Football Officials,
It is hard to believe a new football season is already upon us. With that and it being Week #0 we need to start with a brief review to get the season started.
IHSA Licensing Requirements: In order to be eligible to officiate an IHSA sanctioned game we must complete the following items: Have passed the Part 1 test and have watched the Rules Video. Complete the Hate Speech and concussion requirements. I am certain most everyone has completed the Part 1 test by now. What we sometimes forget is to complete the Rules, Hate Speech and Concussion requirements (watch the videos). Also, do not forget everyone is required to attend a clinic once every three years. Crew chiefs ensure your crew members have met all the above stated necessary requirements. Sounds simple, but all too often a crew member does not have their licensing completed. Do not blame the IHSA in October when playoff assignments come out and you find a crew member was not properly licensed keeping your crew from an assignment.
Officials Manual: As a reminder, individually and as a crew, read and understand the IHSA Football Officials Manual regarding crew and individual mechanics. The purpose of the manual is to place you in the best possible 5-person position to cover many aspects of the game. We know and understand there will be times when slight individual/crew adjustments will be needed, but they should be the exception and not the rule. Be in a position to make the “Big Call, correctly. Make yourself and your crew look good.
Points of Emphasis (POE) this Season:
1) Formations – ensure your line of scrimmage meets rule definition 2-25. The rules video demonstrates a proper alignment. Make certain the player on the end of the line is facing the opponent’s goal line and is not perpendicular to the LOS. This is an illegal formation if he is not properly aligned – a foul at the snap.
2) A player can only have one mouthpiece . Should the game have to be stopped for a dangling mouthpiece, that player is to be removed for one play because the clock was stopped. Any time the referee stops the clock for equipment repairs the player MUST leave the game for one play (3-5-10e). The referee has the discretion (3-4-6) as to the time to be placed on the play clock (25 or 40 seconds).
3) Maybe most importantly, management of the Restricted Area (9-8-3). For reasons unknown, crews do not want or choose not to enforce the restricted area. It is recommended during your pregame meeting with the head coach to find out who “the get back coach is.” Remind the coach this is a POE this year and we are asking for his cooperation in ensuring his players and coaches remain behind the restricted area lines (9-8-3). Failure to do so will be addressed accordingly.
4) Also, do not forget to check the players to ensure the knee pads are properly covered, pants and knee pads must completely cover the knees. If they do not, the player cannot play until properly equipped. As we know, uniform jerseys are to be of the same color. Uniform pants are not required to all be of the same color, so if a player has to play with his practice pants which are white and the team pants are blue the player can play as long as the knees are properly padded and covered. Volleyball knee pads are legal as are the girdle type pads that have the knee pads in them as long as they completely cover the knee. Keep in mind under rules 1-5-3 and 1-5-4 in which the coach has verified all his players are legally equipped the use of illegal equipment is an Unsportsmanlike penalty assessed to the head coach (9-5-1h). This is why we must check the players during the pregame warm-up period.
Weather Conditions:
Just a reminder for you to review the “Guideline on Handling Contests During Lightning or Thunder Disturbance,” page102 in the rule book. I know we always want to get the game over quickly, especially when it looks like we may experience a weather delay. For everyone’s safety (including yours) error on the side of safety and follow the guidelines provided in the rule book. The guideline provides – “at night, under certain atmospheric conditions, lightning may be seen from a distant storm. In these cases, it may be safe to continue an event. If no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a threat. Independently verified lightning detection information would help eliminate any uncertainty.
Also, when playing under extreme heat and/or humidity conditions plan to take a water break. These breaks should not interfere with the flow of the game and are best taken between a change of team possession. Do not forget to get a drink yourself. Everyone needs to stay hydrated under these conditions.
Closing:
As per previous years, I will write a weekly newsletter provided I receive your rule/play questions (and feedback). As all of you know who have received my newsletters over the years, I do not use the names of officials to illustrate plays or questions I write about. The information in the newsletter is to keep us advised of game situations. With the new season (week #O) about to begin each of you can promote yourself and your crew by being properly prepared. This preparation begins with your scrimmage game. Study weekly the rule book, case book, Preseason Guide, and Officials Manual throughout the season. Have regular individual, crew/group meetings and attend your local association meetings to discuss your rules and plays. Accept the direction or feedback provided by IHSA whether you agree or not! We are attempting to make everyone better so we can all officiate our games in the same manner. Remember, the IHSA will be conducting an Observer Program this year. Should you/your crew receive a report from this program accept the feedback as constructive so you can improve individually and as a crew. Lastly, replace your worn uniform equipment, so when you walk onto the field you start out by looking smartly dressed. Selling yourself is the first step to a good season.
Have fun and a great season, starting with your scrimmage game.
Rick Karhliker