Weekly Bull 9/2/15
SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.
A Federal Non Profit Tax Exempt Corporation – www.sdcfoa.org
THE WEEKLY BULL – Sept. 2, 2015
This Week’s Meetings – Only 1st and 2nd year officials will meet this Wednesday in their regular rooms at West Hills. The final Bonus Meeting with Garth DeFelice has been moved to Tuesday September 8th at 7:00 pm at West Hills Room S8. If anyone would like to come by and take a make up Mechanics Exam either night, that opportunity will be available.
Improvement Week #1 To Week #2 – I’ve said this before, the improvement in our performance between week #1 and week #2 is the largest that will see all season, and I’m talking about officials, players, coaches, and game administrators. Week #1 is our first test. Week #2 we get it all together. Work hard this week!
Inadvertent Whistles – I saw three this week. One was from the misapplication of a rule, one on a sack/incomplete pass, and one on a fumble. We must see the ball in possession and player down or progress stopped BEFORE we blow our whistles.
Game Ball – During preseason and regular season, teams may use any legal football from any manufacturer (legal ball as described in the rule book and properly inflated). When we get to playoffs, all teams will use a Rawlings football. Any Rawlings football can be used for playoffs (with or without a CIF logo).
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.
Uniforms – Jerseys continue to ride up and reveal the shoulder pads and pants continue to rise up over the knees. They are legal as they do fully cover should pads and knees when pulled down. The players are responsible for keeping their uniform legal and officials are responsible for alerting the players that their jerseys need to be pulled down. And cover those back pads, please!
Adornment – Towels that are min 4 inches by max 18 inches and a single color for the team are legal. No tinted eye shields (but can wear dark glasses underneath). No bicep, neck, or leg bands. No jewelry or war painting of the face. Shoes/ankles taped to prevent injury (spats) allowed.
Time Outs – Several observers commented we can be much more diligent getting our teams out for the kick off following PATs and out for the next play following a team time out or official’s time out. Get them out and keep the game moving.
Down Box - The Line Judge must keep an eye on the down box. In one case this week the box man was switching downs on his own as soon as the play ended. This became an issue later. LJ should alert the HL that this is occurring if he is unaware. Old down – old spot; new down – new spot.
Line Judge – You are responsible for the forward stake and the dead ball spot relative to a first down. If it is close to the front stake, give accurate, generous spot and declare it a first down. Or if accurate, make it clearly short. Line Judge must look across and determine if it is the next down or a first down. Be vocal with the referee and crew. Be loud and signal appropriately (next down or hand across chest pointing first down) If you need more time to make a decision yell out “close, close, close.” Then decide. A measurement is always an option, but not our first option!
Sidelines – Reports that sidelines and communication are starting off well. Let’s keep working on this as coaches must be out of the restricted area at the snap and players behind the coaches. This is the responsibility of each crew to be consistent and keep sidelines safe. Referees, keep your head coaches informed and answer their questions, even if you have to hold up the game. Coaches will stay off the field if you go to them!!!!
Excellent Reminders from Observers – Just a few gems:
-
When going to the GL, don’t stand at the pylon. Give yourself a cushion and you can signal TD from outside the sideline. If it is really close then come in and sell your call.
-
On KO after score, don’t take a long time to get the kick off. Flanks get players out as you’re coming up the field.
-
On a penalty, don’t throw the flag back to calling official, hand it to him.
-
Referees, slow down penalty signals and keep at chest level (false start).
-
Don’t crowd the pylon on short goal line plays. Be up to four yards wide of the pylon!
-
Use a staccato whistle for alerting crew members of an issue like an injured player or the clock not running. Never use a staccato whistle to end a play.
-
Everyone must pick up any stop the clock signal. This includes after play goes out of bounds, incomplete passes, scoring plays, etc. You can easily check this mechanic by reviewing your video in HUDL.
-
Sell goal line calls with next down or TD signal. You must make certain the call is correct, but once determined sell it!
-
Remind coaches to come out on to field if important time out…keep coming out so official on opposite side, or back judge, or referee will see him.
-
Use video this week to check all progress spots. We need to check our work and adjust as necessary!
-
All crew – monitor the timer. Early season can bring us inexperienced timers and opportunity for errors. Checking the status of the clock is at the beginning of every dead ball/presnap routine.
-
Reverse goal line mechanics – flanks and BJ remind each other vocally and by signal to use these mechanics. Being verbal keeps us all alert…be a team that communicates loudly and all game long!
-
Referees and umpires get on the same page regarding holding up the center and the snap. Umpires you take charge and control the center (know his name!). Referees signal the umpire off before giving the ready for play when in hurry up or offense is no huddle.
Coaches Venting their Frustration – An "appropriate level" of a coach's venting should and must be accepted. But there is a line that should not be crossed. Coaches may not be on the field exhibiting their displeasure with a call. Officials must be available to go to the sideline and discuss/inform at the sideline! Officials will be supported when flagging inappropriate behavior by coaches and failing to do so will negatively affect the efforts of future crews. All coaches know where that line is and stay well away from crossing it. Never get personal. A call can be horrible but the official may not be characterized as such. Mutual Respect is required at any all times. Enough said. Thank you!
Game Fees
Varsity Referee - $74
Varsity all others - $72
JV Referee - $62
JV all others - $61
Frosh – all officials - $61
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.