2006-2007 NFHS FOOTBALL
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Official’s Manual
Officials Manual Committee
Dale Pleimann – Missouri - - Chair
„ Steve Stearns – California - - Vice Chair
„ Ralph Damren – Maine
„ Mike Webb – West Virginia
„ Ralph Swearngin – Georgia
„ Dave Anderson – Wisconsin
„ Brian Michelotti – Montana
„ Ron Ethridge – Oklahoma
„ Tom Lorang – Montana - - NFHS-OA
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OFFICIAL’S
PROFESSIONALISM
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Exercise Representative Behavior at all Times
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Display Pride in your Actions at every Opportunity
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Don’t allow your ego to interfere with good judgment.
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Purpose of Athletics is an Extension of the
Educational Process
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Sportsmanship
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Referee faces the press box when giving signals #29
and #35 the same as signal #12.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FOOTBALL CLOCK OPERATORS
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Reviewed and accepted with the addition of a new
D11.
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11. Guidelines for utilizing a running clock as per state
association adoption. The clock will be stopped when:
1) An official’s time-out is called, except when a first
down is declared; following a change of team possession;
or to dry or change the game ball;
2) A charged time-out is called;
3) At the end of a period, or;
4) A score occurs.
Note: The clock will continue to run in all other situations.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR
FOOTBALL LINE-TO-GAIN CREWS
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Reviewed and accepted with the following changes or
additions:
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The typical line-to-gain crew consists of at least three individuals – a downbox operator and two to hold the rods. Unless otherwise possible by use of
a fourth crew member, the down-box operator will attach the clip as
specified. The crew should be dressed uniformly in readily identifiable
attire. Remind crew members that they are officials; not fans.
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8.
The chain is not extended if it is a first-and-goal situation. After the chain is
clipped, remove it from the sideline. LINESMAN should provide DOWN-BOX
OPERATOR a bean bag in this situation to mark location of the box in case it is
moved during the down.
12. Operating the equipment 6 feet off the sideline is for the protection of
players, coaches and all persons who are part of the game.
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Appropriate changes reflecting the above items were also made in the Official’s Manual on
pages 12-13, 44-45 and 79-80.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Added an explanation to D1 on page
12.
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Secure and check the line-to-gain and down
marker indicators, plus all auxiliary
equipment. Ensure that the line-to-gain
equipment is marked at halfway point with
tape. This can help on penalties measured
from the previous spot or spot fouls to
determine if first down after enforcement.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Positioning On Scoring Kicks.
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The official joining the back judge behind the goal posts may
be either the linesman or the line judge.
The determining factor is the side of the field the referee will
be facing when the kick is made.
The referee takes up his usual position, facing the holder.
The wing official facing the holder goes underneath.
The wing official to the back of the holder stays on the line of
scrimmage.
The back judge moves to one upright or the other depending
on which wing official is joining him.
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MANUAL REVISIONS
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Positioning On Scoring
Kicks.
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Referee can provide coverage
to the side of the field on which
there is no wing official.
The officials should take note
in pre-game warm-ups whether
the kickers are right- or leftfooted.
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MANUAL REVISIONS
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Signaling Backward Passes.
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When a pass is thrown into the flat, the covering wing official
is to signal if the pass is backward.
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The signal should be an upraised arm with a clenched fist
pointing towards the offensive backfield.
If the pass is forward, no signal is needed unless the pass is
incomplete.
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MANUAL REVISIONS
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Counting Players on Free Kicks.
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The back judge and line judge count K.
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The referee, umpire and linesman count R.
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Previously only the back judge counted K.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Order of Signals on 4th Down Dead Ball
Fouls.
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1) Signal any live ball fouls;
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2) Signal 1st down;
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3) Signal dead ball; and
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4) Signal the dead ball fouls.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Added H - Guidelines for using a
Microphone on pages 43 and 77.
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The referee’s use of a field microphone adds another
dimension to communication – positive when used
properly.
The referee should have the option to use or not use a
field microphone.
The referee should have control (on/off switch) of the
microphone.
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MANUAL REVISIONS
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Added H - Guidelines for using a Microphone on
pages 43 and 77.
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If used, the following guidelines should be followed:
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1) Signals are still necessary, starting with a preliminary signal (no microphone)
and then (after the penalty is accepted or declined) the final signal in conjunction
with the use of the microphone.
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2) Normal voice quality – no shouting.
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3) Speak in short phrases, so spectators can grasp the announcement. Pause briefly
between phrases.
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4) Do NOT announce the number of the player who committed the foul.
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5) Turn microphone off so other comments are not broadcast to the spectators.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Official’s Uniform and Equipment.
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Shoes – should be all black.
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While the number of shoes with white logos
continues to increase there are enough all-black
options to meet this requirement.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Official’s Uniform and Equipment.
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Bean Bags – may be white or blue.
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The blue bags may be easier to see on the field.
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All members of the crew should use bags of the
same color.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Keys and Priority of Keys on pages
54-60.
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The back judge’s key will always be the widest
player on the strong side.
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Usually a split end, however, it could be a
wingback or flanker positioned outside the
tight end.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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Keys and Priority of Keys on pages 5460.
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Back Judge shall always take the widest receiver to
the side of the strength of the formation.
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If the formation is balanced (same number of receivers
outside the tackles on both sides of the formation), strength
is considered to be the line judge’s side.
Added a new III, IV and V renumbering old items to
VI, VII and VIII.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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BALANCED FORMATION
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Balanced formation, if no strength is
declared, declare strength to the LINE
JUDGE’S side. The BACK JUDGE
keys his/her read from the end on the
LINE JUDGE’S side, the
LINESMAN is responsible for initial
action on or by the end on his side.
LINE JUDGE would then have the
first back out of the back field on
his/her side. These would also be the
keys on a split backfield.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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III. BALANCED FORMATION:
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When there are the same number of
eligible receivers outside the offensive
tackles on each side of the formation, then
the back judge will key the widest eligible
receiver to the line judge’s side of the
formation.
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The line judge will then key on the next
widest eligible receiver.
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The linesman will key on the eligible/s on
his side of the formation.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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PENALTY SUMMARY revised on
page 86.
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16. Illegal forward pass (by A: also loss of
down).
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17. Illegal forward pass (by B).
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Last year was in the Penalty Summary in the Rule Book but
not in the Penalty Summary in Official’s Manual.
Renumbered the remaining items.
MANUAL REVISIONS
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POINTS OF EMPHASIS – Page 85.
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1) It is better for wing officials to work too wide than
to work too close.
2) Review all medical rules and guidelines including:
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Communicable disease procedures;
Apparently unconscious player;
Casts;
Bleeding, etc.
3) Controlling the sideline and team box.
4) Wing officials observing lead blocks just outside the free
blocking zone.
REVIEWED and UPDATED
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General Reminders
Pregame
Responsibilities
Stopping, Starting and
Winding the Clock
Shortening Periods
Use of the Penalty
Marker
CORRECTIONS
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Page 16: #3 – Back
Judge obtains football
not Linesman.
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Pages 58-60 and 72:
Verbiage is correct
diagrams may not be.
RECOMMENDED
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Asking on the NFHS
Football Questionnaire:
“Would you favor officials
throwing a flag on the 1st
sideline warning.
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Upgrading and improving
the diagrams in the Manual
by:
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Utilizing the available space
to a greater degree;
Providing a sharper image;
Providing a more professional
appearance.
SUGGESTIONS or CONCERNS
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Contact: Dale Pleimann,
Assistant Director—
Missouri State High
School Activities
Association
([email protected])