Weekly Bull 9/3/14

SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.

A Federal Non Profit Tax Exempt Corporation – www.sdcfoa.org

THE WEEKLY BULL – Sept. 3, 2014 

Improvement Week #1 To Week #2 – I’ve said this before, the improvement in our performance between week #1 and week #2 is the largest that will see all season, and I’m talking about officials, players, coaches, and game administrators.  Week #1 is a shakedown experience.  Week #2 we get it all together.  Work hard this week! 

This Week’s Meetings – All 1^st and 2^nd year officials will meet as usual in their regular rooms at West Hills.  The final Bonus Meeting will be for current referees and aspiring referees.  Chris Wiggins will conduct an interactive discussion of referee and crew mechanics including video and more video.  Please meet in the amphitheater at the front of West Hills at 7:00 pm.

Golf Tourney Date Change – The banquet and golf tourney are now on Wed. November 19^th.

Donate 1” Striped Shirts – If you have slightly worn 1” striped shirts you would like to donate, see Bob Duggan. 

Punt Formation Screen Pass – Offense is in punt formation on 4^th down with numbering exceptions in interior line.  They run a screen pass that is completed behind line of scrimmage.  Legal play. 

Uniforms – I saw two teams with new jerseys that ride up and reveal the shoulder pads.  Helix and Saints both have these new designs.  They are legal as they do fully cover the should pads at the start of play.  But during the game they begin to ride up and expose the pads.  The players are responsible for keeping these jerseys legal and officials are responsible for alerting the players that their jerseys need to be pulled down.  And cover those back pads, please!

Adornment – Towels that are min 4 inches by max 18 inches and a single color for the team are legal.  Uncovered shoulder, rib or back protectors are illegal.  No tinted eye shields (but can wear dark glasses underneath).  No bicep, neck, or leg bands. Knee pads must be worn and pants must cover knees before plays starts.  No jewelry.  Shoes/ankles taped to prevent injury (spats) allowed. 

Timers – Please have timers arrive 30 minutes before game time.  If they arrive late, the official in charge of the time cannot attend to his other duties.  Please do your best to select/hire good timers and ask them to arrive 30 minutes early.

Chain Crews – These are important individuals who usually have to be trained to perform their job.  We have multiple reports of crews taking off at halftime or not paying attention during the game.  Again, please do your best to get individuals in advance of game time who want to help and will commit to this job.  Thank you! 

Electronic Signage – Saw one team in LA with electronic sign on sideline (like the one used in the world cup soccer for substitutions) used for signaling in plays.  This is illegal.  Electronic communication devices can be used on sideline to communicate with non-players and coaches.  Or they can be used with players during time out at sideline.  Large “non-electronic” signs like posters or large cards can be used to signal in plays. 

Sidelines – Reports that sidelines and communication are starting off well.  Let’s keep working on this as coaches must be out of the restricted area at the snap and players behind the coaches.  This is the responsibility of each crew to be consistent and keep sidelines safe.  Referees, keep your head coaches informed and answer their questions, even if you have to hold up the game.  Coaches will stay off the field if you go to them!!!! 
Game Fees

Varsity Referee - $74

Varsity all others - $72

JV Referee - $62

JV all others - $61

Frosh – all officials - $61 

Lightening - From the NFHS Rule Book - Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during events. Develop an evacuation plan, including identification of appropriate nearby shelters Develop Criteria for suspension and resumption of play:

1. When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning strike is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.  Suspend play and take shelter immediately.

2. Thirty minute rule.  Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.

3. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30 minute count should begin.

California State Mercy Rule - At the conclusion of the third quarter or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of 35 or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game regardless of the score.  The game clock shall stop only for a score, a free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch, a charged team timeout, a coach-referee conference or an official’s timeout.  This bylaw applies to all levels of play.

Overtime Rules – We’ve already had a game that went to triple overtime!  Review these rules each week! We’re posting it up on our website at www.sdcfoa.org.