SDCFOA Weekly Bull 6-29-26
Developing Your Crew – Once a crew has been drafted, it will take time and effort to be fully ready for that first scrimmage. In the “old days” we’d show up for the scrimmage and work, as Bill Tellous used to put it, “work a shake down cruise.” Everyone would work their position and Bill would take notes of the things needing correction. Jim Sibbet was famous for this approach as well. The problem is that you were then making major corrections in your Week #1 games! Now we do this prior to the scrimmage as best as we can. Meeting vis Zoom to get to know one another. Setting season goals and getting organized with our crew responsibilities are just a few tasks that can be accomplished in an hour. Additional meetings could be scheduled to cover the crew’s weekly schedule, half time and post-game evaluations, uniform and equipment, standard pre-game, honest self-evaluation, etc. Or, a crew could have one-big in-person meeting to go over these issues plus all of our on-filed mechanics from warm-up responsibilities to exiting the field. We call this “Soup-to-Nuts.” And the goal is to have all of this accomplished PRIOR to the scrimmage, so you can practice, and begin the process of Getting Even Better!
Recruit – This is the final week before our first meeting. Please take a moment to think if there are any potential officials in you circle of friends, workers or extended family. Get them to join and share in the fun.
Rules Study – I like to jump around in the book and restudy different sections. Others go chronologically through the rule book. A study group is extremely helpful! Don’t be afraid to follow the tentacles as the rule cites another rule in the book. Just accept that the rules rely on one another, especially rule #2. So turn to the section that is referenced and read THAT rule. Learn to enjoy the journey. In this way, you will begin to learn where the related rules are located. You will find yourself saying, “I know where that is!” Appreciate your increased knowledge and competence.
Last Week’s Questions with Answers
Snapper A1 is positioned over the ball following the ready signal and has a hand on the ground. A1 then stands erect to call out a blocking assignment.
Answer - No Foul 7-1-7c The snapper may do this if he has not placed his hand(s) on the ball, but the players between the snapper and the ends (guards and tackles) may not do this.
Snapper A1 is positioned over the ball following the ready signal and has his hand(s) on the ball. A1 then stands erect to call out a blocking assignment.
Answer - False Start 7-1-3a The snapper’s hands were placed on the ball.
A's linemen take their positions and snapper A1 has made preliminary adjustments. Prior to the snap A1 tilts the ball to an angle of 90 degrees.
Answer - Legal Snap 7-1-2 The snapper must keep the long axis of the ball at right angles to the line of scrimmage. The tilting does not violate this rule.
With fourth and 5 from K's 30-yard line, K9 punts the ball downfield where it is grounded and touched by K88 (first touching) at R's 30. The ball continues rolling and is picked up by R35 at R's 25-yard line. R35 is subsequently hit and fumbles at R's 28. The loose ball is recovered by K88 on the ground at R's 26. During the kick, R55 is flagged for holding. Is this Post Scrimmage Kick Enforcement? Can K accept the penalty at the spot of first touching? If not, what are K’s options?
Answer – It is not PSK as the kicking team ends up with possession and would be the next to put the ball in play 2-16-2h(5). K may not accept the penalty at the spot of first touching as first touching is canceled if a penalty is accepted for any foul by either team during the down 6-2-5. The foul for R holding happened during the kick (loose ball) so if accepted, the penalty would be enforced at the previous spot and the down replayed. K would most likely choose their other option which would be to keep possession of the ball where K88 recovered the fumble (R-26 yard line) and decline the holding penalty by R55 10-2-1c, 10-2-2b.
Food For Thought – True or False?
The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards from the spot of the ball and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. Before a forward pass is thrown or the ball leaves the FBZ, blocking below the waist is permitted. (2-17)
The elements of a completed “catch” include securing firm control of a live ball in flight with the arms or hands before the ball touches the ground, the player first touching the ground inbounds with a foot or with any part of their body and maintaining possession. (2-4)
A, 3/9, B-25. QB A1 throws a pass and it is intercepted at the B-5 by B33. B33’s momentum brings him into his endzone. B33 attempts to run with the ball and, before leaving the endzone, fumbles the ball while being tackle by A5. The loose-ball rolls out of bounds at the B-3. Because the new forward fumble rule, the result of the play would be a Safety.
