2016 Football Weekly Reminders
Week 7
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q – Can a QB take the snap and hand the ball forward to the fullback beyond the neutral zone?
A – No. The hand-off must be done in or behind the neutral zone to be a legal forward hand-off.
The position of the ball determines whether the hand-off is behind, in or beyond the neutral zone.
The position of the player receiving the hand-off determines whether or not it is a forward hand-off.
Q – Can offensive player #76 declare himself to the Referee as an eligible receiver, line up as the TE, release down field and catch a forward pass?
A – No. To be an eligible receiver the player must wear an eligible number. 1-49 or 80-99.
Q – Can offensive player #56 line up in the back field as a RB and run the football?
A – Yes.
*Note - It is not legal for #56 to release out of the backfield or catch a forward pass because he is not wearing an eligible number.
Q – Can a defender contact an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone before the pass is in flight?
A – Yes, but only if the receiver is a potential blocker.
*Note - If the receiver is not attempting to block the defender or has gone past the yard line occupied by the defender or is moving away from
the defender, it is illegal for the defender to contact the receiver.
RULE REVIEW
RULE 7 – Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball
Section 3 – Handing the Ball
Art. 2 … No player may hand the ball forward except during a scrimmage down before a change of possession, provided both players are in or behind the neutral zone and it is to:
Case Review (Case Book Page 56)
7.3.2 Situation
RULE 7 – Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball
Section 5 – Forward Pass Classification
Art. 6 … Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward pass. The following players are eligible pass receivers:
RULE 9 – Conduct of Players and Others
Section 2 – Illegal Use of Hands and Holding
Art. 3 … A defensive player shall not:
d. Contact an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker.
Penalty – Illegal use of hands – 10 yards
Case Review (Case Book Page 71 & 72)
9.2.3 Situation A, C
Week 6
RULE REVIEW
Rule 2 Section 17 (Free-Blocking Zone / Legal Blocking Below the Waist and Legal Block in the Back)
ART. 1 . . . The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of
scrimmage. A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap.
ART. 2 . . . Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
b. The contact is in the zone.
ART. 3 . . . Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
b. Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap.
c. The contact is in the zone.
ART. 4 . . . The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.
CASE REVIEWS
2.17.2 SITUATION A, B, C, D, E,
2.17.3 SITUATION A, B, C, D,
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q – If the offense is in a “shotgun” / “pistol” formation, can an offensive lineman block a defensive player below the waist (“cut”)?
A – Yes… The action must be simultaneous with the snap and the defensive player must be in the free blocking zone and on the
line of scrimmage at the snap. If the offensive lineman sets, pulls or hesitates before blocking below the waist, the contact is illegal.
Q – Can a fullback lined up off the line of scrimmage at the snap block a defense player below the waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
Q – Can a defensive lineman block an offensive lineman below the waist (“cut”)?
A – Yes… The action must take place in the free blocking zone before the ball has left the zone and both players must be on the line of scrimmage
and in the free blocking zone at the snap.
Q – Can a linebacker or defensive back who is off the line of scrimmage and outside of the free blocking zone at the snap block an offensive player below the
waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
Q – Can a defensive lineman block a fullback who is off the line of scrimmage at the snap and not carrying the ball below the waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
LEGAL JERSEYS, PANTS AND PADS
Do not relent when enforcing these rules as the season goes on. We must be consistent each and every week.
HORSECOLLAR TACKLE (Rule 9.4.3k)
The defender must grab the back or side of the collar of the shoulder pads or jersey. Grabbing another part of the jersey such as at the shoulder, numbers, or side of the jersey and pulling the runner down is not a Horsecollar tackle. As in other safety related fouls, if the hand is in the vicinity of the collar and you cannot tell if he has the collar or not, we want to err on the side of the safety and call a foul if the immediate pulling requirement is met. Just grabbing another part of the jersey and pulling a runner immediately down is not a foul
Week 5
RULE REVIEW
Rule 7 Section 5 – Forward-Pass Classification
Article 2… An illegal forward pass is a foul. Illegal forward passes include:
To legally “spike” the ball to stop the clock the QB must receive a hand-to-hand snap. It is not legal to “spike” the ball from a shotgun/pistol formation.
CASE REVIEW
7.5.1 SITUATION
7.5.2 SITUATION A, B, C, D, E, F
Rule 4 Section 2 – Dead Ball and End of the Down
Article 2 … The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:
EXCEPTIONS:
To legally pass, hand or toss the ball to a teammate during a fake FG or TRY the holder must lift his knee off the ground before the action takes place. The holder is permitted to catch the ball while his knee is contacting the ground and then lift the knee prior to passing, handing, tossing or running with the football.
CASE REVIEW
4.2.2 SITUATION A, B, C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q - If a team is not ready to start the game, what is the penalty?
A – Unportsmanlike Nonplayer Penalty charged to the head coach– 15 yards
Q – If a team is not on the field following the conclusion of the halftime intermission or is not ready to start the second half at the conclusion of the mandatory
warm-up period, what is the penalty?
A – Unportsmanlike Nonplayer Penalty charged to the head coach– 15 yards
Q – If the halftime clock is 00:00 and the band is still on the field, what is the penalty?
A – Delay of Game Penalty – 5 yards
Q – If a player is wearing a helmet that is a different color than the rest of his team, what is the penalty?
A – There is no penalty
TARGETING / FLAGRANT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLhc12DYcxs
Week 4
FOULS DURING A SCORING PLAY (NFHS OFFICIALS HANDBOOK – PAGE 79)
A foul by the opponents of the scoring team during a successful touchdown, try or field goal will be penalized in one of the following manners:
If an opponent of the scoring team commits a foul (other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul) during a down in which a touchdown is scored and there was not a change in possession during the down, “A” may accept the results of the play and choose enforcement of the penalty:
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 - TOUCHDOWN) (Page 63 – 65)
If during a successful try, a foul by B occurs, A is given the choice of:
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 – TRY) (Page 65 – 66)
If during a successful field goal, a foul by R occurs, K is given the choice of:
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 – FIELD GOAL) (Page 66)
HALFTIME (INTERMISSION)
Confirm the established length of half time from the host school and notify both teams prior to the start of the game.
Week 3
2016 NFHS / NSAA POINTS OF EMPHASIS
PART 2 TEST
The Part 2 test opens today and will close on September 12th. The year in which you are required to take the test is listed on your login page under the “Online Tests” header. Although you are only required to take the test every 5 years to maintain a “Registered” or “Approved” status and every 3 years to maintain a “Certified” status, it is my strong recommendation that you take the test every year or at a minimum every other year to avoid any confusion and potential penalties. The Part 2 test provides another opportunity to learn the rules as well as the application of the rules.
“MOMENTUM”
NFHS RULE 8 (Refer to Section 5 Article 1, 2, 3 & 4)
SECTION 5 – FORCE, SAFETY & TOUCHBACK
ART. 1 … Responsibility for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line is attributed to the player who carries, snaps, passes, fumbles or kicks the ball, unless a new force is applied to a grounded backward pass, kick or fumble.
CASE BOOK REVIEW (PAGE 66-69)
8.5.1 SITUATION A – E
8.5.2 SITUATION A – H
8.5.3 SITUATION A – C
Week 2
2016 RULE CHANGE
COLOR RESTRICTIONS REMOVED FROM TOOTH AND MOUTH PROTECTORS (1-5-1d(5)a):
Completely clear or completely white tooth and mouth protectors are no longer prohibited. Tooth and mouth protectors shall include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion and include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion.
*NOTE FROM NSAA – The rule does not include color restrictions nor does it prohibit the use of tooth and mouth protectors with colors or designs, such as teeth / fangs. If the tooth and mouth protector contains words that are insulting or vulgar, the tooth and mouth protector would be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
2016 EVALUATION FORM
At the bottom of your NSAA Login Page you will find the heading “Observations”. Upon opening that tab you will see the link “View Observations from Previous Years”. Please take the time to review your previous observations and make the necessary corrections as you move forward. The observation form is very specific and the feedback that the observers provide is important as you continue to improve as officials. If you do not have an observation on file please study the blank observation form that is available on your login page. I also included the link below.
Football Officials: Preview the Football Crew Evaluation Form (Observers will use this form to evaluate the work of your crew.)
OFFICIALS CLASSIFICATIONTo officiate varsity contests you must be classified as either “Registered”, “Approved” or “Certified”. You can confirm your classification on your login page under the header “Your Account Information”. Below are examples of what should appear
on your login page:
*NOTE TO CREW CHIEF – YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATUS OF YOUR CREW AS WELL AS ANY OTHER OFFICIAL THAT MAY SUB ON YOUR CREW.
YOU MUST CHECK THE OFFICIALS’ ROSTERS VIA YOUR LOGIN PAGE BEFORE ALLOWING ANY OFFICIAL TO WORK A VARSITY CONTEST.
PART 2 TEST
The Part 2 test opens on September 7th and will close on September 12th. The year in which you are required to take the test is listed on your login page under the “Online Tests” header. Although you are only required to take the test every 5 years to maintain a “Registered” or “Approved” status and every 3 years to maintain a “Certified” status, it is my strong recommendation that you take the test every year or at a minimum every other year to avoid any confusion and potential penalties. The Part 2 test provides another opportunity to learn the rules as well as the application of the rules.
FIRST TOUCHING
Remember to “bag” the location of first touching on all free kicks and scrimmage kicks. It is also important to use the appropriate signal (S16) when communicating that a first touching situation has occurred.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q – Can a QB take the snap and hand the ball forward to the fullback beyond the neutral zone?
A – No. The hand-off must be done in or behind the neutral zone to be a legal forward hand-off.
The position of the ball determines whether the hand-off is behind, in or beyond the neutral zone.
The position of the player receiving the hand-off determines whether or not it is a forward hand-off.
Q – Can offensive player #76 declare himself to the Referee as an eligible receiver, line up as the TE, release down field and catch a forward pass?
A – No. To be an eligible receiver the player must wear an eligible number. 1-49 or 80-99.
Q – Can offensive player #56 line up in the back field as a RB and run the football?
A – Yes.
*Note - It is not legal for #56 to release out of the backfield or catch a forward pass because he is not wearing an eligible number.
Q – Can a defender contact an eligible receiver beyond the neutral zone before the pass is in flight?
A – Yes, but only if the receiver is a potential blocker.
*Note - If the receiver is not attempting to block the defender or has gone past the yard line occupied by the defender or is moving away from
the defender, it is illegal for the defender to contact the receiver.
RULE REVIEW
RULE 7 – Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball
Section 3 – Handing the Ball
Art. 2 … No player may hand the ball forward except during a scrimmage down before a change of possession, provided both players are in or behind the neutral zone and it is to:
- A lineman who has clearly faced his end line by moving both feet in a half-turn and is at least 1 yard behind his line when he receives the ball.
- A back or a teammate who, at the snap, was on an end of his line and was not the snapper nor adjacent to the snapper.
Case Review (Case Book Page 56)
7.3.2 Situation
RULE 7 – Snapping, Handing and Passing the Ball
Section 5 – Forward Pass Classification
Art. 6 … Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward pass. The following players are eligible pass receivers:
- All A players eligible by position and number include those who, at the time of the snap, are on the ends of their scrimmage line or legally behind the line (possible total of 6) and are numbered 1-49 or 80-99.
- All A players become eligible when B touches a legal forward pass.
- All B players are eligible.
- A player who is eligible at the start of the down remains eligible throughout the down.
RULE 9 – Conduct of Players and Others
Section 2 – Illegal Use of Hands and Holding
Art. 3 … A defensive player shall not:
d. Contact an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker.
Penalty – Illegal use of hands – 10 yards
Case Review (Case Book Page 71 & 72)
9.2.3 Situation A, C
Week 6
RULE REVIEW
Rule 2 Section 17 (Free-Blocking Zone / Legal Blocking Below the Waist and Legal Block in the Back)
ART. 1 . . . The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of
scrimmage. A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap.
ART. 2 . . . Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
b. The contact is in the zone.
ART. 3 . . . Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met:
a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap.
b. Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap.
c. The contact is in the zone.
ART. 4 . . . The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.
CASE REVIEWS
2.17.2 SITUATION A, B, C, D, E,
2.17.3 SITUATION A, B, C, D,
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q – If the offense is in a “shotgun” / “pistol” formation, can an offensive lineman block a defensive player below the waist (“cut”)?
A – Yes… The action must be simultaneous with the snap and the defensive player must be in the free blocking zone and on the
line of scrimmage at the snap. If the offensive lineman sets, pulls or hesitates before blocking below the waist, the contact is illegal.
Q – Can a fullback lined up off the line of scrimmage at the snap block a defense player below the waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
Q – Can a defensive lineman block an offensive lineman below the waist (“cut”)?
A – Yes… The action must take place in the free blocking zone before the ball has left the zone and both players must be on the line of scrimmage
and in the free blocking zone at the snap.
Q – Can a linebacker or defensive back who is off the line of scrimmage and outside of the free blocking zone at the snap block an offensive player below the
waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
Q – Can a defensive lineman block a fullback who is off the line of scrimmage at the snap and not carrying the ball below the waist (“cut”)?
A – No. Not ever.
LEGAL JERSEYS, PANTS AND PADS
Do not relent when enforcing these rules as the season goes on. We must be consistent each and every week.
- Knee pads must be worn over the knees.
- Pants must cover the knee pads and knees.
- Shoulder pads and all hard surface attachments must be fully covered by a legal jersey.
HORSECOLLAR TACKLE (Rule 9.4.3k)
The defender must grab the back or side of the collar of the shoulder pads or jersey. Grabbing another part of the jersey such as at the shoulder, numbers, or side of the jersey and pulling the runner down is not a Horsecollar tackle. As in other safety related fouls, if the hand is in the vicinity of the collar and you cannot tell if he has the collar or not, we want to err on the side of the safety and call a foul if the immediate pulling requirement is met. Just grabbing another part of the jersey and pulling a runner immediately down is not a foul
Week 5
RULE REVIEW
Rule 7 Section 5 – Forward-Pass Classification
Article 2… An illegal forward pass is a foul. Illegal forward passes include:
- A pass after team possession has changed during the down.
- A pass from beyond the neutral zone.
- A second and subsequent forward pass(es) thrown during a down.
- A pass intentionally thrown into an area not occupied by an eligible offensive receiver.
- A pass intentionally thrown incomplete to save loss of yardage or to conserve time.
To legally “spike” the ball to stop the clock the QB must receive a hand-to-hand snap. It is not legal to “spike” the ball from a shotgun/pistol formation.
CASE REVIEW
7.5.1 SITUATION
7.5.2 SITUATION A, B, C, D, E, F
Rule 4 Section 2 – Dead Ball and End of the Down
Article 2 … The ball becomes dead and the down is ended:
EXCEPTIONS:
- The ball remains live if, at the snap, a place-kick holder with his knee(s) on the ground and with a teammate in kicking position catches or recovers the snap while his knee(s) is on the ground and places the ball for a kick, or if he rises to advance, hand, kick or pass
To legally pass, hand or toss the ball to a teammate during a fake FG or TRY the holder must lift his knee off the ground before the action takes place. The holder is permitted to catch the ball while his knee is contacting the ground and then lift the knee prior to passing, handing, tossing or running with the football.
CASE REVIEW
4.2.2 SITUATION A, B, C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q - If a team is not ready to start the game, what is the penalty?
A – Unportsmanlike Nonplayer Penalty charged to the head coach– 15 yards
Q – If a team is not on the field following the conclusion of the halftime intermission or is not ready to start the second half at the conclusion of the mandatory
warm-up period, what is the penalty?
A – Unportsmanlike Nonplayer Penalty charged to the head coach– 15 yards
Q – If the halftime clock is 00:00 and the band is still on the field, what is the penalty?
A – Delay of Game Penalty – 5 yards
Q – If a player is wearing a helmet that is a different color than the rest of his team, what is the penalty?
A – There is no penalty
TARGETING / FLAGRANT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLhc12DYcxs
Week 4
FOULS DURING A SCORING PLAY (NFHS OFFICIALS HANDBOOK – PAGE 79)
A foul by the opponents of the scoring team during a successful touchdown, try or field goal will be penalized in one of the following manners:
- Accept the penalty and replay the down.
- Accept the results of the play and have the penalty enforced from the succeeding spot.
- REVIEW - Rule 8. Section 2 - TOUCHDOWN
If an opponent of the scoring team commits a foul (other than unsportsmanlike conduct or a nonplayer foul) during a down in which a touchdown is scored and there was not a change in possession during the down, “A” may accept the results of the play and choose enforcement of the penalty:
- On the try, or
- On the subsequent kickoff.
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 - TOUCHDOWN) (Page 63 – 65)
- 8.2.1 SITUATION
- 8.2.2 SITUATION A, B, C, D, E, F, G
- REVIEW - Rule 8. Section 3 - TRY
If during a successful try, a foul by B occurs, A is given the choice of:
- Accepting the penalty and replaying the down following enforcement; or
- Accepting the result of the play and enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot.
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 – TRY) (Page 65 – 66)
- 8.3.1 SITUATION
- 8.3.2 SITUATION A, B, C,
- 8.3.3 SITUATION A, B,
- 8.3.5 SITUATION A, B, C
- REVIEW - Rule 8. Section 4 – FIELD GOAL
If during a successful field goal, a foul by R occurs, K is given the choice of:
- Accepting the penalty and replaying the down following enforcement; or
- Accepting the result of the play and enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot.
CASE REVIEWS (Rule 8 – FIELD GOAL) (Page 66)
- 8.4.1 SITUATION A, B
- 8.4.3 SITUATION
HALFTIME (INTERMISSION)
Confirm the established length of half time from the host school and notify both teams prior to the start of the game.
- REVIEW - Rule 3. Section 6 – BALL READY FOR PLAY AND DELAY
Week 3
2016 NFHS / NSAA POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Risk Minimization
- When in Question – “Defenseless or Not = Defenseless” …. “Excessive/Unnecessary or Not = Excessive/Unnecessary”
- Legal and Illegal Blocks (Rule 9.3) (Defenseless, Butt Blocking, Targeting, Blocking Below the Waist / In the Back, Chop Blocks, Clipping, etc…)
- Combination Blocks
- Blocker 1 High and Blocker 2 Low = Chop Block
- Blocker 1 Low and Blocker 2 Low – Legal Block
- Blocker 1 High and Blocker 2 High = Legal Block
- Combination Blocks
- Legal Jerseys, Pants and Pads
- Do not relent when enforcing these rules as the season goes on. We must be consistent each and every week.
- Unfair Acts
PART 2 TEST
The Part 2 test opens today and will close on September 12th. The year in which you are required to take the test is listed on your login page under the “Online Tests” header. Although you are only required to take the test every 5 years to maintain a “Registered” or “Approved” status and every 3 years to maintain a “Certified” status, it is my strong recommendation that you take the test every year or at a minimum every other year to avoid any confusion and potential penalties. The Part 2 test provides another opportunity to learn the rules as well as the application of the rules.
“MOMENTUM”
NFHS RULE 8 (Refer to Section 5 Article 1, 2, 3 & 4)
SECTION 5 – FORCE, SAFETY & TOUCHBACK
ART. 1 … Responsibility for forcing the ball from the field of play across a goal line is attributed to the player who carries, snaps, passes, fumbles or kicks the ball, unless a new force is applied to a grounded backward pass, kick or fumble.
- The muffing or batting of a pass, kick or fumble in flight is not considered a new force; and
- The accidental touching of a loose ball by a player who was blocked into the ball is ignored and does not constitute a new force.
CASE BOOK REVIEW (PAGE 66-69)
8.5.1 SITUATION A – E
8.5.2 SITUATION A – H
8.5.3 SITUATION A – C
Week 2
2016 RULE CHANGE
COLOR RESTRICTIONS REMOVED FROM TOOTH AND MOUTH PROTECTORS (1-5-1d(5)a):
Completely clear or completely white tooth and mouth protectors are no longer prohibited. Tooth and mouth protectors shall include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion and include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion.
*NOTE FROM NSAA – The rule does not include color restrictions nor does it prohibit the use of tooth and mouth protectors with colors or designs, such as teeth / fangs. If the tooth and mouth protector contains words that are insulting or vulgar, the tooth and mouth protector would be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.
2016 EVALUATION FORM
At the bottom of your NSAA Login Page you will find the heading “Observations”. Upon opening that tab you will see the link “View Observations from Previous Years”. Please take the time to review your previous observations and make the necessary corrections as you move forward. The observation form is very specific and the feedback that the observers provide is important as you continue to improve as officials. If you do not have an observation on file please study the blank observation form that is available on your login page. I also included the link below.
Football Officials: Preview the Football Crew Evaluation Form (Observers will use this form to evaluate the work of your crew.)
OFFICIALS CLASSIFICATIONTo officiate varsity contests you must be classified as either “Registered”, “Approved” or “Certified”. You can confirm your classification on your login page under the header “Your Account Information”. Below are examples of what should appear
on your login page:
- Football – Registered for 2016-2017, Classification: R
- Football – Registered for 2016-2017, Classification: A
- Football – Registered for 2016-2017, Classification: C
*NOTE TO CREW CHIEF – YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STATUS OF YOUR CREW AS WELL AS ANY OTHER OFFICIAL THAT MAY SUB ON YOUR CREW.
YOU MUST CHECK THE OFFICIALS’ ROSTERS VIA YOUR LOGIN PAGE BEFORE ALLOWING ANY OFFICIAL TO WORK A VARSITY CONTEST.
PART 2 TEST
The Part 2 test opens on September 7th and will close on September 12th. The year in which you are required to take the test is listed on your login page under the “Online Tests” header. Although you are only required to take the test every 5 years to maintain a “Registered” or “Approved” status and every 3 years to maintain a “Certified” status, it is my strong recommendation that you take the test every year or at a minimum every other year to avoid any confusion and potential penalties. The Part 2 test provides another opportunity to learn the rules as well as the application of the rules.
FIRST TOUCHING
Remember to “bag” the location of first touching on all free kicks and scrimmage kicks. It is also important to use the appropriate signal (S16) when communicating that a first touching situation has occurred.