2006 California Football Officials Association

1. 2006 California Football Officials Association Kick Off Mechanics

2. All Officials The objective is to cover the play with a maximum of two sets of eyes on the ball at any given time with the remainder of the crew watching blocks ahead of and behind the ball. Treat every kickoff as a potential onside kick � be prepared. The direction of the ball when kicked will determine what you will be looking for and when and where to look for it. Knowing your partners� responsibilities is as important as knowing your own.

3. Referee Your initial position will be at the receivers goal line pylon on the press box side of the field. Insure that the sideline and coaches area are clear. See that the opening kick off and second half kick off start on time. Once you have counted the receivers and verified with the Head Linesman, verify with the Umpire that he is ready and mark the ball ready-for-play.

4. Referee Be prepared to rule on kicks on the sideline and goal line. Know when the ball is out of bounds in the field of play or a touchback. When in doubt it�s a touchback. The goal line is yours from your sideline to the far hash marks (2/3rd of the goal line). The Head Linesman will handle his sideline and the goal line to the nearest hash mark (1/3rd of the goal line). If the ball breaks the plane of the goal line it is dead. Sound your whistle and stop the play.

5. Referee You have your sideline from the goal line up to the 20 yard line. The Line Judge will assume responsibility from there. If the kick and subsequent return threatens your sideline, you will trail the play with an outside-in look. Kicks in your 2/3rd of the field (sideline to the far hash mark) that do not threaten your sideline, you need to position yourself behind the play at an angle with the inside-out look. The ball carrier and the action around him is your responsibility until he is released to the Line Judge (around the 20 yard line) and then the Line Judge will assume the runner and you assume all action around the runner and any late action.

6. Referee Kicks that enter between the farther side line and hash mark are the responsibility of the Head Linesman. Since your sideline is not threatened, move to the center of the field and trail the play with the inside-out look. Don�t be in a hurry to get the spot. Action around the runner is more important than the actual spot. BE A GREAT DEAD BALL OFFICIAL.

7. Umpire On all kick offs following a score, you should hustle up the sideline of the scoring team and obtain a football as you are entering the team box area. Move to the middle of the field and provide the kicker with the ball. Instruct the kicker that he is not to kick the ball until the Referee has blown the ball ready for play. Take position over the ball to prevent the kicker from kicking the ball before the ready for play signal has been given.

8. Umpire Count the kicking team and verify with the Back Judge and Line Judge that the kicking team has fielded 11 players. DO NOT LET THE PLAY START WITHOUT 11 PLAYERS. Verify with the Field Judge and Line Judge by acknowledging that they have raised their hand above their head indicating that they are ready. Raise your hand above your head while facing the Referee indicating the kicking team is ready.

9. Umpire After the Referee has blown the whistle ready-for-play, indicate to the kicker by pointing to the football that the whistle has been blown. You MUST know if the ball was kicked in the air or directly into the ground. The Back Judge will have secondary responsibility. Observe any action against the kicker after the ball is kicked. Move downfield trailing the kicking team and leave a 10 yard cushion.

10. Umpire You should be covering plays from sideline-to sideline as the play dictates. Insure that the play is dead and the players have cleared the area BEFORE looking for a ball. If there is a penalty that involves a re-kick, The Umpire gives the appropriate signal and enforces the required yardage.

11. Head Linesman Your initial position will be at the receiver�s goal line pylon on the side of the field opposite of the press box. Insure that the sideline and coaches area are clear. Once you have counted the receivers, signal to the Referee that you are ready by extending your hand over your head.

12. Head Linesman You will want to adjust your positioning depending on the length of the kick. Keep in mind that the goal line is your first priority Be prepared to rule on kicks at the sideline and goal line. Know when it�s OB in the field of play or a touchback. When in doubt it�s a touchback. The goal line is yours from your sideline to you hash mark (1/3rd of the field). The Referee has the other 2/3rd of the goal line. If the ball breaks the plane of the goal line, it is dead. Sound your whistle and stop the play.

13. Head Linesman When the kick is away from you (1/3rd of the field), come on to the field as the play dictates. Don�t stay on your sideline. Kicks into your 1/3rd of the field (your sideline to your hash marks) you have the ball carrier and the action around him. Stay on your sideline with the outside-in look.

14. Head Linesman The sideline is yours from the receiver�s end line to the kickers goal line with one exception. Short kicks that immediately threaten the sideline (ball kicked less than 20-yds) should be covered by the Back Judge in an effort to assist you. This mechanic should be reviewed with the Back Judge in the pre-game.

15. Head Linesman When the ball becomes dead and you have the spot, square up and do not close upon the spot. Hold your position closer to the sideline, watching for DEAD ball fouls. The Back Judge will signal Touchdown on a successful return.

16. Line Judge On the press box side of the field, position yourself on the receiver�s restraining line on the sideline or slightly out of bounds. Insure that the sideline and coaches area are clear. Do not leave your line until the ball is touched or has clearly crossed the plane.

17. Line Judge You have the sideline from about the 20 yd line of the receiver�s to the goal line of the kickers. The Referee has the sideline for the first 20 yards. See that the receivers line up correctly and have 11 players. Do not allow play to start with less than 11 players on the receiving team. Verify your count with the Referee. Have bean bag in hand.

18. Line Judge After the kick, know it�s general direction then move downfield slightly trailing the kicking team. Watch for fouls by either team, touching by either team, kickers out of bounds, ball going out of bounds, etc. Pick up the runner as he enters your area and switch from blocking to ball carrier.

19. Line Judge When the kick is away from you (far 1/3rd of the field), come onto the field as play dictates. Don�t stay on your sideline. When the ball becomes dead and you have the spot, square up and do not close on the spot. Hold your position closer to the sideline, watching for fouls. The Back Judge will signal touchdown on a successful return.

20. Back Judge Your position is on the kicker�s restraining line on the sideline opposite the press box. Stand on the sideline or slightly out of bounds. Insure that the sideline and coaches area are clear. Count the kicking team and verify with the Umpire. Do not let the play start with less than 11 kicking team players.

21. Back Judge Signify to the Umpire that you are ready by raising your arm with an open hand. You have secondary responsibilities for knowing if the ball is kicked into the air or directly into the ground.

22. Back Judge Your responsibilities will change depending on the location where the ball is kicked. a) On kicks that immediately threaten your sideline (ball kicked less than 20-yds), move down the sideline and observe action from the outside in, assisting the Head Linesman. Look for touching, blocking ahead of the runner and action around the dead ball spot. You may be in the best position to get the spot if the kick goes out of bounds. b) When the kick does not immediately threaten your sideline, angle onto the field towards the action to the hash mark slightly deeper than the Umpire. Observe action around the ball with the inside-out look. Move into the side-zone as necessary for clean up.

23. Back judge The kicker�s goal line is yours. Check with the Head Linesman and Line Judge on plays down the sideline before signaling touchdown. Watch the scoring player for unsportsmanlike/taunting fouls.

24. Referee and Head Linesman It is a penalty for a free kick out of bounds if untouched by B. Insure that all players are separated and teams have cleared the area before starting the penalty enforcement. See that all the penalty options are given to the receivers.

28. Head Linesman Your initial position will be at the receiver�s goal line pylon on the side of the field opposite the press box. Insure that the sideline and coaches area is clear.

35. Onside Attempt Referee Position yourself in the middle of the field, near receiver�s goal line. The goal line is yours. If the kick is short, you have clean up responsibilities.

36. Onside Attempt Umpire Normal position. You must know if the ball is kicked into the air or directly into the ground. Be aware of fouls against the kicker and touching (legal and illegal) by either team. Watch for illegal acts, late or unnecessary action.

37. Onside Attempt Head Linesman Move up to receiver�s restraining line opposite the Line Judge.

38. Onside Attempt Line Judge You are in normal position on the receiver�s restraining line.

39. Onside Attempt Back Judge You are in normal position. Absolutely NO ENCROACHMENT by the kicking team.

40. Onside Attempt All Officials Remember the status of the clock and legal touching = wind the clock rule. When possession is determined and play is dead, do not hesitate to stop the clock and indicate the direction of the recovering team. U/HL/LJ/BJ will have their bean bags in hand. Touching here is very critical therefore your bean bag placement needs to be correct.

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