Ohio Mechanics
9-4-2012
Pre Game
• Everyone participate in conversation
– Things to talk about
•
•
•
•
•
Team tendencies ex: majority passing or running
Talk about non verbal communication
Discuss mechanics
Discuss play situations
Stay on topic and get your mind in the game
Schedule
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7:10 – Coin Toss (clear from 45-45)
7:14 -- Field Cleared
7:15 – Band Pre-game
7:25 – Teams on the field
7:26 – National Anthem
7:29 – Final Huddle
7:30 – Kickoff/Starting Time
Meet HC’s 35 minutes prior to the
game
• All officials introduce themselves
• R: Players legally equipped, #’s, QB/K right or
left, talk about sportsmanship
• U: Any players need to have equipment
checked?
• LM (V HC), LJ (H HC): Lineup card, get back
coach, unusual plays, deep kicks?
– Assure the coaches that we will give player #’s and
foul description ASAP
Signaling
• Finger Whistle?
– NO one armed signals
– Punch and yell
Signaling
• Only punch off
• Incomplete pass – signal only, no TO
– Covering official only
• DO NOT mirror TD
Forward Progress Mechanics
• Mark progress with downfield foot
• Cross-field mechanics – (button hook passes,
runner driven back near sideline) look across
field for help for an accurate spot.
– Backside wing come onto the field to be visible
Penalty Enforcement
• U penalty enforcement is yours, turn to the
calling official when the whistle is sounded
• Calling Official: Give Prelim Signal for foul you
called after ball is dead
• 10 Sec. Rule: Simple 5 YD DB Foul – Crew
GOAL: Mark ball ready w/in 10 seconds.
• 10 Sec. Rule: Assumes Center has FB & hands
it to U for 5 YD mark off.
Penalty Enforcement
• R: Find open space immediately & give Prelim
Signal; do not walk around!!!
– Signals 1 Prelim ONLY for 5 YD DB Fouls – FST,
ENC, DOG, Ill Sub, etc.
Verbalize all fouls as you signal PB
Penalty Enforcement
• BOTH LJ and LM walk off yardage
– U check to be correct after you reach the
succeeding spot
• ASK QUESTIONS NOW! Not in the shower
Pass Mechanics
• Initial Positions
• R: 10yds behind the QB and 8yds wide (wide
side)
• U: 7yds off LOS inside the TE’s
• LM/LJ: 10yds outside of the widest A player
(Never inside the field numbers)
• BJ: 17yds off LOS between the uprights
Passing Mechanics (KEYS)
• R: Snap/QB/Opposite Tackle/ Passer; maintain
a 5yd cushion with the Passer
• U: Snap/Lineman/QB/Pass/Catch
– Jog to the DBS (never make team wait for a spot)
• LJ/BJ/LM: (COVERAGES): BJ has inside receiver
– EL/SL plays, watch FEET first
– BJ don’t take yourself out of the play by
backpedaling to fast
– STOP & WATCH
Why are we on the wide side of the field instead of
passing arm side? If it is good enough for college and
NFL, why not other levels.
• We have 5 officials and they have 7. 7 gives us tremendous
support on SL coverage that is missing in 5 due to no deep
wings.
• Last year 10 Crews throughout the State of Oh
experimented with the wide side. They officiated over 300
games using the R on wide side. The other 9 R's who all
worked the State Playoffs asked me if they could stay on
the wide side for the playoffs -- they liked it that much.
• You see far more blocks because most of the time you are
in the center of the field like the BJ. As you know, last year,
if the ball was snapped on the hash, the R was on the
numbers. I watched over 100 hours of video & the R was
not getting anywhere near the opposite SL to provide
support.
On COP, why does the covering official signal direction
instead of immediately stopping the clock? This could
mean 2 or more seconds lost each time.
• To "sell" to everyone that we know what we
are doing and are assertive in our judgment &
actions. I disagree with losing 2 seconds. As
soon as a crew member indicates COP, the
other officials are stopping the clock. I
watched this in the Div I Final Game at Canton
-- the U signaled COP and the other officials
stopped the clock. The clock stopped
immediately.