SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC. THE WEEKLY BULL - JULY 20, 2022 Wednesday’s Agenda Attendance – Official’s mark the attendance sheet if they attended the Zoom Meeting Review of the Weekly Bull New Rules and New Mechanics Calibration Instructional Video Questions from the 2021 Mechanics Summer Study Exam?
New for 2022 - SDCFOA New Official Advisor Program - This season we're launching a program to connect newer members with veteran members. We want new members to be welcome into SDCFOA and have someone to ask questions and get advice from. At the meeting this week, Brandon Chavez will be coming around the classrooms to answer questions about the program. You can also learn more and join on our website at sdcfoa.org/instructional/official-advisor-program. Huge thanks to Dave Garza for getting this posted!
Thank you Charlton Lynch and Nathan Thernes – Thanks to these to hard-working, and talented, individuals the SDCFOA is off to a great start. Their line of scrimmage zoom clinic included over 90 of our officials. If you missed it, here is the link to the recording of the clinic. Don’t forget to use the password provided. If you watch the recording, you can also give yourself credit for attending. Just mark that you attended on the attendance sheet at Wednesday’s meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/SNzJJgxV1qALL43mUQpkRswGQxc4v64JT3KNCHTkJ-jBLCqAlvHDLWcTMKUCYGx_.0bG0CuvHo7I91kYK
Passcode: a=3e++lv (start watching at the 10 minute mark.)
Clinic for Umpires - The next clinic will be Wednesday July 27th at 7:00pm on zoom. Our guest presenters will be Ed Blick, Mike Gunzelman and Scott Carroll. Here is the invitation to join:
SDCFOA Umpire Clinic – Wednesday, July 27th - 7:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81878423170?pwd=Uy9sMUZJTmxBU1JZR1lPbXhKNTZSUT09 Meeting ID: 818 7842 3170 Passcode: 822374 One tap mobile +12532158782
New Rules – Please raise any questions you may have with your instructor and your class. Let’s have a clear understanding of these important changes.
New Mechanics – As the ball arrives at the goal post, step up and look straight-up to determine if the ball was kicked between the uprights and not directly over the goal post. Orally communicate with the other official as to the success or failure of the kick. Both should temporarily withhold any signal as both move to the end line. If the kick goes between the goal posts, both officials use the touchdown signal to communicate that the kick is good. If the kick is wide of the goal post and not between the uprights, both officials step forward, but only the official to the side of missed kick gives the incomplete signal indicating that the kick is no good. If the kick is between the uprights but goes just under the crossbar, only the official responsible for the crossbar signals no good. If the kick is obviously short then both officials can signal no good.
Goal Line Mechanics – On plays beginning at or within the 5-yard line, going into the end zone, move to the goal line and officiate back to the line of scrimmage On plays beginning at or within the 10-yard line and outside the 5-yard line, and you read that the direction of the play is coming to your side of the field (run or pass) move to the goal line and officiate back to the line of scrimmage. By using the proper goal line mechanics on all plays within the 10-yard line, when a play threatens the goal line, you will be prepared to be at the goal line to make the appropriate call. On plays beginning at or within the 3-yardline, going out of the end zone, move back to the goal line and officiate forward to the line of scrimmage. By using this reverse goal line mechanic, you will be in position to make the appropriate call if there is a possibility of the ball becoming dead in the end zone.
Other Mechanics Proposed and Considered, But Not Approved Switching flanks at halftime Leave the umpire in regular position on all FGs and PATs Return to the previous free kick mechanics Flank officials allowed to signal “on” and “off” to determine legal formations Head Linesmen allowed to turn and look at the box between downs
The Mechanics Committee recognized the need to improve our consistency in the following areas: Need to improve our vision of blocking with the new free kick mechanics Need to improve our judgments of pop-up kicks and encroachment during on-side kicks
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 they are? A good way to develop your pre-snap and dead ball routines is to consider each play in three separate parts: Pre-Snap Live Ball Dead Ball (dead ball culminates with the movement of the down indicator – once you move that, you now begin pre-snap routine!) Base your routine on the SDCFOA Pre-Snap Routine for each position which is located in the mechanics manual starting on Page 72. 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, hurry-up offense, short yardage, end of half, end of game, etc.
Reset – When things are going very smoothly and you think this officiating stuff is easy, or you’ve just made a major mistake, it is a very good idea to RESET yourself. By “reset” I mean making a conscious decision to re-focus and strengthen you concentration. When things are going too smoothly, it’s a real possibility that a moment of shear terror is just around the corner! And if you made a mistake, it is hard to forget what just happened and move on to the next play. One good way to RESET, is to concentrate on your pre-snap routine! Just focus on the next snap and go hard at your pre-snap routine and you’ll find you concentration is improved and that you’re focusing on the needed and necessary things.
From the Assignor – Make sure you immediately accept any/all assignments in Arbiter. Tom sends out a list of delinquent officials. Don’t be That Guy!
Blocks in Arbiter – 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!
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.
Recruiting and Retention Committee – Thank you committee, especially Gary Gittelson for his leadership, Craig Gustafson for his professional media release, and to the many officials who volunteered to work our recruiting booths at community events. We are now over 40 new officials, and 21 officials in the 2nd year class! Keep recruiting people! Bring a new recruit with you to the meeting!
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 them.
Calibration This Week! –We will only calibrate when certified classes are meeting. Crew Chief will calibrate as a group, and each classroom will also calibrate. Once all of that feedback is collected by me, I will type up the rulings for Dave Garza to put up on the website. All of last year’s calibrations are still on the site. I will be sending out the calibration video along with a separate Coover Instructional video the weeks we are going to calibrate plays (regular class meetings). This way you can view the fouls prior to going into the classroom. This exercise has been well received by the SDCFOA and is meant to be an informative, learning experience. Be open to new ideas, criteria, and the overall consensus!
Food for Thought – On a free kick, K1 commits kick-catch interference at team R’s 45-yard line. The ball goes out of bounds at the 50-yard line untouched by team R. Can both fouls be penalized? If not, what are the penalty options for Team R?
