NMOA State Clinic Football Mechanics for Umpires Greg Hanson & Donny Sanchez

Pre-Game Coach’s Meeting Coin Toss Properly equipped? Ball inflation? R – “anything strange or unusual you run or anything else you want us to be aware of?” Coin Toss

Pre-Game, continued Walk the Field Observe Team Warm-Ups knee pads, tailbone protectors, jerseys, braces, shoulder pads, war paint, play cards, eye shields, towels tendencies and formations, snap count, QB – right- or left- handed

Before the Snap Spotting the Ball – hustle, relays, orientation Check the Box/Chains – down & distance? Count A Early – 10? 11? 12? illegal substitution? 9-Yard Mark & Eligible Receivers Proper Numbering Equipment – chin straps, mouth pieces, shoulder pads Positioning – formation? snap infraction? defense? Whistle? Goal Line

Scrimmage Plays Read your Keys Officiate Point of Attack – advantage/disadvantage, halo principle Free-blocking Zone – starting position and status of ball Getting to the Line – screen passes QB scramble Passing Plays – used as screen, tipped ball, complete?, interference

Scrimmage Plays, continued Loss of Helmet Bean Bag – fumble, inadvertent whistle Throwing the Flag – live-ball/dead-ball? spot foul? status of ball? number/color/infraction? Measurements Set the Tone Early – “push off the ground” “help each other up” “hand me the ball”

Kicking Game Free Kicks Count R and signal Control the team box Onside kick Kick out of bounds Start the clock Fair catch Possession by K

Kicking Game, continued Scrimmage Kicks Protect the snapper! Coverage on four-man crew Five-man crew - option to position in backfield? Tipped ball Line of scrimmage Post-scrimmage kick enforcement Disconcertion on Scoring Kicks

Everything Else Half Time Post Game Communication/Professionalism Coaches feedback? Discussion of issues? Sportsmanship? Mercy rule? Overtime? Post Game De-Brief Communication/Professionalism Trust Your Crew

Everything Else, continued Injury Time-Outs – hydration? coaching? Player Safety Rule & Mechanics Changes Know the Enforcements – distance? enforcement spot? loss of down? half-the-distance? double and multiple fouls? PSK? Lightning & Concussion Policies

QUESTIONS ???