1. Eastern Association Intercollegiate Football Officials Keys & Coverage

2. Preface and general information
FORMATION KEYS
Preface and general information
The following presentation has been developed as a training document to focus on the fundamental process of identifying the formation keys for each officiating position.
It will illustrate pre-snap and post-snap keys, as well as define areas of responsibility, prior to, during, and after the play.
Plays pulled from actual game action are utilized to provide realistic visual scenarios.
Plays are grouped as follows- scrimmage downs, illustrating pass and run from various formations, punts and kickoffs, and PAT/field goals.
Color-coded arrows and shadowing, are used for ease of identification.
All plays are presented from the LJ’s side or end zone view.
Pre-snap Key
Pre-snap Keys
H&L Initial Read
Motion
Area of Responsibility
Threat for Foul

3. Preface and general information
FORMATION KEYS (cont)
Preface and general information
We will also identify areas where officials should be aware of, and alert for, the “threat of a foul”, and other “danger point” areas during and after the play.
Each official must be able to instantaneously identify all pre-snap keys as the offensive team is aligning, in addition to any other pre-snap responsibilities. Note that these keys may change based on shifts and/or motion.
At the snap, and immediately thereafter, officials should observe action on, and by, those keys. As the play evolves, keys may dissolve based on the type and direction of the play, with some officials now focused on the Point of Attack (POA), runner, or off the ball action.
The adjustments made by each official as the play proceeds are critical to the successful officiating of the play.
Pre-snap Key
Pre-snap Keys
H&L Initial Read
Motion
Area of Responsibility
Threat for Foul

4. Strength to HL Side HL - Back LJ – Back BJ – #2 on HL side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ BJ U R LJ FJ

5. Strength to LJ HL - Back LJ – Back BJ –#2 on LJ Side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ U BJ R LJ FJ

6. Strength to LJ HL - #2 on HL Side LJ – Back BJ –#2 on LJ SideSJ HL R U BJ
Strength to LJ
HL - #2 on HL Side
LJ – Back
BJ –#2 on LJ Side
F&S – Widest Receiver FJ LJ

7. Balanced Formation HL - #2 on HL Side LJ – Back BJ –#2 on LJ Side
F&S – Widest Receiver SJ R BJ U FJ LJ

8. HL SJ R SJ HL U BJ FJ
8:36 BJ LJ FJ

9. Strength to LJ HL - #2 Receiver LJ – Back BJ - #2 on LJ side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ U R BJ LJ FJ

10. Balance HL - #2 Receiver LJ – Back BJ - #2 on LJ side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ R U BJ LJ FJ

11. Trips Formation HL - #2 on HL Side LJ – Back BJ –#3 on HL Side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ R BJ U LJ FJ

12. Trips to LJ HL - Back LJ – #2 Receiver BJ - #3 Receiver
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ R U BJ LJ FJ

13. Trips to HL HL - Back LJ – #2 Receiver BJ - #3 Receiver
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ R BJ U LJ FJ

14. Keys are determined by player position at the snap.
Trips with Motion
Keys are determined by player position at the snap.
HL - Back
LJ – #2 Receiver
BJ - #3 Receiver
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ BJ R U LJ FJ

15. Keys are determined by player position at the snap.
Motion
Keys are determined by player position at the snap.
HL - Back
LJ – #2 Receiver
BJ - #3 Receiver
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ R U BJ LJ FJ

16. Strength to HL with Stack
HL - Back
LJ – Tight End
BJ - #2 on HL side
F&S – Widest Receiver HL SJ U R BJ LJ FJ

17. Passing keys are based on formations.HL SJ WR 26 R 79 U T 44 1 RB G 67 30
Bunch to LJ
Let the receivers declare and go to zone quickly.
F&S – Widest Receiver
HL - Back
LJ – #2 Receiver
BJ - #3 Receiver QB C G 77 32 T BJ 62 22 TB 39 TE WR LJ FJ

18. Passing keys are based on formations.HL SJ WR 26 R 79 U T 44 1 RB G 67 30
Stack to LJ
Let the receivers declare and go to zone quickly.
F&S – Widest Receiver
HL - Back
LJ – #2 Receiver
BJ - #3 Receiver QB C G 77 32 T BJ 62 22 39 WR TB TE LJ FJ

19. Punt HL - Back LJ – Back BJ – Punt Receiver F&S – Widest Gunner HL SJFJ

20. Punt HL - Back LJ – Back BJ – Punt Receiver F&S – Widest Gunner SJ HLFJ LJ

21. Free Kick F&S – 2 & 3 BJ – 4 & 5 U – 4 & K 1 2 3 4 5 K 4 3 2 1 U SJ BJFJ

22. S – Guard / Tackle to strong side. F – Post
Field Goal
R – Kicker / Holder
U – Center to Tackle
HL – End /Wing
LJ – End /Wing
S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.
F – Post
B – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle HL U BJ R FJ SJ LJ

23. S – Guard / Tackle to strong side. F – Post BJ FJ U SJ HL LJ
Field Goal
R – Kicker / Holder
U – Center to Tackle
HL – End /Wing
LJ – End /Wing
S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.
F – Post
B – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle R

24. Slightly behind adjacent lineman for Pull and shootBJ FJ
Potential leaper SJ U HL LJ
Field Goal
R – Kicker / Holder
U – Center to Tackle
HL – End /Wing
LJ – End /Wing
S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.
F – Post
B – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle R