ASHAA Football Mechanics Basic Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 6 Officials August 2009

ASHAA Football Mechanics

Basic Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of

6 Officials

August 2009

Alabama High School Athletic Association

Why add a sixth official?• The sixth official was added for two primary

reasons:– Better detection and enforcement of rules which are

designed to protect safety of players– Better detection of rules infractions which would

otherwise give one team an unfair advantage

• Preventive officiating is improved• Dead ball and back side officiating is improved


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BJ

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Dead Zone


Keys and Responsibilities• Six officials, 22 players and one football• Keys are intended to help determine officiating

coverage requirements at the snap• Keys include:

– Formations and players– Position of ball on the field– Down and distance– Score

• Player keys will be summarized herein by position • Keep the football in sight; player keys in periphery


Pre-snap Keys

• Referee – All backs and far side tackle and guard• Umpire – Guard/center/guard and tackle on referee

side• Linesman/Line Judge – The second eligible

receivers in from your side of the field – may include a running back; know eligible receivers and be alert for backs entering your zone

• Side Judge/Field Judge – The widest eligible receiver on your side. Keys not based on strength of formation as with 5-Man mechanics


Responsibilities during the Down

• Referee – Observe actions and illegal acts by or against QB, RBs and far side tackle

• Umpire – Concentrate on the “point of attack”• Linesman/Line Judge – Officiate actions of players

in your zone • Side Judge/Field Judge – Officiate actions of

players approaching and/or in your zone


Responsibilities after the Down

Be aware of and consistently enforce dead

ball fouls – be a good dead ball official.


Officiate “Man-Zone-Man”

• “MAN” - Before the snap, identify and read your key(s)

• “ZONE” - After the snap, officiate player action in your zone

• “MAN” - When direction of ball has been established (pass or run), officiate at and around the ball if in your zone; otherwise, back side officiating. When the ball is dead, continue to officiate your zone (dead ball officiating)


PLAYER KEYS IN BASIC OFFENSIVE

FORMATIONS


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15 to 20 yards

BJ

FJ

LJ


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LJ

RU

SJL

Single Slot

FJ


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LJ

RU

TripsSJ

FJ

L


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LJ

RU

L

Double SlotSJ

FJ


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LJ

RU

L

Double Slot, Tight End

SJ

FJ


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LJ

RU

L

Double Slot, Double Tight

End

SJ

FJ


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X X

LJ

RU

LSJ

FJ


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RU

LSJ

FJ


Positions During KickoffsCrew of 6

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Press Box


Positions During Obviously Short KickoffsCrew of 6

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Basic Positions For Snaps inside the 10 yard LineCrew of 6

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Basic Positions For PuntsCrew of 6

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10 10

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20 20

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LJLJ

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UU

FJFJ

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Press Box


Questions?

Documents

ASHAA Football Mechanics Basic Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 6 Officials August 2009