Enhancing Crew Coordination in Football Officiating: Key Guidelines and Responsibilities

2. AOS Football Meeting September 10th, 2007 Where ya goin’, man? How well is your crew coordinated?

3. How well is your crew coordinated? • Guidelines • There is no expert in the room • Interaction is required • Cash prizes are available 3

4. Let’s review • During the dead ball period between each play, what are the three tasks each official must do? • Count 11 players • Signal readiness for each play • Kickoffs – raise hand • Scrimmage plays – indicate the down • Set down indicator appropriately • Visualize play responsibilities • Know keys for kickoff, scrimmage play 4

5. Pre-game Conferences • Have a routine to follow • Crew Chief have an agenda to follow • Review aspects of the game\ • Review crew philosophies • Prepare each other for the game • Review faults from prior week • Mentally prepare for administering the game • Leave for the field as a crew • On the field • Referee Umpire meet with coaches • Line Judge/Linesman perform field inspection • Inspect chains/tape • Linesman instructs chain crew • Line Judge provides ball boys with instructions • Back Judge visits press box • Coin Toss • Look sharp • Referee/Umpire proceed to center of field • Line Judge/Back Judge have captains and coaches on the sideline at predetermined time, enter field on signal from referee • Kickoff positions • Meet at mid field as a crew, and hustle to positions 5

6. Coordinate crew communication • Referee, Umpire: • Give appropriate signals for upcoming down • Next down number • Fourth down clock kill • Count offensive/receiving team players • Signal/verbalize count • Referee ensure line judge/linesman know your count • Communicate clock status • Sound ready for play • Know substitutions in progress • Line Judge/Linesman • Communicate next down/any special signal for down • Ensure the down box concurs with your down indicator • Remind all of the goal line, if appropriate • Will a five yard defensive penalty get me a first down? • Back Judge • Count team B players, coordinate with Line Judge • Be prepared for substitution infractions at the snap • On the ready, execute play clock  6

7. At the snap Referee • Comprehend offensive movement • Assist umpire with pre snap movement by lineman in front of you Umpire • Review offensive interior five numbering • Know when numbering exceptions apply • See the snap • Listen for defensive signals that interfere with the offensive signals Line Judge/Linesman • Communicate line of scrimmage position to widest offensive player • Signal position status of widest offensive player • Consistency in communication important between line judge and linesman • Focus on neutral zone infractions for your side of the ball • Assist umpire with pre snap movement by offensive lineman • Count four backs/seven men on the line of scrimmage • Assist referee with offensive movement Back Judge • Determine offensive formation • Which side is the strength of the formation? • Ensure defensive substitutions • Be alert for play clock infractions 7

8. The ball is live! • What three things does your crew do? • Read the action by the offensive lineman • Adjust position to the type of play • Run • Pass • Scrimmage Kick • Focus on keys 8

9. Running Plays Orchestrate crew mechanics effectively • Referee stays with QB until ball crosses the line of scrimmage • Must keep an eye on the QB at all times, don’t allow him to be hit unnecessarily • Assist in side zone, but don’t rush to the LOS • Umpire is on a swivel • Observe point of attack • Be a traffic cop, not a detective • “Break the glass” and assist in side zone • Know the dead ball position in relation to the hash • Line Judge/Linesman • Flow with the play, watching your keys • Keys change based on the type of running play • Have presence o mind about the point of attack • Remember your crew’s philosophy on fouls at or away from the point of attack • Mark forward progress • Don’t attack the spot UNLESS IT IS CRITICAL • Fourth down possible change of possession • Goal line play • Know where the play ends in relation to the sideline • If between the numbers and the sideline, wind the clock two times • If out of bounds, kill the clock • Communicate clock status to umpire • Retrieve the dead ball and triangulate to the umpire • Back Judge • Adjust to the point of attack • Keep play boxed in • Watch keys at point of attack • Assist in side zone coverage and ball triangulation 9

10. Who are you covering? • Pass Plays • Referee stays with the QB, possibly assisting Umpire with observing the offensive players blocking • Umpire moves toward the line of scrimmage, observing action by the offensive blockers • Know if ineligible lineman are downfield prior to the pass • Understand and execute your crew’s philosophy • Mark the spot of a pass thrown beyond the neutral zone • Swivel to rule on passes over the middle or toward the sideline • Line Judge/Linesman know your eligible's • Is the pass forward or backward? • Observe action in your coverage area of responsibility • When necessary, seek assistance • Execute your crew’s philosophy on pass interference/defensive holding • Ensure eye contact with closest covering official prior to ruling on a catch/no catch • Maintain control proceeding to the forward progress spot • Communicate status to umpire • Back Judge read the quarterback • Watch receivers and defenders in your zone of responsibility • Keep all receivers in front of you, don’t get beat deep • Execute your crew’s philosophy on pass interference/defensive holding • Ensure eye contact with closest covering official prior to ruling on a catch/no catch 10

11. Scrimmage Kicks • Referee • Make sure all count of team A, be alert to substitution infractions • Recognize the backfield numbers in the event of a fire drill • Be prepared for a snap over the kicker’s head • Near goal line • Visualize your actions in the event the kick is blocked • What can A do • What can B do • After the kick, trail the play, don’t rush to participate • You are the lead official on the return, don’t get beat to the goal line • Umpire • Stay over the ball until released by the referee • Caution B players about contacting the snapper • Know numbering exceptions in the event of broken play • Make presence known • Line Judge/Linesman • Make sure there are seven players on the line of scrimmage • Know eligible's to your side • Line Judge break at the snap to assist coverage with back judge • Who has the blocker? Who has the ball? Who has the receiver? • Linesman ensure ball crosses the line of scrimmage • Back Judge • Review fair catch signals with deep receivers • Favor linesman’s side • Know who has the ball/receiver/blocker • Bean bag end of kick spot for use in PSK • Scoring kicks • What’s different? 11

12. Game Administration • Measurements • Account for each officials responsibility • Penalties • Account for each officials responsibility 12

13. How well is your crew coordinated? • Look sharp as a crew • First impressions are important • Coordinate every movement • Communicate efficiently and effectively with each other, coaches, and players • Exhibit confidence, not arrogance • Leave the field together 13