1. OSSAA Mechanics UPDATE
Ethan Rolen
OSSAA Mechanics Coordinator

2. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics
NEW IN 2018
The LOS officials may switch sides of the field at halftime. This is a crew decision and each crew may decide if they wish to do this or not. If you choose to switch at halftime here are the basic mechanics.
The L will start on the visitor side with the chains in the first half. The H will be on the home side in the first half. After halftime the H will go to the visitor side with the chains and the L will go to the home side. Your mechanics as L or H do not change. The L still has his same responsibilities regardless of which side of the field he is on. The same applies to the H. The LOS mechanics do not change. This means the R must be aware at all times which side of the field the LOS officials are on. It is imperative that the R adjusts his mechanics to match the LOS officials.

3. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics
NEW IN 2018
The pace of play is a major emphasis in The “Ready for Play” whistle should be blown within 3 seconds of the ball being placed on the ground by the U. Officials should hustle to get the ball placed as quickly as possible without neglecting your dead ball responsibilities. This means the U should place the ball and get to his position quickly using a hand signal to hold up the center if necessary. All other officials must get to their positions and be ready to officiate the next play as quickly as possible. We must take care of our responsibilities and that is our main concern, but we must also allow the game to flow. The R should keep a consistent pace. There are many reasons for officials to delay the snap, however if there are no reasons to hold up play it is important to get the ball spotted and allow the players to snap the ball.

4. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics All officials must know the down and distance
Review
All officials must know the down and distance
All officials be still as long as you can
All officials move with a purpose
All officials be aware of the game clock status

5. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics REFEREE
1. Coin toss sets a good presence for the crew.
2. Game started on time, and only allowed special events to delay.
3. Positions yards deep, and 1-2 steps outside the normal TE position on the throwing arm side.
4. Counts the offense and signals appropriately.
5. Officiates the point of attack and then cleans up behind the play once the ball leaves his vision on run plays
6. Maintains responsibility for the QB on pass plays
7. Starts the play clock 3 seconds or less after the ball has been placed on the ground.
8. Has a good pace of game in and out of time outs.
9. Penalty enforcement is efficient and done correctly in a timely manner.
10. Signals/announcements are clean and crisp, with the proper information given.
11. Communicates with coaches when appropriate/warranted and handles the situation quickly and professionally.
12. Dead ball officiates between downs
13. Officiates players and does not watch the ball.
14. Maintains overall control over the game.

6. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics UMPIRE
1. Counts the offense and signals appropriately.
2. Position 7-8 yards from the LOS.
3. Aligns to see the center and two guards.
4. Officiates the backside of stretch plays.
5. Displays good hustle to get the ball placed.
6. Administers penalties efficiently.
7. Knows penalty enforcements with minimal help from the crew.
8. Controls the middle of the field.
9. Communicates with the center using the "stop signal" from his position.
10. Dead ball officiates between downs.
11. Officiates players and does not watch the ball.

7. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics LINE JUDGE 1. Maintains a clear sideline.
2. Counts the offense and signals appropriately.
3. Officiates on the sideline, off the field.
4. Works to keep offensive formations legal and may or may not use pre-snap signals.
5. Maintains the LOS for QB beyond the LOS when making a forward pass.
6. Rules on forward/backward pass with proper hand signal for a backward pass.
7. Knows the line-to-gain.
8. Uses good, crisp and correct signals.
9. Gets good spots throughout the game.
10. Helps with penalty enforcement.
11. Relays information to the head coach regarding penalty enforcement decisions, rulings, etc. in a timely manner.
12. Dead ball officiates between downs.
13. Officiates players and does not watch the ball.
14. Operates the line-to-gain equipment with no issues. (When Applicable)

8. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics HEADLINESMAN 1. Maintains a clear sideline.
2. Officiates on the sideline, off the field.
3. Works to keep offensive formations legal and may or may not use pre-snap signals.
4. Knows the line-to-gain.
5. Operates the line-to-gain equipment with no issues.
6. Uses good, crisp and correct signals.
7. Gets good spots throughout the game.
8. Helps with penalty enforcement.
9. Relays information to the head coach regarding penalty enforcement decisions, rulings, etc. in a timely manner.
10. Dead ball officiates between downs.
11. Officiates players and does not watch the ball.

9. 2018 OSSAA Mechanics BACK JUDGE
1. Positions to strength of the formation at least 20 yards from the LOS.
2. Counts the defense, and signals appropriately.
3. Reads the play before committing to movement.
4. Watches action in front of the runner.
5. Helps with the ball relay when he can.
6. Helps with action near the sideline.
7. Maintains the play and game clock.
8. Positions to the wide side of the field on punts.
9. Maintains a good pace in and out of timeouts.
10. Uses good, crisp and correct signals.
11. Dead ball officiates between downs.
12. Officiates players and does not watch the ball.

10. FOUR OFFICIATING AGREEMENTS
Be Impeccable With Your Word
Tell the truth
Don’t make things up
If you say you will do something – do it
Silence is sometimes the best response

11. FOUR OFFICIATING AGREEMENTS
Don’t Take Anything Personally
The Coach has an intense loyalty to his team
Your crewmates have an intense loyalty to you
Constructive criticism is the best way to learn
Nocse Te Ipsum

12. FOUR OFFICIATING AGREEMENTS
Don’t Make Assumptions
If you don’t know, don’t throw
Don’t assume a coach is wrong
Don’t assume your crewmate is always right
Don’t assume your crewmate is always wrong

13. FOUR OFFICIATING AGREEMENTS
Always Do Your Best
It takes 10,000 hours to become proficient
Live with integrity
Integrity = Preparation
Serve with enthusiasm
Give with generosity
Succeed with humility

14. FOUR OFFICIATING AGREEMENTS
A coach will forget what you said. A coach will forget what you did. But he will never forget how you made him feel.
Comparison is the thief of joy.