2016 Football RTO Report
The RTO program is a partnership between the Washington
Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), and the Washington
Officials Association (WOA). The RTO program is funded by special
dues paid by the WIAA member schools. RTO stands for:
R — Retain
T — Train
O — Observe
• At the request of WIAA’s member schools, the
RTO Program was developed to help improve
officiating in all sports
• The WIAA’s original goal was to create a process
to certify officials being qualified to be assigned
to post-season games
• The WOA formed a RTO committee for each sport
the RTO Football Committee initially focused on
“Observing” as the first step For certifying Post-Season
officials
Observing
For a number of years a cadre of volunteers evaluated at
state semi-final and final football games. The format including
sitting in on the pre-game meeting and during the post-game
wrap-up.
Beginning in 2013 the observer group was expanded; games
were observed during the regular season and during all stages
of the playoffs. WOA Executivve Board decided that the added
observations would be unannounced and without pre-game
participation.
Observers entered game information into a computer data
base. Individual officials received feedback via e-mail.
Observing CONTINUED
Starting in 2016 we hope to have almost every observer
using video in their observations. When a game is observed
the officials will receive in a few days a link to allow them to
view the written observations made about them and see video
clips of those plays so they can see what they did well along
with areas they can work on. From the past two years that
video observations have been done, they have been very
positively accepted by the officials.
Data from Two year’s of Observations gave the
RTO program a Wealth of information about
individual officials and Crews
• As observers filled out a report they categorized each event; for
example:
• Kick-off
• Scrimmage play
• Penalty enforcement
• Play inside the 5 yard line going in
• Punt
• Scoring kick
• Time out
The data was complied and SUMMARIZED
so that the RTO Football Committee and Officials can
learn and improve!
• We determined the situations officials are handling well
• We also found the areas that need improvement
• We will now use the data to focus our training efforts in the
areas needing improvement.
We “mined” the data and came up with ten
Problem areas. These will be the focal points for
training by local associations
Note: In some instances we found the problem was because
Mechanics Illustrated (MI) had omitted an area, did not cover an area
correctly, or in enough detail. The Committee has published an
addendum which has been shared with the RTO Liaisons in each
association and is on the WOA Central Hub, and the information will
included in the next publication of MI.
Ten focus areas
1. Quarter Change Mechanics
2. Pregame/Postgame Participation (Includes On-Field
Duties Prior to the Game)
3. Measurement Mechanics
4. Two Point Conversion Try Mechanics (Includes Scoring
Plays Inside the 5 Yard Line)
5. Touchdown Mechanics
Focus Areas
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Penalty Enforcement Mechanics
Scrimmage Kick Mechanics (Punts & Field Goals)
Coin Toss Mechanics
Timeout Mechanics
Scoring Kicks Inside the 10 (Includes PATs)
In most instances, the correct information is in MI; the
following slides highlight mechanics that RTO observers
noted as missed or performed incorrectly.
Only 40% are live ball Situations!!!!
• Officials need to focus on all areas of the game, both live
ball and dead ball.
• We will examine each of the focus areas, outline the
proper mechanics, and add a video of a WOA crew using
proper mechanics
QUARTER
CHANGE
MECHANICS
• All crew members come together after
teams have gone to their sidelines to
record the information (Not just get within
10 yards of each other, but actually meet at
the ball to make sure each official has the
same information recorded).
• If it is first and ten, the chains will be
allowed to move on their own after the
crew has recorded the necessary
information.
QUARTER
CHANGE
MECHANICS
• After the conference, the Linesman (HL) goes
to the chains, makes sure the clip is on the
five yard line nearer the rear stake. The HL
grabs the chains at the clip, reverses the
chains, jogs with the crew to the new yard
line, and sets the chains.
QUARTER
CHANGE
MECHANICS
• To insure that the chains are reversed, start
with your back to the field of play when first
grasping the clip and ask the stake holders to
rotate so they are opposite of where they
were when the quarter ended, and then move
to the corresponding spot (MI Page 42).
• The Line Judge (LJ) after meeting with the crew and
recording the information moves up his/her sideline
making sure the team is having a legal conference.
QUARTER
CHANGE
MECHANICS
• The Back Judge (BJ) after meeting with the crew and
recording the information moves up the HL’s sideline
to make sure the team is having a legal conference.
Once the Head Linesman (HL) has the chains
positioned correctly he will double-check the next
spot with the Umpire (U) prior to the ball being
placed ready for play.
Pregame/Postgame Participation (including duties
prior to the game)
• This is two separate areas combined into one:
• First, what happens in the locker room;
• Second, procedures on the field prior to the game.
• We’ll deal with the locker room portion of this first.
PREGAME Conference
 For the pregame conference, it is strongly recommended that all
officials have a copy of the same outline. This becomes crucial in the
playoffs when crews from different associations work together. During
state games, observers noted that crews that didn’t have a written
outline often had a pregame that was disjointed, and failed to cover
important topics.
 If the conversation veers from the topic, the referee must make sure to
get it back on topic without any important area being missed.
 It can not be stressed strongly enough the importance of a
comprehensive pregame prior to a varsity contest.
PREGAME RESPONSIBILITIES
• Several areas that are often left out of pregame
• Momentum
• Inadvertent whistle
• Injury to an official
• Onside kicks
• Bench Decorum
• Coach/referee conference
• Disqualifications
• Time out mechanics
• Measurement mechanics
DUTIES ON
THE FIELD
BEFORE THE
GAME
• HL meets with chain crew and instruct
them on their duties.
• HL (with help from others) visually
inspect the chains making sure they
are in good shape and are ten yards
long. This is a great time to verify that
at the center of the chain (5 yards) is
marked with piece of athletic tape.
• Walk the field and visually check for
any problems (Broken bottles, goal
post pads improperly installed, etc.
• U is responsible for verifying that
player protective equipment is legal.
• Referee approves the balls (MI Page
211).
DUTIES ON THE FIELD BEFORE THE GAME
During the time on the field officials look at player equipment (MI page
211)
• Do players have tinted visors?
• Do players have wrist bands worn on the biceps?
• Do players have improper equipment?
• With the Point of Emphasis this year on uniforms , it is now even
more important to monitor uniforms and improper equipment than
ever before.
Officials should observe teams/players during warmups and note:
•
•
•
•
R: QB’s hand, punter and place kicker’s foot, offense type, typical plays?
U: Snap, long snap, offense type, typical plays?
HL, LJ: Splits, slot backs, line of scrimmage, offense type, typical plays?
BJ: Distance of punts and place kicks (if any), offensive alignment,
strength?
Measurement MechanicS
(MI pages 77-82)
• The LJ needs to communicate with the R that forward progress was close
to a first down.
• LJ/HL crash in on a close spot to where the play ended, not just stopping
at pressure—this is the one time they may pass other players (MI Page
70). The other officials must watch players behind the covering official.
• All plays ending in side zone, U hands the ball to the side official for him to
spot the ball (should never toss the ball) if the side official can’t get the
ball directly.
Measurement Mechanics
• The BJ is responsible to secure the ball from the downfield side
and make sure it doesn’t move till the measurement is
completed.
• BJ or LJ should have a ball boy bring out a second ball if possible when
the spot is outside the hashmarks and the line to gain is not reached
• Position of R and BJ during measurement is so they do not block the
view of the pressbox
• Never should anyone step over the chains
Measurement Mechanics
• The HL brings the chains when the clip and downbox are set.
• The LJ stands at the perpendicular spot where the chains will be
spotted at.
• The U takes the forward post from the chain crew and upon
confirming with the HL that it is secure, stretches it tight.
• The R rules if the line to gain was reached or not
Measurement Mechanics
• If the ball is short of the line to gain and is outside the hashmarks,
the BJ should leave the ball where it was at.
• The U and HL move the chains in to the hashmark. The second
ball will be placed at the hashmark where the ball should be
spotted at by the R.
• In a five yard penalty situation on the defense, the HL should
confirm if the ball was originally spotted beyond the tape which
will mean we have a first down.
Touchdown & 2 Point Conversion MECHANICS
MI PAGES 116-118
• On a TD run that ends in the field of play (not out of bounds) and where
the BJ does not have goal line coverage, the side officials should go to
the pylon and then move onto the field to signal TD.
• On long play down a sideline for a TD, the BJ needs to first check with
the side official to verify that the runner didn’t step out before signaling
TD.
• Prior to signaling touchdown, the covering official should come to a full
stop, pause, and then give the signal.
• On a play towards the pylon, side officials stay on the goal line and
move backwards and getting necessary depth.
Touchdown & 2 Point Conversion MECHANICS
• On a play inside the five yard line (going in), the side officials must
break to the goal line and get wider at the snap. If the play is
stopped short of the goal line, then they move back to the spot of
forward progress. Remember that we can’t ignore a team gaining a
first down prior to the goal line.
• HL should not signal a TD on a play to the LJ’s side and vice versa.
• On a long play where BJ has goal line, side officials move down to
the 2 and stop without signaling TD (unless it is right at the pylon
where they have to cover that area). Side officials should cleanup
behind the play. If the side official needs to go into the endzone to
supervise players, this is fine.
• On a complete pass to the back corner of the endzone where the BJ
has the endline, this call can be made by the BJ and the side official
once they’ve both visually communicated that it is good.
COIN TOSS
The coin toss procedures are outlined on MI Pages 71-73.
Bringing the ball out for the coin toss is optional—either both the LJ
and BJ bring one out or neither does.
Observers noted numerous mechanics errors such as the R stationing
at mid field and the other four officials bringing captains to the center.
This is generally the first impression everyone has of the crew so let’s
get it right and look sharp.
SCORING KICK
(INSIDE THE 10)
• The R was most mentioned as out of position both before the kick:
A. Prior to the ready: step between the center and the holder;
many Rs handle this verbally and by withholding the RFP
B. Prior to the snap: 2-3 yards deeper than holder and 10-12 yards
wider
• The U is to be positioned under the goal post opposite the R.
• After the kick all positions but the R are to square off outside the pylons and
hustle up their respective sidelines (no cutting corners or going up the middle of
the field). The R remains at the goal line.
PENALTY ENFORCEMENT
 When a spot foul is called, the calling official should get his/her flag as
close to the spot as possible. If the spot needs correcting do not kick the
flag, pick it up and place it at the correct spot. Penalty enforcement: (MI p.
24-26)
 On dead-ball fouls prior to the snap the calling official/s hustle/s to the R
to report; if both wing officials have a penalty, both hustle to the R and
neither gives hand signals about the penalty or direction of enforcement.
 The R does not give a preliminary signal when the captain will not be
consulted such as on dead ball penalties. The R signals in a stationary
position after hustling to an open spot and facing the press box.
PENALTY ENFORCEMENT
 The flag must be covered (spot protected), often R’s flag is missed.
Most often the BJ covers the flag if he/she did not call the foul. The flag is
not picked up until the enforcement spot has been established. The LJ
covers the enforcement spot before the U and HL begin to walk off the
penalty. For spot fouls the flag stays on the ground till the penalty is
administered
 The LJ covers the enforcement yard line spot and waits until the U has
placed the ball down at the new spot prior to moving
 The U walks off the penalty from the penalty enforcment spot and then
squares back to the hash. The HL walks off the penalty independently of
the U and then the U faces the HL and if the HL is in the same place the
ball goes down.
SCRIMMAGE KICKS
(Punts & Field Goals)
 LJ moves downfield when the ball is clearly caught by the punter/ holder.
 HL WAITS until the kick has crossed the line of scrimmage (LOS), with no chance to
bounce or blow back, and then goes downfield to cover.
 U initial position is10 yards deep and centered on the ball, then moves toward the
LOS at the snap.
 BJ remember that a field goal attempt is a scrimmage kick in every aspect related
to the goal line.
(Scrimmage Kicks Narrative – MI Pages 95-96; Coverage Diagrams – MI Pages 122-127)
TIMEOUT
MI PAGES 74-76
 The R is to signal with three pumps – trivial but do it right
 The R is the one to determine when teams are to be moved to the sideline
conference areas when there is a time out for injury
 Officials are not to gather in the middle of the field with the R
 Wing officials
1. Be alert and not allow coaches/attendants to enter the field before the R
has granted the time out
2. Ask the coach which kind of conference they want and “steer” the coach
and teams to a legal position for the conference if it is not obvious from
how they are setting up for their conference.
3. Monitor the team from a triangular position near the huddle, on the side
of the direction of play, but with the R and U also in view