BCFOA Pre-Season Referee Clinic

Objectives:

To review game management, rules and mechanics and other material specific to the Referee position, but applicable to all officials.

To discuss areas where consistency needs improvement across the Province.

To have the Vice-President of High School Football outline his expectations for reporting game and safety issues.

  • Official's Pre-game Conference - short version (Discussion)
  • Pre-game meeting with Coaches - things to cover
  • Communication with Coaches, Players, Fans & Crew
  • Clock management (Rules 3 & 4) - other issues
  • Crew Member Communication - verbal & non-verbal
  • Officiating Crew Safety
  • General Discussion - No question too dumb....well...
  • Vice-President Becker - Game Reports

Crew Pre-game - The Short Version

  • Know your crew members are before you get to the field (Arbiter)
  • Prepare yourself & rehearse crew briefing on the drive to the field
  • Meet crew, confirm assignments, ensure LJ has a countdown watch
  • Discuss team tendencies : Pass/Run; Current records; history
  • Field conditions: location of goal posts; any safety issues
  • Remind side officials to communicate penalty info to coaches
  • Hustle and HAVE FUN

High School Pre-game Meeting with Coaches

  • The referee will greet the coach* and introduce the crew members.
  • Ask Home Team Coach "Do you have a stick crew for us."
  • The referee will give the coach a card with the crew’s names and positions.
  • The referee asks the Head Coach if all players are legally numbered and equipped?
  • Ask if the team has a qualified personnel familiar with the BCSSFA Concussion Protocol?
  • Determine if there are any casts, wraps or braces. If so, the referee instructs the umpire to review them for proper padding. Check any visors to ensure they are 100% clear.
  • Ask if the team runs any special formations or trick plays so that the crew knows ahead of time to watch for them?
  • Learn whether the team’s quarterbacks throw left or right handed? (So that the referee knows which side to be on for viewing movement of the passing arm)
  • Learn whether the team’s field goal kicker left or right footed? (So that the crew knows their positions on field goals or extra points)
  • Ask the Head Coach if he will be the one calling the time-outs.
  • The referee outlines any special points of emphasis this year – Concussions; Heat acclimatization & preventing heat illness; Hurdling; Illegal Blocks below the waist; Illegal shifts involving the Quarterbacks; Improper uniforms. Etc.
  • Does the home team have any special activities prior to the game or during half time that may take additional time? i.e. Player introductions; Anthem
  • The referee will ask the coach to identify the ‘get back’ coach that will control the team box. Also, identify the person that will be running fresh balls in, if that is the team's intention.
  • The referee will ask the coach if he has any questions for the crew.
  • The referee will confirm when the teams are to be on the field and when the coin toss will take place. You can ask the coach his preference if he wins the coin toss.

NFHS Timing Rule 3

Section 3

SECTION 3 ENDING A PERIOD — HALF

ART. 1 . . . Approximately four minutes before the end of each half, the refereeshall notify the field captains and their coaches of the time remaining. If time isnot out, the referee shall order the clock stopped while he does this. If an electricfield clock is the official timepiece, no notification nor stoppage of the clock isrequired.

ART. 2 . . . If time for any period expires during a down (clock indicates 0:00),play shall continue until the down ends, even if a mechanical signal is allowed tosound.

ART. 3 . . . A period must be extended by an untimed down if during the lasttimed down of the period, one of the following occurred:

a. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted, except forthose fouls listed in 3-3-4b.

b. There was a double foul.

c. There was an inadvertent whistle.

d. If a touchdown was scored, the try is attempted unless the touchdown isscored during the last down of the fourth period and the point(s) would notaffect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.

If (a), (b), (c) or (d) occurs during the untimed down, the procedure is repeated.

ART. 4 . . . A period shall not be extended by an untimed down if during thelast timed down of the period, one of the following occurs:

a. When the defense fouls during a successful try/field goal and the offendedteam accepts the results of the play with enforcement of the penalty fromthe succeeding spot.

b. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted for:

1. unsportsmanlike fouls,

2. non-player fouls,

3. fouls that specify a loss of down,

4. fouls that are enforced on the subsequent kickoff as in Rule 8-2-2, 8-2-3, 8-2-4 or 8-2-5; or

5. fouls for which enforcement, by rule, result in a safety.

NOTE: The score is cancelled in the event of an accepted penalty that specifies a loss ofdown.

ART. 5 . . . At the end of each period the referee shall hold the ball in one handoverhead to indicate the period has officially ended, after delaying momentarily toensure that:

a. No foul has occurred.

b. No obvious timing error has occurred.

c. No request for a coach-referee conference has occurred.

d. No other irregularity has occurred.

ART. 6 . . . If a dead-ball foul occurs after time expires for any period, thepenalty shall be measured from the succeeding spot unless 8-2-5 applies.

SECTION 4 STARTING AND STOPPING THE CLOCK

Section 4

ART. 1 . . . The clock shall start for a period:

a. If a period begins with a free kick when the kick is touched, other than firsttouching by K.

b. If a period begins with a snap, when the ball is legally snapped.

ART. 2 . . . The clock shall start with the ready-for-play signal on a down beginningwith a snap if the clock was stopped for any reason other than specified inRule 3-4-3 or an untimed down:

a. For an official’s time-out, other than when B is awarded a new series oreither team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.

b. Because the ball has become dead following any foul provided:

1. There has been no charged time-out during the dead-ball interval.

2. The down is not an extension of a period or a try.

3. The action which caused the down to end did not also cause the clockto be stopped.

c. Because of an inadvertent whistle.

ART. 3 . . . The clock shall start with the snap or when any free kick is touched,other than first touching by K, if the clock was stopped because:

a. The ball goes out of bounds.

b. B is awarded a new series.

c. Either team is awarded a new series following a legal kick.

d. The ball becomes dead behind the goal line.

e. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete.

f. A request for a charged or TV/radio time-out is granted.

g. A period ends.

h. A team attempts to consume time illegally.

i. The penalty for a delay of game foul is accepted.

j. A fair catch is made.

ART. 4 . . . The clock shall be stopped when:

a. The down ends following a foul.

b. An official’s time-out is taken.

c. A charged or TV/radio time-out is granted.

d. The period ends.

e. The ball is out of bounds.

f. A legal or illegal forward pass is incomplete.

g. A score or touchback occurs.

h. A fair catch is made.

i. An inadvertent whistle is sounded.

ART. 5 . . . The clock shall not start on first touching by K.

ART. 6 . . . When a team attempts to conserve or consume time illegally, thereferee shall order the clock started or stopped.

ART. 7 . . . The referee shall have authority to correct obvious errors in timingif discovery is prior to the second live ball following the error, unless the periodhas officially ended as in 3-3-5.

SECTION 5 CHARGED AND OFFICIAL’S TIME-OUTS — INTERMISSIONS

2012 Kick-Off Mechanics - 5 - Man

Back Judge -- Count K players and verify 11. Always hand the ball to the kicker. Instructs kicker not to kick until the Referee has sounded his whistle. Move to a position just outside the sideline on K's free kick line opposite the press box side of field (Linesman's side).
If ball falls from tee, BLOW WHISTLE - DO NOT ALLOW KICK.
Watches illegal action on kicker and/or holder. Signals readiness to Umpire, then to Referee. Should there be a penalty that dictates re-kicking, you will signal the press box with the proper signal and administer the penalty.

Umpire - Responsible for R's free kick line (usually the 50 yd line). Positioned opposite the Lineman's side of field. Counts the receiving team. Watches for illegal blocks by kicking team in the 10 yard restricted zone. Signals readiness to Linesman, then to Referee. After the kick, moves down field if necessary (no more than 10 -15 yards) to assist in covering return.

Linesman - Responsible for R's free kick line (usually the 50 yd line). Positioned on the opposite side to the Umpire's side of the field. Counts the receiving team. Watches for illegal blocks by the kicking team in the 10 yard restricted zone. Signals readiness to Umpire, then to Referee. After the kick, moves down field if necessary (no more than 10 -15 yards) to assist in covering return.

Line Judge - Positioned at the 15 to 20 yard line. When ball is kicked into center of field or away, responsible for blocking ahead of runner. Also responsible when the ball is kicked near the goal line pylon. Signals readiness to Referee

Referee - Positioned near goal line near hashmark to Linesman's side of field. Responsible for receivers goal line; and when ball kicked near goal line pylon. Acknowledges readiness signals from other officials. Blows the ready for play whistle to kicking team.

Crew Communication

On-field communication is one of the primary keys to looking sharp and becoming an effective crew. You can review this information at crew meetings, or on the sideline if the crew is running late and you can't do a full pre-game. Remember, crews will generally have a mixture of veterans and rookies. We need to use clinics to agree on proper signalling mechanics and standardize across the Province.

During your crew's pre-game discussions:

  • Talk about what signals will be used for 2 sticks (more than 10 yards for a first down)
  • Talk about what signals will be used for the nearest player to the sideline when that person is off the line
  • Know why this is important - illegal formations, illegible players, etc.
  • Talk about who counts defense and who counts offense / kickers and receivers
  • Talk about the clock stopping signal on 4th down
  • Talk about the snapper protection signal on 4th down
  • Referees, know your penalty administration and use crisp penalty signals
  • YES, you can vocalize

NSOfficiating Crew - Staying Safe

High School Football Officials must be aware of player safety. It is one of the most important aspects of the game. But what about us? Officials can and do get hurt during games. In order to minimize your risk, keep these points in mind:

Be Observant

Stay focused! It’s not enough to be ready to officiate – always be prepared for different situations that could happen on the field or the sidelines in order to protect your own safety as an official. Here are some of the key areas to be aware of:

Hazardous field conditions, i.e. wet or icy grass surfaces:

  • potentially causing cleats to become stuck when following plays
  • potentially causing loose footing
  • potentially causing sliding that could cause injury to you, other players, coaches
  • potentially causing you to lose focus during plays

Side line interference

  • too many coaches or assistants on the sidelines -Warn, then flag
  • coaches or assistants encroaching on the field of play
  • Be polite but firm in the following situations
  • statisticians roaming the sidelines
  • parents disguised as photographers impeding players and officials
  • Be alert for plays that may carry beyond the sideline and into team benches, etc.

Middle of the field situations

  • Pay special attention to the following:
  • Plays developing around you
  • Players or actions that may potentially continue through your area
  • Possibility of getting stepped on in the playing area
  • Getting run into by players

After game situations

  • Leave the field as a group as soon as the game is over
  • Stick together when leaving the field for dressing room or parking lot
  • No one expects to be accosted – but always be observant for any disgruntled fan

You must have the ability to follow plays without being concerned about running into someoneWhile you are looking out for player safety, take care of yourself too.

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