1. Line of Scrimmage Break Out Session
LOS Mechanics

2. The key to working a solid game is complete concentration all game long. When the game is over you should be mentally exhausted!!
LOS Mechanics

3. Agenda Pre-Game Pre-Snap At the Snap During the Play
Cross field Mechanics
Dead Ball Officiating
Penalty Reporting
Penalty Enforcement
Communication on the Sidelines
LOS Mechanics

4. 2018 Line of Scrimmage Officials Goals
Manage the football game
Focus on Mechanics
Know Your Keys
Pre Snap Checklist
Own Your Position
Be Perfect on LOS Infractions
LOS Mechanics

5. Pre-Game Pre-Game Meetings / During the Week Preparation
Preparation for next game begins on Monday
Review previous game for learning value
Spots…
Work with your wing partner on questions/suggestions for improvement week to week
Focus on LOS infractions in film session
At the Stadium
Chain Crew Meeting
Build rapport with coach…
LOS Mechanics

6. Common LOS Fouls
False Start (FST) – Abrupt movement (flinch) by a lineman. Abrupt movement (breaks knees) by a WR, Abrupt forward movement by a WR in motion
Defense Offside (DOF) – In the Neutral Zone at the snap, Lined up in the Neutral Zone, Unabated to the QB (breaks the shoulder of the OT), causes the Offense to move, or makes contact with Offense prior to the snap
Illegal Formation (ILF) – 7 players on the LOS, 4 players in the backfield. WR within 1 yd of LOS. Can you make it legal?
Illegal Shift (ISH) – Not set for 1 sec. before going in motion, Two or more players in motion at the snap (or not set for 1 sec. at the snap).
Illegal Motion (ILM) – Shaving
LOS Mechanics

7. Pre-Snap Go through a Pre Snap checklist on EVERY Play Clock
Down and LTG
Count Appropriate team
Determine Keys
Focus
Concentrate
Relax
LOS Mechanics

8. At the Snap Focus Pre Snap Movements Legal Formation Legal Snap
No more than 4 in the backfield
Tackles in proper position, on the LOS
Legal Snap
Center’s movement is smooth
Move to Keys
Snap – Back (or Wide Receiver)
LOS Mechanics

9. Scrimmage Plays
Line up with both feet on the white straddling the Line of Scrimmage
Get a legal formation
If WR talks to you, you can talk to the WR
Warn OT if they are not lined up properly in between plays
At the snap
Read the play!
If it is a run play, LOS officials hold the LOS until the runner crosses the LOS
If it is a pass play, L holds the LOS and H drifts down. (variants based on mobility)
LOS Mechanics

10. Running Play When you Read Run
Check blocks in the area of point of attack for potential Holding, etc.
Follow runner after he crosses your face
Cross-field mechanics with wing partner
Don’t signal unless you see the ball carrier down with the ball in their control
If the ball is out, 95% of them are fumbles
Signal the status of the ball when you reach the end of the run
LOS Mechanics

11. Passing Play When you Read Pass
Know your Keys, and discusses any switches with B
H has moves 3-5 yards downfield
L stays at LOS
L has all forward/backward pass decisions
L has illegal forward passes (entire body and ball past the line. This is a spot foul)
L has the sack spot
See ball and rule on passes.
Must control ball if goes to the ground
Bang – Bang
Not DPI
Not a catch, No cheap fumbles
Help R with Intentional Grounding
LOS Mechanics

12. Scrimmage Kick - Punt Count 11 as offense breaks the huddle
Get a legal formation
At the snap
Check for blocks by Tackle and Wing Back
H has to hold the line as he is solely responsible if the ball goes beyond the LOS and makes contact with anything.
L when the punter gets the snap and a kick is confirmed, move downfield to help B.
After the punt, H will not go far, and watch blocks in front of the returner if coming to his side, or clean up backside if it goes away.
If the punt breaks to your side, let the action pass you and follow up like any other play.
Don’t try to out run them.
Good Dead Ball Officiating
LOS Mechanics

13. Scrimmage Kick – FG/XPT
H has the LOS 100%, U and R can help on FST, especially on linemen away from H
Focus on LOS infractions – have to expand your vision to get the whole line
L moves to under the upright on his side.
Think mechanics if kick is blocked or bad snap.
H has to be aware that he has GL
L, if possible, will move back towards his SL and assist R.
R, this is why you should be on L’s side and wide. There is no one else there that can cover.
U, be ready to help with GL as well as best you can.
LOS Mechanics

14. Goal Line
H and L take the Goal Line from the 5 and in (TASO 5 Man Manual) I would suggest at least the 7 (crew decision)
Move to the Goal Line immediately at the snap.
Crash all spots.
If there is a pile at the GL, crash in, in the field of play, and the ball is where it is.
A Touchdown lasts forever! Take your time to be sure before ruling, there is no rush.
LOS Mechanics

15. Reverse Goal Line At the snap
Follow the same mechanics as a scrimmage play
At the snap
Inside the 5
H and L should both move to the GL at the snap.
LOS Mechanics

16. Cross-Field Mechanics
Cross field mechanics is an art form, not a science
When to use cross field mechanics
When runner is driven back in your zone
On long passes for the L, H should be there for you
On sacks for the H, L will have the spot
LOS Mechanics

17. Dead Ball Officiating Don’t be in a hurry to get a ball…ever!
If the ball is dead within two yards of your sideline
Observe the Dead Ball Spot
Move slowly toward the spot while blowing your whistle
Observe the surrounding action and use the wind the clock signal.
Watch the players until they separate
Mark the spot with your foot and place the ball
If the ball is dead out of bounds on your sideline
Observe the Out of Bounds / Dead Ball Spot
Move towards and watch and the action on/around the runner while “killing the clock”
Slowly move up the sideline to mark the spot while turning to observe the action out of bounds.
Continue to watch the players as they return to the field.
Spot the ball on the sideline only after all players have cleared your area.
Don’t be in a hurry to get a ball…ever!
LOS Mechanics

18. Penalty Reporting Kill clock and look to see that it is dead
Get everyone’s attention by blowing whistle, “funny whistle”
Take a deep breath and slow down
Give a good/strong preliminary signal
Provide information to the Referee
When
What
Who
Result of play
Stay near Referee double or multiple fouls
All know clock status
LOS Mechanics

19. Penalty Enforcement
Be aware of the status of the clock at the end of the play
The non-calling official must be certain of the foul called before begin penalty administration
Umpire will visually communicate 5, 10, or 15 yard penalty to H.
L, H, and U will move to the penalty administration spot
L will hold the spot until the H/U have stepped off the penalty
L will then mark off the penalty and confirm with the H/U that the penalty administration and the subsequent spot are correct
H will then signal the box man (and chains if needed) to move.
Be ready to communicate the number of the fouling player to the Head Coach even if you didn’t call the foul.
LOS Mechanics

20. Communication on the Sidelines
Be yourself, be professional, but be available
Questions deserve answers, statements do not
Coaches want to be acknowledged and listened to and not be ignored
Coach, I don’t know but I will get you the answer….and do it
Don’t dictate to the coach
Don’t put the coach down
Don’t let it appear that the coach is controlling you
Don’t be demonstrative, but have good, confident body language
Choose your words carefully
If necessary, bring another official over if it is a long discussion
LOS Mechanics

21. On The Field Goals
Pre snap checklist Officiate – a play lasts 7 seconds, 150 times a game Instincts – Use Them See the play—slow down— See everything you call, don’t call everything you see Every play will be the highlight play on TV tonight
LOS Mechanics