REFEREE ROUNDTABLE

1. REFEREEROUNDTABLE Ted Lepucki 8-11-07

2. DISCUSSION POINTS • Referee’s Role • Officials Pregame Conference • Pregame Duties • Fine Points • Mechanics

4. REFEREE’S ROLE • Administrator • Rules Interpreter • Negotiator • Decision Maker • Communicator • Visual & Verbal • Crew • Administrators • Coaches • Players

5. COMMUNICATION • This posture gives the impression, “I’m in charge” or “I just graduated from the police academy!” • Should be avoided!

6. COMMUNICATION • This posture gives the impression “I don’t care and probably don’t want to be here!” • Should be avoided!

7. COMMUNICATION • This posture gives the impression “I’m tired!” • Also, should be avoided!

8. COMMUNICATION • Military at ease position! • Does not draw attention to yourself! • Shows you are ready for the next play!

9. COMMUNICATIONBackward Pass • Given by referee, unless the pass is immediately thrown after the snap in which case wing crew has option to signal. • Signal is also used to indicate player nearest wing official is off the line of scrimmage.

10. COMMUNICATIONUnbalanced Line • Wing crew. • Look for ineligibles. • Check numbering on line (umpire). • Also used for indicating two or more players or no players outside the tackle on the line of scrimmage.

11. OFFICIALS PREGAME Referee Usually Leads Discussion • Review Previous Games / Areas For Improvement • Review Case Book Plays • Each Crew Member Discusses Their Duties • Maintain Focus • Use Books (RB, CB, OM) To Resolve Questions • Remind Crew That Officials Are One Team • All Are Responsible For Rules Enforcement • All Are Responsible For Proper Down • Use Officials Manual For A Check List

12. PREGAME DUTIES Where Does 30 Minutes Go? • Check the Field 3:00 • Check Player Equipment 2:00 • Talk With The Head Coaches 8:00 • Conduct Sportsmanship Conference 3:00 • Conduct Coin Toss 2:00 • View QB And Kickers For Left / Right Tendencies 0:30 • Insure Chain Crew Is Present 0:30 • Review Special Situations With Crew 2:00 • National Anthem 2:00 • Introductions 2:00

13. COACH DISCUSSION • Introductions, Card With Names & Numbers • Players Properly Equipped, Casts Or Items To Review • Special Plays • Special Events, Pregame, Halftime • Length of Halftime • Remind Coaches To Check Clock When Leaving For Halftime • Establish Toss Time • Assistant Responsible For Box Decorum (Get Back Coach) • Ball Runners, Chain Crew • Game Ball(s) • Have a Great Game !

14. VISITORS G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

15. FINE POINTS

16. THE LITTLE THINGS • Concentrate On Calm Communication • Think Before You Speak • Avoid Yelling To The Sideline • Maintain Eye Contact With Captains & Coaches • Work On A Consistent Tempo Throughout The Game • Be Aware Of Clock Status • Don’t Rush Signals, Give Each Proper Time & Technique • Jog to Sidelines For Discussions • Make A Point To Respond To A Complaint • Dead Ball Officiating ( 75% of the Game) • Mental Visualization • Substitutions • Check Your Team Before The Ready Whistle

17. THOUGHTS BEFORE THE SNAP (TD)2 • TimeIn Quarter • Down • Tendencies • Distance • Key the Tackles

18. The Power of Visual Programming By actively choosing to replay a vision of a positive outcome, you set the stage for a more successful result. And the more actively you use visual images during this process, the more powerful your final results will be.

19. Plays I Visualize • Forward Pass or Fumble on QB Hit • Intentional Grounding / Roughing • Opposite Side Rollout Legal Pass • Scrimmage Kick OOB / Roughing

20. Sideline Conference • Referee (accompanied by linesman/line judge) and coach directly in front of team box on field of play to review possible misapplication of rules. • Request must be made by the team captain or head coach prior to the ball becoming live following the play which is to be reviewed. • Avoid discussing play situations with coaches on the field during time outs about calls or rules. • Always keep formal greetings “Coach Smith” rather than “Bob”!

21. Ejection (GHSA) • Announce the ejection by making eye contact with the ejected player or coach. Do not make phvsical contact with that individual. Try to avoid "toe-to-toe" confrontations, but be within 20 feet of the ejected person. • Instruct the player to go to his/her head coach immediately. • The Referee shall go to the sidelines, make eye contact with the head coach, and announce that the player (identified by jersey number) has been ejected from the contest and state the reason. • The ejected player shall remain in the team's bench area. Each additional disturbance results in an unsportsmanlike penalty against the head coach, and may result in that coach's ejection also. In that case, both the coach and the player will leave the competition area. • The ejection of a coach requires that the official approach and make eye contact with the coach, announce the ejection to the coach, and instruct the coach to leave the competition area. In addition, the official must ask which coach or other official school representative will function as the head coach in the absence of the ejected coach.

22. MECHANICS

23. Before Kickoff U LJ Referee Position near R’s goal line Linesman’s side Count R Players Check other officials in position and signal ball ready for play after other officials are ready R H BJ G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

24. After Kickoff Referee Deep Kicks, Be ready to rule on touchback or player momentum Kicks middle, start clock when kick is touched (other than first touching by K) Pick up runner and follow until released to covering official R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

25. After Kickoff Referee If kick goes OOB determine if touched by R inbounds Kicks outside inbounds lines, move cautiously with play Observe actions behind play and clean up R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

26. Basic Scrimmage Position Referee A’s backfield 10-12 yards behind LOS* Must be able to view tackle on your side** Umpire 3 to 8 yards off ball as to not interfere with vision or movement of defensive backs. R U G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

27. Prior to Snap (All Plays) Referee Declare ball ready-for-play Count A players Check players set for one second prior to snap. Watch for snap infractions, illegal shifts, and false starts R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

28. Running Play Referee Key opposite guard / tackle Responsible for ball carrier and action around him to the neutral zone R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

29. Running Play Referee Move behind play toward side of field where play advances and cover runner until reaching neutral zone or if down near line-of-scrimmage Watch action behind ball and away from runner, action on quarterback, and backward or forward passes. R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

30. Running Play Referee When ball is dead, move to location and signal next down Help relay ball and assist umpire with spot If first down, stop clock and signal Make sure all officials ready to go before signal ball ready for play R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

31. Passing Plays Referee Key opposite guard / tackle Watch blocking Remain wider and deeper than passer After pass released, verbally alert defenders and observe action on passer not ball Determine pass forward or backward R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

32. Passing Plays Referee Sole responsibility for intentional grounding; however, can get assistance from covering official Determine if passer crosses neutral zone (see notes) Continue to observe action behind neutral zone before leaving R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

33. Scrimmage Kick Referee Position NO closer than 3-4 yards in front of kicker (see notes), 5-7 yards wide on Line Judge side Be able to see ball and all backs Watch for fouls behind neutral zone and roughing / running into kicker Be alert for blocked kicks and recovery R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

34. Scrimmage Kick Referee After ball crosses neutral zone, observe line play and move down field slowly Be ready to pick up runner on long run and continue with him to goal line R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

35. Scrimmage Kick LJ Referee If ball kicked out of bounds in flight, assist the covering official with spot In no foul, signal linesmen and line-to-gain equipment into position for next play Make sure all officials ready prior to giving ready-for-play signal R H G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G G 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 G

36. Field Goal and Try Attempts (all) Referee Position 1 yard behind and 2 to 3 yards to side of kicker facing holder Observe Kicker, Holder, and opposite side tackle Be ready for fumble or fake Assist Line Judge / Linesman with side line if run develops Rule on roughing kicker / holder R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

37. Field Goal and Try Attempts (all) Referee After ball is kicked, if try, sound whistle, if field goal, ball live Signal score or no score after receiving signal from Back Judge or Line Judge R G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

38. Goal-Line Plays (Inside 10 yards) Referee Same Coverage as Running and Passing Plays Umpire Move to goal line AFTER ball is snapped depending on initial position Linesman & Line Judge Move to goal line and work back on play LJ R U BJ H G 1 0 2 0 3 0 G 1 0 2 0 3 0

39. The IHSA and the Federation have described the best ways to ensure that we are in proper position to make the correct calls. This presentation is based on their procedures. In addition to using the Official’s Manual, please refer to the IHSA and NFHS web sites for the proper techniques.