Line of Scrimmage Outline by Zack Marble
Line of Scrimmage Clinic
SDCFOA 2021
Zack Marble
Kickoff
- Every crew will be using the new mechanic this season which you might not have used yet
- LJ on the R restraining line
- HL on the R 30-yard line
- Counting is still the same
- What if there is penalty?
- How does this affect our movement after the ball is kicked?
- Always be ready for the onside kick
- Never miss a block below the waist
Pre-snap
- Make sure you are following a pre-snap routine
- Give your upfield foot to help receivers with alignment
- I use it to help judge shifts
- Read the formation and try to make it legal
- Need to always know what the current line to gain is
- I yell it to the chains when I am setting them
Scrimmage Play
- Know what your vision pattern is on a wide play to your side
- Your vision pattern on wide plays to the other side is different
- We need to determine accurate progress spots
- Use cross-field mechanics to get the correct spot whenever needed
- Help your umpire out by mirroring spots and holding until released
- Know your vision pattern on pass plays
- On every pass judge if it is forward or backward, beyond or behind
- Be ready to rule receivers inbounds or out of bounds, communicate with BJ when needed
Coach Communication
- The communication that line of scrimmage officials have with coaches can make or break a game
- Always make sure you have a chance to introduce yourself before the game
- Be approachable to coaches, sometimes they are just venting, but answer any questions that are asked
- Try to give them information before they even ask for it
Crew Communication
- Make sure you understand how the crew will use radios
- Line of scrimmage signals are optional
- Always confirm with another official if you have flags on the same action
- Make sure you know how your referee want penalties reported, and do it, don’t be in a rush
- Confirm that penalties is enforced correctly
Situational Awareness
- Sense the demeanor of the teams and any rising tension amongst players
- Aware of timeout situation
- Be ready in hurry up offense
- Handle a blowout game, letting it end