2014 – 2015 Central Florida Officials Association 5 – MAN UMPIRE MECHANICS 2014 – 2015 Central Florida Officials Association

Umpire Uniform should fit properly and be clean and neat. Good physical condition is important to last throughout the game and will help you move quickly from one position to another Communication between officials, players, school staff and coaches is a key to a smoothly run contest. Be verbal and let the players know you are there from the start to completion of game. Be professional in your speech and physical demeanor.

Pre-Game (On-Field) Officials should arrive at site of the game at least 1 ½ hours before scheduled game time. Accompany referee as he/she visits with each head coach, examine and rule on any player equipment about which the coach has a questions of legality. Related to Pads and Padding Hard and unyielding items (guards, cast, braces, etc.) on the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, or upper are unless padded with a closed-cell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than ½” thick. Knee and ankle braces that are unaltered do not require any additional padding Eye shield attached to helmet that is not constructed of molded rigid material or clear without the presence of any tint. Tinted eyewear worn on the face and under the face mask is legal

Pre-Game (On-Field) (cont’d) Walk the field: Verify the field and markings are correct. Verify (3 yard.) Extra point mark. Observe warm-ups: Look for the style of offence Make contact with key members of the offensive line and linebackers. Scrimmage Kick – note numbering exceptions. After duties completed Join Linesman on the sideline where the line-to-gain indicator is located.

Coin Toss 3 min before schedule Kickoff. Umpire: facing the scoreboard. Enter the field from the line-to-gain indicator side on the 45 yard line furthers from the clock. Referee will enter from the opposite sideline on the 45 yard line closes to the clock. On referees pre arranged signal meet referee at mid-field. Have an extra coin Listen for visitors choice and verify that Referee repeats it correctly Confirm Referee gives correct signals and direction. After Toss: At conclusion of toss procedures and after the captains have been dismissed, move together for final instructions from referee Record which team has first choice for second half At referee’s signal, hustle to kickoff positions, Linesman,umpire and judge(s) clear sidelines before going to kickoff position.

Free Kicks Be certain coaches, players, substitutions and other personnel are in proper location behind the 2 yard belt in the team box. Positioning: 20 yard line outside sideline opposite linesman Count R’s players. Wait for up official to raise their hand before raising yours for the ready. Be prepared for short kick, fair catch. Be prepared to cover goal line to assist on touchback If ball is kicked to your side pick up runner and follow If ball is kicked to opposite side of field take the blocking action in your coverage area If short kick is anticipated, position on R’s free-kick line. (be ready to bean bag 1st touching. Make sure ball goes ten yards.)

Initial Position Scrimmage Play Alignment 7-8 yards behind Team B’s line and between B’s ends, keeping the snap in view Keep action in front: Average running play is 3 - 4 yards Average pass crossing pattern: 5 - 7 yards Open “Vision” Widens field of vision when reading keys, adjust keys as the play develops. Shade for best view of ball Don’t always shade opposite TE Linebackers will always open to strength (must anticipate this when shading) Vary position so players cannot use you as interference

Keys: Pre-Snap Prior to the Snap Umpire and player safety is the #1 concern. Verify down with R, LJ, LM & BJ. Question if necessary Distance for the line to gain and Field Position Keep in mind the position of ball between hash marks Count Offense and signal referee every play Know your ineligibles (50-79) also covered eligible receivers Key G-C-G recognize strength of the formation Look for interference with snap, false start or encroachment Position: shoulders should be parallel to the line of scrimmage Keep the whistle out of you mouth, will give you time to think before blowing it.

Keys: Post-Snap Keys: Key center and guards, If they block aggressively read run. If they pass block, read pass. Read point of attack paying particular attention to free-blocking zone restrictions. Don’t watch the ball Check for illegal use of hands or arms and other fouls near neutral zone. Be alert Quick kick or pass. If fumble occurs beyond neutral zone, assist in determining who secures possessioin

Review down and distance A Key to the Point of Attack Train yourself to watch a key…..and read point of attack Umpire This is an immediate key for a run. Any time guard pulls behind center Pulling Guard Umpire Tight end block down run or play action pass look for drag across middle Double Team Umpire Open field tackle, aggressive block, almost always a run turn to point of attack. Move to line on pass play. Chop Block Potential Umpire Drop back pass action is key for pass, be alert for screen & draw and turn and help on short middle passes. Drop Back Pass Passive Block Review down and distance

A Key to the Point of Attack (cont) Umpire Pulling guards misdirection or sweep, secondary key is action by remaining back. Look for low blocks after ball has left zone. Pulling Guard Umpire Tight wing blocks inside; check run or play action pass. Cover line of scrimmage if QB scrambles. Power Block Corner Attack

Pass Plays When you read forward pass, step toward neutral zone This puts you in position to rule whether ineligible is illegally downfield and if QB throws beyond LOS This removes you as a target on shallow drags watch for draw/slip screen Turn on low trajectory passes If you can touch the pass… turn and help out. Focus from the ground up when turning, short hop on middle pass.

Pass Plays (cont’d) Long Passes (high trajectory) Stay w/ keys and focus on line play No ball hawking or looking at QB Watch for illegal blocks, contact and illegal use of hands No back set… Umpire and Referee are responsible for all 5 offensive linemen After pass is thrown, Umpires are responsible for players at the line of scrimmage Wait until the forward pass as completely cleared the line of scrimmage before you turn and follow the play.

Pass Plays (cont’d) 3 ways to help officiate on pass plays: Completed pass: hustle to ball Incomplete pass over the middle: Umpire that is your responsibility for catch or no catch Not certain: jog slowly to spot looking at LM, LJ, BJ to see if they need help on reception or not Long incomplete pass down field go out an get the ball deep and relay to the referee to spot at the previous spot

Goal Line Communication Between the 5 yard line and goal line – Umpire is primary on QB past line of scrimmage Ball in end zone and line of scrimmage officials trying to locate ball Umpire: locate ball Visual clue to side officials i.e. patting chest, grabbing whistle this informs your side officials that Umpire has the location of the ball the side officials will determine touchdown or not. Umpire does not signal touchdown.

Scrimmage Kicks and Try’s Protect the Snapper Remind DL – A defensive player shall not charge directly into the snapper when the offensive team is in a scrimmage-kick formation. Position on Scoring Kicks: 7 to 9 yards off ball Step toward the neutral zone and be alert for roughing the snapper Be alert for run or pass Assist in covering a short or blocked kick and determining if the ball crosses the neutral zone. Watch for “pull and shoot” DL grabs OL and pulls aside creating gap for DL/LB to shoot through

Penalty Enforcement Must know Penalty Enforcement The entire crew should know what happen and the Penalty Enforcement. Make sure the penalty is enforced on the correct team Review page 90 penalty summary in your National Federation of State High School Associations rule book

Penalty Enforcement (cont’d) Mechanics: Repeat back to Referee, offending team the penalty and yard of penalty and enforcement spot Make note of enforcement spot for penalty Walk briskly, use arm signal to point each yard line you cross. Walk off penalty when the referee is giving the signal to the press box Linesman will proceed to succeeding spot Line Judge will hold enforcement spot Before placing ball down – ensure side officials and Umpire have the same spot and down

First Downs Change of Quarters On a measurement for a first down the umpire will wait with the referee at the ball and take forward line-to-gain indicator from chain crewmember at place of measurement. Wait until the Linesman says “ready” tighten the line-to-gain indicator and hold forward indicator near ball until referee reaches decision. Do not jerk the chain out of the HL hand pull it forward slowly to take slack out of chain. Change of quarters record down, distance and yard line nearest foremost point of ball. Quickly take ball to corresponding point on other half of field and reverse directions. 21