Five man Passing Keys Based on the 2006-07 NFHS Officials Manual by Grant Christianson Greater Kansas City Officials Ass

1. Five man Passing KeysBased on the 2006-07 NFHS Officials Manualby Grant ChristiansonGreater Kansas City Officials Association

2. A key is where one’s initial attention is focused Help determine coverage at the snap only Avoids “who do I have” They do not necessarily determine coverage for the entire play What is a “key”?

3. Strength of Formation: determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle. End: Receiver on the outside of the formation on the line of scrimmage. Tight End: End man no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman. Back: Player in backfield at snap. Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle. Definitions

4. Based on the Strength of Formation Determined by the number of eligible receivers outside the tackles at time of snap Strong side has the greater number of eligible receivers weak side has the least If no strong side, strength is automatically to the line judge’s side Back judge has first key Line judge and Linesman have the second key Do not key off same player as official ahead of you in the priority. Normally, one wing official keys off receiver on the side where the strength is NOT declared. The other wing official will be keying off strong side inside receiver. How are Keys Determined?

5. RB R RB RB QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Balanced formation, no strong side because one eligible receiver on either side of center • BJ 20 yards deep and shades to LJ side and keys on TE • L has end • LJ has first back out of backfield

6. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T E LJ U BJ Strength to Linesman’s side • Initial Keys: • BJ 20 yards deep and shade to strong side has B • L hasTE • LJ has E • Secondary Keys: L and LJ have first RB out of back field towards their side

7. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Strength to Line judge’s side- two eligible receivers compared to one on L side • Keys: • BJ has TE • L has TE on that side of field • LJ has B

8. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Strength to Lineman’s side- two eligible receivers compared to one on LJ side • Keys: • BJ has TE • L back that shows strength • L would also have first back out of backfield to his side • LJ has TE on that side of field

9. R RB B B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Trips to Line judge’s side • Keys: • BJ has two outside eligible receivers on strong side, TE and B on LJ’s side • LJ has action on or by inside B • L has TE on that side of field • L also has first back out of backfield to his side

10. R RB B QB B L E T G C G T E LJ U BJ Double wing or four receiver set • No declared strength so BJ shades to LJ side • Keys: • BJ has outside receiver on LJ’s side • LJ has primary coverage on B (flanker) • LJ also looks through to tackle and help if set back becomes involved in play • L has E and B (two eligible receivers) on that side of field

11. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Motion Changes Strength and Keys • Initial Strength to L side • Initial Keys: • BJ has TE on L’s side (strong side) • L has B on that side of field • LJ has TE on his side of field • When slot B goes in motion, strength changes and keys for BJ, L, and LJ change • New Keys: • BJ slides to strong side when motion back is clearly outside of tackle before ball is snapped and has B • L has TE on his side of field, also responsible for legality of motion by motion B • LJ stays with original key

12. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Motion Creates Trips to L side • Initial strength to L side • Initial Keys: • BJ has B on L side • L has TE on that side of field • LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side • Motion by back doesn’t change strength but creates trips so keys for BJ and L change • New Keys follow normal trips keys: • BJ switches key from strong side B and takes two outside receivers on strong side, in this case B and motion back • L stays with TE on his side • LJ still responsible on action on or by TE and also back out of backfield on his side

13. R RB RB B QB L TE T G C G T TE LJ U BJ Motion Creates Strength Change • Initial strength to L side • Initial Keys: • BJ has B on L side • L has TE on that side of field • LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side • Motion by back changes strength to even strength. Strength declared to LJ side. Keys for BJ and LJ change • New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys: • BJ slides to strong side and switches key to B on strong side • L takes TE to his side of field, also responsible for motion by RB before snap • LJ takes motion man after snap

14. R RB B B QB L TE T G C G T E LJ U BJ Trips to LJ side, Motion Changes Keys • Initial Keys: • BJ has two outside receivers to strong side • L TE to his side • LJ responsible for inside B • Motion by inside back does not change strength but changes keys for BJ , L, and LJ. • New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys: • BJ takes E • L takes both TE and B to his side of field • LJ responsible for motion by RB before snap, once ball is snapped has remaining B on his side of field

15. Summary Keys are based on the number of eligible receivers outside of the tackle at the time of the snap BJ has first key, then LJ and L follow Do not key off same receiver as person ahead of you BJ always goes to strong side of field If no strong side, strength declared to LJ’s side Keys are intended for initial action on eligible receivers, keys will change as play continues BJ will always have widest eligible receiver on strong side of field Keys are intended for initial action on receiver Once receivers get 5-7 or more yards downfield, switch to zone coverage