AHSAA 7-Man Mechanics

2014

2014 Changes

• No 2nd Half Meeting Of The Captains. Captains no longer meet at mid-field to start the second half. The decision on the direction of the kickoff will be obtained from the head coach during the mandated 3 minute warm up prior to the second half by the Line Judge or Back Judge. Still meet at the center of the field for Star Formation

Pregame

• Be on the field 45 minutes prior to kickoff.• BJ, LJ, FJ, and SJ:– Police the 45 Yard Line Zone. Keep players out of the

45 Yard Line Zone. Minimize fraternization. You do not need to be stationary. Check for illegal or missing equipment during this time. This zone remains vacant even if one team has left.

– Check the field.– Meet the Head Coach and ball boys.– Make sure players are off the field during the Coin Toss

Pregame• Referee and Umpire

– Talk to home and visiting head coach.– R: Verify legality of the balls.– U: Check equipment and casts. Verify legality.

• Linesman– Verify chains– Meet and Instruct chain crew. (Should LJ also meet during this time?)– Meet the Head Coach and ball boys.

• Clock Operator– Determine how to operate the clock (setting time, starting/stopping,

procedure for adjusting the time).– Verify the game clock and play clocks are working on the field.– Set the game clock to countdown to scheduled kickoff time (synchronized to

SJ’s time).

Proper Positioning Press Box

1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0< < < <

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1

Scor

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Star Formation To Kick Off

K

U

SJ

BJ

HL

LJ

R

FJ

Proper Positioning Press Box

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1

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R

HL

LJ

Kick Off

Count R

Count KU K

U Hands TheBall To The Kicker

BJ

FJ

SJ

Kick OffPre-Kick

• Everyone count your players (fist at shoulder level):– K: U,B,S,F– R: R,L,H

• Ensure Restricted Area is clear.• U: Remind K of new rules (4 each side of kicker and

only kicker 5+yds).• Determine your key players.• Hold hand up to signal to referee when ready.• Blow whistle and stop play for encroachment (this

includes the new rules).

Kick OffInitial Key Players

Press Box

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BJSJ

U

HL

LJ

R

FJ

5432

1

54321

SJ & FJ• Start on R’s Restraining Line• Anticipate Short Kick• Responsible for initial blocks

near R’s Restraining Line on near kicking team players (2-3)

BJ• Responsible for both K’s

Restraining Line and 5 yards behind.

• Anticipate Short Kick.• On normal kick, moves to near

hash mark and watches initial blocks against kicker and inside kicking team players (4-5)

U• Moves to Press Box hash mark

on kick.• Watches for initial blocks

against inside kicking team players (4-5).

• Is responsible for actions in front of the runner.

Referee:• Start between 5 and goal

line.• Watch for 4 on each side

of kicker.• Key on players inside 20.• Responsible for goal line

calls.

LJ & HL• Start on 20 (30 from R’s

Restraining), even with each other

• Key on players outside the 20 and outside gunner (1)

• Responsible for sideline from goal line to about the 40

Kick Off

• Movement and positioning determined by your initial keys. Don’t watch the kick, watch the players.

• Start the clock when the ball is legally touched in your area. Remember, start the clock before you stop the clock on fair catches, possessing the ball on the ground, etc.

• Linesman or Line Judge typically have forward progress. SJ, FJ, and BJ should be prepared for goal line coverage.

• BJ, SJ, FJ, and U: Anticipate short kick.

Standard Play Proper Positioning Press Box

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Boar

dStandard Play

FJ

U

SJ HL

LJ

BJ25 Yards

20 Yards

20 Yards

R

20 – 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning Press Box

1 0 2 0 3 0< < <

1Inside The 20 Yard Line

FJ

U

SJ

R

HL

LJ

BJ Deeper than deepest defender.On the EL if ball is snapped inside the 10.

At The Pylon

At The Pylon

> 5 Yard Line Proper Positioning Press Box

1 0 2 0 3 0< < <

1Approaching The Goal Line

UR

HL

LJ

BJ

5 Yard Line

5 - G Yard Line Proper Positioning

2

R

FJ

SJHL

LJ

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics Press Box

1 0 2 0 3 0< < <

Reverse Goal Line Mechanics

UBJ

3 Yard Line

FJ

SJ

2

R

HL

LJ

Counting Press Box

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dPre-Snap Duties

FJ

U

SJ

R

HL

LJ

BJ

Count Offense

NumberingCount Defense

Boxing The Play InThe “Accordion” Principle

Press Box

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dCollapsing Box Coverage

UBJ

X X X X X X

“Accordion” Principle - Dead Ball Officiating - Talk To Players - Break Up Confrontations - Make A Presence

LJFJ

At The Snap,BJ, FJ And SJ

Move to Cover Deep Receivers

LJ and HL Move Downfield

Only When Needed

LJ and HL Square In

At The SpotAll Officials

“Accordion” In

SJ

R

2

HL

Keep Relative Positioning Press Box

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Boar

dLong Run Down Sideline

FJ

U

SJ HL

LJ

BJ

20 Yards

RAt The Snap,BJ And Deep Wings

Read and React

Trailing Official

LeadingOfficial

AssumeGoal LinePosition

Get The Spot

Clean UpOut-Of-Bounds

Keep Relative Positioning- Don’t Run Over The SJ Or FJ

Press Box

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dLong Run Down Sideline

FJ

U

SJ

LJ

20 Yards

R

Trailing Official

LeadingOfficial

AssumeGoal LinePosition

1. Looks at HL to Confirm Inbounds

2. Signals Touchdown

3 Yard Line

BJ

HL

Pro Set Press Box

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dInitial Keys

FJ

U

SJ HL

LJ

BJ

R

Double Wing Press Box

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dInitial Keys

FJ

U

SJ HL

LJ

BJR

Trips Formation Press Box

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dInitial Keys

FJ

U

SJ

R

HL

LJ

BJ

Trips Formation - Motion Press Box

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dInitial Keys

FJ

U

SJ

R

HL

LJ

BJ

Double Tight End Press Box

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dInitial Keys

FJ

U

SJ

R

HL

LJ

BJ

BJ

Punt Proper Positioning Press Box

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dPunt Mechanics

BJ

Even or Slightly Behind Deep Receiver

5 Yards

5 Yards 3 0

<FJ

SJ

LJ

HL

R

U

5-8 Yards

Press Box

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“Reverse” Mechanics

3 0

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FJ

SJ

4

HL

U BJ

RTrailing Official

LeadingOfficial

LJAssume Goal Line Position

Reverse Mechanics- Occurs On Punt And Interception Returns, HL/SJ And LJ/FJ Duties Flip

R Has Goal Line Duty

3 Yard Line

1. Checks With FJ for Inbounds

2. Signals Touchdown

Referee SharesGoal Line Duty

FG And Try Proper Positioning Press Box

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4FG And Try Mechanics

FJU

SJR

HL

LJ

BJ

3 0

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Side Judge Acts as a Second

Umpire

• BJ and FJ Under Uprights.

• BJ has crossbar and whistle

• Only One Swipe and Hold for Missed FG

• R and U communicates Snapper Protection.

• All crew needs to communicate if Field Goal Attempt (To Treat Short as Punt)

2Measurement Mechanics

1 0

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2 0

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3 0

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U

2

4 0

<FJ

BJ

HL

HL

RFJ

BJ

Press Box

LJ

Side and Field Judge Clears Players Away

And Secures A New Ball If Appropriate

Back Judge Takes Charge Of The Box

The Mechanics Of The Remaining

Officials Are Exactly As In A NFHS 5 Man Crew

SJ

SJ

2

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3 0

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Offensive Holding

Line Judge Stays At Enforcement Spot

Linesman Marches Off

The Penalty With The Umpire

From The Enforcement Spot

RBJ

1 0

Penalty Enforcement MechanicsPenalty Enforcement

Press Box

FJ

SJ

2 0

U

HL

All 3 Should Agree on Enforcement

LJ

During Game Responsibilities For Side Judge and Field Judge

Side Judge

- Deals with all issues involving the game clock- Responsible for Time Outs and Timing between Quarters

Side Judge And Field Judge

- During time outs, assists Linesman and Line Judge in returning team to the field at the 15 seconds to ready-for-play whistle by the SJ-Acts as the apprentice to the HL or LJ and assists them whenever possible- Help with ball rotation, those coming out from the BJ and those going in to the U

FJ

SJ

SJ

.

Ejections and Disqualifications

• Record Player’s Team, Number, Name and Reason.• Call Ken Vest immediately after the game and give

him the information. (256)738-2765; kgvest212@charter.net.

• Fill out a written report by noon the following day. This is found in the Officials Member section at www.ahsaamembers.com. Under General Menu->Official’s Forms.

• Responsibility is on the official(s) who made the call.

Odds and Ends

• Crew is responsible for all errors: timing, penalty enforcement, downs, 12 players, etc.

• Accurate Clock Operation is crucial for all games. Study Rule 3! Check clock operation before the game. Always be attentive while the clock is hot.

• We are in the spotlight during penalty enforcements and measurements.

• Study the rules! With HUDL, TV games, etc. errors on the field are recorded.