NCHSAA / IPFO News

1. Position MeetingReferee - 2014NCHSAA / IPFO NewsIPFO Referee PositionLeadership & ProfessionalismEjections & DisqualificationsInteractions with CoachesPenalties & AdministrationReferee MechanicsEvaluations & ObservationsJudgmentQ&A

2. NCHSAA / IPFO News • All game fees will increase $6.00 beginning this season. • JV - $66.00 • Varsity - $76.00 • Playoffs - $86.00 • Eligibility for Assignment / Minimum Test Score • Raised to 75/ Regular Season (*Last year we had 2 officials below 75) • 80 / Class 1 or 2 for Playoffs • POD seeding in all sports has been discontinued • Seeds will be placed on brackets and teams will travel based on those seeds and not within geographic parameters. • E-Cigarettes • Added to the Tobacco/Alcohol/Controlled Substances area for coaches, players and officials. Don’t use them on school property. • HUDL • The IPFO now belongs to NCHSAA West. (Metrolina, North State, Southwestern, Western Carolina) • Important Dates: • First day of “7on7” workouts – June 17 • NCHSAA rules clinic – July 30 (Maiden HS @ 6:30PM) • IPFO association meeting – August 3 (Ashe Co. HS @ 2:00PM) • First day for scrimmages – August 11 *8/15 • First regular season game – August 22 • First round of playoffs – November 14

3. IPFO Referee Position • During conference play, the IPFO assigns 23 full time Referees. • Last season we used 9 first-year, full-time referees. • This season, 4 full-time referees will not be returning. • Full-time referees are just that……full time. • When a limited number of games are available, full-time referees will be placed at Clock Operator positions first because of their leadership status. You will not be placed at another position on the field. • Part-time referees will be used as needed. Their primary position will be used when considered for post-season assignments. • At a minimum, the requirements for this position are: • 1. Professionalism & communication skills • 2. Leadership, with an emphasis on elevating the skills of the crew • 3. Rules & mechanics knowledge through experience • 4. High school football astuteness • 5. Intangibles AS AN OFFICIAL MATURES AND GROWS WISER HE TALKS LESS AND SAYS MORE.

4. Leadership & Professionalism • Referee position is one of leadership & professionalism. • As the spokesman, you represent your Crew, our Association, and the NCHSAA Officiating Department. Professionalism is expected, not assumed. • All assignments are put together with a purpose. • Assignments are made based on what the RSO believes is in the best interest of the crew, the schools involved, and the IPFO. • The RSO knows where the skeletons are buried. • Crew members have the right to be placed in a setting that will allow them to work their game without distractions or negativity. • Any official that elects to openly complain about his or someone else's assignment, the crew makeup, or make comments that are destructive to the Association as a whole, that official will no longer be assigned by the IPFO for the remainder of the season and will have lost my confidence in him. • Simply put, “Cancers will be removed”. TREAT YOUR CREW AS AVERAGE AND THEY WILL REMAIN AVERAGE; TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO BE AND THEY WILL BECOME SO.

5. Ejections & Disqualifications • Once a player is given an ejection or a disqualification, regardless of the level of play, it: • Must be properly identified as either a “disqualification” or an “ejection” before notifying the Head Coach. Have a discussion with the Referee before escorting the player from the field of play. • Avoid embarrassment, be sure of your call. • Properly determine if it fails to meet the NCHSAA sportsmanship ideals. • Must be enforced on the field of play at the time of the infraction. • Both the Referee and the ejecting Official to notify the Head Coach. • If the Referee is the penalizing official, the closest wing official to witness notification. • Opposite wing official to notify the other Head Coach of the removed player’s status (Disqualified or Ejected). Don’t get into specifics. • Must be promptly reported to the NCHSAA on the web site. (Within 24 hours / $100.00 fine) Once reported, copies go to: • NCHSAA Supervisor of Officials • Athletic Director & Principal of Penalized Player’s School • IPFO Regional Supervisor of Officials

6. Ejections & Disqualifications • Steps to file a report • 1. Go to www.nchsaa.org • 2. Hover mouse over the heading “Officials” • 3. Click “Ejection/DQ report” • 4. Click the link that says “ Official-Player-Coach Ejection-Disqualification Report” • 5. Select which report (click either ejection OR disqualification) • 6. Fill out all areas of the report • 7. Click Submit • 8. You will receive a confirmation email that reads, “Thanks for submitting your report………. “

7. Ejections & Disqualifications • If you have a unique ejection(s), please let the RSO know. Examples: Head Coach ejection; bench clearing fight; you’re not sure • Ejection Criteria - Examples of conduct that will result in an ejection: • Fighting • Flagrant contact • Leaving the bench area- coming on to playing area when there is a fight • Biting observed or determined by an official • Taunting, baiting, spitting toward an opponent or official • Profanity (directed at opponent or official) • Obscene gestures • Disrespectfully addressing an official • Disqualification Criteria -Examples of conduct that will result in a disqualification: • Second unsportsmanlike foul in contest

8. Interactions with Coaches • A coach does not think as an official does, and they don’t react to situations as you would. Coaches are partisan and only see things one way……………..you’re wrong. • Listen to the Coach as long as he’s not abusive. He burned a time out to exercise his right to discuss a play with you, so you need to honor it. At times it’s tough, but it goes with the job. The best course of action is no action at all….just listen and refrain from facial gestures or body language that can be interpreted as uninterested. • Use care when you select your words with a coach. Be direct and precise, particularly if the coach is upset. • Do not try to be funny, use sarcasm or similar choices of words when addressing a coach or player. • The Referee should usethe brief officials conference after a score to get messages to the coach through the wing officials if needed. This is a stealth tool that you should use to your advantage. • You don’t have to tolerate unsportsmanlike conduct directed at you from any coach or player. Be clear in your mind that there is a violation, then act accordingly. Don’t react without taking pause first, particularly if a call is being debated. IF YOU TRY TO STRETCH THE TRUTH WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH A COACH, IT CAN BECOME FICTION.

9. Penalties & Administration • Fouls Prior to the Snap – Make the preliminary and final signal all in one. • Give Stationary & Precise Signals – Do not move when you are giving preliminary, final, or timing signals. • Listen / Consult with the Crew – Don’t just react. When there are penalties involving double fouls, fouls during scoring plays, fouls during turnovers……….discuss the administration with others in the crew whether you’re unsure of the administration, or if you just want to confirm your knowledge. This is a crew decision, use them. • Know Penalty Administration – Know penalty administration backwards & forwards, particularly when scoring plays are involved. Always ask yourself: • Live or dead? • Loose or in player possession? • Scoring play? • Change of possession? • Special administration? WHEN YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE “WHEN IN DOUBT” CALLS, USE COMMON SENSE AND DON'T CREATE A NEW PROBLEM.

10. Mechanics • Coin Toss • Starting the Clock / RFP Signal: • 10 yards behind LOS; 5 yards wide of huddle. (Best possible view.) • If you’re on the far side of the field, position yourself behind the huddle, give the proper signal, then move forward to your final spot. • Back away from ball, never turn your back to it. • Taking a Knee: • Don’t tell players that they can’t rush, remind them not to do something stupid. The snap could be mishandled. Know the situation, score, and the implications. • Remind the QB to take the snap and immediately take the knee. Let him know that you can’t protect him if he delays the action. • Using the Linesman: • With respect to 5 yard penalty/first down situations, HL will signal position of the down marker vs. tape on chain with one hand on leg. (Marker is either beyond or behind tape)

11. Mechanics • Using the Line Judge: • LJ will be assisting R with ball location near LTG. • Signals • TD signals are to be given at the goal line. • Incomplete pass signal. • Remain stationary when giving the signal. Do not give it on the run. • One wave of the arms in a controlled manner. Two will be permitted if it’s necessary to sell it. • Do not follow-up with a time-out signal, an incomplete pass stops the clock. • Time-out signal can be given by the non-covering officials. (S-3 twice) • NCHSAA Mercy Rule • Removes the conflict of how to “control” the clock when the game score is “out-of-control”. • Point differential of 42 or more by halftime. • Beginning with the start of the second half and at any point thereafter, the game will resort to a “running clock” or be terminated by mutual agreement. • The clock will only stop for charged timeouts, injuries and scores. • The “try for point” will always be an un-timed down. • The clock will start when the ball is legally touched on the kickoff. • The clock will start on the snap after a timeout.

12. Evaluations vs Observations • Observations made by Technical Advisors: • An “observation” is the result of a TA’s comments after reviewing a play on a HUDL video. • TA Video review Report • Each play is reviewed with the purpose of identifying your performance within a 6-12 second interval, that’s it. Nothing is assumed, nothing is implied. • When appropriate the TA will highlight both positives and negatives. (Think of it as a practice exam.) • Evaluations made by Technical Advisors: • Are made when a TA attends a game and witnesses your entire body of work. (Pre and post game, live and dead ball intervals) • Are used for post-season assignments. • New format will be used which minimizes gray areas in TA grading. Evaluation Form • Average evaluation score of 130 or more will make the official eligible for the final three rounds of the playoffs. (150 max.) OFFICIALS WISHING TO IMPROVE LISTEN CLOSELY TO OBSERVERS WHILE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PROFITING FROM PRAISE AND ACCEPTING CRITICISM.

13. Officiating Judgment • Every Official Must Do His Best to Exercise Proper Judgment • The difference between a good official and a great official is being in proper position and exercising proper judgment regardless of the game situation. • If avideo shows something that was thought to be missed, the RSO/TA may point it out on the report for you to review. • Judgment will not be second-guessed when the official is properly positioned to make the call. Remember: You own the call. • You may be asked to explain your judgment so the RSO/TA can understand your position in what you saw. This is important when a coach/school complains about a call or how your evaluation is prepared. • The camera doesn’t have your angle. • Your decision is made within seconds and you don’t have the luxury of slow motion or replay. • Honesty with yourself is important. If your judgment was wrong on a particular play, analyze it, learn from it and move on. That’s all that can be asked of you. Mistakes are made, your job is to reduce the number of them. • Judgment can’t be taught, but proper mechanics can be.

14. Questions? “AN OFFICIAL MUST BE BIG ENOUGH TO ADMIT HIS MISTAKES, SMART ENOUGH TO PROFIT FROM THEM AND STRONG ENOUGH TO CORRECT THEM.”