SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION. Football Officials Manual Overview Uniform Policy July 2016

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1 SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION Football Officials Manual Overview Uniform Policy July 2016

2 Football Officials Manual Combines Standards of Officiating and Probationary Handbook. Achieves three purposes: 1) presents officiating ethics and general information on what it takes to become a good official. 2) contains overview of SEFOA policies, officiating standards and guidelines governing individual conduct, on and off the field. 3) presents overview of SEFOA administrative procedures. Applies to all SEFOA assigned contests.

3 Football Officials Manual (Cont d) Use with: SEFOA 5 man Mechanics Manual, CCA Football Officiating Manual for Crew of 7 with SEFOA changes, NFHS Football Rules and Case Books and the SEFOA Constitution & By Laws. If there is a conflict between manual and Constitution & By Laws, the Constitution & By Laws take precedence. Aligned with VHSL Officials Association Guide 2014, VHSL Sports Official's Handbook 2015 and other information on VISAA, NFHS and VHSL websites.

4 Football Officials Manual (Cont d) SEFOA Official Eligibility Requirements: Register with VHSL ONLINE (NFOA insurance). The ArbiterOne account; check ready to be assigned. Attend SEFOA meetings, no more than 2 absences. Submit General Release (Physical Condition; No felony or sexual offender convictions). Complete Physical Assessment. Submit W9, pay dues/fines, meet other BOD criteria. Complete VHSL rules clinic, SEFOA requirements, NFHS Exam: 1) 70% (registered) for sub varsity level. 2) 75% (approved) for assignment at the varsity level. 3) 85% (certified) for post season games (must be regular member). 4) Probationary status if scoring less than 70%.

5 Football Officials Manual (Cont d) Probationary Officials: probationary period for new officials is 3 years; maximum of 4 years. experienced officials who transfer to the SEFOA are considered Year 3 probationary officials. probationary officials must attend all general and special meetings as designated by Training Committee. notify Referee that game evaluation required. annual review process by Membership Committee.

6 Ethics & Standards honor all contracts regardless of inconvenience or financial loss. study rules & mechanics, observe others and attempt to improve individually and as a crew. conduct yourself to not draw attention to you but to the players. maintain appearance befitting dignity & importance of the game. character & conduct to be a worthy example to the players. be fair and unbiased in decisions, without regard to the score. cooperate with schools & state & local association we represent. not accept game assignments which involve a conflict of interest. be on time & prepared physically & mentally to administer game. refrain from engaging media in discussions concerning officiating. cooperate & be professional with fellow officials & do nothing to cause public embarrassment.

7 Ethics & Standards (Cont d) be firm but not overbearing; courteous, but not ingratiating; positive, but never rude; dignified, but never arrogant; friendly, but not companionable; calm, but always alert. keep in mind that the game is more important than the wishes of any individual player, coach or ambitions of any individual official. not use tobacco products nor drink alcohol on or in the vicinity of the field and refrain from alcohol on the day prior to game day. not give any information which might be used by a team's future opponent nor socialize with any player or coach during a time out. be poised, calm and confident; distinct and deliberate signals. stay focused; keep officiating after calling a foul or the ball is dead. shut out distractions; comments should never influence your calls; once down is over, focus on properly officiating the next play.

8 Ethics & Standards (Cont d) CONTACT REFEREE 48 HRS OUT; CALL IF DELAYED IN TRAFFIC. arrive 90 mins; clock 60 mins before Varsity/45 mins others. assume control of game/clock 30 minutes before game. be decisive indecision gives impression of uncertainty. make calls for safety or provide advantage; call quality fouls. preventive officiating is a good mechanic for avoiding trouble. SEE THE BALL; quickly and loudly sound whistle when the ball clearly becomes dead to stop action and prevent injury. know down, ball location and line to gain and count players. penalty enforcement is a crew responsibility. use a game card; note unsportsmanlike and disqualifying fouls. PROFESSIONALISM; COMMUNICATION; TEAMWORK

9 Ethics & Standards (Cont d) Disqualification procedures: Covering official report to the Referee, the player's number and reason for disqualification. Referee notifies head coach player is disqualified and reason. Only Referee gives any signal concerning the disqualification. Officials cannot undo an ejection, or make deals with coaches or AD s after the fact. Referee must report ALL ejections (or other unusual events) to SEFOA Commissioner after the contest and follow up within 12 hours with a written report. As with all penalty enforcement, the crew is responsible to ensure the Referee has all ejection report information before leaving the game site.

10 Personal appearance Personal appearance, both on and off the field, forms a first impression of the crew for the coaches, players and fans. Personal attire: All officials and SEFOA provided clock operators shall show up at the game site in attire that reflects professionalism of SEFOA. A minimum of a collared shirt, slacks (no jeans), shoes and socks shall be worn unless crew arrives dressed in Officials uniform. Flip flops, sandal type shoes or shorts are not allowed.

11 Personal appearance Hair: Hair neatly trimmed and does not touch the collar. Female officials with long hair (including braids) which falls below the collar shall neatly and inconspicuously fasten, pin, or secure their hair under their cap. Facial hair: A neatly trimmed mustache is acceptable not lower than the corner of the mouth. All officials should be cleanly shaven with sideburns no lower than bottom of the ear. No beards, Elvis sideburns, soul patches (bit of hair below the lip), etc. No hats during Association meetings.

12 Officials uniform Check uniform and equipment before leaving home. AII officials, in a given game, will wear the same uniform as determined by the referee. Uniform should fit properly, be clean and neat. Black and white vertically striped, long or shortsleeved shirt, as determined by referee bring both.

13 Officials uniform VHSL 2 1/4" stripe pattern shirt with wide black side panels and U.S. Flag "patch" on the left sleeve and VHSL logo above the pocket, either sublimated or sewn on the shirt. Numbers shall be worn at all SEFOA assigned games. Numbers can either be sublimated by manufacturer or sewn on the back of the shirt. A crew can wear a mixture of both sublimated and sewn on patches and still be considered "in the same uniform.

14 Officials uniform When so designated by the Board of Directors, a memorial emblem may be worn. Black football official pants with a 1 1/4 white high visibility stripe down the outside of each leg shall be worn by the entire crew during SEFOA assigned games. Black socks are required. Do not wear sunglasses except prescription tinted or transition lenses.

15 Officials uniform Solid black shoes (preferred), with black laces, free of dirt or noticeable scuff marks. Black baseball style cap with white piping (sized) is required. Referee shall wear a solid white baseball style cap (sized). A black leather belt 1 3/4 to 2 inches wide with a plain buckle shall be worn. A black and white vertically striped jacket may be worn prior to, at half time and at the end of the game.

16 Officials uniform Black Tee Shirts or Turtle Necks only. When approved by Referee black gloves and/or balaclavas may be worn. During October, referees may authorize wear of breast cancer awareness lanyards, bean bags and/or wristbands as long as the crew is uniform. For other special events, referees check with Commissioner for any exceptions. Equipment: whistles & lanyard, penalty marker, blue/black/white bean bags, game card, pencil, timing device and device to track down number.

17 Officials scrimmage uniform During scrimmages, black officiating shorts with black belt will be worn in place of the black official s pants by the entire crew. Bermuda shorts are acceptable. If spandex is worn, it should not extend below the shorts and must match the color of the shorts. Officials will also wear their regular season hat, striped shirt (2 1/4 and numbers are optional) and shoes with black ankle socks as well as essential equipment.

18 Ankle Crew

19 Questions The Association has upped our standards, so up yours! Send Recommended Changes to: