1. NFHS FOOTBALL Officials Manual Committee 2005 Points of Emphasis

2. Officials Manual Committee Dale Pleimann – Missouri - - Chair - 2007Dale Pleimann – Missouri - - Chair - 2007 Steve Stearns – California - - Vice Chair - 2007Steve Stearns – California - - Vice Chair - 2007 Ralph Damren – Maine - 2007Ralph Damren – Maine - 2007 Mike Webb – West Virginia - 2005Mike Webb – West Virginia - 2005 Ralph Swearngin – Georgia - 2007Ralph Swearngin – Georgia - 2007 Dave Anderson – Wisconsin - 2005Dave Anderson – Wisconsin - 2005 Tom Robinson – Colorado - 2005Tom Robinson – Colorado - 2005 Clark Sanders – Oregon - 2005Clark Sanders – Oregon - 2005 Tom Lorang – Montana - - NFHS-OA - 2006Tom Lorang – Montana - - NFHS-OA - 2006

3. POINTS OF EMPHASIS A period must be extended by an untimed down if during the last timed down of the period there is a foul, other than unsportsmanlike or nonplayer or fouls that specify loss of down, by either team and the penalty is accepted. (3-3-3)A period must be extended by an untimed down if during the last timed down of the period there is a foul, other than unsportsmanlike or nonplayer or fouls that specify loss of down, by either team and the penalty is accepted. (3-3-3) If there is a foul, other than unsportsmanlike or nonplayer or fouls that specify loss of down, by either team and the penalty is accepted during the untimed down, the procedure is repeated.If there is a foul, other than unsportsmanlike or nonplayer or fouls that specify loss of down, by either team and the penalty is accepted during the untimed down, the procedure is repeated. If there is a foul that specifies loss of down and the penalty is accepted the down is not repeated and any score is cancelled.If there is a foul that specifies loss of down and the penalty is accepted the down is not repeated and any score is cancelled. The period shall not be extended further for dead ball fouls.The period shall not be extended further for dead ball fouls. All officials shall be aware of untimed down situations and communicate amongst themselves.All officials shall be aware of untimed down situations and communicate amongst themselves. Wing officials shall communicate an untimed down situation to the coaches on their sidelines to eliminate confusion.Wing officials shall communicate an untimed down situation to the coaches on their sidelines to eliminate confusion. Referee shall use Signal #1 (untimed down) to communicate with press box, media, fans, etc.Referee shall use Signal #1 (untimed down) to communicate with press box, media, fans, etc.

4. POINTS OF EMPHASIS Wing officials’ mechanics for monitoring substitutions.Wing officials’ mechanics for monitoring substitutions. After ball is spotted straddle line ball is on.After ball is spotted straddle line ball is on. Start on sideline. Eliminates hideout & decoy.Start on sideline. Eliminates hideout & decoy. Nine-yard marks (top of numbers) - players & substitutes must be between the nine-yard marks prior to snap. (7-2-1)Nine-yard marks (top of numbers) - players & substitutes must be between the nine-yard marks prior to snap. (7-2-1) Count B players and identify eligible receivers on your side.Count B players and identify eligible receivers on your side. Be alert for illegal substitutions. (3-7) (Numbers in & out, e.g. 2 in - 2 out)Be alert for illegal substitutions. (3-7) (Numbers in & out, e.g. 2 in - 2 out)

5. POINTS OF EMPHASIS Responsibilities for determining pass interference.Responsibilities for determining pass interference. Forward or backward – only one forward pass allowed. (7-5-2-e) (Use of supplemental signal on page 24 of Officials Manual)Forward or backward – only one forward pass allowed. (7-5-2-e) (Use of supplemental signal on page 24 of Officials Manual) Hindering an opponent’s vision without making an attempt to catch ball. (7-5-10-b)Hindering an opponent’s vision without making an attempt to catch ball. (7-5-10-b) Defender obviously away from the direction of the pass. (7-5- 11-c) (Divide field into thirds.)Defender obviously away from the direction of the pass. (7-5- 11-c) (Divide field into thirds.) When in doubt:When in doubt: –Pass is forward. –Defender has not hindered opponent’s vision. –Defender is in the direction of the pass.

7. POINTS OF EMPHASIS The responsibilities of rules makers involve defining legal and/or illegal actions in a sport and then prescribing penalties for illegal acts.The responsibilities of rules makers involve defining legal and/or illegal actions in a sport and then prescribing penalties for illegal acts. The responsibilities of game officials involve interpreting the spirit and intent of the published rules and applying them to game situations.The responsibilities of game officials involve interpreting the spirit and intent of the published rules and applying them to game situations. The prescribed penalties automatically occur when calls are made by the officials.The prescribed penalties automatically occur when calls are made by the officials. Therefore, the judgments of the officials should focus on the actions of the participants and not on whether they consider the prescribed fouls and penalties to be appropriate.Therefore, the judgments of the officials should focus on the actions of the participants and not on whether they consider the prescribed fouls and penalties to be appropriate.

8. CORRECTIONS Page 15: III-A-3; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football.Page 15: III-A-3; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football. Page 16: III-B-2-b; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football.Page 16: III-B-2-b; add Back Judge (5-person) obtains football.

9. CORRECTIONS Page 19-20: After a Score or Try – Prior to Free Kick; Refer to pages 50-53 – Before Kick for each position. Page 50: Diagram; U for Umpire is not filled in on 20-yard line.

10. CORRECTIONS Page 74-75: After a Touchback, Safety, Try or Field Goal; Refer to pages 50-53 – Before Kick for each position.

11. SUGGESTIONS or CONCERNS Prepared by Dale Pleimann, Assistant Director, Missouri State High School Activities Association. dale@mshsaa.org