Montana Officials Association MHSA 1 South Dakota Avenue Helena, MT Fax

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1 Montana Officials Association MHSA 1 South Dakota Avenue Helena, MT Fax July 2015 TO: FROM: RE: FOOTBALL OFFICIALS REGISTERED WITH THE MONTANA OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION BRIAN MICHELOTTI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOOTBALL STUDY CLUBS This packet contains the six study clubs that will help you prepare for the 2015 football officiating season. Our hope is that these study clubs will be a challenging study tool that you will use for your best interest and that of the coaches and players of Montana. Association regulations mandate that you attend six study clubs. The MOA expects you to complete each of the six lessons enclosed in a timely manner so that you will be on top of every change and all the rules completely. Please start the outlines before the season commences, and note that this year s study clubs are emphasizing mechanics applications. For those of you not located in the city where the pool is located, or those whose employment prevents the officials from attending study clubs please note the following regulation from the MOA Handbook: If an MOA member s employment prevents him/her from attending study clubs the official may receive credit for attendance if he/she complies as follows: 1. Makes prior arrangements with the regional director or head of pool. 2. Completes the study club outlines and presents them to the regional director or head of pool in advance of the meetings missed. 3. Exceptions may be made for certain military actions or other extenuating circumstances. 4. An official whose employment requires him/her to be away from home during the week may attend study clubs at an alternate pool location if he/she receives permission from the regional director(s) and the MOA Commissioner. PLEASE NOTE: Your regional director must sign your individual study clubs in order for you to receive credit. Football study club attendance must be in the hands of the Directors by December 1 st. Please send your study clubs to your regional director, not to the MOA office. As requested by the regional directors, the mechanics examination is Study Club #1, while the NFHS Football Exam Part 1 has been moved to Study Club #3. We will continue to designate study club #2 to be the Football Mechanics training. Best of luck to each and every one of you as you approach the season, and don t hesitate to contact us with any ideas about improving the scope and format of these study guides. /tls

2 MONTANA OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL STUDY CLUBS LESSON # NAME CLUB DATE I. Concussion State Law - Officials Responsibilities: The MHSA/MOA requires each official to take the NFHS Concussion In Sports What You Need To Know course each year. This is the second year that you will be required to watch this same clinic. That course must be taken after June 1st for the subsequent school year and must be completed before officiating scrimmages or contests. Also, officials are asked to use their best judgment in observing the signs, symptoms and behaviors of a concussion and other possible serious injuries. If there is a player that exhibits signs and symptoms of an injury, officials will make coaches aware of the injured player and call an injury time out. The official should notify the coach by making the following statement: Coach, you need to take a look at this player; he/she is exhibiting signs and symptoms of an injury. Once the official notifies the coach, it is now the coach s responsibility. The official does not need written permission for an athlete to return to play nor does the official need to verify the credentials of the appropriate health-care professional. The youth cannot return to play until they are evaluated by a licensed health care professional and receives written clearance to return to play from the licensed health care professional. II. Preferably use before the season s first game: A. Review the MOA Handbook. Review and discuss the following changes for this year that apply to general MOA information and football: III. MOA Handbook Changes and reminders for are as follows: 1. Mileage has increased from 56 cents per mile last year to 57.5 cents per mile this year. Per diem for each official, including the driver, remains at 12 cents per mile. So, the driver, for a regular season match, would receive 59.5 cents per mile while the rider official would receive 12 cents per mile. 2. Approved retiring the white knicker pants for football officials 3. Approved for football: A standard jacket, solid black with rib knit cuffs and collar, pull over with no zippers or buttons, unadorned (except for MOA service pins) is allowed.

3 Reminders from Previous years: 2. Pink whistles may be used by officials at contests designated as breast cancer awareness events. Any other uniform modifications for the purpose of supporting a charitable fundraising event must be approved in advance by the MOA Commissioner. 3. Language has been added to the MOA Handbook to allow officials whose employment requires them to be away from home during the week to attend study clubs at an alternate pool location with the permission of both the regional director and the MOA Commissioner. 4. When football crews wear the approved black pants, black socks are required. 5. MOA exams are now offered exclusively online. All are open book exams. The passing percentage for apprentice and certified remain at 60% and 80% respectively, and the passing percentage for master has increased from 70% to 85%. Note: The deadline for requesting an upgrade has been reduced from twenty (20) days to seven (7) days prior to the opening of the exam. 6. For clarification, the football coin toss must occur three (3) minutes prior to the game. A pre-game procedure guide can be found on the MHSA football page at 7. Mercy Rule If a score occurs and the point differential is still greater than 35 in any Class A, B or C (8 and 6 player) football game, the clock will stop between the score and the ensuing free kick. 8. The MHSA Board approved the following addition to Section (34), D.1. (MHSA Crowd Control policy): Special attention must be given to the supervision of student cheering sections including having an administrator present near the vicinity of the student cheering section for home and post season contests to assist with crowd control. IV. Review and discuss all of the following new NFHS rule changes for 2015 (2-20-1c) SPEARING DEFINITION REVISED: Continuing the focus of risk minimization, the definition for the illegal helmet contact act of spearing was revised. Spearing is an act by any player who initiates contact against an opponent at the shoulders or below with the crown (top portion) of his/her helmet. (5-1-1b NEW) CORRECTING A DOWN NUMBER ADDED: The referee is granted authorization to correct the number of the next down before a new series of downs is awarded. (6-1-3; NEW; 6-1 PENALTY) FREE-KICK FORMATIONS REVISED: In a revision of the 2014 rule change regarding free-kick formations, the timing of the foul for not having at least four players on each side of the kicker now occurs when the ball is kicked.

4 (9-4-3g) EXCESSIVE CONTACT ADDED TO UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: With an emphasis on risk minimization, the unnecessary roughness provisions were expanded. No player or nonplayer shall make any other contact with an opponent, including a defenseless player, which is deemed unnecessary or excessive and which incites roughness. (9-4 PENALTY) ROUGHING THE PASSER PENALTY CLARIFIED: An automatic first down is not awarded for a 5-yard incidental face mask penalty against the passer. (10-2-5) DEAD-BALL PENALTY ENFORCEMENT MODIFIED: The distance penalty for unsportsmanlike, nonplayer or dead-ball personal fouls committed by teams can offset. Equal numbers of 15-yard penalties by both teams will cancel and remaining penalties may be enforced Editorial Changes 1-5-1b(2) NOTE; 1-5-1b(3) NOTE; Table 1-7 (8); 2-8; a, b; ; 3-6; 7 PENALTY; 5-1-1; 6-1, 2, 5 PENALTY; 6-5-4c; 7-1, 2, 3, 5 PENALTY; 9-3-1; 9-2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 PENALTY; 9-4-3h, i; 9-8-1m (deleted); 9-9 (NEW); ; Football Fundamentals IX-5; SIX-PLAYER RULES DIFFERENCES Rule 6; Penalty Summary 2015 Points of Emphasis RISK MINIMIZATION Football is a game with the stated objective of one team carrying or passing the ball across the opponent s goal line or kicking the ball through the opponent s goal by a place kick or drop kick. The game is won by the team which accumulates the most points. NFHS Football Rules Book, Rule While this may sound like a simple concept, the game of football has changed with the addition of new offensive and defensive schemes. The blocking and tackling techniques used by high school teams have placed an emphasis on expanding the length and width of each play, resulting in more opportunities for unnecessary or excessive contact to occur between players. As the game of football continues to evolve, coaches, players, game officials and spectators must respect the simplicity of Rule 1-1 and commit to keep the game as safe as possible for all participants. Coaches should continue to educate their players about the risks of unnecessary or excessive contact regardless of whether or not the contact occurs during a legal block or tackle. While the committee does not believe players are coached to make unnecessary or excessive contact with opponents, coaches should clearly instruct players to avoid such unsafe contact. Risk minimization applies equally to players on both teams. Players need to have respect for the game and their opponents. Any action which includes identifying and taking aim on an opponent who is not aware of any pending contact increases the potential for serious injury to one or both of the players and must be avoided. If the contact is judged as flagrant, the offending player will be disqualified and, in most states, will miss the next contest. Players can t help their team be successful if they are not in the current or future contests.

5 Game officials need to be aware of situations that are likely to produce unnecessary or excessive contact. Blindside blocks, peel-back blocks, and airborne receivers attempting to secure the ball oftentimes provide windows of opportunity for these potentially dangerous contact situations to occur. Players leaving their feet (launching) and initiating contact with opponents should be penalized immediately as unnecessary or excessive contact. Spectators, players and coaches should not promote nor celebrate any act that endangers the safety, health and welfare of an opponent. Players of both teams should always be treated with the utmost respect. The safety, health and welfare of all players should be everyone s priority. What is Excessive? While the NFHS Football Rules now expressly preclude conduct that is excessive and unnecessary, the rules have always barred efforts to injure or take out an opponent. Situations involving contact that exceed what is usual, normal or proper must to be eliminated from the game. Considering this potential for serious injury, it is critical that those situations involving unnecessary or excessive contact on players are eliminated whether or not that contact is otherwise deemed legal. While unnecessary or excessive contact can occur between any players, special attention must be given to those players whose focus of concentration makes them especially vulnerable to injury. The glamour associated with these types of hits must be removed in order to minimize risk for all participants. Another area where contact may be deemed excessive is where players heed the old adage provided by coaches, "Play until you hear the whistle!" The whistle rarely causes the ball to become dead; it only confirms a player s action that has caused the ball to become dead (knee on ground). Playing and hitting until the whistle blows can cause unnecessary contact to opponents who have begun to let up. Situations where momentum has slowed or stopped and there is a group of players making the play and someone comes in and drills the pile could be prevented by a timely whistle. Even in the event of a slow whistle, such conduct should be penalized. In addition, coaches and players need to be aware that this type of contact is unnecessary, unwarranted and is against the rules In summary, here is an analysis of several examples: Does a player have a legitimate chance to make a play? Yes Does the player receive a blindside hit? Yes Was the contact unnecessary or excessive? Yes Ruling: Foul for personal foul/unnecessary roughness or excessive contact. Does a player have a legitimate chance to make a play? Yes Does the player receive a blindside hit? Yes Was the contact unnecessary or excessive? No Ruling: Legal play. Does a player have a legitimate chance to make a play? Yes Does the player receive a blindside hit? No Was the contact unnecessary or excessive? No Ruling: Legal play. Does a player have a legitimate chance to make a play? No

6 Does the player receive a blindside hit? Yes or No Was the contact unnecessary or excessive? Yes or No Ruling: Foul for personal foul/unnecessary roughness or excessive contact. While a contact may be legal, analysis and sound judgment must also determine whether the hit was unnecessary or excessive. Coaches and game officials must work together to minimize risk to players from unnecessary and excessive contact by proper coaching from coaches and assessment of penalties by game officials. FACILITATING NFHS FOOTBALL RULES Many often wonder how the rules that govern high school football are developed and why they are written the way they are. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) football playing rules reflect a national perspective based on decisions that best serve the needs of the sport on a national level. Therefore, the purposes of the playing rules are to: 1. Minimize risk to participants. 2. Preserve the sound traditions of the sport. 3. Standardize competition. 4. Provide for orderly administration. 5. Facilitate the decision-making process of officials. 6. Permit common records. 7. Provide for evaluating competition. 8. Maintain a balance between offense and defense. With these goals in mind, the NFHS Football Rules Committee believes the rules and the game facilitate and enrich a well-rounded educational experience that promotes academic achievement, encourages positive school/community relations and develops good citizenship and healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, the committee believes the current code of ethics for both coaches and game officials facilitate these goals as written. One aspect of coach and official ethics is to teach and officiate the rules within the intent of NFHS Football Rules Book. THE COACH shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to their team members. THE COACH shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules. THE OFFICIAL shall master the rules of the game, and also the officiating mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise that responsibility in an impartial, firm and controlled manner. Coaching and officiating the rules are extremely important to maintain the integrity of the game, and to minimize risk to the athletes participating in the game. The following are rules identified as a reminder to all coaches and game officials involved in football to minimize risk. Free-Blocking Zone For many years, the NFHS Football Rules Committee has addressed a variety of rules related to the freeblocking zone and blocking below the waist. Currently, the rules have been modified and updated to allow blocking below the waist in a specific zone and within a very short period of time. Low blocks can sometimes result in lower leg injuries. On the other hand, blocking below the waist helps to level the playing field for those players who are at a size disadvantage compared to that of their opponents. The committee continues to stress the importance of officiating the rule as written, instead of prohibiting blocking below the waist completely.

7 The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally four yards either side of the spot of the snap and three yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is in the freeblocking zone when any part of his or her body is in the zone at the snap. All players involved in the block must be on the line of scrimmage, in the zone at the snap and the contact must take place within the zone. Blocking below the waist is permitted from the time the ball is snapped until the ball leaves the zone. When the freeblocking zone exists, offensive and defensive linemen may block each other below the waist. Backs, linebackers and receivers are not permitted to block below the waist. When the ball is directly snapped hand-to-hand to a back, a block below the waist is legal as long as the blocks are between linemen who were in the zone at the snap, the contact is in the zone, and the ball has not left the zone. As long as the ball remains in the zone, those players may legally block below the waist. When the ball is snapped to a back in shotgun formation, however, the ball leaves the zone, and the zone disintegrates almost immediately. To be legal, a block below the waist must occur immediately after, and nearly simultaneously with, the snap. Any delay would cause the block to occur after the ball has left the zone. It is nearly impossible for a lineman in a two-point stance to legally block below the waist in this situation because of the time required for the lineman to drop from an upright position and block an opponent below the waist. For linemen in three- or four-point stances, they must block their opponents immediately after the snap in order for a low block to be legal in this situation. Prior to the snap, game officials should be aware of whether the ball will be snapped hand-to-hand or to a back in shotgun formation, player positioning and alignment, and which players may legally block below the waist. Illegal Equipment No player shall participate while wearing illegal equipment. This applies to any equipment, which in the opinion of the umpire is dangerous, confusing or inappropriate. The coaches pregame verification to the referee and umpire that all players are properly equipped in compliance with the rules also includes the exterior helmet warning labels. Coaches should bring casts, braces and other such items to the game officials attention so that the umpire can inspect the items. Players should be instructed on how to wear equipment properly, and must wear all mandatory equipment when participating in the game. When a player s equipment becomes damaged during play, it must be corrected before the player may participate further. Players cannot be allowed to participate in the game, and substitutes cannot be allowed to become players when they are not properly wearing required equipment or when they are wearing illegal equipment. Game officials should not allow players to enter the game or let the ball become live when they observe infractions of the equipment rule. It is not always necessary for a game official to call a foul and penalize a team if game officials are able to make the player and coach aware of the problem so it can be fixed before the ball becomes live. Sideline Interference To ensure the safety of all involved, non-players, including substitutes, athletic trainers and coaches, must remain in their team box and out of any restricted areas, especially while the ball is live. Nonplayers may never be on the field while the ball is live and may only be on the field when the ball is dead in limited situations.

8 In the excitement of the game, it is not uncommon for substitutes and other non-players to move closer to the sideline beyond their team box area. This inevitably causes coaches to move up into restricted areas and closer to the field, often impeding game officials in their duties. Crowding at the sideline puts players, non-players, coaches and game officials in danger of severe injury. Game officials and coaches must be aware of this problem and take steps to prevent and correct it. Coaches, substitutes, athletic trainers and others affiliated with the team may in their team s area, which is out-of-bounds and between the 25-yard lines. Their movements and positions are limited by the sideline, the 25-yard lines, a coaches area and the team box. The coaches area extends at least 2 yards deep out-of-bounds from the sideline. A maximum of three coaches and only coaches may be in this area when the ball is dead between plays. However, all coaches must leave this area when the ball is about to become live, such as when the snapper is approaching the ball, and no one may be in this area while the ball is live. The team box area is outside the field, beyond the restricted area and between the 25-yard lines. All coaches and non-players associated with the team may be in this area. A nonplayer may not be outside of this area unless to become a player or return as a replaced player. When non-players are outside of the team box area, or anyone is in the restricted area while the ball is live, game officials will give a sideline warning to the team involved. A second offense results in a 5-yard penalty. All subsequent offenses result in 15-yard penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct fouls, which are charged to the head coach. If a game official unintentionally contacts a coach or other nonplayer in the restricted area while the ball is live, the team is assessed a 15-yard penalty for a nonplayer, illegal personal contact foul. As a nonplayer foul, the penalty is enforced from the succeeding spot. A second such offense would result in the head coach s disqualification. Unlike a foul for sideline interference (non-contact, Rule 9-8-1k or ), no warning or 5-yard penalty is required in this situation. V. Review and discuss the articles listed in the Football Preseason Guide 2015 which was included in your football packet. (Please review the plays and rulings for each rule change area if they are provided). VI. Answer and discuss all questions on the 2015 Officiating Mechanics Examination. We recommend that you complete it orally as a group. Please contact the office if you note any errors. The MOA expects all officials to go by the book the NFHS Football Officials Manual. OUTLINE MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL PRESENT AND SENT TO YOUR REGIONAL DIRECTOR BY DECEMBER 1, 2015

9 Football Mechanics Five-Game Official Exam NOTE: In the exam situations, A refers to the offensive Team and B refers to their opponents the defensive team. K refers to the kicking team and R refers to the receiving team. A1, B1, K1 and R1 are players of these teams. If team possession changes during the down, each team retains its identity. In kicking situations, it is not during a try and no fair-catch signal has been given unless specified. Unless stated, acts occur while: the ball is inbounds; a forward pass is legal; any out-of-bounds is between the goal lines. Line means scrimmage line. Reference to a foul is to a player foul which is not unsportsmanlike. There is no foul or change of possession, unless it is mentioned, and penalties are considered accepted for enforcement. The questions in this examination are to be answered on the basis of a five-game official crew of game officials, unless a four-game official crew is specifically designated. 1. Discretion, officiating position and game situation should determine whether the penalty marker is dropped or tossed following an infraction. 2. The penalty marker should be tucked out of sight for all game officials. 3. For all game officials, the bean bag is to serve as an aid to enforcement and is the absolute reference point. 4. After a score or try, prior to the free kick, all game officials need to encourage both teams to take free-kick positions quickly. 5. After a score or try, prior to the free kick, the head linesman does need to check with the line-togain crew for questions and positions. 6. After a score or try, prior to the free kick, the line judge, while at the 9-yard marks, counts K players and identifies the free-kick line for the receiving team. 7. The line judge is the game official who will indicate the end of the fourth period. 8. In controlling team-personnel altercations, the head linesman and the line judge should alert the coach on their side to keep all team personnel off of the playing area. 9. If a team-personnel altercation is in a game official s area, he/she should attempt to stop initial confrontation.

10 10. All game officials must consistently administer and enforce team-box and coaches area restrictions. 11. The referee is the only game official who is to notify the opposing coach of a disqualification. 12. The line judge or head linesman should notify the coach on his/her side as to the reason for disqualification. 13. It is mandatory that any coach receiving two unsportsmanlike fouls carrying 15-yard penalties vacate the stadium area. 14. The game official - escorting the team with the second-half choice - obtains from that team's head coach its second-half choice and communicates same to the referee. 15. The back judge and line judge should bring an approved game ball from each team to the coin toss. 16. If the winner of the coin toss defers, the referee will step toward the press box and give the toss option-deferred signal twice. 17. At the conclusion of the coin-toss procedures and after the captains have been dismissed, only the umpire and linesman move together for final instructions from the referee. 18. In the presence of the umpire, the referee shall instruct the visiting captain to give heads or tails choice before the coin toss. 19. The referee s use of a field microphone adds another dimension to communication a positive dimension when used properly. 20. When using a field microphone, the referee may announce the number of the player who committed the foul. 21. The head linesman should take care of the game ball after approval by the referee.

11 22. The umpire shall coordinate the inspection of playing field and pylons. 23. The head linesman notifies all other game officials when period-shortening procedures are in effect. 24. The referee is authorized to correct an obvious error in timing if discovered prior to the second live ball following an error unless the period has officially ended. 25. Game officials should arrive at the site of the game at least 30 minutes before the scheduled game time. 26. The head linesman should check the line-to-gain equipment and meet the crew before the game. 27. In the pregame conference, the umpire should review starting time and be sure an auxiliary stopwatch, which records accumulated time, is available. 28. Before the game, the umpire should accompany the referee as he/she visits with each head coach, and examine and rule on any player equipment about which the coach has a question of legality. 29. Football game officials must have a football sense which supersedes the technical application of the rules so that the game goes smoothly. 30. By state association adoption, full-length, lined black pants with a single 1¼-inch white stripe down each leg may be worn in place of the traditional knickers if worn by the entire crew. 31. The penalty marker shall be a light gold flag (30 inches x 30 inches) with a middle pouch weighted with sand or beans, etc. 32. The game officials appearance greatly affects the attitude of coaches, players and fans. 33. Both arms crossed in front of the chest is the recommended crew communication signal for game officials to indicate 11 players in game when counting is complete.

12 34. All game officials need to establish and maintain the same tempo throughout the game. 35. While serving on the line-to-gain crew, the crew should refrain from using items that would distract them from their responsibilities (i.e., using electronic devices). 36. All game officials shall enter the field together at least 15 minutes before game time or at an earlier time if required by the state association. 37. The game official must draw distinction between contact necessary to make a legal block or tackle, and that which targets defenseless players. 38. Game officials who are familiar with the mechanics and understand their individual duties find the intangible requirements of good officiating usually follow naturally. 39. The referee, on a kick down the middle on a kickoff, should pick up the runner and follow him/her until releasing to the covering official. 40. The umpire, on a kickoff, if a short kick is anticipated, should be positioned on R s free-kick line. 41. The referee, on a kickoff, before the kick, holds arm above his/her head to indicate he/she is ready. 42. The umpire, on a kickoff, on a kick to his/her side, signals clock to start when the kick is touched, only if the ball is even or up field from the umpire. 43. Before the kick on the kickoff, the line judge should count K players. 44. The head linesman, on a kickoff, before the kick, should monitor bench area. 45. The head linesman, on a kickoff, should maintain position-enabling coverage of the middle of the field.

13 46. The head linesman, on a kickoff, on a kick to the opposite side of the field, should observe action of other players in vicinity of kicker. 47. The head linesman should move cautiously with play along the sideline on a kick to the opposite side of field on a kickoff. 48. The line judge, on a kickoff, should watch for any infractions involving K s free-kick line. 49. The line judge, on a kickoff, if a short kick is anticipated, should observe legality of blocks and action away from the ball. 50. After a kick on a kickoff, the line judge should be alert for first touching by K, and should mark spot with bean bag. 51. After a kick on a kickoff, the line judge should be in position to take over coverage of runner in his/her area on long return. 52. The back judge s position, on a kickoff before the kick, is on K s free-kick line outside sideline to monitor bench area and assist kicking team in getting into position. 53. The back judge, on a kickoff, should count R players. 54. The back judge, on a kickoff, should be in position to take over coverage of the runner in his area on a long return. 55. Before the kick on the kickoff, if the ball falls or blows off the tee, the back judge should sound whistle to prevent action. 56. Only the head linesman shall assist the referee with halftime intermission responsibilities. 57. All game officials should leave the field together between halves.

14 58. The umpire should signal time to start clock to time intermission. 59. The back judge should secure the game ball, hand it to the kicker, and instruct him/her to wait for referee s signal before he/she kicks. 60. The line judge determines which team has choice for second half. 61. All game officials should return to the field at least five minutes before the second half is to begin. 62. Between halves, all game officials should discuss the overtime procedure, if applicable. 63. Between periods, the head linesman quickly takes the ball to a corresponding point on the other half of field and reverses directions. 64. Between periods, the line judge will check number of down and distance to gain. 65. The head linesman, between periods, will reverse ends of the line-to-gain indicator and two crew members. 66. Between periods, the line judge and back judge will check team box and huddle areas for appropriate conference procedure as during charged time-out. 67. During an injury time-out, the referee will summon appropriate health-care professional(s) and/or coaches on field. 68. During an injury time-out, the head linesman makes sure summoned appropriate health-care professional(s) and/or coaches are not on the field for coaching purposes. 69. The umpire will attempt to keep players a significant distance away from the seriously injured player(s) during an injury time-out.

15 70. When time expires and ball becomes dead at the end of the period, the umpire will sound whistle and repeat time-out signal twice. 71. If the field clock is used and if time expires prior to the snap, the referee will sound his/her whistle to prevent snap, if possible. 72. When the field clock is not used, the line judge will notify the referee approximately four minutes before the end of the second and fourth periods. 73. If the ball is snapped immediately after time has expired at the end of the period, the head linesman will sound his/her whistle loud and long. 74. During a time-out, the umpire will observe Team A until the referee is ready to start play. 75. All game officials, during a time-out, should confirm number of remaining time-outs. 76. The line judge, during a time-out, should time 60-second interval and notify referee at 45 seconds and again when 60-second interval expires. 77. During a time-out, the referee should maintain position over ball. 78. The head linesman, during a time-out, should check number of time-outs remaining for each team. 79. During a time-out, the referee will inform each team s huddle of down and time remaining in period. 80. When measuring for a first down, the back judge will place foot just behind yard line where clip is to be placed to align linesman so that chains are parallel to sidelines. 81. The referee, when measuring for a first down, will rotate the ball so the long axis is parallel to sideline.

16 82. When measuring for a first down, the back judge will take the forward indicator from crew members at place of measurement. 83. The head linesman will mark foremost point of ball for down-marker operator on all first downs. 84. When measuring for a first down, the referee will spot the ball at the proper place when measurement is completed. 85. In administering penalties, the umpire will make note of enforcement spot for penalty. 86. Only the back judge, in administering penalties, will record unsportsmanlike penalties. 87. The umpire will assist in relaying foul information to appropriate sideline. 88. The referee should be ready to have line-to-gain equipment moved after penalty administration. 89. When there is a double foul, the referee will signal each foul, facing the press box. 90. After a safety, try or field goal, the back judge will begin timing one-minute interval after the head linesman signals score or no score. 91. All game officials should hustle up sidelines to free-kick position and then fill out game cards after a safety, try or field goal. 92. The referee, on a running play, should move behind play toward side of field to which play advances to cover runner if he/she is downed near line. 93. On a running play, the umpire should check for disconcerting signals by B. 94. The referee, on a running play, should assist with relay of ball in side zone from wing official to umpire.

17 95. In an unbalanced formation, the strength of the formation is not determined by the number of eligible receivers outside of the offensive tackles. 96. If motion occurs, the strength of the formation is not determined until the snap. 97. The head linesman and umpire should be ready to adjust coverage if potential passer decides to run. 98. The referee should be ready to rule on the direction (forward or backward) of a quick quarterback pass. 99. On a forward pass, the covering officials should observe touching or catching by an ineligible player. 100.The umpire should verbally alert defenders when passer has released the ball.

18 MONTANA OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL STUDY CLUBS LESSON # NAME CLUB DATE The MOA Regional Directors have discontinued the required mechanics clinics (train the trainer) that have been held at the MCA convention in Great Falls every August. The reason for the discontinuation is that the intensive training shared with pool leaders and representatives over the past several years has now become repetitive except for the few new mechanics changes every other year. A different mechanics training requirement (hopefully an online offering) is being explored for future years. The MOA will still designate study club #2 to be centered on mechanics training for football. The MOA Office still has all of the resources from the Train the Trainer clinics during previous summers held in conjunction with the Montana Coaches Association (MCA) Clinic in Great Falls. The Great Falls and Missoula pools put together the first mechanics training session at the MCA Clinic and then Tom Oberweiser put on the second clinic in Great Falls. We expect pools to use these resources to continue their training and if pools need information or material from these clinics for these study clubs, please contact the MHSA office. Review the NFHS Football Officials Manual Significant Changes 1. The Five-Game Officials kickoff coverage positions have a major shift and additional responsibilities to cover new rules. 2. The signal for Targeting will be current signal Announcing the number of the offending player is now allowed (not required) when the referee is using a microphone. Montana will implement this in This officials uniform will NOT be allowed in MHSA Football - By state association adoption, game officials may wear a black and white vertically striped, long or short sleeved knit shirt with a maximum of 2 1/2-inch stripes, with a black knit cuff and Byron collar 1 The Five-Game Officials kickoff coverage mechanics KICKOFF I. REFEREE A. Before kick: 1. Position: R s goal yard line on the head linesman s side just outside hash marks. 2. Count R players.

19 3. Check positions of other game officials. 4. After ready signs have been received from other game officials, declare the ball ready for play and sound whistle and verify that at least four K players must be on each side of the kicker until the ball is kicked. 5. If short free kick is anticipated: a. Take position near R s 10-yard line. b. Be alert to assist other game officials. B. After kick: 1. Kick down the middle: a. Signal clock to start (S #2) when kick is touched other than first touching by K. b. Pick up runner and follow until releasing to covering official. 2. Deep kick: a. While standing on goal line, rule on touchback. b. If kick is caught inside 5-yard line and player is downed in end zone, or ball goes out of bounds there, rule on whether player s momentum took him/her into end zone and mark spot of catch with bean bag. 3. Kick outside opposite hash mark: a. Move cautiously with play. b. Observe action of other players in vicinity of runner. c. Serve as clean-up behind, to side of, and around runner. 4. Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out-of-bounds in your area: a. Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R. II. UMPIRE A. Before kick: 1. Be certain coaches, players, substitutions and other individuals are in proper locations. 2. Position: On R s 20-yard line outside sideline opposite head linesman. 3. Count R players. 4. Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready. 5. If short kick is anticipated, position on R s free-kick line. a. Be alert for first touching by K or kick which does not cross R s free kick line. b. Hold bean bag to mark first touching by K. c. Observe legality of blocks and action away from the ball. B. After kick: 1. Kick to your side: a. Signal clock to start when kick is legally touched, only if ball is even or upfield from you. b. Pick up runner and follow along sideline c. When ball becomes dead, sound whistle and give time-out signal (S#3). 2. When kickoff goes outside opposite hash mark: a. Move cautiously with play along sideline. b. Observe action of other players in vicinity of runner. c. Serve as clean-up behind, to side of, and around runner. 3. Maintain position enabling coverage of your sideline at all times. 4. Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of bounds in your area: a. Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R. III. HEAD LINESMAN A. Before kick:

20 1. Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and other individuals are in proper location. 2. Position: R s 30-yard line outside the same sideline as the line-to-gain indicator. 3. Count R players. 4. Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready. 5. If short free-kick is anticipated: a. Position on R s free-kick line. b. Be alert for first touching by K or kick which does not cross R s free- kick line. Hold bean bag to mark first touching by K. B. After kick: 1. Kick to your side: a. Signal clock to start (S #2) when the kick is legally touched, only if ball is even or upfield from you. b. Pick up runner and follow along sideline. c. When ball becomes dead, sound whistle and give time-out signal. 2. Be alert for first touching by K, and mark spot with bean bag. 3. Mark spot where kick goes out-of-bounds on your side of field: a. Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R. 4. Maintain position enabling coverage of your sideline at all times. 5. Observe legality of blocks and action away from the ball when you are not covering the runner. 6. Kick to opposite side of field: a. Move cautiously with play along sideline. b. Observe action of other players in vicinity of runner. IV. LINE JUDGE A. Before kick: 1. Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and other individuals are in proper locations. 2. Position: R s free-kick line, outside sideline opposite head linesman. 3. Temporarily move to 9-yard marks, then count K players and identify the free-kick line for the receiving team. 4. Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready. 5. Watch for any infractions involving R s free-kick line. 6. If short free-kick is anticipated: a. Position on K s free-kick line. b. Be alert for first touching by K or kick which does not cross R s free- kick line. Hold bean bag to mark first touching by K. B. After kick: 1. Be alert for first touching by K - mark spot with bean bag. 2. Watch initial blocks in your area. 3. If ball becomes dead in your area, sound whistle and give time-out signal. 4. Mark spot where kick goes out of bounds on your side of field with penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R. 5. After ball has gone downfield, move deliberately along sideline in that direction while watching for fouls away from ball. Cover 15 yards down sideline. 6. Be in position to take over coverage of runner in your area on long return. 7. Kick to opposite side of field: a. Move cautiously with play along sidelines. b. Observe action of other players in vicinity of runner.

21 V. BACK JUDGE A. Before kick: 1. Take charge of ball. 2. Position: K s free-kick line outside sideline to monitor bench area and assist kicking team in getting into position. 3. Move on field to kicker and after checking legality of kicking tee, hand kicker ball, point out referee and instruct kicker to wait for referee s signal before kicking. If the kicker is not ready place the ball on the ground and proceed to the sideline. 4. Count K players. 5. Move to a position just outside the sideline on K s free-kick line on the line-to-gain indicator side. 6. Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and other individuals are in proper locations and no K players, with the exception of the kicker, may be more than 5 yards behind the kicking team s free-kick line. 7. Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready. 8. If ball falls or blows off tee, sound whistle to prevent action. Move to kicker to give instructions. 9. Watch for any infractions involving K s free-kick line. 10. If there is a foul to be administered on the free-kick, give final signal and administer penalty. 11. Time 25-second count. B. After kick: 1. Be alert for first touching by K mark spot with bean bag. 2. Be alert for a kick which does not cross R s free-kick line. 3. If there is a penalty for a foul before kick ends requiring rekick, administer penalty and place ball ready. 4. Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of bounds in your area with penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R. 5. Watch initial blocks by players near R s free-kick line and action against kicker and holder. Cover to opposite 45-yard line. 6. After ball has gone downfield, move to the center of the field. Move downfield no more than yards while maintaining inside-out coverage. Take responsibility for K s goal line. 7. Be in position to take over coverage of runner in your area on long return. 8. Observe legality of blocks and action away from ball. VI. ALL GAME OFFICIALS A. Covering official(s) signal clock to start (S #2) when kick is touched, other than first touching by K. B. Kick out of bounds between goal lines: 1. Sound whistle. 2. Give time-out signal (S #3) twice and mark spot. 3. Determine if R had touched. 4. Toss penalty marker if R did not touch the ball. C. Maintain position on sideline at all times except for referee. D. Sound whistle when ball becomes dead in your area and give time-out signal. E. Carry bean bag in hand. F. Free kick following safety: 1. Each game official assumes same relative position and has same duties as on kickoff. 2. Ball put in play by drop kick, place kick, or punt.

22 2 - The signal for Targeting will be current signal Announcing the number of the offending player is now allowed (not required) when the referee is using a microphone. Montana will implement this in 2014 The NFHS Football Officials Manual has changed to now allow for the Referee to announce the number of the offending player when the referee is using a microphone. Announcements of the offending player will be allowed even on football fields that are not equipped with a field microphone. Here is the new rule in the 2014 and 2015 NFHS Officials Manual: USE OF THE MICROPHONE I. REFEREE A. The referee s use of a field microphone adds another dimension to communication a positive dimension when used properly. The microphone should be used to explain penalties and unusual situations. The referee should have the option to use or not use a field microphone. The referee should have control (on/off switch) of the microphone. If used, the microphone should be tested prior to the start of the contest and the following guidelines should be followed: 1. Signals are still necessary, starting with a preliminary signal (no microphone) and then (after the penalty is accepted or declined) the final signal in conjunction with the use of the microphone. 2. Normal voice quality no shouting (realize that there often is a delay between speaking and hearing what was said over the loud speakers). 3. Speak in short phrases. Pause briefly between phrases. 4. The number of the player who committed the foul may be announced. 5. Turn microphone off so other comments are not broadcast. We believe this is a positive change and will help with the communication between officials and coaches. This will make the sport of football consistent with many of the other high school sports that announce player s numbers when a foul is committed.

23 GAME OFFICIALS MANUAL FOOTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS Review and Discuss TARGETING/PLAYER SAFETY/ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT A primary goal of the NFHS Football Rules Committee continues to be keeping the game of scholastic football as safe as possible. In doing such, a more diligent approach to player safety must be adhered to by all game officials, players, coaches and administrators in order to achieve this goal. Unsafe acts and techniques cannot be tolerated by those administering and participating in the game of football. Coaches and game officials must act proactively and decisively to eliminate, to the greatest extent possible, threats to the welfare of the student-athletes playing football. Fundamental adherence to current and newly-adopted rules is absolutely required to eliminate negative effects that committing unsafe acts and techniques has placed on our game. Participants must be made aware of unsafe techniques and refrain from their use. Those responsible for the administration of high school football need to exercise leadership and active supervision of the player safety aspects of the game. We must recommit ourselves to the preservation of fair play which includes admonishing illegal acts both on the practice field and the field of play. Unwarranted and unnecessary punishing of an opponent has become a style of play which is specifically condemned. Illegal helmet contact is an act of initiating contact with the helmet against an opponent and remains a major safety concern in our sport. The No.1 responsibility for game officials must be player safety. Any initiation of contact with the helmet is illegal; therefore, it must be penalized consistently and without warning. An enhanced approach to player safety is really a matter of attitude, technique, attention and supervision. Some examples of fouls that merit our extra attention are launching, fouls against players obviously out of the play, helmet-to-helmet contact and fouls against defenseless players. No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet, and no player shall target and initiate contact to the area above the shoulders of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. The launch occurs when a player takes a running start, leaves his feet and uses the helmet to strike the opponent or by crouching and using an upward and forward thrust of the body to make contact above the shoulders of an opponent. It is an extremely dangerous maneuver to both players involved and deserves strict penalty and possible disqualification enforcement if flagrant. The game official must draw distinction between contact necessary to make a legal block or tackle, and that which targets a defenseless player. The NFHS Game Officials Manual Committee believes that renewed emphasis on getting illegal acts out of the game will greatly improve player safety and preserve the great game of football. ILLEGAL BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST Blocking below the waist is an occurrence that is governed by very specific rules and definitions. It is vital that game officials understand when a block below the waist is legal as noted in the definition of the free-blocking zone. The free-blocking zone is defined as a rectangular area extending 4 yards to either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. The following must occur in order for a player to legally block an opponent below the waist: 2. Both players must be lined up in the free-blocking zone at the snap. 3. Both players must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap.