1. 7 Man Football Mechanics
Basic Mechanics, Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 7
Focus on R & U
2017 DFOA Regional Clinic
Joel Williams & Kenji Mitchell

2. Why use seven officials?
A crew of 7 will provide more consistent, area coverage resulting in:
Better detection and enforcement of rules which are designed to protect safety of players
Better detection of rules infractions which would otherwise give one team an unfair advantage
Better side line control
Preventive officiating is improved
Dead ball and back side officiating is improved
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3. Alabama High School Athletic AssociationSJ 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ
Alabama High School Athletic Association
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4. Communication 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 L SJ U BJ R LJX X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ
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5. Improved Communications
Substitutions
Snap inside the 7-yard line
Sideline pass reception – possession and feet
End line pass reception – possession and feet
Close goal line plays
Intentional Grounding & Illegal Forward Pass
Passes over middle (U can help)
Ball Mechanics
Clock Coverage
Penalty Enforcement
Substitutions will be more important in the future.
Goal lines on long runs
IG. Don’t have to move downfield as fast.
Talk about IFP mechanics.
H&L will have S&J to help
Clock – Everyone
2 more officials on the “committee”
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6. Positions During Kickoffs Crew of 7SJ H 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R
U will be the same, but R will have different keys. 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 BJ FJ LJ
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7. Positions During Obvious Short Kickoffs Crew of 7HL SJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R
What are everyone’s responsibilities? 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 BJ LJ FJ
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8. Pre-snap (Initial) Keys
Referee – Subs? 14 yards off the ball. Slotted depending on where ball is snapped. QB Passing arm side. Key is on far side tackle. Know the yard line where ball is snapped from. Count Offense. (I count 6 non-lineman) mechanic on ><?
Umpire – Subs? Positioning. Key on Guard/center/guard and tackle on referee side. Count Offense. (Count of 5) Know who is restricted for BBW. Illegal Snap. Defensive signals.
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9. Responsibilities during the Down
Referee – Observe actions and illegal acts by or against QB and far side tackle. Pass-Forward? QB cross LOS? Don’t give up on QB.
Umpire – Inside run..POA. “Back Side” action. What is holding? Double team. Chop Blocks. Whistle? (No!) Pass….
All – Don’t go to ball mechanics too soon. Make sure players separate. SUBS!!
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10. Responsibilities After the Down
Referee – Don’t be too quick to take your eyes off trouble spots. Stay back. No reason to rush to LOS. Start looking for subs from the Offense. Work ball in if needed.
Umpire – Patience. Dead Ball officiate. Be Vocal. Spotting the ball. Communicate with center. Eye contact with R.
All – Don’t go to ball mechanics too soon. Make sure players separate. SUBS!!

11. Basic Positions For Snaps Between the 20 Yard Line and the 5 Yard Line Crew of 7SJ H 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U BJ R
S&F on Goal line. B on back line. 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ
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12. Basic Positions For Snaps Inside the 5 Yard Line Crew of 7SJ H 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 U BJ R
H makes the call 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ
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13. Basic Positions For Punts Crew of 7L SJ 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 R BJ U 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 FJ LJ
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14. Basic Positions For Kick Trys and Field Goals Crew of 710 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 SJ BJ FJ U R 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 LJ
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15. Keys and Responsibilities
Seven officials, 22 players, one football and nonplayers on each sideline
Keys are intended to help determine officiating coverage requirements at the snap
Keys include:
Formations and players
Position of ball on the field
Down and distance
We shouldn’t miss anything
Downs-get box man to help.
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16. Officiate “Man-Zone-Ball”
“MAN” - Before the snap, identify and read your key(s) and note initial actions on and by key(s)
“ZONE” - After the snap, officiate player action in your zone
“BALL” - When direction of ball has been established (pass or run), officiate at and around the ball if in your zone; otherwise, back side officiating. When the ball is dead, continue to officiate your zone (dead ball officiating)
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