Umpire Mechanics

Umpire Mechanics

Jemal Taylor

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Umpire

• Uniform should fit properly and be clean and neat.

• Good physical condition is important to last throughout the game and will help you move quickly from one position to another

• Communication between officials players, school staff and coaches is a key to a smoothly run contest.

• Be verbal and let the players know you are there from the start to completion of game.

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Key Learning• Pre-Game Duties• Coin Toss position• Kicks – Free, Scrimmage, PAT &

Field Goals• Initial Position –Run & Pass• Keys: Pre-Snap• Keys: Post-Snap• Pass Plays & Running Plays• Goal Line Communication• Penalty Enforcement

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Pre-Game (On-Field)

Officials should arrive at site of the game at least 1 ½ hours before scheduled game time.

Inspect equipment Enforcing that legal equipment is worn properly

-Visors, play wrist bands, knee braces, jewelry

Note not required for cast – must be padded properly. This new football playing rule eliminated the language requiring

a licensed medical physician (MD/DO) to direct the usage of specific casts and braces in writing. Even though the note is no longer required, the brace may still be disallowed by the umpire if it does not meet the specifications.

Observe and prevent unsportsmanlike act prior to the game. Use preventative officiating to stop these acts if possible.

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Pre-Game (On-Field) (cont’d)

Walk the field: Verify the field and markings are correct. Verify (3 yard.) Extra point mark.

Observe warm-ups: Look for the style of offence Make contact with key members of the offensive line

and linebackers. Scrimmage Kick – note numbering exceptions.

After duties completed Join Linesman on the sideline where the line-to-gain

indicator is located.

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Coin Toss 7 min before schedule Kickoff. Umpire: facing the scoreboard.

Enter the field from the line-to-gain indicator side on the 45 yard line furthers from the clock. Referee will enter from the opposite sideline on the 45 yard line closes to the clock. On referees pre arranged signal meet referee at mid-field.

Have an extra coin Listen for visitors choice and verify that Referee repeats it

correctly Confirm Referee gives correct signals and direction.

After Toss: At conclusion of toss procedures and after the captains have

been dismissed, move together for final instructions from referee Record which team has first choice for second half At referee’s signal, hustle to kickoff positions, Linesman, umpire

and judge(s) clear sidelines before going to kickoff position.

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Free Kicks for 4 – Person UmpireMechanics

• Before Kick– Be certain coaches, players, substitutions and other

personnel are in proper location behind the 2 yard belt in the team box

– Position: R’s 20-Yard line on sideline opposite line judge.

– Count R’s players. Wait for up official to raise their hand before raising yours for the ready.

– Be prepared for short kick, fair catch. If short kick is anticipated position near R’s 40-yard line

– Be alert to bean bag 1st touching. Make sure ball goes ten yards.

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• After Kick– Signal clock to start when kick is touched, other than first

touching by K– Pick up the runner and follow – When ball becomes dead, sound whistle and give time-out signal– Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of bounds on your side

of field. Bean bag spot if last touched inbounds by R Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R

– Maintain position enabling coverage of your sideline at all times– Observe legality if blocks and action away from the ball when you

are not covering the runner– Kick to opposite side of the field move cautiously along sideline

toward play observe action of other players8


• Before Kick– Be certain coaches, players, substitutions and other

personnel are in proper location behind the 2 yard belt in the team box

– Position: R’s 20-Yard line on sideline opposite linesman.

– Count R’s players. Wait for up official to raise their hand before raising yours for the ready.

– Be prepared for short kick, fair catch position. If short kick is anticipated position on R’s free-kick line

– Be alert to bean bag 1st touching. Make sure ball goes ten yards.

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• After Kick– Signal clock to start when kick is touched, only if the ball in your

area of coverage– Pick up the runner and follow along sideline– When ball becomes dead, sound whistle and give time-out

signal– Kick to opposite side of the field inbounds line move cautiously

with play along sideline observe action of other players– Serve as clean-up behind, to side of, and around runner– Maintain position enabling coverage of your sideline at all times– Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of bounds in your area

Bean bag spot if last touched inbounds Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R.

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Initial Position

• Scrimmage Play Alignment

– 7-8 yards behind Team B’s line and between B’s ends, keeping the snap in view

– Keep action in front:

• Average running play is 3 - 4 yards

• Average pass crossing pattern: 5 - 7 yards

– Open “V”

• Widens field of vision when reading keys, adjust keys as the play develops.

– Shade for best view of ball

• Don’t always shade opposite TE

• Linebackers will always open to strength (must anticipate this when shading)

• Vary position so players cannot use you as interference

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Keys: Pre-Snap

• Prior to the Snap Verify down with R, LJ, LM & BJ. Question if necessary Distance for the line to gain and Field Position Count Offense and signal referee every play Know your ineligibles (50-79) also covered eligible receivers Key G-C-G recognize strength of the formation Look for snap infraction or false starts Position: shoulders should be parallel to the line of scrimmage Umpire and player safety is the #1 concern. Keep the whistle out of you mouth, will give you time to think

before blowing it.

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Keys: Post-Snap

• Keys:– Read point of attack paying particular

attention to free-blocking zone restrictions. Don’t watch the ball

– Watch the 3 points around the ball carrier

• Outside sweep: “Backside Check” on Guard and Tackle first priority– Check for illegal blocks: clipping or chop block

potential

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Keys: Post-Snap (cont’d)

• Drop Step - stay w/ keys and not ball– short step… open to ball… read keys– turn… don’t bounce… keep feet stationary– “Banana” ahead or equal to play

• Don’t stay to “square” to play… pivot... “make yourself thin”.

• Read/Recall/Process/Confirm

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A Key to the Point of AttackA Key to the Point of Attack

Pulling Guard

Double Team

Chop Block Potential

Drop Back PassPassive Block

Review down and distance

This is an immediate key for a run. Any time guard pulls behind center

Umpire

Tight end block down run or play action pass look for drag across middle

Umpire

Open field tackle, aggressive block, almost always a run turn to point of attack. Move to line on pass play.

Umpire

Drop back pass action is key for pass, be alert for screen & draw and turn and help on short middle passes.

Umpire

Train yourself to watch a key…..and read point of attack

A Key to the Point of Attack (cont)A Key to the Point of Attack (cont)

Pulling Guard

Power Block

Corner Attack

Pulling guards misdirection or sweep, secondary key is action by remaining back. Look for low blocks after ball has left zone.

Umpire

Umpire

Tight wing blocks inside; check run or play action pass. Cover line of scrimmage if QB scrambles.

Pass Plays

• When you read forward pass, step toward neutral zone– This puts you in position to rule whether ineligible

is illegally downfield and if QB throws beyond LOS– This removes you as a target on shallow drags

watch for draw/slip screen• Turn on low trajectory passes

– If you can touch the pass… turn and help out.– Focus from the ground up when turning, short hop

on middle pass.

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Pass Plays (cont’d)

• Long Passes (high trajectory)– Stay w/ keys and focus on line play

• No ball hawking or looking at QB• Watch for illegal blocks, contact and illegal use of hands• No back set… Umpire and Referee are responsible for all 5

offensive linemen

– After pass is thrown, Umpires are responsible for players at the line of scrimmage

– Wait until the forward pass as completely cleared the line of scrimmage before you turn and follow the play.

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Pass Plays (cont’d)

• 3 ways to help officiate on pass plays:– Completed pass: hustle to ball– Incomplete pass over the middle: Umpire that is your

responsibility for catch or no catch – Not certain: jog slowly to spot looking at LM, LJ, BJ

to see if they need help on reception or not– Long incomplete pass down field go out an get the

ball deep and relay to the referee to spot at the previous spot

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Goal Line Communication

• Between the 5 yard line and goal line – Umpire is primary on QB past line of scrimmage

• Ball in end zone and line of scrimmage officials trying to locate ball– Umpire: locate ball– Visual clue to side officials i.e. patting chest, grabbing

whistle this informs your side officials that Umpire has the location of the ball the H/L will determine touchdown or not.

– Umpire does not signal touchdown.

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Scrimmage Kicks and Try’s

• Protect the Snapper– Remind DL – A defensive player shall not charge directly into the

snapper when the offensive team is in a scrimmage-kick formation.

• Position on Scoring Kicks: – 7 to 9 yards off ball

• Step toward the neutral zone and be alert for roughing the snapper

• Be alert for run or pass • Assist in covering a short or blocked kick and determining

if the ball crosses the neutral zone.• Watch for “pull and shoot”

– DL grabs OL and pulls aside creating gap for DL/LB to shoot through

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Penalty Enforcement

• Must know Penalty Enforcement as well as Referee – The entire crew should know what happen and the Penalty Enforcement.

• Make sure the penalty is enforced to the correct team

• Review page 94 penalty summary in your National Federation of State High School Associations rule book

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Penalty Enforcement (cont’d)

• Mechanics:– Repeat back to Referee, offending team the penalty

and yard of penalty and enforcement spot– Make note of enforcement spot for penalty – Walk briskly, use arm signal to point each yard line

you cross. Walk off penalty when the referee is giving the signal to the pres box

– Linesman will proceed to succeeding spot– Line Judge will hold enforcement spot – Before placing ball down – ensure Linesman and

Umpire have the same spot and down

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First DownsChange of Quarters

• On a measurement for a first down the umpire will wait with the referee at the ball and take forward line-to-gain indicator from chain crewmember at place of measurement. Wait until the Linesman says “ready” tighten the line-to-gain indicator and hold forward indicator near ball until referee reaches decision.

• Change of quarters record down, distance and yard line nearest foremost point of ball. Quickly take ball to corresponding point on other half of field and reverse directions.

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Umpire Mechanics