Five man Passing Keys Based on the NFHS Officials Manual by Grant Christianson Greater Kansas City Officials Association

What is a “key”? A key is where one’s initial attention is focused Help determine coverage at the snap only –Avoids “who do I have” They do not necessarily determine coverage for the entire play

Strength of Formation: determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle. End: Receiver on the outside of the formation on the line of scrimmage. Tight End: End man no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman. Back: Player in backfield at snap. Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle. Definitions

How are Keys Determined? Based on the Strength of Formation –Determined by the number of eligible receivers outside the tackles at time of snap –Strong side has the greater number of eligible receivers –weak side has the least –If no strong side, strength is automatically to the line judge’s side –Back judge has first key –Line judge and Linesman have the second key Do not key off same player as official ahead of you in the priority. Normally, one wing official keys off receiver on the side where the strength is NOT declared. The other wing official will be keying off strong side inside receiver.

G QB TTEG R T RB TE RB U LLJ BJ C RB Balanced formation, no strong side because one eligible receiver on either side of center BJ 20 yards deep and shades to LJ side and keys on TE L has end LJ has first back out of backfield

G QB TEG R T RB TE RB U LLJ BJ C Strength to Linesman’s side Initial Keys: BJ 20 yards deep and shade to strong side has B L hasTE LJ has E Secondary Keys: L and LJ have first RB out of back field towards their side B

G QB TTEGT RB TE RB U LJ BJ C B R L Strength to Line judge’s side- two eligible receivers compared to one on L side Keys: BJ has TE L has TE on that side of field LJ has B

G QB TTEGT RB TE RB U LJ BJ C B R L Strength to Lineman’s side- two eligible receivers compared to one on LJ side Keys: BJ has TE L back that shows strength L would also have first back out of backfield to his side LJ has TE on that side of field

G QB TTEGT RB TE B U LJ BJ C B R L Trips to Line judge’s side Keys: BJ has two outside eligible receivers on strong side, TE and B on LJ’s side LJ has action on or by inside B L has TE on that side of field L also has first back out of backfield to his side

G QB T RB GT B U LJ BJ C R L Double wing or four receiver set No declared strength so BJ shades to LJ side Keys: BJ has outside receiver on LJ’s side LJ has primary coverage on B (flanker) LJ also looks through to tackle and help if set back becomes involved in play L has E and B (two eligible receivers) on that side of field EE B

G QB T RB GT U LJ BJ C R L Motion Changes Strength and Keys Initial Strength to L side Initial Keys: BJ has TE on L’s side (strong side) L has B on that side of field LJ has TE on his side of field When slot B goes in motion, strength changes and keys for BJ, L, and LJ change New Keys: BJ slides to strong side when motion back is clearly outside of tackle before ball is snapped and has B L has TE on his side of field, also responsible for legality of motion by motion B LJ stays with original key TE B

G QB T RB GT U LJ BJ C R L Motion Creates Trips to L side Initial strength to L side Initial Keys: BJ has B on L side L has TE on that side of field LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side Motion by back doesn’t change strength but creates trips so keys for BJ and L change New Keys follow normal trips keys: BJ switches key from strong side B and takes two outside receivers on strong side, in this case B and motion back L stays with TE on his side LJ still responsible on action on or by TE and also back out of backfield on his side TE B

G QB T RB GT U LJ BJ C R L Motion Creates Strength Change Initial strength to L side Initial Keys: BJ has B on L side L has TE on that side of field LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side Motion by back changes strength to even strength. Strength declared to LJ side. Keys for BJ and LJ change New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys: BJ slides to strong side and switches key to B on strong side L takes TE to his side of field, also responsible for motion by RB before snap LJ takes motion man after snap TE B

G QB T B GT B U LJ BJ C R L Trips to LJ side, Motion Changes Keys Initial Keys: BJ has two outside receivers to strong side L TE to his side LJ responsible for inside B Motion by inside back does not change strength but changes keys for BJ, L, and LJ. New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys: BJ takes E L takes both TE and B to his side of field LJ responsible for motion by RB before snap, once ball is snapped has remaining B on his side of field TEE RB

Summary Keys are based on the number of eligible receivers outside of the tackle at the time of the snap BJ has first key, then LJ and L follow Do not key off same receiver as person ahead of you BJ always goes to strong side of field If no strong side, strength declared to LJ’s side Keys are intended for initial action on eligible receivers, keys will change as play continues BJ will always have widest eligible receiver on strong side of field Keys are intended for initial action on receiver Once receivers get 5-7 or more yards downfield, switch to zone coverage