Positioning and Keys 5-Man Mechanics Miracle Strip Officials Association

Coin Toss

Kickoff Coverage

Scrimmage Play

Goal Line Play

Scoring Kick

Scrimmage Kick

What Keys do Reading the proper key enables full formation coverage at the snap Recognizing keys helps officials anticipate the play Proper key recognition enables officials to be properly positioned on the field Eliminates the “Who do I have” question at the snap Gives each official a starting point in coverage progression Provides another level of non-verbal crew communication

Strength of Formation: “Key” Terms Strength of Formation: Determined by the number of eligible receivers on either side of the ball Tight End: The end man on the line of scrimmage lined up no more than four yards from the nearest lineman Back in Backfield: A player in the backfield between the tackles at the snap

Determining Keys Back Judge has the first key Linesman and Line Judge have second keys Strong side of the formation is the side with the most eligible receivers outside the tackles A balanced formation has an equal number of eligible receivers outside the offensive tackles on each side of the formation In a balanced formation the strength is given to the Line Judge side (press box) A man-in-motion prior to the snap CAN alter the strength of the formation prior to the snap

Balanced Formation # Official Key Notes 1 BJ LJ L TE T G C G T TE QB RB RB RB Balanced Formation # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side (TE) Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L Eligible on his side Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage LJ First back out of backfield on his side

Wing # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on L side (WR) LJ WR QB RB RB Wing # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on L side (WR) Shaded to L side, no wider than upright but not “in line” with U 2 L Second eligible in on his side (TE) LJ Eligible on his side

Four Wide # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side WR T G C G T WR LJ FL QB FL RB Four Wide # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L Both eligibles (WR & FL) on his side LJ Second eligible in (FL) on his side

Trips # Official Key Notes 1 BJ WR T G C G T WR LJ QB SL SL RB Trips # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Two widest eligibles (WR & SL) on LJ side Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L Eligible (WR) on his side LJ Inside eligible (SL) on his side

Motion Changes Key Before the Snap BJ L WR T G C G T TE LJ QB SL RB RB Motion Changes Key Before the Snap # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible (TE) on LJ side Do not move until the snap if warranted 2 L Eligible on his side LJ Second eligible (SL) on side # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright 2 L Second eligible (SL) on his side LJ Eligible (TE) on his side

Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change Keys BJ L TE T G C G T TE LJ WR QB RB RB Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change Keys # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright 2 L Second eligible in (TE) on his side LJ Eligible (TE) on his side

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