SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION (updated) THE WEEKLY BULL – Sept. 27, 2023
ZOOM Meeting Tonight 9/27 – Mira Mesa HS is having their Back to School Night so we must have our meeting this week via Zoom. Here is the Zoom Invitation and the agenda for the meeting. I think you will find all of the updates from our Association leadership informative and helpful. Here’s the invite and the agenda: Zoom Meeting Wednesday, September 27, 7:00 PM https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8582608330?pwd=JU470BszG381JJLt7R6lRNVavJj7K1.1 Meeting ID: 858 260 8330 Passcode: 20230927
Reports: President – Matt Starr Executive Secretary – Ed Zapolski Treasurer – Terry Thompson High School Assignor – Tom Ables Youth Assignors – Brad Cowan and Bob Duggan Girls Flag Football – Scott Carroll SD Youth Football Fund – Mike Downing Golf Tourney – Mike Downing Banquet – Bob Hood Instruction – Steve Coover Review of the Bull Instructional Video review
Helping the Runner Rule - Changes have been made at higher levels of football allowing offensive teams to pile in behind and directly push the runner. Because of these changes, we are now seeing similar plays at the high school level. As guardians of the game, it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to remove “helping the runner” from our high school game.
The NFHS Football Rules Committee’s main focus is risk minimization, followed closely by assurance of a balance between offensive and defensive rules. Because the players on defense must guard against the pass, they are not able to counter the advantages created by “helping the runner” formations. Allowing teams to help the runner by illegal techniques swings the balance heavily in favor of the offense. Football game officials need to change their view of “helping the runner” to a risk issue (clipping, chop block) and remove it from the “pioneer call” category and refocus on ending plays when forward progress is stopped. Pushing the pile is legal; direct contact and pushing, pulling, lifting of the runner is not.
Removing “helping the runner” from high school football will at times be met with resistance. School administrative support of football game officials, re-focus of coaches and education of players will lead to a smooth transition. All those directly involved in our great game must stay committed to trying to minimize risk to all players and maintaining the balance between offensive and defensive play.
Illegal Kicking and Illegal Batting of the Ball – 10-yard penalty and no loss of down. Spot foul if it occurs behind the end of the run, or related run (even if it is behind the LOS – exception to the new rule). No layer shall intentionally kick the ball (other than free and scrimmage kicks). You may bat a pass, fumble in flight, or low scrimmage kick in or behind the NZ. K may bat toward own GL grounded scrimmage kick beyond NZ or scrimmage kick in flight beyond NZ w/no receiver in position to catch the ball. No batting a backward pass forward otherwise you can bat a pass in flight.
The Clock is Hot – We will need to adjust calling out “It’s Hot” during Girl’s Flag for obvious reasons. “Running” “Wind” maybe?
Freeway Lanes Reduced – The 5 from Old Town down to National City will be reduced to ONE LANE beginning 9:00pm Friday night and continuing through the weekend until 5:00am on Monday.
Game Check Weekend for SD Youth Football Fund. October 19-21. The SDYFF will buy the crew who contributes the most during this weekend a full crew dinner after your game on October 26 - 28, up to $30/official! Strive to be the best, and we’ll take care of your dinner that night!!
Interested in Running for the Board? – Contact Robin House by October 1st. Four new board members will be elected starting at our next meeting on October 11th.
Golf Tournament – This year’s golf tournament will take place on Wednesday, November 1st at Admiral Baker GC in Mission Valley. You can play as a crew, foursome, or play as an individual. Golfers of all abilities and guests are welcome. Contact Ed Blick, Mike Downing, or Terry Thompson with your questions.
Homecoming – By rule the home team may be extended to 20 minutes for homecoming or any other major event. The visiting team must have been notified at least 5 minutes prior to the game. Teams will also have the mandatory 3 minute warm up for a total of 23 minutes.
The Regular Season Begins - Teams are now playing conference opponents and league championships are at stake. We need to "up our game" in response to this unique part of the schedule. Teams are more familiar with each other and that can be a good thing or a bad thing. Be aware of rivalries.
Crowds Outside the Team Box – This is a good problem! Some of our feature games are attracting huge crowds which can also mean a lot of extra fans standing on the sideline. Remember, these fans are not a part of the team and cannot be penalized, but should any or some of them interfere with the game and our officiating, then they can be removed by the home school administration. Administration is there for a reason, so don’t bother the head coach, elicit help from the site admin. Remember, unsportsmanlike behavior of someone out of the team box is not a foul on that team and cannot be penalized. Use game administration to correct that problem by removing the person from the sidelines.
Sportsmanship Awards from SDCFOA and CIF – Once again the SDYFF, through your generous charitable contributions to the Youth Fund, will be providing a trophy, banner and $1,000 to one program from each of the 5-major conferences (City, Grossmont, Coastal, North County, and Metro). It’s time for nominations. Please reflect on the first 6 weeks of the season and nominate those teams that practice all of the tenets of good sportsmanship, from the players, coaches and student bodies. Thank you!
Bands – The following is taken from the CIF Green Book: “Bands are not allowed to play during the course of the actual contest. In the sport of football, bands may play during timeouts, halftime or in between plays. Bands must stop playing when a team breaks the huddle or in the case of a no huddle offense, when the quarterback lines up in position to take a snap.” Any violation of this CIF policy can be directed to the game administration for immediate correction. Continued violations would be considered an 'unfair act' under NFHS Football Rule 9-10-1 and could result in a 15-yard penalty being assessed to the head football coach of the offending school for unsportsmanlike conduct.
National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA) - Code of Conduct - The following principles and expectations underscore the NASPAA’s P.A. announcing philosophy. P.A. announcers must utilize these guidelines. 1. Announcers shall understand that their role is to provide pertinent information in a timely manner and to do so professionally and not attempt to be bigger than the game or event by doing play-by-play or by providing commentary in an effort to entertain or to draw attention to himself or herself. 2. Announcers shall understand that because they have a tremendous influence on the crowd and that cheerleading or antics designed to incite the crowd for the purpose of gaining an advantage for their team is inappropriate. 3. Announcers shall promote good sportsmanship and a positive environment by what they say and how they act. 4. Announcers shall treat the opponents and their fans as guests, not the enemy. 5. Announcers shall respect the individuals who are responsible for the conduct and administration of athletic games and events, such as coaches, officials and administrators, and avoid making any comments that reflect positively or negatively on them. 6. Announcers shall respect the participants of all teams and remain neutral when introducing the starting participants, announcing substitutions and the outcome of plays or performances of the participants. 7. Announcers shall exhibit professional behavior and represent their school, organization or association with respect and dignity at all times by what they say, how they act and how they appear.
