7 Man Mechanics Update

There will be a revision sometime on the MHSAA website.  What is up there right now, unfortunately, was not updated

Greetings to ALL!

I am sending this info sheet out in an attempt to “clear the air” on what we need to be doing when working 7 officials.  We have been telling the deep sides for years now that they need to keep a 20 yard cushion between them and the ball carrier at all times. PLEASE THROW THAT “OUT THE WINDOW.”

The 20 yard cushion is simply your pre-snap positioning

We have told our LOS officals that they have forward progress all the way to the 2 yard line.

PLEASE THROW THAT OUT THE WINDOW TOO!

The mechanics change has our deep sides in a READ AND REACT MODE

Deep sides do not need to beat anyone to the goal line on long plays.  The BACK JUDGE will have that responsibility.

The deep side(s) will have forward progress on long plays and hold the spot until an LOS official arrives.

The purpose of the change is to get us in position to make calls when we are stationary and observing and not running and trying to observe at the same time.

AND YES< deep sides should take goal line responsibilities on passes that cross the end line of the end zone.  In other words, read and react if you see that happening. 

Finally the RED ZONE mechanics remain the same.

Thank You All!

Phil and Joel