Dear fellow officials 

Section 8 has extended the courtesy of allowing us , active LIAFO members, free entry into the next two rounds. Nassau semifinals and finals. 

Officials must check in at the gate. This is for officials ONLY. Guests must pay for entry. 

It is my hope that all active members take advantage of this opportunity especially our newer , first, second and third year members. 

Remember to check in and please let's not take advantage of the opportunity. 

Yours in football 

Bob Dethomasis 

Cross-Field Mechanics

Because we’re into late-season form, our cross-field mechanics should now be quite sophisticated and accurate.  Take pride in these important mechanics!

Pre-Game Conferences

All of the crew needs to take the time and have a good one so you don’t short yourselves and your mates.  Here are this week’s topics:

·         WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 25^th & 26^th

o  Umpire: Defenseless Player/Blindside Blocks (RB 2-3-10, 2-32-16, 9-4-3n & Penalty, RB Pg. 94 - POE)

o  Head Linesman: Illegal Helmet Contact/Targeting (RB 2-20-1 & 2; RB 9-4-3 i & m, Note & Penalty; RB Pg. 94

o  Line Judge: Personal Fouls vs. Unsportsmanlike & Enforcement (RB 9-4-1 thru 8; RB 9-5-1 & 2)

o  Back Judge: Excessive Force (RB 9-4-3g & Penalty)

 Calling an ejection

1. Flag the play.
2. Do not immediately eject the player.
3. Discuss the foul with the referee and any other officials that saw the action.
4. If the general consensus is that the foul should result in an ejection, the referee and the official that called the foul should notify the offenders head coach that the player has been ejected and the reason for the ejection.  If the official that made the call is the referee, he should be accompanied by the wing official on the side of the offending team.
5. Do not discuss the consequences of the ejection or the amount of suspended games. The amount of games the ejected player must sit out may vary from player to player.
6. Do not prolong the explanation for the ejection and do not argue with offender or the offender’s coach.  Don’t get into an argument you can’t win.
7. The referee then returns to the field, makes the appropriate signal for the penalty followed by the disqualification signal, (#47) and the umpire steps off the applicable yardage.
8. If a member of the coaching staff is ejected, including the head coach, he “shall be removed from the stadium area…” per 9-8 Penalty.
9. Following the game report the disqualification o the proper league administrator(s).

Officials Uniform Requirements

We all know by now that the entire crew for a game must wear the same uniform.  Shirts should be zippered up.  T-shirts worn under your striped shirt should be solid black, not white or some other color.  Your crew doesn't care that you still have a green t-shirt from Big Country’s 1984 The Crossing concert tour. If you want to be considered a professional, you must look like a professional.  Dress like your reputation depends on it because it does. 

Also, shave on game days - there is no more to be explained here.

Ineligible A Players Downfield

For this foul to occur, a legal forward pass has to cross the neutral zone and the restriction starts when the ball is in flight.  Once the ineligible player advances beyond the expanded neutral zone he may not retreat back behind the zone and be legal.  Once beyond – he is past the ‘point of no return’.  7-5-12

Free Kick Requirements

Only ONE player can be more than 5 yards behind the ball.  ALL other players must be lined up BETWEEN the line that the ball is spotted on and the line that is 5 yards back.  They cannot LEGALLY be touching either line.  The rule also states that at the kick, there must be at least 4 Kicking Team players on either side of the kicker.  If not, it is a Dead Ball foul for encroachment.  6-1-3 & 4

Weekly Quiz

This latest quiz is based upon plays seen that resulted in coaches sending in questions.  You may enjoy some of the real plays that were questioned.  Click  here for this quiz. 

Subject:  Week #6 - The first flag sets the bar for the rest of the game.

Communication with Players and Coaches

Communicating with players is like communicating with the coaching staffs.  What you say to players is going to be repeated to the coaches.  Please respond to players with facts, or the rule, or something like:

·         “I saw the block and it was close but legal.” 

·         “I was focused on other action on that play, I’ll watch for that foul.”

·         “I hear you, I understand.”

 Remember, positive and proper communication starts as we arrive at the school.  Be professional from the time you park your car until after the game when you depart (perhaps for the bar).

 The Use of the Whistle

It is our local, state and national mechanic to not blow our whistles unless we see the ball in possession, and progress stopped or the player down by rule.  We do not want inadvertent whistles!

 Pre-Game Conferences

These conferences will take on some extra meaning as we move closer to playoff time.  Being prepared starts early and here are this week’s topics:

·         WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 18th & 19th   

o   Umpire: Dead Ball Penalty Enforcement (RB 10-1 thru 5; RB 10-2-5 a & b)

o   Head Linesman: Legal Contact On/By Eligible Receivers (RB 7-5-8, 10 & 11; Chart on P.65, #2)

o   Line Judge: Snap Infractions (RB 7-1-1 thru 4)

o   Back Judge: Extending a Period (RB 3-3-3 & 3-3-4)

Inside 5 minutes

The final 3 to 5 minutes of either half can become a “pressure cooker.”  Let’s prepare to match this intensity with our own internal communication, or maybe a code word or just a reminder on the radios.  Our focus must be clear and our minds sharp.  Obviously, we officiate every play in the game like it’s the last “game winning” play, but sometimes we need a re-set as we prepare for action at this critical time in the game.

 Expanded Neutral Zone

Can it be expanded up to 2 yards into the end zone?  Answer: No - the neutral zone may be expanded up to a maximum of 2 yards behind the defensive line of scrimmage, in the field of play.  No ineligibles running around in the end zone please.

 Eye Black

One single stroke under the eye.  No face paint.  Please enforce in pregame.

Problems with Your Coach

If you have a problem with your coach let your referee know.  One of the biggest complaints from coaches is that the sideline officials do not communicate their coach’s concerns to the referee.  This builds frustration and adds to the original issue.  By the time the referee does get to the sideline he now has to deal with an upset and frustrated coach.  There shall be two officials present for all meetings between the referee and the head coach, but only one speaks – the referee.

 Clean Up Locker Rooms

Please always remember to clean up after you finish using the locker room.  We are guests of the school and always want to leave a good impression of our professionalism.

 Penalty Enforcement Reminder

If it is encroachment or FST, move quickly toward the referee with the preliminary signal and communicate the number.  Umpire hustle to the ball and prepare to walk off with the HL.  If there are two flags for the same foul, the officials should have a brief confirmation of the foul.  One official reports to referee (you can use preliminary signals to communicate foul then provide the number).  Umpire have the ball in hand and following confirmation of the foul, yardage, and direction, look to HL and immediately begin to march off the penalty.  The ball should be placed before the referee has finished his signaling and moved to his position to whistle the 25-second ready for play.

 Foul on the Final Play of the Game

If this is an accepted live ball foul and the clock has run out, inform both coaches (hopefully by the wing officials) that there will be one more untimed down (final play).  If the live ball foul is declined, the R should signal that the penalty has been declined, then the umpire should provide the R with the game ball, so he can immediately hold it overhead signaling the end of the game.  End strong!

Communication

Demonstrate good communication within the crew using both signaling and the 020 radios.

Sideline Warnings

Use them!  There is no yardage attached to this infraction of the rules.  Throw your flag making it clear that something bad has happened.  Even the crowd will know the sideline is interfering with safe play.  Then if you have to administer a 5-yard penalty, hopefully you will get their cooperation.  Remember, coaches who choose to go out on the field and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with a call must be assessed a 15-yard UNS.  No questions asked.  They know this is the rule!  No big demonstrations on the field…ever.

Subject: Week #5 - Thou shall be a great dead ball official.

Pre-Snap Preparation

What is your pre-snap routine? It’s different for each position…have you developed your own? Have you borrowed one from someone else?

·         Pre-Snap begins with the previous dead ball period. Be a great dead ball official!

·         Don’t be in a hurry to chase the ball. Make sure you’ve completed your dead ball officiating.

·         Know your ball mechanics for returning the ball or obtaining a new ball when you’re ready.

·         Know the status of the clock. The crew must check the clock during each dead ball period and know how to correct any timing errors…especially at the end of half and game!

·         Observe substitutions

·         Know & think (down &distance)

·         Move to proper position for snap (based upon formation?)

·         Count offense or defense (Once? Twice?)

·         Recognize formations and strengths of formations

·         Identify your key(s) – number(s) – location in formation

·         Know team tendencies

·         Identify where the best players are in the formation

·         Look for mismatches

 You are ready for the snap!!

 Pregame Conference

To make certain we give ourselves every chance to be successful we need to have a good, solid pregame conference.  Take part and be prepared for whatever position you are assigned.  This week’s topics are:            

 October 11th & 12th

·         Umpire: Blocking Below the Waist (RB 2-3-7)

·         Head Linesman: Electronic Equipment (RB 1-3-7, 1-5-3c (2), 1-6, 9-8-1e)

·         Line Judge: Facemask Fouls (RB 9-4-3h & Penalty)

·         Back Judge: NYSPHSAA 20 Yard Line Overtime Procedures

Penalty Enforcement

Everyone has something to do.  Get penalty information, communicate penalty information, cover flag, cover ball, get new ball, communicate with coach, hold re-enforcement spot, march off the penalty yardage, set the box and/or chains, confirm proper enforcement information, signal the foul, communicate the status of the clock.  All of this takes 5 officials.  Most likely you won’t have time to record your foul information, so remember the info and enter it during the next dead ball period.

Support from BJ in Side Zones

As a crew of only 5, we need the BJ to move up and into the side zones on plays that end up out there. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The NYSACFO supports Cancer Awareness Month and starting this week allows officials to wear pink during the month of October.  In keeping with the guidelines from our State Association, we are allowed to wear one pink item during this month.  The approved items are a pink:

·         Whistle & lanyard

·         Wristband (with or without an attached down indicator)

·         Down indicator

·         Lapel pin

·         Ribbon on your hat or lapel of your shirt

 No other pink items, attachments or adornments shall be worn or used, including but not limited to pink towels, pink bean bags, pink penalty flags, and hats with pink piping.

 Targeting, Spearing and Excessive Contact

There are three different types of personal fouls where the opponent takes aim and initiates contact:

·         Targeting – hits to the head and neck area

·         Spearing – using the crown of your helmet to deliver blow below the head and neck area

·         Excessive Contact to a Defenseless Player – Blindside Blocks and Defenseless Receivers or Punt Returners.

* If any one of them is considered flagrant, it is an ejection.  Most times they are not considered flagrant.
* Flagrant = “a foul so severe or extreme that it places an opponent in danger of serious injury.”

Coaches can teach their athletes to avoid illegal blindside blocks.  Initiating the block with the hands and extending the arms, using their body to “shield” or “screen” the opponent, or making contact which is not forceful, can be very successful blocks yet have safe consequences for the defenseless player.

Subject: Week #4 - You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.

40 Second Clock

Just a refresher on what games the 40 second clock is used in New York State:

• All Varsity is 40 second clock per the NFHS 2019 rules whether 5-man or 4-man crew.
• All non-varsity is 25 second clock per the 2018 NFHS rules.

Also, it is not possible for one person to be both the Game Clock Operator (GCO) and Play Clock Operator (PCO) without screwing up HUUUUGE. With the new play clock rules, running the play clock this year is challenging. If a school doesn’t want to pay the extra PCO fee, the BJ should keep the play clock on the field.  GCO and PCO are two separate responsibilities.

Pre-game Conference

When the primary media outlets in your area that cover high school football include in their stories terms such as "bizarre part” and “controversial” and “weirdest”, there’s a more than good probability it started with a bad to non-existent pre-game (and as the chapter interpreter, your phone is likely going to ring).  

So that all crew members participate in the pre-game conference, each official should cover a topic of discussion.  The Referee is responsible for insuring that all rule applications and officiating mechanics are covered properly.  In a four-man game the Referee is responsible to cover the topic assigned to the Back Judge. Here are the topics for this week:

Oct 4-5

• Umpire: Snap Infractions (RB 7-1 thru 7-4)
• Head Linesman: Blocking on a Free Kick (RB 9-3-8)
• Line Judge: Free Kick Team Formation & Requirements (RB 6-1-3a & b; RB 6-1-4)
• Back Judge: Kick Catching Interference (RB 6-5-6 a & b & Exception & Penalty)

Ball Placement

The placement of the ball on the field can be affected by the result of the previous play.  (See 4-3-1 to 7).

• After a touchback the ball is typically placed in the center of the field on the 20 yard line, but the captain may elect to put the ball in play anywhere between the hash marks.
• When a free kick (kickoff) goes out of bounds and the team elects to take the ball 25 yards from the free kick spot, the ball is placed at the hash mark on the side of the field that it went out of bounds on.  Similarly, on a scrimmage kick (punt or unsuccessful field goal) that goes OOB the ball is placed at the hash on the side of the field where it went out of bounds.
• After a fair catch, the ball is typically placed where the ball was caught or at that hash mark if it was in the side zone.  By rule the fair catch or awarded fair catch allows the captain to choose any spot between the hashes to either snap or free kick the ball.  
• On an extra point attempt, the team may place the ball anywhere between the hashes and you must make the defense aware of where you are placing the ball.
• To start their initial possession in each overtime period, the team may place the ball anywhere between the hash marks.

The Snapper

There is no restriction on a defensive player lining up over the snapper (2-32-14).  However, per 9-4-6 it is roughing the snapper when a defensive player charges directly into the snapper when the offensive team is in a scrimmage-kick formation.  Also see Case Book plays 9.4.6 Situation A through D.

Taking a Knee

There are two different scenarios to think about when A is taking a knee:

• Does A have a lead of 8 points or less?
• Does A have a lead of 9 or more points?

It is important to remember that the offense doesn’t get to unilaterally determine when competition stops in a game — especially when the difference in score is fairly small.  Specifically communicate with the offensive line, tell them “Continue to play football.  Protect yourself and protect your QB.” They need to know more than anyone that the game IS NOT over. Relying on the judgment of teenage boys, half of which are about to lose a game and/or may have just been beaten like a rented mule for 47 minutes, is unwise.  When a game is ending with a team taking a knee, the crew needs to be on high alert.  See the attached write up for more detail on handling when a team takes a knee.

Subject:  State Interpreter Week #3 Tips  - Thou shall be A GREAT dead ball official.

NYSPHSAA - sample letter for tinted visor waiver.pdf Line of Scrimmage Officiating from Ed Camp.pdf

Taking A Knee (5-3-18).pdf

Rule Updates for the 2019 Season , including Powerpoint presentations and information pages, are available by clicking the below.  They have also been added as a new topic to the NFHS Rules and Mechanics Forum. (Browse/Forums/NFHS Rules and Mechanics).     

• 2019 Rules Interpretation Powerpoint Presentation
• NYSACFO Powerpoint 
• 40 Second Clock Instruction
• Ball Person Instrruction
• Clock Operator Instruction
• Line to Gain ( Chain Crew) Instruction
• Ball on Tic Instruction

It will helpful to review before the Rules Clinics and the season.  

NYSACFO Powerpoint June 2019 Meeting (6-15-19).pptx 2019_NFHS_Football_Rules_PowerPoint__(8-3-19_PJE).pptx 2019 NYS Football Instructions for Ball Persons.pdf 2019NFHS football-clock-operators.pdf 2019 NFHS Football-line-to-gain Instruction.pdf Ball on the Tic Summary.pdf New 40 Second Play Clock Rule V2.pdf

Clarification on 2019 Rule Changes.pdf

August 7, 2019

Dear fellow officials,