Mechanics 8/28/16 Jeff Davis

Fight Mechanics Crew: If players are swinging, stand back and take numbers. Keep other players away from the fight. Once players go to ground, attempt to break it up. HL/LJ: Primary responsibility for SL and keeping non-players from leaving their bench area. Crew: After order is restored, huddle away from everyone, discuss, then assess penalties and DQ’s. Give all officials an opportunity to speak and be heard. R: Go to SL with Wing present and inform each HC of the penalties and DQ’s for both teams. R: Signal DB and personal foul, not UNS, if there is contact. Signal DQ for each player who is disqualified for each team. Crew: After the game, record all the facts, complete the ejection form on-line and follow the ejection policy. R: Contact your assigner.

Fight Prevention Mechanics Crew: Allow no taking between opposing players. Maintain a presence on the field. U must be strong in the middle. Crew: Talk to players all night, especially those who are “on the edge”. Crew: If opponents “chest-up” or shove one another, get between them and stop it immediately, then assess penalties if warranted. If players are not swinging, get between them. Be a great DB official. Stay positive to defuse tense situations. Crew: Be assertive without being aggressive. Do not pull players from a pile, grab a facemask or shove players. Sound your whistle loudly. Crew: PENALIZE THE FIRST LATE HIT!!!

Inadvertent Whistle An IW ends the down immediately! Administer an IW as follows. The down shall be replayed if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an IW is sounded while a legal forward pass or snap is in flight, or during a legal kick. The team last in possession may choose to either put the ball in play where possession was lost or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty for a foul is declined, an IW is sounded while the ball is loose following a backward pass, fumble, illegal forward pass or illegal kick. The team in possession may choose to either accept the results of the play at the DB spot or replay the down if, during a down or during a down in which the penalty is declined, an IW is sounded while the ball is in player possession. The penalty shall be administered as determined by the basic spot and takes precedence over IW administration if, during a down, a live-ball foul occurs prior to the IW and the penalty is accepted. Note: IW’s are 100% preventable! Keep the whistle out of your mouth, don’t blow it unless the ball becomes dead in your area, and you see leather on the ground! A LATE WHISTLE IS A GREAT WHISTLE!

General Comments After Week 1 Wings need to be visible on the field! You should position yourselves 10 yards outside the widest A player, but not inside the numbers. All officials need to raise their arm with their finger(s) extended, indicating the succeeding down at the conclusion of the previous down. We do not use the college mechanic of raising an open palm. In their game, that signals the play clock operator to begin a new countdown. We do not have that! Adhere to the inclement weather protocols! If lightning/thunder occur during halftime or at the conclusion of the first half, inform both HC’s that they are not to leave the LR and that you will get them when the delay expires. Also, inform them that there will be at least a 30 minute delay. We are not responsible for bands being on the field during a HT when we are in a delay situation. That responsibility falls to game administration.

Questions and Comments? Hopefully, the questions will be few and the answers short!