Weekly Bull 10/9/13

SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.

A Federal Non Profit Tax Exempt Corporation

The Weekly Bull – 10/9/13

Tonight:

  1. Sign In and Attendance

  2. Review Attendance and Test Requirements

  3. Preliminary Voting for Board of Directors

  4. Bulletin

  5. Instructional Video

Game check Weekend – Game check weekend is this weekend October 10th.  It is our proud tradition to help fund the San Diego Youth Football Fund by choosing to donate a game check to the fund this weekend.  Join your fellow members of the SDCFOA in supporting the San Diego Youth Football Fund by donating a game fee from a game(s) that you work this weekend.

Test Make Up Date – If you want to make up a test (not a meeting) you can come to West Hills HS Room B1 on Tuesday October 15th at 6:30 and take whichever test you need to make up.  Check with your instructors tonight to make sure you are going to have enough meetings and you’ve gotten credit for your rules and mechanics tests.

 

Chains Break – Interesting scenario from late in a JV game. Time is running out and the team with the lead has the ball. As the clock is running the HL is notified the chains are broken. He stops the clock to repair it. The problem is if we start the clock according to the rules, the offense will get a fresh 25 seconds, putting the defense at a disadvantage time wise. I believe it is appropriate and fair to start the clock on the snap instead of the ready.  If the referee judges that the 25 second clock was running normally and we were about to snap the ball anyway, starting the clock on the snap is a fair solution.  But, if the chains broke immediately after the play or just as the referee was whistling the ball ready for play, then the fair thing to do would be to wind the clock on the ready.  Whatever seems logical and fair.  Don’t forget to inform your coaches of your decision and the rationale behind it.

When Can an Offensive Player Cut – A legal block below the waist can be made by an offensive player who is on the line of scrimmage against a defensive player who is on the line of scrimmage (defense is on LOS when he is within one yard of the LOS.  A linebacker in his usual position 2 to 3+ yards deep cannot be cut.  A linebacker who is on the line of scrimmage at the snap can be cut as long as the following conditions are met:

  1. The offensive and defensive players are in the free blocking zone at the snap. (rectangular box extending laterally 4 yards either side of the ball and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage).  We define these measurements by using the general rule “tackle to tackle” and “3 yards either side of the ball”.

  2. This free blocking zone includes the tight end if there are zero splits in short yardage or “butt sniffer” formations.

  3. Even though a linebacker back in his usual position is sometimes within 3 yards of the LOS, he is still not on the LOS at the snap and thus cannot be cut.

  4. The block below the waist must be made in the free blocking zone.

  5. And the ball must still be in the zone (we define the ball leaving the zoneas immediate if snapped in shotgun or pistol – thus no BBW can be legal)

Holding by Wings on PAT & FG – Who has this action?  I believe the referee has help from the two flanks, even if the one is under the goal post.  But, in this week’s instructional video, a hold by a wing occurs back behind the LOS and I believe the flank under the goal post is blocked out.  I suggest crews review this block and referees need to be ready to help on the wing block on their side of the ball.

Advantage / Disadvantage – I saw a holding called against a right guard and the play was a quick toss to the left.  Neither player was involved in the play yet we had a 10 yard holding penalty called against the offense.  Where is the advantage gained by this foul?  Is the defense at a disadvantage as a result of this illegal action?  Please use common sense on these types of calls.  Be patient and see where the ball goes before making a final decision to throw a flag.  My biggest personal disappointment in my own judgment was just such a flag.  I flagged a hold that I knew was there.  Then, when viewing the cassette (yes VHS…remember it?)  the hold came AFTER the ball carrier had made it through the hole.  I misapplied the rule…I was too technical and was not a good official on that play.  I live with that one and wish I could take it back.

Holding on a Receiver – We all know that if we see contact by the DB on an eligible receiver on the opposite side of the field from where the pass is thrown, we have no foul (no advantage/disadvantage).  BUT, if we have holding by a DB on a receiver during the route, it doesn’t matter where the ball eventually goes we must call holding on DB.  This foul can restrict a receiver from being in the proper location as a secondary receiver or even a third choice, so we must make this call.

Celebrations – These fouls seem to be occurring less and less.  Celebrating with teammates and coaches on the sideline are a normal part of football.  Players coming off and celebrating and coaches congratulating players is all good.  But this week I saw a player end a long run with a salute to the stands and a continued waiving to the crowd for them to cheer for him.  The official threw a flag for unsportsmanlike and I supported it.  This is tough for our kids as they see these antics every Sunday on almost every big play in the NFL.  Please continue to remind the players to celebrate with their teammates.

Good Crews Relay Signals – Our best crews relay all signals, all game long.  I saw a crew this week that didn’t relay the time out signal after a first down.  The crew looked tired and way too casual.  Make this a point of emphasis this week and look crisp and professional all game long.  You’ll be surprised how much your communication will pick up as well.  Be a great crew this week!

Use of Helmet to Punish Opponent – Our instructional video this week contains just such a play.  When viewed, the foul almost calls itself.  It is so obvious and our official does a great job of making the proper call on the hit.  Please remember, these plays are BIG and call themselves….don’t invent one or exaggerate a good hit…you’ll know one when you see it!

Numbering Exceptions – Remember, numbering exceptions on 4th down punts must assume an initial position on the LOS between the ends and remains an ineligible forward pass receiver during the down.  You cannot shift and uncover one of these numbering exceptions.

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