SDCFOA Information Update 5-2-22

Registration – It’s the first of the month so payday!  Don’t forget to sign up by the end of the day, Sunday, May 15th to be eligible for the draft.  We need all eligible, certified officials to be available for this year’s draft.  Do not withhold your name from the draft thinking you will get better assignments as a fill in…that possibility has been discussed by the Board with Tom Ables and it will not occur this year.  Fill in officials who are certified but did not make themselves available for the draft, unless there is an obvious explanation, will fill in on lower-level games this year. 
 
I Am Back – In an effort to “help out”, I will be coming back on the field and will be making myself available to be drafted this year.  I’m looking forward to working on the flanks and helping out a crew this year.  My greatest pleasure in officiating was being a member of a crew!  I know I will embarrass myself, and screw up, but I’m going to “ramp up” as quickly as I can and work my butt off to get better each week so that I don’t let the crew down. 
 
Pre-Game Check List – Attached is my personal pre-game check list which I updated from the one shared by Scott Reilly from the BIG 12.  It is a work in progress but I have it laminated so I can use it to prepare on Thursdays, and carry with me to game sites for mental preparations. 
 
New Mechanics Approved –

Signaling on PATs and FGs - We will be instructing the officials under the goal posts on PAT and FGs, on the specifics of signaling.  If the kick is good, both signal Good.  If the kick is wide of the goal posts, then only the official on that side signals No Good.  If the kick goes under the goal post, then only the official responsible for the crossbar signals No Good.  If the kick is obviously short then both officials can signal No Good.  In all cases, both officials step forward for the signaling, even if one of the officials is not responsible for making a signal.

Goal Line Mechanics – We all know that both flanks move immediately to the goal line when the ball is snapped from the 5-yard line or inside the 5-yard line.  But some times the ball is snapped outside of the 5-yard line and we are still needed at the goal line to make an important call at the pylon or goal line.  So, when the ball is snapped outside-the 5-yard line to the 10-yard line, and the run comes to your side of the field, you are now asked to work “in front” of that play and move to the goal line, wide of the pylon, so you can be at the goal line to make the call.  This is a new mechanic for us all and will take some time to master.  So start imagining different scenarios now!  Visualize how the play might develop and how you might anticipate the progress and get to the goal line. Maybe you have some plays in your library?  Remember, only up to the 10-yard line, and only when the play comes to your side of the field.  PS – It might be a pass play threatening your side!