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LIAFO on Facebook - As an additional resource to our members for announcements, updates, rules discussion, etc. the Association has established a LIAFO page on Facebook that will be available to association members only. In order to find, search LIAFO and then click on "Join the Group". Once you have been verified the administrators will approve inclusion in the group.
WEBSITE - Hot News on the Web Site is available for viewing to all. All other tabs, including Forums and administration require the user to log in. To Login click on the sign in space in the upper right hand corner of the home page. Once logged in there is an Announcement that includes a link to Instructions how the web site works. If you are unable to login please contact Harry at registration@liafo.org with the nature of your problem (i.e. forgotten user id or password , which are the most common) and it will be corrected.
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Due to personal conflicts of our President and 1st vice president the agenda on 9/17 to discuss By Laws changes will be changed to the meeting to be held on Sept 23.
Discussion for the 9/17 meeting will be to review week one questions, plays, clock discussion etc.
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Subject: TIPS FROM THE STATE : Week 1 - Individual Excellence = Collective Greatness
Includes attached document from Ed Camp Regarding LOS Officiating.
Content (rules knowledge) & Capability (mechanics) are fundamental to what we do on the football field. When each member of a crew successfully fulfills the responsibilities of their position, the collective greatness of the crew shines through.
WELCOME BACK - Another season of football begins this week. We must be ready from the opening kickoff and work hard through the final whistle. Everyone is undefeated so the energy level will be extremely high; our energy level and concentration must match the game’s level. You’ve all worked so hard in preparation. Have a great game!
25/40 PLAY CLOCK (VARSITY LEVEL ONLY) - The most significant rule change is the adaptation of the new 25/40 second play clock. There are new mechanics associated with the rule change including ball rotation, ball boys and & chain crew awareness. There will be a learning curve for everybody. The same patience we grant to ourselves regarding the new 40/25 rule and our new mechanics must be extended to the ball boys & chain crew. Always be positive & encouraging with the ball boys, use them as much as practical in an effort to keep them into the game.
PREGAME CONFERENCE – To make certain we give ourselves every chance to be successful we need to have a good, solid pregame conference. We should all take part and we should all be prepared for whatever position we are assigned. This week’s topics are:
- Umpire: 25/40 Second Clock Procedure (2-35, 3-6-1)
- Head Linesman: Legal/Illegal Scrimmage Formations & Enforcement (2-14-1, 7-2-5a & Penalty)
- Line Judge: Ball on the Tics
- Back Judge: Heat & Humidity, Heat Index & Lightning (3-1-3, 4, 5 & 3-5-7g; Appendix E)
TINTED VISORS - The use of a tinted visor is an increasing phenomenon around NY state. Both the Rochester and Adirondack chapters have been presented with documentation from a local team for its use. Todd Nelson of the NYSPHSAA has advised If the school sends the doctor’s note to the state, the NYSPHSAA will likely approve the wearing of the visor. If a school has an approval letter from the NYSPHSAA with the player’s name on it, the player can wear the tinted shield, whether or not a doctor’s note is provided. If a school only provides a doctor’s note, the player CANNOT wear the tinted shield. A letter from the NYSPHSAA must be presented. No NYSPHSAA letter - no tinted shield.
Further to the TINTED VISOR information above, from the NYSPHSAA attached is a sample letter that is provided to the school for each case submitted. As you will see, the approval is on NYSPHSAA letterhead and is dated and signed by Todd Nelson, it specifies the player's name, school, sport and specific equipment allowable (the tinted visor). Todd Nelson advised the NYSPHSAA approves such requests when documented medical reasons are provided.
RULES QUIZ - Here is a weekly rules quiz courtesy of the Capital District chapter - Week 1 Quiz
9/11 REMEMBRANCES - If there is a 9/11 remembrance or ceremony, work with the home team coach and administration to make every effort to adjust the kick off time accordingly. Once a kick off time is agreed upon the officiating crew is responsible for seeing that the kick off occurs on time. Work with the teams and game management on this please. Thank you.
HEAT & HUMIDITY TIME OUTS - This is typically the hottest time during the season that games are played. Give teams an officials time out to hydrate if need be. As many of these time-outs can be taken as the officiating crew deems necessary but take them when they don't affect the flow of the game. Do it after a score, during an injury timeout, etc. This is also a good time for the officiating crew to get some fluids back into their system. The NYSPHSAA Heat Index Procedure is posted on their website here - Heat Index Procedure
THUNDER & LIGHTNING PROCEDURE - If lightning is seen or thunder is heard, the game needs to be stopped immediately. Both teams are sent to the locker rooms and write down all pertinent information - down, distance, ball location, time, quarter, etc. and start the 30-minute clock. If lightning is seen or thunder is heard anytime within that 30-minute window, the 30-minute clock restarts. Keep in mind that you need to remain in a safe area and spot where the weather outside can be observed. As per the NFHS clarification - if there is a T&L delay late in the second period, once the second period is completed, NFHS playing rules require a halftime intermission of at least 10 minutes followed by the required 3-minute warm-up period before the third period may begin. Coaches or game officials cannot shorten the halftime intermission or the warm-up period. However, both coaches could agree to shorten (end) the second period during the delay, and then the third period could start after the delay as soon as the mandatory warm-up period is completed. The NYSPHSAA Lightning Policy is posted on their website here - Thunder Lightning Policy
Have a great weekend!
NYSPHSAA - sample letter for tinted visor waiver.pdf Line of Scrimmage Officiating from Ed Camp.pdf
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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
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August 7, 2019
Dear fellow officials,
In anticipation of our next meeting, we have posted the By -law and SOP revisions for your review. The changes that were made or proposed are highlighted. Under our bylaws we must vote on any and all changes to the BY-LAWS but the SOP's are implemented by the board.We have hopefully brought both up to date and more reflective in dealing with the issues we currently face. As I have said to al of you on numerous times, it is not Boces that creates our issues, it is us the members of LIAFO.Boces is not contractually bound to follow our bylaws or SOP's but they are more then willing to work with us.Please review all of the documents and be prepared to discuss at our meeting in August. As always , if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me anytime.I hope everyone has started some type of exercise program, in preparation for the season. Please update your availability and keep it updated.Under the new OCC contract, we will be charged a 50.00 turn back fee! Please make every effort to avoid turn backs.Enjoy the remainder of the summer and looking forward to a very successful football season.Your in footballBob DeThomasis -
June 18, 2019
Dear fellow officials,
My apologies for not being more informative this year but it has been a very busy off season for all of us. Now posted on the web site is the audited financial statement for this year. Please review the statement and certainly e-mail any questions you have. This is the total amount on hand for the upcoming season.
It has always been my goal to bolster our funds to be able to afford such things as our post game meetings at the Turtle and be able to buy radios for all of the crews. That is why it is of the utmost importance that your dues are paid in full and ON TIME! We still have people paying dues well into June!
We have rewritten the SOP's and the By Laws for the association in order to bring them up to date with the current situations facing us and our relationship with Boces.
These will be posted, after final editing and be voted on at the next two meetings.
Our annual re-staffing draft has been postponed in order for me to meet with Boces and review our concerns and highlights for the upcoming season.
Our first general meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday night, 7PM at the Bethpage high school, Please make it a point to attend and stay for the meeting.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me anytime or attend our board meetings, dates are posted on the web site.
Yours in football,
Bob DeThomasis
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PRESIDENTS LETTER 2019
Dear fellow Football Officials,
First, on behalf of myself and the entire football board, we wish you and your families a very Healthy and Happy New Year.
We enjoyed, in my opinion, a very successful season and as for me, I learned a great deal about running our great organization.
We started off the season on a very positive note in our meeting with Boces and the section eight coordinator. Not only did they entertain our proposal for a revamping of the ratings, they also set up a meeting with the coaches association for our presentation. This was also a success due directly to the efforts of Joe Gottesmen and his committee. Although we do not yet have a system in place, we are on our way. We have requested that the new ratings system be made part of our contract negotiations with Boces.
The assignment of fill ins for each week, was handled through a joint effort of Jay and Frank Sammartano. It was a momentous task considering that most weeks we were missing upwards of ten officials, but they got it done.
It seems that our move to the Green Turtle was well received and now that we have a system in place, we will continue our after game get together at the Green Turtle in East Meadow.
Our continued efforts for fund raising went very well due to the efforts of Tim O’Neil, Jim Hopper and Pete Siegmann, and all of you for making the commitment to support our organization. With Tim at the helm the dinner and journal were a phenomenal success. The Modell’s coupons brought in over $400 and the 50/50 was successful, but we can do better! We look forward to this year and some other options for fund raising.
The reason for our continued (and sometimes annoying) push for funds is to prepare for many different opportunities and situations. Some possibilities:
- Purchase of field radios/headsets for each crew. We all want them and should have them, but short of each crew purchasing the head sets, which will not work for many reasons, we need to raise funds to purchase them. Can we get BOCES to pay for them? Doubtful, and if we did, who owns them at the end of the day?
- We would like to keep monies set aside to help our officials with the turn backs of disputed games, especially the playoffs.
- We would also like to improve on our year end gift (how many shoe carriers can we have?).
On our agenda for this year is the OCC contract and the inclusion of many points and issues thought to have already been included.
For years we have all been told that the postseason assignments are made by BOCES and they do not abide by the agreement between LIAFO and BOCES. The fact is there is no written agreement other than what is in the contract. Our focus this year is to change that and make our By-laws, SOP’s, Contract, BOCES and Athletic Council agree to the same procedure or at least set the stage to bring all of them together. We have begun the process by forming a committee that will be led by Tom Smith to review our By-laws and SOP’s, and make recommendations for changes. We will also be finalizing the contract requests to be presented by the OCC in the spring.
I cannot stress enough the importance for our membership to understand, adhere to and follow our By-laws and SOP’s. Many of the perceived violations for which we continually blame BOCES are not violations at all, and we need to update our By-laws and SOP’s to be fair and reasonable, and coordinate better with BOCES and the Athletic Council.
If you believe a By-law or SOP is incorrect or unjust, let us know and we will consider a change. Any action we take has to be for the betterment of the association as a whole. The most important part of this is protection of our fellow officials. We have many policies and procedures in place to deal with ethical issues, but self-control is the most important part. If you have an issue, bring it to our attention. If you do not want to present it to me, bring it to one of the board members. It will be investigated and dealt with appropriately. Now, more than ever, we need to stand together and united.
If you have issue with anything, bring it to our attention. If you do not want to present it to me, bring it to one of the board members. It will be investigated, and a resolve will be reached.
My phone is on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Never, ever hesitate to call me. 516-582-3560 or email at uncotis@aol.com or bdethomasis@enclos.com. If you need immediate assistance, it is better to call me or email my work address, (bedethomasis@enclos.com) or contact Frank Sammartano (Laxman813@aol.com) or Peter Siegmann (p1ziggy@aol.com), respectively if you feel more comfortable.
We will be posting the upcoming board dates and meeting dates on the web site. Please read them and feel free to attend a meeting of the board. My only request is that you let me know at least one week in advance and if you would like to speak, let me know at least two weeks in advance so we may prepare for your requests.
Happy 2019 and see you in the summer!
All the best,
Bob DeThomasis