This file represents the 3rd edition of the CFOA mechanics manual. This 3rd edition will be used statewide starting with the 2018-2019 season. April 2, 2018 THIRD EDITION THE COLORADOTHE OFFICIAL FOOTBALL MECHANICS OFFICIALS OFASSOCIATION MECHANICSFOOTBALL OFFICIATING MANUAL 5 PERSON HIGH SCHOOL CREW PUBLISHED BY REFEREE AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS Colorado Football Officiating Mechanics Manual Graphics and layout by Matt Bowen, graphic designer, Referee magazine Copyright © 2018 by CFOA and Referee Enterprises, Inc. The text and illustrations in this book are protected by copyrights of Referee Enterprises, Inc. (© 2018). PlayPic® and MechaniGram® and their related graphics are registered trademarks of Referee Enterprises, Inc., and are copyrighted. Copying in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written consent from Referee Enterprises, Inc., and Colorado Football Officials Association. Republication of all or any part of this publication, including on the Internet, is expressly prohibited. Published in coordination with Referee Enterprises, Inc., and the National Association of Sports Officials. Printed in the United States of America “We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it; because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.” — Vince Lombardi CONTENTS Introduction and Acknowledgements ........................................8 SECTION 1: GENERAL Chapter 1: Officiating Football ..........................................10 Chapter 2: Definitions of Terms .........................................13 Chapter 3: Uniform ...................................................15 Chapter 4: Pregame Meeting ...........................................17 Chapter 5: On-Field Pregame Duties and Responsibilities ....................20 Chapter 6: Chain Crew ................................................23 Chapter 7: Measurements .............................................26 Chapter 8: Game Timing ..............................................33 Chapter 9: Coin Toss .................................................36 Chapter 10: Ball Handling .............................................40 Chapter 11: Whistle Mechanics .........................................46 Chapter 12: Use of the Bean Bag .......................................48 Chapter 13: Flags and Penalties ........................................50 Chapter 14: Signaling .................................................55 Chapter 15: Microphone Use ...........................................79 Chapter 16: Timeouts .................................................82 Chapter 17: Sideline Management .......................................87 Chapter 18: Forward Progress ..........................................90 Chapter 19: Fumbles .................................................94 Chapter 20: The Halo Principle .........................................96 Chapter 21: Between Downs ...........................................98 Chapter 22: Dead-Ball Officiating ......................................101 Chapter 23: Intermissions ............................................103 Chapter 24: Game Management .......................................105 Chapter 25: Postgame Duties .........................................107 Chapter 26: CFOA Philosophies of Officiating .............................110 Chapter 27: State Association Adoptions for Colorado ......................118 SECTION 2: CREW OF 5 Chapter 28: Keys ...................................................120 Chapter 29: Positioning and Coverage – Free Kick Plays ....................140 Chapter 30: Positioning and Coverage – Scrimmage Kick Plays (Non-scoring) . 155 Chapter 31: Positioning and Coverage – Scoring Kick Plays .................165 Chapter 32: Positioning and Coverage – Scrimmage Plays ..................174 Appendix A: Sample Pregame Conference Outline .........................214 Appendix B: Clock Operators Instructions . 216 Appendix C: Play Clock Operators Instructions ...........................218 Appendix D: Pre-season Preparation Guide ..............................220 Appendix E: Game Timing for 40-Second Play Clock .......................226 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the third edition of the Colorado Football Officials Association (CFOA) Mechanics Manual, designed to promote “One Rule – One Mechanic – One Interpretation.” How a rule is officiated on the field requires knowledge of the philosophy behind the rule. Officials must ask themselves, “What is the rule trying to say?” This manual will assist officials with answers to that important question. There are many ways to officiate a football game and it is the desire of the CFOA to develop officials to become better and more consistent statewide through the use of this Manual. Good mechanics make the difference between a football game that is well officiated and one that is not. It is one thing to know the rules, but another to know where to position yourself on the field, what to look at, how to interpret what you observe and how to move as the play develops. For the most part, the mechanics in this manual are based on the NFHS Officials Manual. This manual expands and enhances these core concepts by adding graphics, philosophies, nuances and other information designed to make the basics easier to understand and put into practice. The CFOA Board of Directors has approved the use of this manual. It is to be followed by all football officials and local associations in Colorado. Recommended changes to improve the Manual should be submitted in writing to the CFOA President for consideration by the CFOA Board of Directors at the end of each football season. It is anticipated that this Manual will be reprinted every 2-3 years or as necessary. We hope you will find this manual useful and informative. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Editors George Demetriou, CFOA State Rules Interpreter/Colorado Springs Scott Saucke, President, Denver Kirk Russell, Past President, Denver Contributing Members Bob Loyd, Wray Mark Bradley, Peyton John Conklin, Denver Dan Daniels, Pueblo Elvis Iacovetto, Steamboat Springs Matt Miller, Montrose Joe Milburn, Durango Ron Paolucci, Denver Damian Savolt, Greeley Frank Sciacca, Colorado Springs Special thanks to Clark Sanders, Oregon Athletic Officials Association; Jeffrey Stern, Referee magazine senior editor; and Matt Bowen, Referee magazine publication design manager; for providing the base documents and other assistance. 8 /// CFOA MECHANICS MANUAL SECTION1 CFOA MECHANICS MANUAL /// 9 TACKLE CHAPTER 1 OFFICIATING FOOTBALL Officiating twenty-two players who are previously rendered decisions may be moving around, competing for space reversed, but it doesn’t mean that any and position, is not an easy task. The and all decisions should be changed. PRESS BOX officiating crew must work as a team and The rules have stated limitations on utilize hustle, angles, distance and planned correcting errors which must honored. compromises to observe and control the Officials must speak up when they believe action all while remaining obscure. There a rule is being misapplied. The more are several scenarios where there is no facts provided, the less likely the whole one best way to cover all possibilities. The crew will be embarrassed by a rules error. following is what is expected of members Judgment calls are more delicate. There of the CFOA. are situations where there are multiple covering officials and consultation is Safety essential. In order to change a judgment Our number one priority is safety; call, the differing official must be 100% both the protection and welfare of the sure of what he observed or he must be players and our officials. There can be no able to point out what the calling official compromise on that point. Never let an did not see. If the two officials cannot unsafe act take place. agree, the original call should stand. Fairness Rules Knowledge Next is fairness. We are necessary to Game officials must accept the ensure the game is played fairly according responsibility of enforcing the spirit, as to the rules and that neither team gains an well as the letter, of the rules promptly unfair advantage. Another way of saying and with consistency. In order to do that is avoiding egregious errors that cause that, game officials must have complete the wrong team to win. If a crew does that, knowledge and understanding of the it can be said they had a successful game, rules. Decisions must be made so quickly but that is merely a passing grade and our they come by reflex. The proper way to objective is to significantly surpass that in prepare oneself for making decisions each and every game. of this nature is through the thorough understanding of the rules and continued Getting it Right study of possible situations which may Right in line with the principle of fairness occur. Basic fundamentals then become is the mandate to “get it right.” Getting second nature and correct interpretations the decision correct must prevail over are virtually automatic. To know the rules any pride consideration. That means thoroughly requires constant study. 10 /// CFOA MECHANICS MANUAL OFFICIATING FOOTBALL Game officials must have a football impression of confidence. Care, however, sense which supersedes the technical should be taken to avoid the appearance application of the rules so that the of indifference. The poised official is able game goes smoothly. Game officials are to remain