SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL – September 3, 2025
Zoom Meeting This Wednesday – We will all be meeting together via Zoom this week due to Back to School Night at Mira Mesa High School. Our Zoom meeting will start at 7:00pm. Although the invitation says that the meeting starts at 6:00 pm, that is for the Crew Chief Meeting from 6:00 – 7:00pm. So, Crew Chiefs and instructors log on to the meeting beforehand at 6:00pm. Then all officials (including 1st & 2nd Year officials) will join in at 7:00 pm. We have much to discuss and information to share at this meeting so see you at the meeting! Here is the Zoom Invitation:
SDCFOA Regular Classroom Meeting via Zoom Wednesday September 3, 2025 6:00 PM Join Zoom Meeting Https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82280223374?pwd=Puz3VuHuVP3iUOnLvopwmVJHgaBEnD.1 Meeting ID: 822 8022 3374 Passcode: 228145 One tap mobile +16694449171
Scott Reilly Going Into the San Diego County Sports Officials Hall of Fame – Scott Reilly (SDCFOA and the BIG12) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Tuesday September 23rd at 6:00pm at the Admiral Baker Golf Course. Scott has been a constant supporter of the SDCFOA and recently presented a line of scrimmage clinic to over 100 of our officials as we prepared for this season. It is time to honor Scott and we’re hoping to fill up three or four tables of officials to properly honor him. Purchase your tickets at https://www.sandiegosportsofficialshof.com/hall-of-fame-dinner
Expanded Neutral Zone – The question was asked, “Can the neutral zone ever be expanded into the end zone?” The answer is Yes! On a scrimmage down in which a pass is attempted, the neutral zone may be expanded into the end zone. But if a scrimmage kick occurs, the neutral zone shall not be expanded onto the end zone.
Testing is Completed – We’ve finished our mechanics, flag and tackle rules exams. Congratulations on your passing these exams. If you failed to take a test for some reason, you will be provided with a make up option soon. Your test results have been recorded on your attendance sheets and the flag results are on file with Tom Ables so he knows who is qualified to work flag football.
Running Clock in the 3rd Quarter – Be careful when bringing up any hint of a running clock prior to the 4th quarter. I have mentioned to the coach to let me know if he wants “help with the clock” at any time. Most times the coach will politely acknowledge and state that he’s good with a normal clock, but at least you offered.
Have Your Uniform With You in Your Car – If you always have your uniform with you in your car, you will be able to accept a last second assignment from Tom Ables. We have the famous story of an official getting injured in a CIF playoff game, and suddenly Jace Carlson is the new back judge! Jace had his uniform in the car!
9/11 Remembrances or Special Ceremonies – I know I’m planning ahead but if there is something organized in remembrance of 9/11, we will work with the home team coach and administration to make every effort to adjust the kick off time accordingly. Once a kickoff time is agreed upon the officiating crew is responsible for seeing to it that we kick off on time!
Looking Ahead - Board Meeting Before the 6/17 Regular Meeting 5:30 pm – There will be a regularly scheduled board meeting at 5:30 in room 713. The board will select the officers for the 2024 season, discuss the SDCFOA Overtime Award, Board Elections, and a variety of other awards and reports.
Game Film – When I send out the game film, I’m assuming that the crew is the Referee’s crew. I simply do not have the time to examine every assignment to make sure the right individuals are getting the game film. So, referees are to make sure that, if it’s not your crew or you have a fill in, that you share the film with the individuals who worked the game with you. Conversely, if you worked on a game and did not get a game film, please check with your referee to see if he got the film and can share with you.
Injury Time Outs – If necessary, the referee may grant an official’s time out for an apparently injured player. If granted, that player shall be replaced for one down. If we grant an official’s time out then players could go to the sidelines and confer with the coaching staff just as they do for an authorized time out (if time permits). The flanks will then see to it that both teams are back on the field and ready to play when the injured athlete leaves the playing area.
Officials Using Radios – The use of official-to-official (020) radios is now encouraged but not mandatory. The overuse of the radios can lead to a serious decrease in the proper signaling by officials. A protocol has been established to guide our officials and crews in the proper use of the radios, and to prevent their overuse. Dead Ball Communication with opposite flanks to inform opposite coach of challenging players, issues with formations, and answer other questions from opposite coach. Request assistance from referee, umpire or opposite flank in regard to improving legal formations or assisting with challenging players. Very helpful in communicating directly with the play clock operator when you need to reset the game clock (if you have enough radios). BACK JUDGE / LINE JUDGE may instruct the referee to wind or hack the play/game clock whenever necessary (does not take the place of hand signals to the referee as well). BACK JUDGE / LINE JUDGE will use the radio and his whistle to signal officials and teams of the end of time out periods. Pre-Snap Absolutely no radio use at this time. Penalty Enforcement Absolutely no use of the radio to report the actual foul to the referee. After using preliminary signals or verbally communicating the foul to the referee, the radio may be used to communicate the foul and the number of the offending player to the rest of the crew.
Plays at the Goal Line – We’ve had some exciting and close plays at the goal line. The first key for officials is to be in proper position at the goal line. The umpire should never block the goal line view of either of the flanks…stay off the goal line. Our flanks must use proper goal line mechanics and be off the pylon at the goal line (2-3 yards). These proper mechanics will place us in the best position to make the correct call. Be confident in your call but don’t hurry. In some cases, closing into the middle of the field will allow the umpire to help if appropriate. Remember, we’re a team!
Concentration – Please review the importance of concentrating the entire game! Sometimes we get lulled into comfort and unconscious complacency. We don’t mean to do this, it just happens after 178 good plays by the crew. But remember, you could be facing 10 seconds of sheer terror on the next play! As a crew, remind your crewmates to focus, especially when the game situation warrants it…like the last 5 minutes before halftime or the end of the game. It can help “focus us” for a critical, game changing play!
Undershirts – If there are linemen with undershirts that are not close to the same color as the jersey, have them tuck them in.
Pulling Opponents Off of the Pile – This can lead to bad things happening! This can be a personal foul for unnecessary roughness.
Off the Bench? Or Just Changing Personnel? – We had a crew do a great job of identifying that the players entering the field after a 3rd down play and during a “small skirmish”, were actually special team players on the punt return team entering from a huddle with their special teams coach on 4th down. If you don’t know for sure, don’t guess.
Home Team Game Information – Use the Google Doc to gather information about the home team facilities and administration for your crew as you prepare for your game. You can update that info in the google doc if you discover any changes for the 2025 season.
After the Game – Six to eight crews are meeting weekly at the Longhorn in Mission Valley if you want to get together with others and have some great food and hear many, many stories which are only loosely based upon the truth.
Food for Thought (True or False) 1. A safety will be scored when an offensive player commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted, and enforcement is from a spot in his end zone.
2. Once the snapper puts his hands on the ball, players on the line of scrimmage and in between the ends are ineligible and remain ineligible.
3. The distance penalty for any foul cannot be declined.
4. A handed ball is not a pass.
5. No player participating in the game will be allowed to wear any type of audio or video device in order to record or transmit audio or video.
