APPENDIX IV LOUIIANA FOOTBALL IX MAN OFFICIAL MANUAL (Updated 6/17/9) I. INTODUCTION This manual is attached as an appendix to the existing four and five man mechanics. All references to the four and five man mechanics refer to the LOUIIANA FOOTBALL OFFICIAL MANUAL. Any item not specifically mentioned below is also to be handled as set out in the LOUIIANA FOOTBALL OFFICIAL MANUAL. II. BEFOE AIVAL AT GAME ITE ame as four and five man mechanics. III. AFTE AIVAL AT GAME ITE A. Pre-game Conference ame as four and five man mechanics B. Clock Operator ame as four and five man mechanics C. 25-econd Clock Operator ame as four and five man mechanics D. Individual Officials Pre-game Duties The Field Judge and ide Judge should instruct the people for handling the game balls for each team. The Field Judge will locate the home team and stay with that team, notifying them when to bring the team to the sideline. The ide Judge will locate the visiting team and stay with that team, notifying them when to bring the team to the sideline. 1
PE BOX IV. COIN TO eferee and Umpire take position in the middle of the field. Line Judge and Field Judge meet Captains on the Press Box side of the field. Linesman and ide Judge meet Captains on the side opposite the Press Box. When signaled by the eferee, the Field Judge and ide Judge will escort the Captains to the hash marks and stop. Captains continue to mid-field. No more than four captains go to midfield. The remaining captains, if any, remain at the hash marks with the covering officials. Linesman and Line Judge remain on the sideline with the game balls. eferee conducts coin toss, witnessed by the Umpire. Field Judge will obtain game ball of kicking team and place the ball on the kicking team s free kick line. COIN TO POITION - 6 MAN MECHANIC C C C C BJ U 5 YAD LINE J C C C C LN All officials then meet at mid-field before breaking to their kickoff positions. These positions are diagrammed above. 2
V. FEE KICK EPONIBILITIE A. Take positions shown in the diagram below. TANDAD FEE KICK - 6 MAN MECHANIC P E B O X 2 J 2 ENDZONE 1 1 J K 2 5 2 LN EF U J 1 1 K ENDZONE B. eferee V. FEE KICK EPONIBILITIE The eferee shall take a position on the goal line pylon on the press box side of the field. When it is unlikely that the free kick will reach the goal, then the eferee will take a position near team s 1 yard line or further up field based upon the deepest receiver and conditions present but favoring the press box side. The eferee shall stand erect while waiting for alignment of the teams and be prepared to acknowledge the signals by fellow crew members. The eferee will count the players and signal accordingly. The eferee will signal the eady when all officials are set and conditions are ready. After the ball is kicked, the referee should be ready to signal the clock to start if first legally touched near him. The eferee should be ready to bean bag a momentum spot inside the 5 yard line. The eferee should watch for illegal blocks, clips, forward handing, etc.. If the runner breaks up field, the eferee should take him to the vicinity of the Line Judge, release him to the Line Judge and then cover action behind the runner. C. UMPIE The umpire shall take a position on the yd line on the visitors side of the field. 3
D. LINEMAN The Linesman shall take a position on the goal line pylon on the visitors side of the field. After the ball is kicked, the Linesman should be ready to signal the clock to start if first legally touched near him. The Linesman should be ready to bean bag a momentum spot inside the 5 yard line. The Linesman should watch for illegal blocks, clips, forward handing, etc.. If the runner breaks up field, the Linesman should take him to the vicinity of the Umpire, release him to the Umpire and then cover action behind the runner. E. FIELD JUDGE The Field Judge will setup the kicking team to kick from the appropriate yard-line. He should count the kicking team members and never allow the kick-off to proceed without the proper number of players. The Field Judge should point out the position of the referee to the kicker and explain the kicking procedures to him. The Field Judge should make eye contact with the ide judge and when both are ready, leave the field at the same time and go to their respective yard lines. He should have bean bag in hand, and signal the referee when ready. The Field Judge should be alert for encroachment by Team K s players; short kicks or on-side kicks and also mark the spot of first touching. At the kick, his initial responsibility is action on the kicker and the kicking team s players nearest his sideline. If the kick, untouched by Team, goes out of bounds in the Field Judge s area, he should go to the spot, mark it, and then throw his penalty flag. He should also look for any illegal blocks. The Field Judge is responsible for the sideline from approximately K s free-kick line to the goal line. If the runner scores, he should give the touchdown signal. After a Try or a successful Field Goal, the Field Judge shall time the one minute interval preceding the ensuing kickoff. F. LINE JUDGE ame as the umpire but on the press box side of the field. G. IDE JUDGE The ide Judge will assume a position on Team s free kick line opposite the press box and align the receiving team. This shall be done after every score and anytime a penalty moves the respective restraining lines. He should count the receiving team s players and never allow the kickoff to proceed without the proper number of players. The ide Judge should make eye contact with the Field Judge and when both are ready they shall leave the field at the same time and go to his respective yard line opposite the press box. The ide Judge will then move to a position slightly off the field at the intersection of s free kick line and the sideline opposite the press box. When in position, with bean bag in hand, the ide Judge will signal the eferee when ready. He should be alert for encroachment by Team players, short kicks, or onside kicks, and the spot of first touching. At the kick, his initial responsibility is action on and by the players nearest his sidelines. If the kick goes out of bounds in his area, untouched by Team, he should go to the spot, mark it, and then throw his penalty flag. If a long run occurs, take the 4
runner from the Umpire at approximately the -yard line and take the runner all the way to the goal line. The ide Judge is responsible for his sideline from approximately the 5 yard line to the goal line. Look for illegal blocks. If the runner scores, he should give the touchdown signal. H. ANTICIPATED HOT FEE KICK These positions are shown in the diagram below. ANTICIPATED HOT FEE KICK - 6 MAN MECHANIC P E B O X ENDZONE 1 1 2 2 J K 2 5 2 U EF J LN 1 1 K ENDZONE VI. PLAY EPONIBILITY A. The initial position for each official at the snap on a non-kicking play is diagrammed on the following page. Officiating keys for non-kick plays are diagrammed in the Appendix. B. EFEEE eferee should always line up on the passing arm side of the quarterback. Otherwise, same as five man mechanics. 5
C. UMPIE ame as five man mechanics. D. LINEMAN AND LINE JUDGE General. The Linesman and Line Judge should be positioned on the side line. tand EECT and be in a ready position. Never slouch or use hands-on-hips stance. Note numbers of eligible pass receivers. The only two signals used by the wing officials are as follows: Use hand to backfield signal when the closest offensive player is off the line. The signal should be held until the snap unless the player moves to a position on the line or goes in motion. Both wingmen should count the players on the offensive line. The Linesman and Line Judge should extend his arm across his chest to indicate more than three linemen on his side of the snapper. This signal should be acknowledged by the opposite wingman. Check positioning of the wingbacks, slot backs and split ends. Be alert for encroachment by either team. Work on killing the play immediately when encroachment or false start occurs. The wingman is responsible for the back in motion going away from him and he retains that responsibility even if the motion man stops and returns toward him. The Linesman and Line Judge have responsibility for forward progress to the goal line. The only exception is if the runner passes the down field official. Be alert to help the eferee on forward progress near or behind the line, especially near Team A s goal line. The ide Judge and Field Judge will key on the outside receiver while the Linesman and Line Judge will key on the inside receiver O the first back out of the backfield on their side. E. IDE JUDGE General. The ide Judge s initial position on non-kicking plays The ide Judge shall line up approximately 2 yards down field on the visitors sideline. 6
INITIAL CIMMAGE PLAY POITION AT THE NAP P E B O X 2 2 5 EF UMP NAP LOCATION BETWEEN AOW EF J 5 LN The ide Judge should count the defensive players along with the Field Judge and signal each other with a clenched fist when 11 or less are counted. The ide Judge is responsible for keeping the 25-second count. If there is no 25 second clock visible on the field he shall signal by raising his hand overhead when 1 seconds remain in the count. Be alert for incoming substitutions, check the game clock, assist in relaying the ball from the sideline and relaying messages to the sideline and wing officials. He should always check the numbers of the eligible receivers and the numbers of the players inside the eligible receivers when possible. He must see the wing man s signal so as to know who is on or off the line. The ide Judge will have the action from the middle of the field to his sideline. On snaps on or inside the 1 yard line, the ide Judge will line up on the end line pylon. On snaps between the 1 and 25, he will line up on the goal line pylon. unning Plays. Be alert for crack-back blocks and clips coming across the middle behind the Umpire. On plays that carry out of bounds between the line of scrimmage and your initial position, the ide Judge should cover the action in and around the front of the runner. He should retrieve the football and be alert for illegal activity out of bounds. Passing Plays. The ide Judge is responsible for initial contact on receivers moving off the line, coverage of the deepest receivers, action behind the Umpire, the goal line and end line depending on the location of the ball at the snap. The ide Judge should make eye contact with the wing official on sideline plays if control of the ball is questionable or if the pass in the middle of the field is in front of him. He must know where the receivers are and never let a receiver get behind him. 7
The ide Judge should key on the outside receiver on his side of the field while the Linesman will key on the inside receiver (or the first back out of the backfield) on his side. If the ide Judge s initial key goes in motion, the ide Judge shall give the motion man to the Linesman and key on the widest stationary receiver at the snap. These general officiating keys at the snap are diagrammed in the Appendix of this manual. When covering a pass to a receiver near the end line (excluding the sidelines), if the receiver is facing the ide Judge, the ide Judge will rule whether the receiver possess the ball, and the Field Judge will look at the receiver s feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds. If the receiver is facing the Field Judge, the ide Judge will look at the receiver s feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds and the Field Judge will rule on possession. The same philosophy goes for the sidelines. The ide judge and wing official shall work together to determine if the feet were in bounds and a catch was made. Even when the end line or sideline is not a factor, if the receiver s back is to the covering official when the pass is received, and there is any question in the covering official s mind as to whether or not it was complete (ex the receiver dives for the ball and catches it near the ground), the covering official should look to his counterpart official for help in making the call. F. FIELD JUDGE General. The Field Judge s initial position on non-kicking plays The Field Judge shall line up approximately 2 yards down field on the press box sideline. The Field Judge should count the defensive players along with the ide Judge and signal each other with a clenched fist when 11 or less are counted. The Field Judge will have the action from the middle of the field to his sideline. On snaps on or inside the 1 yard line, the Field Judge will line up on the end line. For snaps between the 1 and 25, he will line up on the goal line. When covering a pass to a receiver near the end line (excluding the sidelines), if the receiver is facing the Field Judge, the Field Judge will rule whether the receiver possess the ball, and the ide Judge will look at the receiver s feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds. If the receiver is facing the ide Judge, the Field Judge will look at the receiver s feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds and the ide Judge will rule on possession. Even when the end line or sideline is not a factor, if the receiver s back is to the covering official when the pass is received, and there is any question in the covering official s minds as to whether or not it was complete (ex. the receiver dives for the ball and catches it near the ground), the covering official should look to his counterpart official for help in making the call. The Field Judge shall time the half-time and time outs and is thus responsible for all timing matters except the 25 second count. The Field Judge should assist in detecting any timing errors. The Field Judge should key on the outside receiver on his side of the field while the Line Judge will key on the inside receiver (or the first back out of the backfield) on his side. If the Field Judge s initial key goes in motion, the Field Judge shall give the motion man to the Line Judge and key on the widest stationary receiver at the snap. These general officiating keys at the snap are diagrammed in the Appendix of this manual. 8
VII. CIMMAGE KICK (PUNT) EPONIBILITIE A. Take positions as shown in the following diagram. CIMMAGE KICK (PUNT) MECHANIC - 6 MAN MECHANIC P E B O X J 1 1 2 5 5 2 1 ENDZONE J 1 U NEUTAL ZONE K 2 1 LN K ENDZONE B. EFEEE Initial position is even with the punter and 7-9 yards outside the punter. C. UMPIE ame as five man mechanics, except he need not favor the Line Judge s side of the field. The umpire shall be at least 1 yards from the line of scrimmage. D. LINEMAN The Linesman should hold his position longer at the line until the ball is kicked to determine if the ball has crossed the neutral zone for PK purposes. He will also be the official to take the runner from the ide Judge on long kick returns down his sideline. E. LINE JUDGE ame as five man mechanics. Hold on line of scrimmage a little longer, observe the initial line charge and then release downfield when the kick is made. 9
F. IDE JUDGE Initial position is on the Linesman s side of the field, between the sideline and his hash mark approximately 5 yards behind the deepest receiver and at least 4 to 5 yards towards the sideline from the deepest receiver. He has goal line responsibility and must watch for touchbacks and batted balls at the goal line. He should have 2 bean bags, one in hand. He should be ready to mark any spot of first touching. He must also use his bean bag to mark the spot where the kick ends (the post scrimmage kick spot ). He should count the receiving team players and make the appropriate signal. He is responsible for valid and invalid fair catch signals, and ruling on a valid fair catch. Be alert for touching by Team or Team K players. Be ready to follow the ball if the receiver fails to field the kick cleanly. Cover action on and against the runner until he enters the Linesman s area. If the kick will land on your side of the opposite hash mark (2/3 of field), you are responsible for fair catch, valid signal, interference, hand-offs, kicks out of bounds on your sideline, plays at the goal line and taking the runner on the return until he enters another official s zone. If the kick will land on the other side of your hash mark, cover the play around the receiver and be ready to take the runner if the return is to your side of the field. Cover action behind the runner if the return is to the other side. G. FIELD JUDGE Initial position is on the press box side of the field, on the sideline about 5 yards behind the deepest receiver. If the kick will clearly land on your side of the hash mark, signal the ide Judge by extended arm towards s goal line that you will take the ball. You are responsible for fair catch, valid signal, interference, hand-offs, kicks out of bounds on your side line, ruling on plays at the goal line and taking the runner on the return until the runner enters the Line Judge s area of the field. If the kick will land on the other side of your hash mark, cover the play around the receiver and be ready to take the runner if the return is to your side of the field. Cover action behind the runner if the return is to the other side. VIII. FIELD GOAL TIE AND TY FO POINT 1
A. Take positions as shown in following diagram. FIELD GOAL O TY ATTEMPT - 6 MAN MECHANIC J P E B O X 1 2 TEAM ENDZONE UMP NEUTAL ZONE EF EF 1 2 LNM LNM B. EFEEE ame as five man mechanics for kicks from outside the 1 yard line. The eferee will assume a position to look at the holder s action for the field goal or try. For example, with a right footed kicker the eferee will line up to the left of the formation looking directly into the holder s area. Thus, the eferee can observe the holder s placement of the ball or a fake. C. UMPIE The Umpire should be positioned about 4 yards behind Team B s line of scrimmage and in position to observe any action on the snapper. D. LINEMAN Assume normal position on line of scrimmage. ideline responsibility to the end line. Cover play around the receiver on short field goal attempts. Hold position until the kick crosses the neutral zone. Be prepared to rule on kicks recovered by K behind or beyond the neutral zone. E. LINE JUDGE Assume normal position on line of scrimmage. Cover play around receiver on short field goal attempts. Move off the line of scrimmage at the snap for coverage of field goal attempts that fall short. F. IDE JUDGE AND FIELD JUDGE 11
Take positions slightly behind the upright on your side of the field. The ide Judge has the responsibility for the crossbar and the whistle. Verbally communicate with each other, and then rule on the attempt. On fake attempts and short field goal attempts, break into position to cover plays in the end zone. Have normal end line responsibility. FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT AFTE A FAI CATCH - 6 MAN MECHANIC P E B O X EF 1 2 J TEAM ENDZONE NEUTAL ZONE EF LNM 1 2 UMP LNM IX. GOAL LINE MECHANIC A. Going in When the ide Judge and Field Judge are positioned on the Goal line pylon, the Head Linesman and Line Judge will have forward progress to the 2 yard line. At the 2 yard line and in, the ide Judge and Field Judge will pick the spot. If the ide Judge and Field Judge are positioned on the back pylons (end line), the Line Judge and Head Linesman will have forward progress to the goal line. When the ball is snapped from inside the 5 yard line the Line Judge and Linesman should move to the goal line at the snap and officiate the play from there. You can come back to get a forward progress. The goal line should ALWAY be covered. B. Coming out When the ball is snapped from the 5 yard line to the goal line, the Line Judge and Head Linesman should always move to the goal line and officiate from there. Once it is certain that the play will develop down field they may move away from the goal line. X. EVEE MECHANIC FO CHANGE OF POEION. 12
During change of possession plays, reverse mechanics should be used to make sure the entire field of play is covered. Change of possession plays would include interceptions, fumbles, punts, etc. When the ball is turned over downfield, the Line Judge and Head Linesman should work to keep a cushion between themselves and the ball carrier, officiating action in front of the play. The ide Judge and Field Judge will be responsible for forward progress on the play. XI. MEAUEMENT FO FIT DOWN Normally, the Line Judge will stop the clock for a first down since he is facing the chains during the entire game. When the ball is dead and forward progress is close to the line-to-gain, the eferee will decide if the clock should be stopped to signal a first down or ask for a measurement. If a measurement is needed, the Linesman will go to the sideline, take the chain at the clip, and direct the chain crew to take the chains onto the field toward the ball. The Line Judge will help the Linesman to align the chains on the field for measurement. In the meantime, the Field Judge will hold the ball in place during the measurement. The ide Judge will set the down box at the forward stake, making sure the box shows the number of the down just run. The Umpire will take the front stake from the chain crewman and, after the clip is spotted, stretch the chains so the eferee can rule if the ball is beyond or behind the line-to-gain. If a first down is indicated, the Linesman will release the chain crew to return to the sideline where he will give them a first down spot. If the line-to-gain has not been reached, the Linesman will return to the sideline, re-spot the clip and make sure the chain is stretched to place the chain in its original position. XII. CHANGE OF QUATE POCEDUE When time expires for the first or third periods, the eferee will hold the ball in one hand over his head to signal the official end of the period after pausing for a moment to make sure that no foul, obvious timing error, request for a coach-official conference or other irregularity has occurred. In hot or inclement weather, the change of quarters is recommended as a good time to direct teams to their sidelines. Once the period officially ends, the eferee, Umpire, Field Judge and Line Judge will meet at the ball, agree and record possession, next down to be played, and the yard line where the ball is located. The Linesman will stay on his sideline and record all of the above and also the yard line where the clip is located. The Line Judge and Field Judge will, at all times, observe the teams and help each team get turned around and located at the correct yard line. The ide Judge will proceed to the sideline and confirm the information with the Linesman and note the yard line where the clip is located. The ide Judge will observe the chains being turned around and then go to the opposite end of the field and make certain the clip is placed in the correct location. After checking that all officials are in proper position and that the clock has been reset, the eferee will mark the ball ready for play. This procedure should take no more than one minute, and is timed by the Field Judge. 13
XIII. HALF-TIME POCEDUE When time expires for the second period, the eferee will hold the ball in one hand over his head to signal the official end of the period after pausing for a moment to make sure that no foul, obvious timing error, request for a coach-official conference or other irregularity has occurred. All officials will exit the field together and should neither avoid nor seek out coaches during the exit from the field. The Field Judge will time the half-time period and the time will start when both teams have cleared the playing area. When all teams have cleared the field, the clock shall be started by the eferee s signal. If there are discussions between officials and coaches, the eferee will be the spokesman for the officiating crew. Five minutes prior to the end of half time, the Field Judge and Line Judge will go to the home teams Head Coach and the ide Judge and Linesman will go to the visiting team s Head Coach and notify the Head Coach of the time remaining in the half time. With 4 minutes left in the half time, the ide Judge and Field Judge shall walk the captains back to the field. The Linesman and Line Judge will remain with their respective teams and make sure the teams return to the field in time for the mandatory warm-up period. After the halftime options are given, the Linesman should make contact with his chain crew and the Field judge shall make contact with the ball boys. XIV. OVETIME POCEDUE The overtime procedure to be used is the National Federation of tate High chool Association s 1-yard line overtime procedure specified in THE OFFICIAL FOOTBALL ULE BOOK. These procedures should be a part of the Pre-Game. After this review, the Linesman will go to his side of the field and the Line Judge will go to the opposite side of the field to inform the coaches of the number of timeouts each team has remaining. If requested by either coach, or to explain unusual situations, the eferee may go to both Head Coaches, home team first. The other officials will remain in the center of the field. XV. MICELLANEOU BUT IMPOTANT ITEM A. Penalty Administration ame as five man mechanics, except that the Field Judge and ide Judge will communicate penalty information to the Head Coach of the team on their respective side line. When a foul is called, the calling official MUT get the number of the offending player. B. Gender eference In this manual, the masculine should be understood to include the feminine throughout. 14
XVI. END OF THE GAME The jurisdiction of the officials ends when the eferee declares the score final by holding the ball over his head. Unless the score is tied and there will be overtime played, there cannot be a dead ball foul following the end of regulation time. All officials will immediately exit the field and the Clock Operator will rejoin the crew as soon as possible. Do not discuss the game on the field with anyone. Do not make any public statements about the game. The eferee should report any flagrant irregularity, player disqualification or coach disqualification to the Assignment ecretary as soon as possible following the game. 15
APPENDIX IX MAN MECHANIC OFFICIATING KEY AT THE NAP 16
NOTE: THE DEEP OFFICIAL HOULD KEY ON THE OUTIDE ECEIVE WHILE THE WING OFFICIAL HOULD KEY ON THE INIDE ECEIVE O THE FIT BACK OUT OF THE BACKFIELD ON THEI IDE OFFICIATING KEY AT THE NAP: CENAIO #1 J 5 U x 5 LN OFFICIATING KEY AT THE NAP: CENAIO #2 J 5 U x 5 LN 17
NOTE: THE DEEP OFFICIAL HOULD KEY ON THE OUTIDE ECEIVE WHILE THE WING OFFICIAL HOULD KEY ON THE INIDE ECEIVE O THE FIT BACK OUT OF THE BACKFIELD ON THEI IDE OFFICIATING KEY AT THE NAP: CENAIO #3 J 5 U x 5 LN OFFICIATING KEY AT THE NAP: CENAIO #4 J 5 U x 5 LN 18