SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL – August 27, 2025
No Meetings This Week - Please use this opportunity to view video and meet with your crew in an effort to get even better. I say every year, the improvement in our performance between week #1 and week #2 is the largest that will see all season, but this year I’ve noticed a dramatic “step up” from the scrimmage week to Week #1. I couldn’t be more proud of our hard work, and the hard work of the crew chiefs!
Player Sent Out For Equipment – When a player is sent out for illegal or improper equipment, a coach may not call time out and get the player back into the game.
Onside Kicks – We had teams open the season with an on-side kick. Were we ready? We must prepare ourselves to be ready for a possible on-side kick on every free kick.
Shifts Meant to Draw the Defense Offside – When an offensive team is over the ball then dramatically shifts multiple players quickly to another formation, in an attempt to draw the defense offside, the foul is for a false start on the offense. Offenses my shift multiple players in an attempt to out-flank a defense, but it must be done slowly and without any sudden movements. I suggest a team that wants to shift multiple players have their center standing completely upright, so that the defense is totally aware that the ball is not ready to be snapped.
Punt Team Shifts Off of the Field – Again, I suggest the center be standing upright prior to the punt team turning and shifting off of the field. This would be a legal shift and the defense does not get a chance to “match up” like the NCAA and NFL do. BUT, this should be considered a trick play, and thus it must be run perfectly. That means within a strict 40-second play clock!
PE Offices and Locker Rooms – Please, leave them in excellent shape. This week I received a very polite email asking that we do better at their school…chairs, furniture and equipment moved, toilet not flushed, water on the floor. Embarrassing! Never again, please!
Our Annual Bands and PA Announcer Warning – The following is taken from the CIF Green Book: “Bands are not allowed to play during the course of the actual contest. In the sport of football, bands may play during timeouts, halftime or in between plays. Bands must stop playing when a team breaks the huddle or in the case of a no huddle offense, when the quarterback lines up in position to take a snap.” Any violation of this CIF policy can be directed to the game administration for immediate correction. Continued violations would be considered an 'unfair act' under NFHS Football Rule 9-10-1 and could result in a 15-yard penalty being assessed to the head football coach of the offending school for unsportsmanlike conduct.
National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA) - Code of Conduct - The following principles and expectations underscore the NASPAA’s P.A. announcing philosophy. P.A. announcers must utilize these guidelines. 1. Announcers shall understand that their role is to provide pertinent information in a timely manner and to do so professionally and not attempt to be bigger than the game or event by doing play-by-play or by providing commentary in an effort to entertain or to draw attention to himself or herself. 2. Announcers shall understand that because they have a tremendous influence on the crowd and that cheerleading or antics designed to incite the crowd for the purpose of gaining an advantage for their team is inappropriate. 3. Announcers shall promote good sportsmanship and a positive environment by what they say and how they act. 4. Announcers shall treat the opponents and their fans as guests, not the enemy. 5. Announcers shall respect the individuals who are responsible for the conduct and administration of athletic games and events, such as coaches, officials and administrators, and avoid making any comments that reflect positively or negatively on them. 6. Announcers shall respect the participants of all teams and remain neutral when introducing the starting participants, announcing substitutions and the outcome of plays or performances of the participants. 7. Announcers shall exhibit professional behavior and represent their school, organization or association with respect and dignity at all times by what they say, how they act and how they appear.
Announcers – One More Thing – Many of our referees are using wireless microphones so that they can announce important information during the contest. That important information cannot be shared when an announcer is talking non-stop, or not alert for a possible announcement from the referee. Please give the referee some “air space” especially during a penalty announcement.
Drones – A drone appeared at halftime and was flying outside the field area behind the stands. If seen in the stadium area, the game must be stopped, and the drone taken down…even if the drone is tethered to something in the endzone.
Visitors at Games – If you are visiting a game and observing a crew do not follow the chain crew and head linesman through the team box. Stay out of any team box area and do not communicate with coaches or game administrators. Please observe the game from the stands, or if allowed on the field, from the sideline outside the team box and outside of the white restricted area or dashed restraining line. If you want to change ends of the field walk around the team box.
Adornment – Towels must be at least 4 inches wide up to a maximum of 18 inches wide. No streamers. Use your game card which is approximately 4” wide to best determine the width of the skinny towels. Must be a solid color…any color will be legal. No bicep, neck, or leg bands. No jewelry or war painting of the face, and no symbols including crosses. Shoes/ankles taped to prevent injury (spats) allowed.
Time Outs, Quarter Changes, and Period Between PAT and Kickoff – The rule is one minute from the end of the signal for time out, end of quarter, or successful/or not PAT to the ready-for-play signal. The goal is to get this all accomplished in under one-minute (45-seconds?) Flanks, it all rests on your work to get your teams out. Be active and assertive.
Penalties Assessed on Kick Offs - Back Judges do not march off penalty. Do not signal penalty and then march it off. Go directly to the spot where the ball is to be kicked. Put the ball on the ground. Signal foul from this location. Hand ball to the kicker (don’t toss it).
Halftime and Post-Game Debrief – Follow a template or you will immediately fall into the old discussion of favorite/hot topic plays. Stick with the list! Chain Crew Timer Head Coaches and Sidelines Tempo Foul Report - Mechanics, Communication, Rules, Philosophy Interesting Plays & Players (play makers, on-the-edge, warnings, what haven’t we seen yet? What does this game need? Blow out? Overtime? Review Game Goals
Logging Fouls –Find a way. Make this a crew or personal goal. Or get someone to log fouls for the crew! Don’t forget to send your foul log to Robert Bezverkov.
Lightening - From the NFHS Rule Book – From the back of the Rule Book – Include game administration in any decision making: When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning strike is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately. Thirty minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30 minute count should begin.
California State Mercy Rule - At the conclusion of the third quarter or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of 35 or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game regardless of the score. The game clock shall stop only for a score, a free kick following a fair catch or awarded fair catch, a charged team timeout, a coach-referee conference or an official’s timeout. This bylaw applies to all levels of play.
Overtime Rules – Review these rules each week! We’re posting it up on our website at www.sdcfoa.org.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct – We suggest that referees communicate all UNS fouls directly to the head coach so that the information is clear and all questions are answered. A second UNS is a disqualification by rule so make sure of your calls! • “Excessive” celebrations or protests • "In your face"; standing or bending over an opponent. • Comments that are racist, ethnic or demeaning. • Gestures toward an opponent, coaches or opponent's sideline. • Throat slash. • Demonstrate violence such as six guns or machine gun. Being demonstrative after making an exceptional play or score is accepted as long as it's a spontaneous burst of energy that's not prolonged, clearly self-congratulatory or makes a mockery of the game.
