick off and the receiver is blocked out of the way and the ball is caught by a member of the kicking team, 2. The QB is outside the tackles and throws the ball away
10/24/08 Clock Adjustment/Time-out
I learned something at a JV game that I worked last night and I wanted to share it with others. We had a clock issue with less than 2 minutes to go in a very close game. With 1;28 on the clock," A" ran a play that took approximately 6 seconds. Unfortunately the clock did not start and at the end of the play, the coach for "B" called time-out. He was frustrated as he watched me wind the clock to run off 6 seconds. I was winding and trying to tell him why but I'm not sure he heard me. His assistant made a commit which resulted in a 15 yard penalty. Question... Could this situation have been handled better by "yours truly?" YES... I wish that I could take credit for this but the truth is that the Athletic Director at school "B" suggested this to me during our conversation this morning; Grant and signal the time-out first. Then explain to the head coach from each side exactly what happened and that the clock would be adjusted accordingly. Had I done this, I am convinced there would have been less frustration and no penalty. Sportsmanship from the coaches and players had been great all night.
10/21/08 1st and 10
I had this play during a game this past Sunday; A has the ball 3rd and 3 on B's 25 yardline when B encroaches. Moments later and prior to the ready for play, there is an unsportsmanlike foul against A. Taking the fouls in the order that they occurred gave A a first down on B's 20 but then the 15 yard penalty against A moved the ball( and the chains) back to the 35 yardline of B where it was 1st and 10 for A.
10/13/08 Expanded Neutral Zone
It is important that we know when and why we have an expanded neutral zone. This past week there was a situation that involved a scrimmage kick. We do have an expanded neutral zone during scrimmages kick ( maximum 2 yards from the ball towards the opponents goal ) for the following reason: see rule 6 section 2 article 6... the officials will ignore the touching of a low scrimmage kick by any player who is in or behind the expanded neutral zone. After any ignored touching in or behind the expanded neutral zone or if there is no touching of a low kick in or behind the expanded neutral zone, when the ball comes down beyond the neutral zone (there is no expanded neutral zone at this point) and is muffed by a member of R, whom ever recovers the ball will have a new series awarded to them. Now, I know that was one long "run on sentence" but here's how you can get messed up: K goes back to kick on 4th down and the kick is partially blocked behind the expanded neutral zone. The ball carries over the neutral zone some 8 to 10 yards where it is muffed by R back towards the K line of scrimmage. It is recovered by K in the area that moments earlier was the expanded neutral zone. The official got confused thinking that because the ball was recoved in the "expanded neutral zone", the touching by R should be ignored. R was incorrectly awarded a new series. The thing to remember here is that once the kick touches any member of R ( other than the low scrimmage kick situation described above ) whomever recovers the ball will be awarded a new series ( even if the ball bounces back behind the original scrimmage line. Also, if the muffed ball does bounce back behind the line, K can pick it up and run. They will have a 1st and 10 at the point at which K is tackled or run out of bounds.
10/11/08 Illegal shift along with a legal forward pass( spike ) to stop the clock
This happened to us last week and I thought it would be good to put this on my site: With 5 seconds to go in the game, A was trying to get lined up to spike the ball as they were out of timeouts. Some of the A players did not get set but they did legally spike the ball. We penalized for an illegal shift( live ball ) and with 3 seconds left the clock started with the snap. The thing to remember here is that the penalty was not what stopped the clock. It was the " incomplete pass."
10/11/08 Point After Attempt
Here is what we need to remember for an apparent kick for the point after: The snap may force the holder to rise such that his knee is not on the ground and as long as he goes right back down he may hold for the kicker OR he may rise and run or pass. If the snap is good and the holders knee remains on the ground, he has the same options as just stated. If, however, the snap is fumbled, muffed away such that the holder has to get up and go get it, going back down to his knee results in THE BALL BECOMING DEAD!!! Also, remember that the holder must rise off of his knees before he can pitch, hand, of pass the ball. If he does not rise, the play is blown dead. ( case plays 4.2.2 )
10/03/08 Unfair Acts
Please note the comment under 9.9.3 of the case book which states; "Football has been and always will be a game of deception and trickery involving multiple shifts, unusual formations and creative plays. However, actions or verbiage designed to confuse the defense into believing there is a problem and a snap isn't imminent is beyond the scope of sportsmanship and is ILLEGAL". As you read the play, you will notice that the play was allowed to finish but the penalty was enforced as a dead ball, previous spot 15 yard unsportmanlike conduct PRIOR TO THE SNAP foul. Please note that there is NO option as to taking the result of the play as the play " never legally took place."
09/30/08 Mistakes in Penalty Enforcement and Rule Interpretations
We have had some rather unique rule interpretations and I am not really sure what materials are being studied by those dissiminating the WRONG information.
1. It is not a penalty for the Kicking team ( on a kick-off ) to recover an untouched ( by R ) kick that has not gone 10 yards. It simply belongs to R at that spot.
2. We have NOT eliminated the option to " defer " for the team that wins the toss.
3. It is ALWAYS Kick Catching interference when a free kick ( as in a kick-off ) is airborne and has not touched the ground or a member of R, and is touched or caught by a member of the kicking team. R may take an awarded fair catch, result of the play or replay the down with a 15 yard penalty on K. NOTE: R may signal for a fair catch on any free kick and the whistle should be blown IMMEDIATELY when the ball is secured.
4. When a team intercepts a pass and after the interception both teams commit live ball fouls, the intercepting team may retain the ball provided they refuse the live ball penalties against their opponent. Example: B1 intercepts A's pass on B's 5 yard line. B2 blocks in the back on B's 10 yard line and A1 tackles B1 on the 50 yard line but inadvertantly pulls his face mask. B must refuse the face mask penalty to keep the ball. It will be first and 10 on B's 5 yard line.
BMOA Football Quiz (Thanks to Ken Beaudin and all the folks from Bay Metro!!)
60 questions, 30 will be True/False and 30 will be Multiple-choice.
First 30 questions are True/False
1: After touching the ball, the snapper may remove both hands from the ball. T F
2: When a false start occurs just prior to the snap, the official shall sound his whistle immediately. T F
3: A back may not wear a jersey with a number 50 through 79. T F
4: If a runner uses an open hand on an opponent’s face mask to ward off a tackle, it is a foul. T F
5: The runner cannot commit a spearing foul. T F
6: If a teammate lifts or pushes the runner, it is a foul which carries a 10-yard penalty. T F
7: Any forward pass purposely in completed is an illegal pass. T F
8: Touching of a forward pass by B41 causes pass interference restrictions to end and all Team A players to become eligible. T F
9: A pass thrown backward out of bounds to stop the clock is an illegal pass. T F
10: Any kicker may recover a free kick if it has touched the ground and has also gone beyond the plane of Team R’s free kick line. T F
11: A legal scrimmage kick can only be made from behind the neutral zone before team possession has change. T F
12: Any scrimmage kick out of bounds between the goal lines or out of bounds in the end zone belongs to the receivers. T F
13: If during the last timed down of the first period K23 commits kick-catching interference and Team R accepts an awarded fair catch the period shall be extended. T F
14: If stopped, the clock will start with the ready play signal for other then a free kick when the action which caused the down to end did not also cause the clock to be stopped. T F
15: Charged team time-out shall be reduced in length if both teams are ready to play before the ready-for-play signal. T F
16: It is roughing to charge into the kicker when contact is avoidable. T F
17: If a player is charged with an unsportsmanlike foul because of a prolonged or excessive act, he must also be disqualified. T F
18: It is not a foul if a player accidentally contacts a loose ball with his hand. T F
19: It is a touchback if A28 fumbles on Team B’s five yard line and B11’s muff forces the loose ball into Team B’s end zone and out of bounds beyond the end line. T F
20: On kicks entering Team R’s end zone and becoming dead there, the determination of force dictates whether it is a touchback or a safety. T F
21: If A31 fumbles on Team B’s two yard line and the ball rolls through the end zone and over the end line, it is a touchdown for Team A. T F
22: If substitute B42 enters the field as the 12th player during a down but does not participate or influence the play, it is a non-player foul. T F
23: A player may be withdrawn and reenter during the same dead ball interval if the period ends during the dead ball interval. T F
24: If a replaced player is unable to leave the field prior to the snap, it is an illegal substitution foul if he does not participate nor affect play. T F
25: If A7’s pass is caught by A82 and there is an unnecessary roughness foul against A7 after the catch, it is a foul during a loose-ball play. T F
26: A non-player foul penalty is enforced from the same spot as a dead-ball foul. T F
27: When the momentum exception is in effect, the end of the run for purposes of penalty enforcement is the spot of the catch. T F
28: If an inadvertent whistle sounds but the penalty for a foul which occurred prior to the whistle, the inadvertent is ignored. T F
29: Relative to ball choice when there has been no change of possession, the try is not considered to be part of the previous series in which the touchdown was scored. T F
30: Any equipment which the umpire rules dangerous or confusing is illegal. T F
Second 30 question will be Multiple-Choice select all possible correct answers.
1: Standing in his end zone, R27 catches the kickoff and hands the ball forward to R30 who crosses the goal line and is tackled at the 12 yard line.
(a) First and 10 for Team R at the six yard line.
(b) First and 10 for Team R at the 10 yard line.
(c) Safety; two points for Team K.
(d) First and 10 for Team R at the 20 yard line.
2: On a third down play, A43 fumbles short of the line to gain. The ball crosses the line to gain before going out of bounds, last touched by B41.
(a) First and 10 for Team A at the out-of-bounds spot.
(b) Fourth down at the spot of the fumble.
(c) First and 10 for Team B.
(d) Clock starts on the ready.
3: With the game clock running, Team K is in a scrimmage kick formation with fourth and eight at Team R’s 35 yard line. The 25-second clock expires. Team R declines the penalty for the delay-of-game foul.
(a) Because the penalty is declined, the clock must start on the ready-to-play signal.
(b) Because the penalty is declined, the clock must start on the snap.
(c) The clock must start on the snap, regardless of Team B’s decision.
(d) Had Team B accepted the penalty, the clock would start on the ready.
4: A47 is beyond the neutral zone when he is blocked below the waist by B28. The block forces A47 out of bounds. He returns immediately, catches a legal forward pass, and is tackled inbounds at Team B’s 36 yard line for a 20 yard gain.
(a) Double foul.
(b) No foul by Team A; A47 may still participate after being blocked out of bounds.
(c) If B28’s block is in the front it is legal.
(d) The penalty for B28’ foul is in the front it is legal.
(e) The penalty for B28’s foul is enforced from the end of the run at the 36 yard line.
(f) The penalty against Team B includes a automatic first down
(g) The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal.
5: B76 commits a substitution infraction at the snap on a play where A42 runs for a touchdown. After the ball is dead, A62 commits a personal foul.
(a) The penalty for B76”s foul may be enforced on the try or the kickoff.
(b) The penalty for A62’s foul may be enforced on the try, but not on the kickoff.
(c) Double foul—replay the down.
(d) Team A must decline the penalty for the illegal substitution foul to count the touchdown.
(e) The penalty for B76’s foul is obviously decline.
6: Second and 18 at Team B’s 40 yard line. After throwing a legal forward pass, quarterback A12 is roughed by B61. A84 catches the ball and runs to Team B’s six yard line where he fumbles. B12 recovers the fumble, advances the ball to his 28 yard line where he fumbles. A29 recovers and is downed at the 30 yard line.
(a) Team B is penalized from the previous spot.
(b) Whether A84 catches the ball behind or beyond the neutral zone is a factor in determining the enforcement spot.
(c) Team B is penalized from the six yard line.
(d) Team B is penalized from the 28 yard line.
(e) Team B is penalized from the 30 yard line.
(f) The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal.
7: Second and 12 from Team A’s six yard line. Quarterback A19, in his end zone, is unable to find an open receiver. Under a heavy rush he throws the ball away. His forward pass in flight hits lineman A71 in the back, also in his end zone, and falls incomplete.
(a) Safety and two points for Team B: no option.
(b) A71 is guilty of illegal touching and the penalty is enforced from the previous spot.
(c) Team B may decline the intentional grounding penalty and have the ball next put in play at the previous spot.
(d) If the foul occurred in the field of play, the loss of down provision would apply.
8: Team K’s field goal attempt strikes K36 beyond the neutral zone at Team R’s 13 yard line and rolls into the end zone. R48 picks up the ball, tries to advance it out of the end zone put fumbles. The ball is recovered in the end zone by K75.
(a) Foul by Team K for touching the field goal attempt.
(b) Touchdown.
(c) First touching by K36.
(d) The ball is dead as soon as it touches the ground in the end zone.
(e) The ball belongs to Team R at its 20 yard line.
9: On third down and 17, A2 drops back to pass and is sacked for a seven yard loss. During the play linebacker B63 holds eligible receiver A84 10 yards beyond the neutral zone.
(a) 15-yard penalty against Team B for fouling an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone.
(b) The penalty is enforced from the previous spot.
(c) The penalty is enforced from the end of A2’s run.
(d) 10-yard penalty against Team B.
(e) Automatic first down for Team A.
(f) Third down and seven.
10: Wide receiver A80 blocks the safety downfield just as quarterback A18 throws a legal forward pass. B10 intercepts and returns the ball for a touchdown.
(a) No carry-over because penalties for Team A fouls are never carried over.
(b) Team B may keep the touchdown and elect to have the penalty for the offensive pass interference foul enforced on the kickoff.
(c) The penalty will be enforced on the try.
(d) The penalty is obviously declined.
11: A12 throws a legal forward pass to eligible A30 who catches the ball and then fumble. B23 recovers and returns the ball to his 39 yard line where A42 tackles him by twisting the face mask. B71 blocks below the waist during B23’s run.
(a) Since both fouls occur after the change of possession, they must off set and the down must be replayed.
(b) Team B may decline Team A foul and keep the ball after enforcement of the penalty for B71’s foul.
(c) B71’s block is enforced from the spot of the foul.
(d) B71’s block is legal since it is not during a kick play.
12: Second and seven at Team A’s 35 yard line. After a running play ends inbounds at Team A’s 40 yard line.
B79 and A63 are flagged for fighting. It is not possible to determine who threw the first punch.
(a) The penalties cancel; third and two at Team A’s 40 yard line.
(b) The penalties cancel; first and 10 for Team A at its 40 yard line.
(c) B79 and A63 are ejected.
(d) The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal.
13: A32 is split far toward the sideline and is in motion toward the ball at the snap. A quarterback sneak play has taken the ball beyond the neutral zone when A32 blocks linebacker B57 from the front at the knees. A32 is three yards beyond the neutral zone when he makes his block.
(a) Illegal block below the waist.
(b) Because the ball had already crossed the neutral zone this is a legal block.
(c) Blocking from the front is always legal in the free-blocking zone.
14: To start the first overtime series, B23 intercepts a forward pass at his own four yard line and his momentum carries him into the end zone. He carries the ball out of the end zone and is tackled at the three yard line.
(a) Safety; two points for Team A.
(b) Team B’s ball at the four yard line.
(c) Team B’s ball at the three yard line.
(d) Team B puts the ball in play at the 10 yard line to start their series.
15: B69 is the nose guard lined up directly opposite the center and A27 the right tackle. After the ready and before the snap, B69 lurches into the neutral zone. Simultaneously with B69’s first movement, A72 flinches and lifts his hand from the ground. The official’s cannot determine who fouled first.
(a) The officials stop the action and then the referee again declares the ball ready for play.
(b) False start by A72.
(c) Encroachment by B69.
(d) Clock starts on the snap.
(e) Clock starts on the ready.
(f) Clock starts on the ready only if it were running at the time the officials stopped play.
16: On first and 10, Team A’s quarterback runs beyond the neutral zone, retreats behind the neutral zone, and throws a forward pass from his 40 yard line. B37 interferes with eligible A86 who catches the pass and runs for an apparent touchdown.
(a) Double foul for A’s illegal forward pass and B37’s pass interference.
(b) Team A is penalized five yards from the 40 yard line plus loss of down: second down from the 35 yard line.
(c) The clock starts on the snap.
(d) No foul by B37; defensive pass interference cannot be called on an illegal forward pass play.
(e) The penalty is obviously declined.
17: Team K’s third down punt is blocked. The ball goes out of bounds short of the line-to-gain.
(a) Team R’s ball at the out-of-bounds spot.
(b) Team K’s ball, fourth down at the out-of-bounds spot.
(c) Whether the ball crosses the neutral zone is a factor in the result of this play.
(d) Team K will get the ball if Team R touches it before it goes out of bounds.
(e) The clock will start on the snap.
18: Team K snaps the ball at Team R’s 40 yard line and punts. During the kick, R39 clips at his 26 yard line. K30 reaches across the plane of the goal line into the end zone and bats the ball backward and out of bounds at the four yard line.
(a) Double foul. Replay the down.
(b) Team R may decline Team K’s foul and retain the football by having its clipping penalty administered; first and 10 for Team R from its two yard line.
(c) Award Team R a touchback.
(d) K30’s batting in the end zone is a violation whose privileges are not canceled by acceptance of a penalty.
19: On a third down play lineman A70 runs three yards beyond the neutral zone without contacting an opponent. He then circles back behind the neutral zone before A3 throws a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone. The ball is caught and the receiver tackled inbounds.
(a) Ineligible receiver downfield.
(b) Clock starts on the ready.
(c) Legal play—no foul.
(d) Had A70 contacted an opponent downfield he could have been guilty of offensive pass interference.
20: K21 is in his end zone to punt the ball. He muffs the snap, the ball strikes the ground, and R87 bats it. The ball strikes a pylon at the intersection of the goal line and a sideline.
(a) The result of the play is a safety.
(b) Foul by B87 for batting the ball.
(c) The penalty for R87’s foul is enforced from the goal line.
(d) The penalty for R87’s foul is enforced from the previous spot.
(e) The penalty for R87’s foul is enforced from the 20 yard line.
(f) The penalty for R87’s foul carries an automatic first down.
21: B32 intercepts Team A’s legal forward pass. He advances, fumbles, and the ball is recovered by A20 who is tackled inbounds.
(a) The clock starts on the ready.
(b) The clock starts on the snap.
(c) The continuity of downs is broken and Team A has the ball first and 10.
(d) The down and distance depend on where A20 was tackled relative to the line to gain.
22: Team K’s scrimmage kick crosses the neutral zone and is caught by deep receiver R29 at his 18 yard line. R29, who doesn’t hear the whistle and is unaware that short receiver R38 has given a valid fair catch signal, carries the ball for several yards and steps out of bounds.
(a) No foul since R29 was unaware of his teammate’s signal.
(b) Dead-ball foul: Team R’s ball, first down and 15 at its 13 yard line.
(c) R38’s signal is illegal since he did not catch the ball after signaling.
(d) It would have been legal for R29 to block after R38’s signal.
(e) Dead-ball foul: Team R’s ball, first down and 10 at its 13 yard line.
23: On fourth down, K21 is in deep punt formation to receive a snap from his own 21 yard line. At his six yard line, he muffs the ball and, to prevent the defense from recovering, bats the ball backward into and out of the end zone.
(a) The result of the play is a safety.
(b) Team R may take the safety or accept the penalty for K21’s foul which includes loss of down: First and goal from the one-half yard line
(c) Had a Team R player recovered the ball in the field of play he could have carried it into the end zone for a touchdown.
(d) No foul for batting the ball backward in the field of play.
24: Fourth and three at Team R’s 20 yard line. As Team K kicks a successful field goal, R72 slaps K66 in the head at the line of scrimmage.
(a) Team K must decline the penalty; no option.
(b) Team K may let the field goal stand and have the penalty against Team R enforced on the kickoff.
(c) Team K may elect to forgo the field goal and have the penalty enforced from the previous spot, thus resulting in a first down.
25: Team K is in a scrimmage kick formation, third and 17, at its 42 yard line. K53 snaps the ball to K15, the deep back; immediately after releasing the ball, K53 is blocked by nose guard R79. K15 muffs the snap and downs the ball at his 25 yard line.
(a) No foul since K15 did not kick the ball.
(b) Personal foul against R79, 15 yard penalty.
(c) Personal foul against R79, 15 yard penalty, automatic first down.
(d) The penalty is enforced from the previous spot.
(e) The penalty is enforced from the 25 yard line.
26: Third and 10 on Team A’s 20 yard line. A61 holds at the 18 yard line as A9’s pass is intercepted by B28 and returned for a touchdown.
(a) The penalty is automatically declined.
(b) Team B must decline the penalty to keep the touchdown.
(c) The holding penalty can be enforced on the try.
(d) The holding penalty can be enforced on the succeeding kickoff.
27: Team A has 11 players in the huddle when A82 enters the game. The huddle breaks about three seconds after A82 enters it. A83 goes directly to the team box from the huddle.
(a) Legal.
(b) Illegal, it is a foul to have 12 players in the huddle.
(c) Illegal, it is a foul to break the huddle with 12 players.
(d) It would be a foul if A83 hadn’t left immediately.
28: In the second period, K2 kicks a field goal. The referee then notices a 2” tee was stabilized with a piece of plywood bolted to it.
(a) The tee is legal.
(b) The score is canceled.
(c) The penalty is enforced from the succeeding spot.
(d) A foul is charged to the head coach.
(e) The head coach is ejected.
29: Fourth and 20 on Team K’s 15 yard line. K27 punts and replaced player R76 is flagged for not getting off the field before the snap. R34 catches the punt and has his helmet pulled off by K84 on an attempted tackle. R34 remains standing and the whistle is blown. R55 then retaliates against K84.
(a) The whistle was inadvertent.
(b) None of the fouls are enforced and the down is replayed
(c) The next snap will be made by Team K.
(d) Team A will have a first down at their 30 yard line.
30: Team A is illegally in motion. A9’s pass is intercepted by B33 at his 20 yard line and returned to Team A’s 10 yard line as time for the first half expires. During the return, there is a clip by Team B.
(a) The half is over.
(b) The half is over only if Team B accepts Team A’s foul.
(c) If Team B declines Team A’s foul, Team A can decline Team B’s foul.
(d) The penalty for the clip can be enforced to start the second half.
SCRIMMAGE KICKS TOUCHED BY THE DEFENSE IN OR BEHIND THE NEUTRAL ZONE
The touching has NO effect on what happens beyond the neutral zone. The touching MAY allow legal contact with the kicker.
DEFENSIVE HOLDING
Play: "A" has 3rd and goal from "Bs" 5 yardline. A1 drops back and is sacked at the 20 yardline. B2 held A 2 at the goal line. A accepts the holding penalty on B2. Where will the penalty be adminsitered from? Answer: From the end of the run...10 yards from the 20. It will be 3rd and goal from the 10 yardline for A.
POINT AFTER ( A KICK )
Remember... a kicked point after is OVER as soon as it is apparent that the kick will not be successful. Whether or not it crosses the scrimmage line is irrelevent!
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION
A receiver goes out of bounds ( on his own ) and returns to catch, muff or continue to simply finish the play. ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION... 15 yards from the previous spot.
ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION ( Submitted by my buddy Ken Beaudin )
Team A has 11 players in the huddle when A 32 enters the game. After about two seconds have elapsed, (a) the huddle breaks, or (b) a 35 leaves the huddle and Team A breaks the huddle about a second later. (Legal). During a down, A 34 leaves the field and goes to his team area. Team A huddles before the next play with 10 players. Substitute A 35 enters the huddle, and A 41 leaves the huddle as if leaving the game, but then sets up near his sideline for a hideout pass. All 11 players were between the nine-yard marks after the ready-for-play and before the snap. (Illegal Participation...foul occurs at the snap and is penalized 15 yards from the previous spot) ( T/F) If a player is blocked out of bounds by an opponent and returns inbounds during the down, he shall return at the first opportunity. (T/F) If a 12th player is in the defensive formation at the snap, the foul is illegal participation and is enforced from the succeeding spot. (T/F) It is illegal participation if a player is lying on the ground to deceive the opponents at or immediately before the snap or free kick. T 9-6-1F 9-6-4c , 10-4-2T 9-6-4e
FIRST TOUCHING
Does first touching of a kick or punt by the kicking or punting team kill the play? NO!!! Some officials are blowing the play dead simply because the ball was touched. A bean bag should be used to indicate the touching and then observe as to whether the ball will be secured by either team and / or advanced by the receivers.
NEVER ELIGIBLE ( unless pass is touched by a member of the defense)
As you know, when we have a scrimmage kick formation we do not have the numbering requirement for linemen. Therefore, let us say that A is in a scrimmage kick formation and they do not have the 5 linemen numbered 50-79(and that's perfectly okay). Number 85 lines up in the tackle position. Number 85 will remain ineligible for this entire play unless someone on the defense touches the pass. Even if there is a shift which leaves #85 on the end of the line. IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! HE REMAINS INELIGIBLE UNLESS A PASS IS TOUCHED BY "B"
Illegal Touching NOT offensive pass interference
Tight end #85 is covered up by wide out #44 and both go down field where #85 catches, muffs or bats the ball. This is illegal touching...5 yards and loss of down from the PREVIOUS spot. Remember, illegal touching is a spot foul only when it occurs BEHIND the scrimmage line.
Approved Ball for Kicking
There has been some discussion about a team using a "kicking" ball. Remember, a team may choose to use any legal approved ball on freekicks and the beginning of new series. However, they must use the same ball for a point after (if they scored with their own ball) and they must use the same ball on 4th down as they used on third down. Several teams like to kick off with an older, somewhat slicker ball. As long as the ball meets NFHS specifications, it is perfectly legal!
"Ball Retrieval on kick Trys"
The following information may change your pre-game with chain crews: Please note pages 14 and 41 of the officials manual..."If a ball person is not available, the down indicator operator is responsible for retrieving the ball following a kick try (page 14); IV. Line Judge A. Retrieve any kicked ball - if kickoff is to follow, the down indicator operator should retrieve ball and relay to you (page 41)."
"Who's the Boss?"
One way a referee can increase his odds of making a mistake is to be so intimidating to the rest of his crew that they are afraid to correct him. I thank God for the guys that I work with on Friday nights because they would not hesitate to "bail me out" if I was misinterpreting a rule. They are all students of the rules as they should be. We are a team out there and that's the way it must be! Sometimes, referees (white hats) think they are the "Boss" and the rest of the crew works for them. Problems on crews like this are "never the referees fault." Right!. Sometimes we are quick to blame others when the problem just might be found in the mirror!
Short Field Goal Attempt Mechanics
Just a reminder that a field goal attempt that breaks the goal line, but does not go over the crossbar, is dead. The wing official and back judge need to get to the goal line to rule on whether or not the ball breaks the plane. I have not seen the game film, but I was told that in one of our games last week, an attempted field goal bounced on the 5 yardline and into the arms of a receiver who was in the endzone. According to the report, he ran the ball out of the endzone. Whether he did or not, the important thing here is that someone needs to "read" the flight of the ball and move to the goal line if it is obviously short.
Mechanics Note
It was called to my attention that some associations are instructing the covering wing official, of a motion man, to step back off of the line to observe the action. The MHSAA disagrees with this and insists that the wingmen remain on the line for this coverage.
Illegal Participation Clarification
Illegal Participation is a live ball foul. If a team has 12 players on the field and you catch it before the snap ( even if the snap is imminent ) occurs, it is a 5 yard illegal substitution infraction. If you catch it after the snap, it is illegal participation.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls
What are some specific " unsportsmanlike" fouls. If we use the Redding's Study Guide as a reference we find that they include " acts of ill will " such as taunting, abusive and insulting language, inciting the crowd, verbal baiting, spiking or kicking or throwing a dead ball, overtly applaulding an officials decision, flaunting the ball in an opponents face or offering it to him, shooting imaginary pistols, slashing the throat, an exaggerated first down signal, or indulging in other saluting or excessive self-congratulating gestures, high stepping, strutting, the ball carrier running backward in the open field, finger pointing, and diving into the endzone when there is no opponent in the vicinity. It is also a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty for the defense to use" disconcerting acts or words" while the offense is attempting to snap the ball. Hopefully this will help clear up some of the questions that I have received in recent days. Thanks, Phil
Be Careful With the 9 yard Marks!!!!!
Don't be led to believe that deception can only take place outside the 9 yard marks. Check out the following play; A has 10 men and is positioned on the left hash mark. Just prior to the snap, 81 runs on from the right side and positions himself on the line as an end and he is between the 9 yard marks. The ball is snapped and 81 catches a touchdown pass. Ruling: illegal participation and enforced from the previous spot as a substitute was used to deceive the opponents.
MECHANICS
Q1. Are blue bean bags considered proper equipment for officials?
A!. Yes. Q2. Who is the final authority on the legality of player equipment?
A2. The Umpire.
Q3. On a 5 man crew, what is the closest distance that the linesman or linejudge should ever be from the nearest offensive player?
A3. No closer than 9 yards. If the wideout is positioned within 9 yards of the sideline, the wing official simply maintains a position just behind the sideline.
Q4. What is the only situation in which the referee's pre-snap position may not be on the kicking leg side of the kicker?
A4. On a 4 man crew the referee moves to the linejudge side regardless of whether the kicker is right or left footed.
Q5. Can the pre-snap position of the referee ever be inside the hash marks?
A5. YES!!! The referee is to be positioned on the passing arm side of the quarterback. If the referee refuses to go inside the hash, he/she will not be in proper position and will not be able to watch the pre-snap areas that are the referee's responsibility. Also, field goal attempts which are spotted at the hash may also require the referee to move inside the hash( depending on the kicking leg of the kicker ).
REMINDER(S) OF THE WEEK
"FEDERATION MECHANICS" .... I wish that I could understand why we officials in Michigan have such a hard time following Federation Mechanics in administrating our high school football games. I watched the replay of a playoff game on TV this week and saw the following: wingmen pointing both on and off of the line; a linejudge who patted his head( like the signal a referee would give for inelgible down field ) and then turned and walked down the sideline about 5 to 8 yards prior to the ball being snapped; a linesman, rather than the line judge, assisting the back judge on a kick point after; an umpire who backed up rather than coming to the line on pass plays. I have seen time and time again, crews "doing their own thing" instead of following Federation Mechanics. I know that this is quite a concern with the MHSAA as they have included, with the playoff information, specific instructions that Federation Mechanics must be used in all games. I did not like this year's change in the 5 man kick-off mechanic but my crew changed to it immediately because it is a Federation Mechanic. There is NO excuse for MHSAA officials not to be familiar with and use Federation Mechanics. As an assignor, I have decided that I am going to discontinue using crews that refuse to follow Federation Mechanics. I don't know what else to do! If you have any suggestions, please E-mail me ( assignphillong@yahoo.com ). Many Thanks, Phil
REMINDER(S) OF THE WEEK
1. RESPECT...All of us need to be aware of how we speak, what we say, how we look, and how we act. When a coach asks us a question and we respond with a sarcastic laugh, we in effect have insulted him/her. When we push our hand at a coach in a "get out of here" jesture, we once again have sent a disrespectful message. As an assignor, I get these types of complaints several times during the football and basketball seasons. I believe that coaches have a tendency to remember these officials in a much more negative way than they do those officials who fail to maintain a respectful attitude.
REMINDER(S) OF THE WEEK
1. We had the following play recently; Team A is on their own 1 yard line. The ball is handed to the fullback in the endzone and he is thrown for a loss. The officials placed the ball with the back end about 2 inches over the goal line and the front portion in the field of play. What should the officials have done? This should have been ruled a SAFETY as the ENTIRE BALL must be beyond the plane of the goal line.
2. We have NO authority to tell a coach that he must keep a player out of the game for a certain number of plays because of the players "bad conduct." Either warn or penalize but please discontinue using these "temporary ejections."
REMINDER OF THE WEEK
1. The holder for a field goal and/or point after TD must rise before he can pitch the ball to a teammate. If he fails to rise, the ball is blown dead!
2. Passes intercepted in the end zone can be advanced!!!! Some officials have misinterpreted rule 8-3-d which states that it is a touchback when an intercepted ball is intercepted and becomes dead in the endzone in B's possession. The interception did not cause the ball to become dead, it was the action that followed i.e. he took a knee, was tackled, ran out of bounds through the endzone etc. This is totally different from a kicked ball breaking the plane of the goal line.
REMINDER OF THE WEEK
1. There still seems to be some confusion as to when the clock starts after a scrimmage kick. Basically, all we need to know is (1) was the kick a LEGAL kick and (2) was a new series awarded to either team. If so, then the clock will start with the SNAP. Example # 1...On 4th and 10, K punts from their own 30 yard line and the legal kick goes to R's 20 where it is caught by R3. R 1 roughs the kicker. K accepts the penalty which gives them a first down. Did we have a legal kick? Yes! Does either team have a first down? Yes! Then the clock will start with the snap. Example # 2... The same example as above except there is no roughing. Instead, K 2 holds at the line and R accepts the penalty. K now has the ball 4th and 20. Did we have a legal kick? Yes. Does either team have a first down? No. Then the clock will start with the ready for play. (Please note that had the kick gone out of bounds or into the end zone, we obviously would start the clock with the snap).
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