Officials,
First SAOA Meeting will be next Wednesday (9/18/24) at 6:30 PM at Triad HS in the Library. I hope to have the first training tape out by tonight.
Observers Program: The initial observer’s program has kicked off. There are five observers across the state who have been assigned to observe four crews in their respective geographic area. The observers are to reach out to set a date and location for the crew to be observed. The observer will meet with the crew prior to the game and after to provide their observations. A written report will be sent to Sam Knox after the game. The purpose of the observations is to assist crews who have previously been assigned one or two playoff games to assist them to improve their officiating skills. Once again, this is the initial program, and I am sure we will be receiving questions and suggestions from officials about the program.
Game Mechanics:
Speed-up Your Game: I continually observe crews setting the ball between yard-lines on first downs. That is okay in the red zone. However, in the rest of the field set the ball on the front or back of the nearest yard marker (referring to hash yard markers). This will cut down on stopping the clock for measurements as you will know when looking at the results of a play if the line to gain was met. Do not complain, your game is taking forever when you can help to keep the clock running.
Another issue in keeping the clock running is knowing when to stop or run the clock. First, we need to know a simple mechanic. If the runner is forced out laterally or backwards from the field of play, keep the clock running. If the runner is still running forward when he goes out-of-bounds, we stop the clock. Be quicker on first downs that end in bounds on starting the clock as soon as the ball gets set.
These few mechanics will help your crew keep the game moving and reduce the length of your game.
Clarification to Play #2 (last Week’s Newsletter)
This play was written to address the formation and numbering question
provided by a coach during their pregame meeting. They (the crew) thought the formation with #18 on the end of the line (offset line) was illegal because #18 was in the traditional tackle position making him a lineman. Number 18 was a legal receiver by number and position in this formation (as he was on the end of the line). The terminology “tackle eligible” used by the coach, we believe confused the crew. The numbering formation below requires A/K to be in scrimmage kick formation to legally use Rule 7-2-5 Exception #2 on fourth down. The formation presented consisted of the following numbers: (18, 65, 52, 75, 40, 27, and 6, with backfield numbers 35, 30, 9 with QB #6. The snapper was number 52). As we know, the ball can be snapped on 4th down from any legal position on the line, unlike option #1 which states, “the skinny number must be between the ends and that player remains an ineligible receiver unless the ball is first touched by B.” The formation discussed above is an old offset line formation, and just because #18 was the second player to the left of the center does not make him the tackle. Once again, he is at the end of the line. The question then becomes on fourth down, did they have 7 players on the line and which players are legal by position and number. In the line formation provided above, only #’s 18 & 6 would be legal receivers. #27 is ineligible because he is covered by # 6. #40 is ineligible because he is covered by #’s 6 & 27. A lot of information to take in quickly. This is why the entire crew must pay attention to the players in their area.
Blocking Below the Waist Review:
Rule 9-3-2 & 2-17-2: Blocking below the waist was brought to my attention:
Rule 9-3-2 states, “A player shall not block an opponent below the waist except: (a) In the free blocking zone (the free blocking zone is defined as a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line) when the contact meets the requirements of 2-17 (b) To tackle a runner or pretend to be a runner.
Rule 2-17-2, blocking below the waist is permitted in the free blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
(a) All players involved in blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
(b) The contact must be in the zone, and
(c) the block is immediate, initial action following the snap.
This means no delayed blocks below the waist in the zone. An illegal block is a player safety foul. Offensive linemen can cross block below the waist with a fellow lineman if the action is immediate with the snap. What we should be watching for are delayed blocks.
A block against a player not on the line of scrimmage (i.e. a linebacker) is illegal. This also applies to the Defense (Defensive Back cannot block below the waist against the pulling guard).
Play #1:
With 38 seconds left in the game it is K’s ball fourth and 15 at K’s 8-yard line. Team K is leading 20 to 14. K7 is standing 2-yards deep in his endzone when his punt attempt is blocked. While the ball is rolling around in K’S endzone, K7 in a panic kicks the ball forward, where it rolls out of bounds at the K 4-yardline. The Referee flags K7 for an illegal kick in the endzone and both the Linesman and Line Judge have flags down at the snap for K having five players in the backfield (illegal formation). The crew comes together to sort things out. Does R have options in this situation and if so, what is R’s best possible outcome/choice.
ANSWER:
Accepting K7’s foul for the illegal kick would results in a safety. Not the best option with the score. Declining both penalties would result in R’s ball at K’s 4-yardline where K’s kick ended. Therefore, declining the illegal kick and accepting the illegal formation from the previous spot and replaying the down (we will not let R take that option) or enforcing the formation foul from the end of the kick using rule (10-4-2 Exception) is their best option. First and goal at K’s 2-yardline.
Closing:
I want to thank the officials who submitted plays or questions to me this week. It makes writing the newsletter much easier. Please keep submitting your plays and questions.
Have a great game this week and above all else, have fun.