1. 32 65 IDENTIFYING KEYS R L LJ U BJ READS 22 42 12 83 78 55 68 63 89
LARRY THOMAS, MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION, INC. R 32 22 42 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ
READING INELIGIBLES TO DETERMINE RUN OR PASS
If Tackle fires off Line of Scrimmage (LOS) and contacts defender in or beyond neutral zone, officials should be alert for a RUNNING PLAY.
If Tackle sets-up to pass protect, READ PASS.
REFEREE: read opposite tackle when ball is snapped.
LINESMAN & LINEJUDGE: Read tackle or first ineligible to your side.
BACK JUDGE: Read tackle on strong side.
UMPIRE: Read center and Guards. U
READING INELIGIBLES TO DETERMINE RUN OR PASS
If Tackle fires off Line of Scrimmage (LOS) and contacts defender in or beyond neutral zone, officials should be alert for a RUNNING PLAY.
If Tackle sets-up to pass protect, READ PASS.
REFEREE: read opposite tackle when ball is snapped.
LINESMAN\LINEJUDGE: Read tackle or first ineligible to your side.
BACK JUDGE: Read tackle on strong side.
UMPIRE: Read center and Guards.
Sequence
1. Determine strong side.
2. Locate KEYS
3. At snap, read tackle.
4. Pick up keys to determine initial blocks by and against them.
5. Determine Point of Attack and officiate area to this point.
6. Pass - After advancing 5 to 7 yards downfield covering keys, use Zone Coverage
Dead Ball Coverage
1. Determine LOS 5. Observe for encroachment\offside
2. Signal next down, know line to gain 6. Be alert for motion
3. Count players Rule on legal snap
4. Determine strength of formation and eligible receivers BJ
READS

2. Keys Keys are intended to help determine MAN coverage at the initial snap.
Definitions
Strength of Formation: determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle.
Tight End: End man no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman.
Back in Backfield: Player in backfield between the tackles at snap.
Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle.

3. FIVE MAN MECHANICS - BJ BACK JUDGE HAS FIRST KEY
BASED ON STRENGTH AND NUMBER OF RECEIVERS
USUALLY THE END ON THE STRONG SIDE.
TRIPS: IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO OUTSIDE RECEIVERS
BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE
FIVE MAN COVERAGE:
FIVE MAN COVERAGE REQUIRES MORE COORDINATION.
THE BACK JUDGE DETERMINES PRIORTY OF KEYS BY HAVING THE FIRST KEY.
HIS ASSIGNMENT IS BASED ON THE STRENGTH OF THE FORMATION AND THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS.
WHEN THERE ARE TRIPS ON ONE SIDE, THE BACK JUDGE WILL WORK THE TWO OUTSIDE RECEIVERS.
IF THE FORMATION IS BALANCED (SAME NUMBER OF RECEIVERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FORMATION), THE STRENGTH IS DECLARED TO THE LINE JUDGE’S SIDE.

4. FIVE MAN MECHANICS L & LJ
LINESMAN AND LINE JUDGE HAVE SECOND KEY
DO NOT KEY OFF THE SAME PLAYER AS BACK JUDGE
STRONG SIDE - KEY STRONG SIDE BACK
WEAK SIDE - KEY OFF RECEIVER(S) TO YOUR SIDE
TRIPS: INSIDE ELIGIBLE RECEIVER
BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE PAGE 54

5. Linesman and Line Judge PRIMARY( ) & SECONDARY KEYS ( ) OR READ32 22 42 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
Keys
Keys are intended to help determine coverage at the initial snap.
Definitions
Strength of Formation: Determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle.
Tight End: End man no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman.
Back in Backfield: Player in backfield between the tackles at snap.
Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle to one side.
Back Judge
Has first key
Based on strength and number of receivers.
Usually the End on the Strong Side.
Trips: Is responsible for two outside receivers.
Balanced Formation: Declare strength to Line Judge’s side.
Linesman and Line Judge
Has second key
Do not key off the same player as Back Judge.
Strong Side: Key strong side back
Weak Side: Key off receiver(s) to your side
Trips: Inside eligible receivers
Balanced Formation: Declare strength to Line Judge’s side. Page 51
R, L, LJ, BJ: Read tackle at snap (run or pass); Umpire: Read guards and center at snap BJ
PRIMARY( ) & SECONDARY KEYS ( ) OR READ

6. STRENGTH - L ; PRIMARY & SECONDARY KEYS32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
STRENGTH - L ; PRIMARY & SECONDARY KEYS

7. PRIMARY & SECONDARY KEYS32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
PRIMARY & SECONDARY KEYS

8. R 22 32 12 87 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
STRENGTH - LJ

9. R 22 32 81 12 87 78 65 55 68 63 83 L LJ U BJ
STRENGTH (LJ)

10. R 22 87 32 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U BJ
TRIPS

11. R 22 12 32 87 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U BJ
TRIPS

12. R 32 22 87 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U BJ
BALANCED

13. BALANCED (LJ) - QB SPRINTS TO L - BJ OBSERVE 8387 32 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U
Strength is to Line Judge’s side.
Back Judge’s key is SE (88)
Line Judge’s key is back (32)
Linesman’s key is end (83) and back (87)
If QB roll to Lineman’s side, back Judge should pick up end (83) BJ
BALANCED (LJ) - QB SPRINTS TO L - BJ OBSERVE 83

14. MOTION CHANGES STRENGTH32 22 12 22 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
Motion to Line Judge’s side creates a balanced formation once motion back is outside the tackle.
Next slide
The strength changes from linesman side to the Line Judge’s side.
Back Judge: Switch to tight end on Line Judge’s side. BJ
MOTION CHANGES STRENGTH

15. MOTION - STRENGTH SWITCHES TO LJ32 12 22 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
Back Judge: Switch to Tight End (89)
Linesman: Keys Tight End (83) as well as Flanker (82). Picks up motion back (22) prior to snap to rule on illegal motion.
Line Judge: Keys Back (22) after snap. BJ
MOTION - STRENGTH SWITCHES TO LJ

16. MOTION - LINESMAN REMAIN STRONG SIDE32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
Motion: Strength remains to HL’s side. LJ will also observe 22 for illegal motion at snap. BJ
MOTION - LINESMAN REMAIN STRONG SIDE

17. MOTION CREATES TRIPS TO LINESMAN’S SIDE32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
Motion back gets outside tackle, Trips is declared. Back Judge switches to two outside receivers and Lineman switches key to Tight End BJ
MOTION CREATES TRIPS TO LINESMAN’S SIDE

18. MOTION CREATES TRIPS TO LINESMAN32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
MOTION CREATES TRIPS TO LINESMAN

19. TRIPS TO LJ; MOTION CHANGES KEYS (LJ - STRONG SIDE)22 32 12 32 87 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U
When motion back (32) gets inside tackle, formation changes to the strong side being the line judges from trips.
Back Judge: Switch to tight end and line judge switches to flanker (87) while observing motion back (32) for illegal motion foul. BJ
TRIPS TO LJ; MOTION CHANGES KEYS (LJ - STRONG SIDE)

20. BALANCED FORMATION - STRENGTH REMAINS TO LJ’S SIDE22 32 12 87 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U
When motion back (32) clears opposite tackle, a BALANCED formation is created. The strength is still declared to the line judge’s side. The linesman’s key will be 83 and 32 at the snap. BJ
BALANCED FORMATION - STRENGTH REMAINS TO LJ’S SIDE

21. MOTION CHANGES STRENGTH TO L’S SIDE22 87 32 32 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U BJ
MOTION CHANGES STRENGTH TO L’S SIDE

22. MOTION CAUSES TRIPS TO L’S SIDE22 87 32 32 12 83 78 65 55 68 63 88 L LJ U BJ
MOTION CAUSES TRIPS TO L’S SIDE

23. PUNT 12 R 42 22 32 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ

24. BALANCED FORMATION - LJ DECLARED STRONG32 12 22 42 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
BALANCED FORMATION - LJ DECLARED STRONG

25. ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS
READ DETERMINES PASS R 32 22 12 82 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U BJ
ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS

26. ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS
READ DETERMINES PASS R 32 22 12 78 65 55 68 63 89 LJ 83 L U 82 BJ
ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS

27. ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS
READ DETERMINES PASS R 32 22 12 78 65 55 68 63 U LJ 89 L 83 82 BJ
ZONE COVERAGE AFTER R HAS ADVANCED 5 TO 7 YDS

28. 32 65 Running Play: Back Judge Responsibility R L LJ42 32 12 22 83 78 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ
Recognize Strength of Formation
Key: Tight End
Read Tackle
Read Key
Locate POA
Officiate in front of POA U
READING INELIGIBLES TO DETERMINE RUN OR PASS
If Tackle fires off Line of Scrimmage (LOS) and contacts defender in or beyond neutral zone, officials should be alert for a RUNNING PLAY.
If Tackle sets-up to pass protect, READ PASS.
REFEREE: read opposite tackle when ball is snapped.
LINESMAN\LINEJUDGE: Read tackle or first ineligible to your side.
BACK JUDGE: Read tackle on strong side.
UMPIRE: Read center and Guards.
Sequence
1. Determine strong side.
2. Locate KEYS
3. At snap, read tackle.
4. Pick up keys to determine initial blocks by and against them.
5. Determine Point of Attack and officiate area to this point.
6. Pass - After advancing 5 to 7 yards downfield covering keys, use Zone Coverage
Dead Ball Coverage
1. Determine LOS 5. Observe for encroachment\offside
2. Signal next down, know line to gain 6. Be alert for motion
3. Count players Rule on legal snap
4. Determine strength of formation and eligible receivers BJ
LARRY THOMAS, MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION, INC.

29. Keys
Keys are intended to help determine MAN coverage at the initial snap.
Definitions
Strength of Formation: Determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle.
Tight End: End man no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman.
Back in Backfield: Player in backfield between the tackles at snap.
Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle to one side.
Back Judge
Has first key; Based on strength and number of receivers.
Usually the End on the Strong Side.
Trips: Is responsible for two outside receivers.
Balanced Formation: Declare strength to Line Judge’s side.
Linesman and Line Judge
Has second key
Do not key off the same player as Back Judge.
Strong Side: Key strong side back
Weak Side: Key off receiver(s) to your side
Trips: Inside eligible receivers
Balanced Formation: Declare strength to Line Judge’s side. Page 54
R, L, LJ, BJ: Read tackle at snap (run or pass); Umpire: Read guards and center at snap

30. 32 65 THANK YOU FOR STUDING THIS PRESENTATION R L LJ U BJ 22 42 12 8378 65 55 68 63 89 L LJ U
READING INELIGIBLES TO DETERMINE RUN OR PASS
If Tackle fires off Line of Scrimmage (LOS) and contacts defender in or beyond neutral zone, officials should be alert for a RUNNING PLAY.
If Tackle sets-up to pass protect, READ PASS.
REFEREE: read opposite tackle when ball is snapped.
LINESMAN\LINEJUDGE: Read tackle or first ineligible to your side.
BACK JUDGE: Read tackle on strong side.
UMPIRE: Read center and Guards.
Sequence
1. Determine strong side.
2. Locate KEYS
3. At snap, read tackle.
4. Pick up keys to determine initial blocks by and against them.
5. Determine Point of Attack and officiate area to this point.
6. Pass - After advancing 5 to 7 yards downfield covering keys, use Zone Coverage
Dead Ball Coverage
1. Determine LOS 5. Observe for encroachment\offside
2. Signal next down, know line to gain 6. Be alert for motion
3. Count players Rule on legal snap
4. Determine strength of formation and eligible receivers BJ
LARRY THOMAS, MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION, INC.