SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL - JULY 19, 2023
We are all meeting at Mira Mesa this week! Don't miss it. Wednesday July 19 Agenda – Attendance Review the Weekly Bull Questions On New Rules and New Mechanics Calibration Exercise Instructional Video
Thank You Jon Stabile and Steve Hoslett – Approximately 90 officials were in attendance last Wednesday for an outstanding Zoom session on line of scrimmage mechanics, rules, philosophies and judgments. Thank you to Jon Stabile (Pac12) and Steve Hoslett (MWC) for meeting with all of our officials and reminding us of these important elements. A copy of this outstanding presentation will be placed on our website under Instructional Videos. You will get class credit if you watch it on-line.
Meeting Attendance, Clinics, and Tests – You must attend 9 meetings and pass the mechanics and rules tests with scores of 70%. You will get credit for the banquet, so count that as one meeting! You will also get credit for attending your Zoom Clinic. That leaves attending at least 6 regular meetings. If you attend more than one Clinic and come up one meeting short, I will credit you with the extra Clinic and your attendance will meet the standard. Remember, I’ve made the tests quite reasonable this year, so pay attention to the Summer Study Exams! If you missed your clinic, it will be available on the website under Instructional Videos, and you will get class meeting credit if you watch it on-line.
New Officials – Welcome to all new officials. At this time there are about 40 new officials signed up and about 30 second year officials and transfers. We will be adding a few more as they trickle in. Way to recruit SDCFOA! You are keeping our association strong!
Scrimmages and Week #1 Assignments Are Out – Have you accepted your scrimmage and/or week #1 assignment(s)? Many officials have not signed in and accepted their assignment and their names are showing up as delinquent in accepting. Stay off of thate list!
Pre-snap and Dead Ball Routines – Our pre-snap and dead ball routine must be as complex and thorough as the coaches’ and players’ play-calling and pre-snap adjustments. Are we as prepared for the snap as the teams are? A good way to develop your pre-snap and dead ball routines is in three separate sequences: Pre-Snap Live Ball Dead Ball (dead ball culminates with the movement of your down indicator on your hand – once you move that, you now begin your pre-snap routine!) Base your routine on the SDCFOA Pre-Snap Routine which is located in the mechanics manual. Each positions pre-snap, live ball and dead ball routines are listed by position. The live ball portion is listed in the general mechanics for 4-man or 5-man. The list provided is just that, a list. Re-order according to your own style and crew. Write it out…Memorize it…use it every play! Remember, it changes slightly for kicks, short yardage, etc..
Don Carey Offers Us a List of Pre-Snap Items to Consider – Do you have your own personal pre-snap routine written down? If not, do so! Concentrate and focus on every play...One play at a time! Game Clock - 6:39 Clock status - Running or stopped? Down and distance Yard line of the snap - Line to gain Game situation - Time and score Color of the offense - Color of the defense Count team and signal the count Offensive formation? Establish the line of scrimmage for wide receiver Receiver on or off the line of scrimmage? Communicate with official opposite, a signal is required Identify your initial key and responsibility Number of receiver? - Number of defender? Action by and on receiver Receiver free from foul or being fouled? Man - Zone - Ball Clear the snap Goal line or end line responsibility? Position...Position...Position Go slow...slower...slower
When in Question - Do No Harm! - There are four and only four reasons to throw a flag: Safety Sportsmanship Administration (LOS fouls, procedure, delay of game, etc.) Effect on the play (at point of attack with definite, material restriction and advantage gained) Accuracy in judgement comes from strong, consistent mechanics, mastery of the rules, and a deep understanding and appreciation for the SDCFOA Philosophies and Common Sense documents located in our mechanics manual. Accuracy comes from a strong foundation – it is the rock of our association! Thank you George Schutte!
Calibration This Week! – Calibration in the SDCFOA was brought to us by Mike Carey (former NFL referee) and by Chris Wiggins (Pac 12 referee). They challenged us to view those very technical and close calls (in the gray area) and work to develop an agreement as to what is a foul, and what is not. So, view these as very challenging calls and seek to “adjust” your opinion bases upon the consensus of our best officials.
Illegal Equipment (VARSITY Games) – Please be consistent as an Association. Follow the procedure prior to each and every game. Fill out your equipment card and present it to your umpire. Referee and Umpire will present the card to the head coach. This serves as the warning. Then, first series for each team, including kick off, send out any player not properly equipped. After that, any equipment issue will be a surprise to you and you can send them out.
Do you have any conflicts of interest? Here are some possible conflicts of interest which may cause you to block yourself from working a particular school: Your alma mater – Don’t work games at your high school if you’ve graduated within the last five years. If you still have ties to the school, were a noted athlete, or still good friends with members of the coaching staff, 10 years or longer would apply. Family connections – Don’t work games at a school if you have a family connection. Business ties – If you are employed by a school, don’t officiate that school. Also be careful of bosses whose kids play for a particular school.
Blocks in Arbiter – Assignments will be coming out soon! Don’t forget to block the dates you cannot work. If a game comes up on a Thursday and you’re not blocked, Tom will assign assuming you are available. A phone call or email saying you’re not available doesn’t do well for you the next time a game comes up and it’s your turn. Conversely, if you block a Saturday and a big game comes up, you will not show up as available for that “big assignment”. So keep your blocks honest and up-to-date!
Gently Used Equipment and Uniforms – Every year we get a chance to update our equipment and uniform. If you have some extra equipment or uniform pieces that are still in good shape our 1st year officials would LOVE it if you’d donate to Room 714.
Coach’s Cards - Coach’s Cards can be filled out and downloaded at www.sdcfoa.org under Educational Resources and Football Mechanics. These cards are to be presented to the head coach at the Pregame Meeting or at the sideline meeting between the flank official and his head coach at EVERY high school VARSITY game.
Referee and Umpire Pregame Conference - Confer with coaches and check game balls. Be businesslike and cordial but not overly friendly with the coaches. During the Pre-Game meeting with the coaches, the REFEREE shall confirm (but not be limited to) the following information starting with the HOME TEAM and in no particular order: Introductions (hat off) – My name is (your name) and I’ll be your referee tonight. (Coach’s Card) Everyone legally equipped? Any unusual plays or formations? Will you be going in before kickoff? Where will you go at halftime? As you know we will expect good sportsmanship tonight. Let’s agree on how we’re going to communicate tonight…. Who is your “Get Back Coach”? In order to hear and see a signal from the sideline for a Time Out, you may enter the field so as to alert any/all officials to stop the clock. Can we see your game ball, please? My watch/the game clock has the correct time; we will come for the captains in 15minutes. Good luck, coach
Next Regular Meeting Wednesday July 26 – 1st & 2nd Year Classes Meet at Mira Mesa High School – Certified Officials will attend the on-line Zoom Meeting with Garth DeFelice and Michael Mothershed – The invitation for this Zoom Meeting will be in next week’s Weekly Bull.
