WWW.OHSAAFB.COM
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Officials must
attend:
◦ 4 Local Rules
Meetings &
◦ 1 State Rules Meeting
 (Online or Drive-In)
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Important that all
officials study & use the
Gold Book Mechanics so
we can standardize our
mechanics & improve
consistency.
There are more “holes”
in 5 man coverage than 7
man so these mechanics
allow us to address these
“challenges”.
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www.ohsaafb.com
Goal: Within 5 years, to
be the #1 website in
the world for HS FB
officiating.
Over 14,000 site visits
were recorded in 2015.
See P. 3 in the Gold
Book for a description.
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For 2015:
◦ Officials can wear either
the 1” or 2 ¼” stripe shirt.
For Varsity Games ONLY
all officials must wear the
same style shirt.
◦ Officials can wear both
the 1” & 2 ¼” stripe shirts
for Sub Varsity Games.
◦ All Officials must wear
the 2 ¼” shirt for all
OHSAA State Playoff
Games.
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For 2016:
◦ The 2 ¼” stripe shirt
must be worn for all
games.
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For a Class 2
Official to work a
Varsity Game the
Crew must obtain
permission from
the OHSAAA Office.
There are NO
exceptions to this
Requirement.
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One or Both Penalty
flags must be
carried in the front
only.
In 2016 Jackets can
not be worn during
the Game.
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Gold Book Rules
Index Has over 300
Rules References.
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NFHS Rules Book
Index has less than
200 Rules
References.
2015 Season
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HS Teams throw the FB less than 15 YDS a
vast majority of the time.
The average completion in the NCAA & NFL
play is less than 10 YDS.
As a result there is no need for Wings to
move downfield immediately at the snap.
Instead pause at the LOS & read the play.
Turn to see
Catch/No Catch
2015 Season
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1. U: When the DBS is in the SZ, the U will
hustle into the SZ, grab the FB, hustle to the
HM & Spot the FB off the Back Side Wing.
Then vary your IP laterally.
2. U: When it is raining or snowing cover the
FB with a towel at the DBS.
3. BJ: When DBS is outside the HM, secure a
new FB before measuring for a 1st Down.
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R/Wing: If the HC asks for a Coach/Referee
Conference to discuss a Misapplication or
Misinterpretation of a Rule, we MUST grant it.
Crew: We “stay out of trouble” by granting
the Conference, & using Our Books if needed.
Crew: If the HC does not believe you, then
show him in the Books. Use the Rules Index.
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The CT can be held early if both teams are
ready. This is especially true in cold or
inclement weather.
Coaches & players, who are not involved
with the CT, must be outside the HM’s.
Players do NOT have to be in uniform for
the CT. They can be in street clothes.
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1. Only the U will sound his whistle when the
kick is either successful or not successful.
2. This applies to the Try-Kick also.
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1. For 4 Man Mechanics the U’s IP will be on
the EL.
2. For example, this will give us much better
coverage when the ball is snapped on 8, 9 or
10 YL & the Receiver runs a “streak pattern”
to or near the EL.
Eye Contact
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1. Players do not have to be legally equipped
until the Opening KO for Grades 9 – 12 or the
ball is spotted for Grades 7 & 8.
2. R/HL (4 Man Mechanics): The R will wind
the clock (2X) when the FB is caught or hits
the ground between the far HM & his SL. The
HL will wind the clock when the FB is between
his near HM & SL.
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The Chain Crew cannot wear stripe shirts. It
causes confusion when the LJ looks across
field.
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1. U/HL/LJ/U: They need to move to a
position to be a minimum of 5 YDS from the
Catch.
2. Only many plays you need to move while
the FB is airborne for a much better angle to
see the “whole play”.
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1. R: If TV Cameras are located on the SL
opposite the PB then the R will give all Penalty
Signals to both SL’s.
2. Crew: On a “Challenging” Penalty
Enforcement it is IMPERATIVE that the R gives
each Official the opportunity to talk, NOT just
the Aggressive Official. Last year there were
multiple times when the newer official had
the right answer & the Crew did not listen!!
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1. NEW: If the Scoring Margin is 8 or less points
then tell both teams to “defend themselves”.
2. If the Winning Team is ahead by 9 or more
points & the Opponent is out of TO’s, or tells the
Wing that we will not use our TO’s.
3. And the Winning team HC informs Crew that
“we are going to take a knee” then implement
Victory Formation Mechanics.
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5. Wing: Communicate with losing HC.
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6. Crew: “Pinch in”. Be Assertive!
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7. R/U: Inform A/B that A will take a knee.
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8. R: Tell QB he Must take a knee.
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9. QB: If he Fakes taking a knee, Unfair Act.
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1. DQ: If a player or non player (coach, or
replaced player) is DQ’d in a scrimmage, file
an Ejection Report online. They are ineligible
to participate in the Week 1contest.
2. Drones are prohibited during the OHSAA
State Playoff Games.
3. During Weeks 1- 10 & Scrimmages the
High Schools decide the Drone Policy.
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1. It is Mandatory that the Crew meet with
both HC’s at all levels of FB prior to the game.
2. In Sub Varsity Games Numbering Rules do
not apply. Ask HC’s before the game if they
have any players with ineligible numbers
positioned in an eligible position.
3. Communicate during the game with both
teams when this occurs in Sub Varsity Games.
QUESTIONS?
Have a great 2015
season