7 – Man Mechanics with PFOA Mods

Coin Toss

Field Judge (home team), Side Judge (visiting team) have the respective captains on the sideline 5:00 minutes prior to scheduled kickoff for coin toss and second half choice. Linesman and/or Line Judge have a ball ready to bring out.

Game Management

The BJ will time the 25 second play clock.

Free Kicks

HL and LJ – Receiving team’s goal line pylons – cover runner when in your third of the field (your side line into the hash marks) up to approximately the R’s 35 yard line. When not responsible for the runner observe action in front of runner. PFOA Mod – HL and LJ may set up further up field on free kick, if game situation and kicker’s ability dictates.

R – Receiving team’s goal line middle of the field. Responsible for the runner between the hash marks. When not responsible for the runner, observe action in front of the runner.

FJ and SJ – Set up on Receiving team’s restraining line. Observe initial blocks and move downfield to approximately R’s 35 yard line where you take over responsibility for the runner all the way to the goal line.

BJ –Hand the ball to the kicker then go immediately to the Kicking team’s restraining line on the press box side of the field. Initially rule on kicking team encroachment. Observe initial blocks while moving at a 45 degree angle to the hash mark and officiate inside out on plays to your side of the field.

U – Set up on Kicking Team’s restraining line on Visitor’s sideline. Initially rule on kicking team encroachment. Observe initial blocks while moving at a 45 degree angle to the hash mark and officiate inside out on plays to your side of the field.

Onside Free Kicks

U and BJ are both on the sidelines and focus on encroachment by K.

HL and LJ move to K’s 45 yard line. At the kick, watch to see if ball is kicked into the ground and then help with first touching by K, muffing by R, and recovery by either team.

SJ and FJ watch action in the neutral zone and make calls on first touching by K, muffing by R, and recovery by either team.

R stays in middle of the field at the GL and has responsibility for everything if they kick it deep.

Scrimmage Plays

Referee & Umpire – essentially the same position and keys as in 5, 6 or 7 man crews

Linesman & Line Judge – same position but remain on the LOS much longer (you have deep help). Initial passing key is the second receiver from the outside (counting outside in). In addition to your regular responsibilities, you have the main responsibility for determining whether a pass is forward/backward or behind/beyond the LOS. The offside official may have the best opportunity to rule on passes to the opposite side.

Side Judge & Field Judge – start at 15 yards and move deep only if necessary. Initial pass key is the widest receiver on your side. Keep an adequate cushion and do not let the ball carrier beat you to the goal line (you have help from the Back Judge behind you).

Back Judge – start at 20 yds. Initial pass key is the # 3 receiver inside on the strong side or the motion man.

Stay with your keys to insure they do not foul or are fouled – then switch to zone coverage. PFOA mod: then switch to ball coverage.

Scrimmage Plays – Red Zone

Ball snapped outside the five yard line (going in) all the way to the 20 yard line – FJ and SJ line up on the Goal line and rule on plays involving the GL. Do not move back into the EZ. BJ will have the EL. HL and LJ line up on the LOS and go no farther than the 2 yard line.

If the ball is touching the 5 yd. line, the FJ and SJ line up on the end line corner pylon. HL and LJ line up on the LOS and have GL responsibility and should not be beaten to the GL.

Reverse GL mechanics: When the ball is at or inside the five yard line (coming out), the LJ and HL move to the GL at the snap and then officiate the play. The U will have the LOS.

PFOA mod: when ball is at 30, BJ set up on goal line, move to end line if end line is threatened. When ball is at 20, BJ set up on end line and SJ, FJ set up on goal line.

Punts

R - Line up slightly behind and to the side of the kicker (kicking leg side).

U - Line up 5-10 yards off the line observing all action in and around the snapper.

LJ/HL – Basic position and remain on the LOS until the ball clears the line. Then move slowly downfield observing blocks behind the U and in front of the receiver.

SJ/FJ – SJ/FJ set-up 2 yards deeper than the deepest receiver and adjust your position forward or backward depending on action by the receiver.

BJ –deeper than the deepest receiver and is the only official who bags the end of the kick unless it is well into one of the side zones.

All three deep officials clean up behind the runner if the receiver breaks the return for a long gain.

Field Goals

U and SJ – Line up 5 – 7 yards behind the defense observing the center and the line play.

Extra Points

U and SJ – Line up 5 – 7 yards behind the defense observing the center and the line play.

Measurements

FJ keeps everyone out of the way. SJ controls the box. BJ steadies the ball. Leave the side facing the press box with an open view of the ball.

Penalties

LJ stays at enforcement spot and L goes to where the ball will end up if the penalty is taken. Since the wing officials have responsibility for these spots, the SJ and FJ will be the people informing the coaches what the penalty was. Do it on every penalty, no matter which team it is against.