WDFOA Mike Peel and Ricardo Green Downfield Mechanics WDFOA Mike Peel and Ricardo Green

Where Do I Find The Mechanics? MPSSAA Website Under Football->Officials->6 Man Mechanics WDFOA Website Under Mechanics and Pre-Game

What Is Our Key? Your key is the player you watch at the beginning of the play before transitioning to zone coverage Typically the most outside guy Sometimes you have no key in very strange formations Sometimes you have a secondary key If he is pressed (defender within 1 yard of the LOS) we watch him from the snap If no press, we can eye the tackle to see if we have a run or pass

Typical Formation (Double Double) S and F always have the widest guy. But, because there is no B, F must take the second guy as a secondary key too. Starting position is 20 yards, doesn’t have to be though. 20 Yards S F

Typical Formation (Trips) F should end up at 22-24 yards deep. We expect one of the three to go deep so be ready for it. Why don’t we take the widest guy in this formation? 20 Yards 22-24 Yards S F

Why Do We Have a Key? We need coverage of all offensive players Your key will usually take you to the play You can then move or stand still based on his action If he blocks, we have a run and there is no need to back peddle yet If he goes around the defender, we probably have a pass and you’ll move back a bit and transition to zone Only stick with your key if he stays in your zone and the play still has a chance of coming that way

Reverse Mechanics Read and react Don’t go past the runner, stay behind You have the spot unless it ends right away in front of the short wing Take the spot from the wing, we have to work together and if the wing doesn’t know to go to the goal line, we have to help

Reverse Mechanics F S

Reverse Mechanics What do we look for? In charge of the final spot Run to your side, watch the blocking in front of the runner Run away from you, watch for illegal blocks toward the middle With no B, everyone must watch the defensive backfield for personal fouls behind the play

Punt Plays Decide pregame with your fellow downfield person if we’re splitting 50/50 or 33/66 Signal to your partner who has the receiver pre-snap If the ball takes the receiver into the opposite official’s area, switch responsibilities Offside, watch for block in the back fouls They come quick but are easy to see if you’re looking for them

Punt Plays What is everyone looking for? F? S? F S

Fake Try and Field Goal Know your ineligible eligibles Who has an eligible number but lined up in an ineligible position? Typically the center Work from inside out Begin a spread from under the upright to around the inbounds marks Watch receivers stepping out of the endzone

After the Play Jog in to the 9 yard marks if play is inside the numbers Survey the field, look for any players you may need to separate Watch for personal fouls Slowly back out The football is your last responsibility