1. Positioning and Keys 5-Man Mechanics
Miracle Strip Officials Association

2. Coin Toss

3. Kickoff Coverage

4. Scrimmage Play

5. Goal Line Play

6. Scoring Kick

7. Scrimmage Kick

8. What Keys do
Reading the proper key enables full formation coverage at the snap
Recognizing keys helps officials anticipate the play
Proper key recognition enables officials to be properly positioned on the field
Eliminates the “Who do I have” question at the snap
Gives each official a starting point in coverage progression
Provides another level of non-verbal crew communication

9. Strength of Formation:
“Key” Terms
Strength of Formation:
Determined by the number of eligible receivers on either side of the ball
Tight End:
The end man on the line of scrimmage lined up no more than four yards from the nearest lineman
Back in Backfield:
A player in the backfield between the tackles at the snap

10. Determining Keys Back Judge has the first key
Linesman and Line Judge have second keys
Strong side of the formation is the side with the most eligible receivers outside the tackles
A balanced formation has an equal number of eligible receivers outside the offensive tackles on each side of the formation
In a balanced formation the strength is given to the Line Judge side (press box)
A man-in-motion prior to the snap CAN alter the strength of the formation prior to the snap

11. Balanced Formation # Official Key Notes 1 BJLJ L TE T G C G T TE QB RB RB RB
Balanced Formation #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible on LJ side (TE)
Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L
Eligible on his side
Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage LJ
First back out of backfield on his side

12. Wing # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on L side (WR)LJ WR QB RB RB
Wing #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible on L side (WR)
Shaded to L side, no wider than upright but not “in line” with U 2 L
Second eligible in on his side (TE) LJ
Eligible on his side

13. Four Wide # Official Key Notes 1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ sideWR T G C G T WR LJ FL QB FL RB
Four Wide #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible on LJ side
Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L
Both eligibles (WR & FL) on his side LJ
Second eligible in (FL) on his side

14. Trips # Official Key Notes 1 BJWR T G C G T WR LJ QB SL SL RB
Trips #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Two widest eligibles (WR & SL) on LJ side
Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright 2 L
Eligible (WR) on his side LJ
Inside eligible (SL) on his side

15. Motion Changes Key Before the SnapBJ L WR T G C G T TE LJ QB SL RB RB
Motion Changes Key Before the Snap #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible (TE) on LJ side
Do not move until the snap if warranted 2 L
Eligible on his side LJ
Second eligible (SL) on side #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible (WR) on L side
Shaded to L side, no wider than upright 2 L
Second eligible (SL) on his side LJ
Eligible (TE) on his side

16. Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change KeysBJ L TE T G C G T TE LJ WR QB RB RB
Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change Keys #
Official
Key
Notes 1 BJ
Widest eligible (WR) on L side
Shaded to L side, no wider than upright 2 L
Second eligible in (TE) on his side LJ
Eligible (TE) on his side

17. End