Flag Football Officials’ Mechanics & Responsibilities 2015

Flag Football Officials’ Mechanics & Responsibilities 2015

Professionalism • Professionalism • Accept Or Decline Games Promptly From Arbiter • Check In With Your Referee At Least 48 Hours To Game Time • Be On-Time (You Assume Responsibilities 30 Min Prior To Game Time) • Have The Proper Uniform • Be Polite And Approachable • Know The Rules • Engage In Early And Frequent Preventive Officiating • Formally Address Players • “Ladies” • “#12 Please Tuck In Your Jersey” • Make No Sexually Inappropriate Comments

Uniform • Black hat with white piping • NO white hat • Striped Shirt • Patch for high school games • No patch for middle school • American flag with white border • Black shorts with belt loops • Long black pants if cold – crew • Playoffs = PANTS • Black belt • Black shoes • Black socks • Whistle • Yellow penalty flag • Blue bean bag • Game card • Pen or Pencil • Down indicator • Watch with a stopwatch on it • Ball spotters

Pregame • Meet With The Head Coaches (Referee) • Introduce yourself • Present the coach with a crew card • “Are all your players legally equipped?” (Have the coaches sign a card) • “Do you have any unusual plays?” • Obtain captain numbers and instruct the coach as to when you need them • “Do you have someone to run the down box?” (Home coach) • Review any rules or interpretations you wish to stress to the coach • “Do you have any questions for us?” • “Good luck coach, have a good game”

Pregame Legally Equipped Card WestCoastOfficialsAssociationComplianceRecord Visitor: Plant Home: Robinson Date: April 15, 2015 Referee: Mark Comer I, the undersigned, certify that each of our players is in compliance with Rules 1 through 11 of the current National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Flag Football Rules Book. Home Head Coach Josh Saunders Visitors Head Coach Donald Puckett

Pregame • Roster Of Officials • Given to each of the head coaches WestCoastOfficialsAssociation RosterofFootballOfficials Visitor: Plant Home: Robinson Date: April 15, 2015 Referee: Mark Comer LineJudge: DJ Doss BackJudge: Brian Davis

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Coin Toss Mechanics Press Box Coin Toss Team Box TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Score Board

1 Basics of Play 20 14 Yard Line Always 1 Yard Apart TAMPA BAY X Defensive Line Of Scrimmage Offensive Line Of Scrimmage Down Box Always On The Line To Gain 2 0 < G 20

BJ LJ R R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run/Pass Play Responsibilities Press Box Starting Positions Team Box Start 17 Yards From The Line Of Scrimmage And 5 Yards From The HOME Sideline ALL OFFICIALS STAY WIDE !! Start 7 Yards Behind And 7 Yards Outside The Deepest Back At A 45° Angle To The Line Of Scrimmage Toward The HOME Sideline TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Be On The Line Of Scrimmage Off The VISITOR’S Sideline Back up 2 yards out-of-bounds

Before the Ball is Snapped • Referee • Set the ball spotters • Announce the down (signal “double stakes” if appropriate) • On 4th down, announce offense’s choice of “punting” or “going for it” • On PAT’s, announce the offense’s choice of a 1, 2 or 3 point conversion • Back pedal to your position, beata45°angletothelineofscrimmage • Give the ready for play, warnhurryupoffensestowaitforyourwhistle • Start the 25 second clock, warn the QB at 10 seconds and at 5 seconds begin an audible count down • Count the offense (confirm with the LJ) • Preventive officiating

Before the Ball is Snapped • Line Judge • Confirm the spot • Announce the down and confirm the down box is correct (signal “double stakes” if appropriate) • Remind the team / coaches to stay 2 yards back from the sideline • Raise your arm, when there are 4 or more on the offensive line drop your arm and announce “line is good” (do NOT interfere with snap counts though) • Count the offense (confirm with the R) • Watch the players in motion • Watch for false starts and encroachments • Preventive officiating

Before the Ball is Snapped • Back Judge • Assist with the down (signal “double stakes” if appropriate) • Count the defense • Keep the game clock • Under 2 minutes in each half, announce the time remaining after EVERY play and at time outs • Remind the team / coaches to stay 2 yards back from the sideline • Preventive officiating

After the Ball is Snapped • Referee • Watch that the ball doesn’t hit the ground on the snap • Watch the blocking • Move with runner while still maintaining a 45° angle to the line of scrimmage • Watch forward vs. backward pass (use appropriate signals) • Watch for illegal forward passes • Beyond the offensive line of scrimmage (feet of the passer) • If a pass is thrown near the orange spotter, hustle to that spot in order to make a ruling • Watch for roughing the QB • Get ALL spots BEHIND the line of scrimmage • Get the spot on short runs and passes to the HOME sideline

After the Ball is Snapped • Line Judge • Watch initial contact on line then move 3-5 yards downfield. • Watch for illegal contact by receivers (picks) or by the defense (chucks). • If a player steps out of bounds and re-enters the field of play, throw your hat and remember the number of the player. • Plays to the VISITOR’S sideline, trial play down the sideline and get the spot • Plays to the HOME sideline, get off the sideline to “clean up” play. • Watch for backward passes vs. illegal forward passes. • SIDELINE ONLY: Give the “catch” signal or “bobbled out of bounds.” • Trial the play slightly and square in to get spots in the field of play. • Communicate with referee whether the clock starts on the whistle or snap.

After the Ball is Snapped • Back Judge • Keep the play in front of you at ALL times. • Watch for illegal contact by receivers and defenders. • If a player steps out of bounds and re-enters the field of play, throw your hat and remember the number of the player. • On plays to the HOME sideline, get the out of bounds spot. • On long plays and passes, be at the goal line BEFORE the ball gets there. • Be at the end line to rule on inbounds vs. out of bounds. • 7) SIDELINE ONLY: Give the “catch” signal or “bobbled out of bounds.” • After the play is over, keep the players in your view to police their actions and then help out the other officials as needed. • Communicate with referee whether the clock starts on the whistle or snap.

Goal Line and Try Plays • Line Judge • ENTIRE goal line is your responsibility. • Back Judge • End line is your responsibility. • Referee • If the play is to the HOME sideline and player steps out of bounds, sell the call. If player remains inbounds it is the LJ’s call. • All Officials • After a score, the closest official shall deflag the scoring player to assure that the flag belt has not be tampered with.

Punt Responsibilities • Referee • Announce “Offense elects to… kick or play.” • Watch for the snap hitting the ground. • Watch to see if the punt goes out of bounds in the air. • After punt, move towards the line of scrimmage to observe blocking. • Line Judge • Hold position on the line of scrimmage until the punt crosses the line. • Move downfield and watch for illegal blocking. • Back Judge • Watch for muffs and kick catch interference. • Bean bag the end of the kick (PSK enforcement spot) (Momentum). • Watch for illegal blocking.

LJ BJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Press Box Plays In The Middle Team Box Keep The Play In Front Of You Then Come In And Help Out TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Trail The Play Watch Blocks Trail The Play Then Square In And Get The Spot

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Plays To Visitor’s Sideline Press Box Team Box Watch For Roughing The Passer Come Back To Help With Spot Out of Bounds Plays TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Trail The Play Watch Blocks Get In Position To Trail The Play Get The Spot

LJ BJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Plays To Home Sideline Press Box Team Box Trail The Play On Long Runs Get The Spot On Long Plays TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Press Box Proper Positioning Team Box TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X X Don’t Get Drawn Into Plays

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Press Box Proper Positioning Team Box TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Keep Players In Your View Get Out Of The Way And Use Your Sideline

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 3 Run / Pass Play Responsibilities Press Box Passing Plays Team Box Watch Blocking And Roughing The Passer Keep Your Distance Cover The Goal Line Back Up And Keep The Play In Front Of You TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Pick Up The Play And Officiate Downfield Drift Downfield About 3 - 5 Yards

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Goal Line Responsibilities Press Box Approaching The Goal Team Box Responsible For The Endline TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Clean Up Play Break To The Goal Line And Officiate Back If Needed

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Goal Line Responsibilities Press Box Approaching The Goal Team Box Responsible For The Endline TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Come Back Off The Goal Line To Get The Spot Break To The Goal Line And Officiate Back If Needed

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 1 Goal Line Responsibilities Exiting The End Zone “Reverse Goal Line” Press Box Team Box Responsible For The Endline TAMPA BAY X X When The Ball Is Advanced Out Of The End Zone Break To Officiate Downfield Move Back To The Goal Line To Help Rule On A Safety

BJ LJ R G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 4 Punt Play Responsibilities Press Box Punts Team Box Parallel To The Deepest Receiver 8 – 10 Yards Wide Watch For Muff Or Kick Catch Interference Watch For Movement And For The Ball Hitting The Ground TAMPA BAY TAMPA BAY X X Watch For Backward Passes Hold Position Until The Punt Crosses The Line Of Scrimmage

BJ G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 4 Punt Play Scenarios Press Box Punt Scenarios Team Box 1) Dead Ball – Safety 2) Dead Ball – Touchback 3) Live Ball – Run It Out TAMPA BAY X X Caught In The End Zone

BJ G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 4 Punt Play Scenarios Press Box Punt Scenarios Team Box 1) Dead Ball – Safety 2) Dead Ball – Touchback 3) Live Ball – Pick It Up And Run TAMPA BAY X X Muff

BJ G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 4 Punt Play Scenarios Press Box Punt Scenarios Team Box 1) Dead Ball – 5 yard line 2) Dead Ball – 12 yard line 3) Live Ball – Pick It Up And Run TAMPA BAY X X Muff

BJ G 2 0 4 0 2 0 < < G 4 Punt Play Scenarios Press Box Punt Scenarios Team Box 1) Dead Ball – 5 yard line 2) Dead Ball – 20 yard line 3) Live Ball – Run TAMPA BAY X X Bouncing Ball Recovered Cleanly

The Spot • Spotting • Since is it illegal to bat the ball out of a player’s hand, most players • will extend the ball forward to gain extra yardage. • When the flag belt is removed, the spot becomes where the BALL is • and NOT where the player is. 2 0 < TAMPA

Screen Blocking • Source Of Inconsistency • Moving screen blocking is completely legal. • If contact is made that creates an advantage, then that is when the screen block becomes illegal. • The philosophy that is used is borrowed from basketball rules. • Blockers must keep hands/arms in front or behind them. • Blockers cannot stick out leg/knee and create contact. • Blockers cannot move into rusher that is already beyond him/her. • NOT like tackle football.

Screen Blocking • Key Points • Under NO circumstance can you use your hands, elbows, arms or shoulders. • Blocks become ILLEGAL when contact is made and an advantagegained: • Using your hands or arms to push, hold, or hit someone • Swinging arms that make contact or impede a rusher • Using your body to lean into a player and push them out of the way • Bulldozing a player in a legal position • Tripping and leg whips • Taking a position so close to a moving opponent that they can not avoid contact by stopping or changing direction • Leaving one’s feet to initiate a block

Basics Of The Game • Defensive Holding • An opponent shall not hold, grasp or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when attempting to remove a flag belt or make a legal tag. • 10 yard penalty from the end of the run.

Football Moves • Spinning • Completely LEGAL • Diving/Jumping • LEGAL • Becomes a penalty if: • the defender trips or tackles the runner in the attempt to dive for the flag. • the runner dives/jumps into a defender. • a blocker dives/jumps into a defender to throw a block. • Stripping The Ball Or Attempting To Strip The Ball • ALWAYS ILLEGAL, defenders must go for the flag belt. • Stiff Arm • ALWAYS ILLEGAL

Football Moves • Flag Guarding • Placing or swinging the hands, arms, or ball over the flag belt • Slapping a defender’s hand away from the flag belt • Placing the ball over the flag belt • If the ball is knocked out of the runner’s hand when the ball is being used for flag guarding it is not a foul on the defense. • Lowering the shoulder and arm to take away a defender’s angle on the flag

Passing • Downing The Passer • If the ball is in the quarterback’s hand when the flag belt is pulled, the quarterback is sacked. This is true even if the arm is going forward. • If in doubt, the pass is away. • Roughing The Passer • No defensive player shall contact a passer who is standing still or fading back after the ball is thrown. • Charging into the passer. • Slapping or chopping the passer’s hand or arm. • Roughing the passer does NOT apply to an illegal forward pass.

Preventive Officiating • Basis Of Preventive Officiating • Reduces the number of flags and keeps the game flowing. • Give warnings when possible, however, some fouls are AUTOMATIC: • Unsportsmanlike conduct • Safety issues and blatant fouls • False Starts, Encroachment, 8 on the field, etc. • Warn once early in the game, if warnings are ignored – then flag. • Examples of preventive officiating: • Tuck in your jerseys • Need 4 on the line • Watch your hands on the blocking • Back up defense, you’re in the neutral zone (line judge) • Don’t cross the line until the ball is kicked (referee and line judge on punts) • Get your flag belt • Offense get your ball

Special Enforcements • Unusual Aspects To Penalties • Any foul by the defense (including unsportsmanlike and non-player fouls) during a play that results in a touchdown for the offense can either be enforced: • on the Try • from the 14 yard line at the start of the succeeding drive • A foul by either team after the touchdown and before the ready for play of the try can either be enforced: • on the Try • from the 14 yard line at the start of the succeeding drive • Two or more encroachment penalties by the defense during the same dead • ball interval results in the second and all future encroachments in that dead • ball period changing from a 5 yard penalty to a 10 yard penalty

Special Enforcements • Unusual Aspects To Penalties • Ejected players may remain on the bench, but if they are a continued source of disruption then they are to leave the field (out of sight and sound). • 4 Unsportsmanlike penalties total by any team during the game results in an automatic forfeiture of the game. • Loss of down is NOT enforced, if AFTER the penalty is assessed a team has still achieved the line to gain resulting in a 1st down. • There are NO 15 yard penalties.

Overtime • Overtime • Officials bring ALL the players and coaches to the center of the field and explain the overtime procedure. Questions are answered prior to the coin toss. All but the captains then return to the sideline. • Visiting team calls the coin toss. • At the coin toss for the first overtime the captains have 2 options, for a second or more overtime period the choice will alternate and there is only 1 option: • Offense or Defense (Only option for second to∞overtimes) • End of the field to use (All overtime periods will use the same end) • A series begins 1st and Goal from the 10 yard line unless moved by penalty. • Each team is given 1 time out for the ENTIRE overtime regardless of how many overtime periods there are. • If the defense possess the ball, it is DEAD immediately and the series ends.

Sportsmanship • Rules Of Sportsmanship • Apply to all players, non-players, coaches and spectators. • The field is an extension of the classroom, behavior on the field should model the same behavior that is acceptable or unacceptable in a classroom. • FHSAA Modifications To Sportsmanship Rules • The FHSAA doesn’t expect “good” sportsmanship, they expect “exemplary” sportsmanship. • Taunting is a point of emphasis as a totally unacceptable behavior. • No Profanity Rule

Florida High School Athletic Association Unsporting Conduct Incident Report Form This form must be faxed within 24 hours of an incident to the FHSAA Associate Executive Director for Athletic Administration. SERIOUS ACTS OF UNSPORTING CONDUCT SUCH AS BENCH EMPTYING AND CONTESTS THAT DO NOT GO TO THEIR NORMAL CONCLUSIONS MUST BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING (352) 372-9551 EXT. 300 AND FAXING THIS REPORT TO (352) 372-9086. Home Team: ______________________________________________ Visiting Team: _________________________________________________ Date of Contest: ____________________________________________ Date of Report: _________________________________________________ Sport: _________________________________________ Gender: ( ___ Girls) ( ___ Boys) Level: ( ___ Varsity) ( ___ Jr. Varsity) ( ___ Jr. High) INSTRUCTIONS: Explain briefly unsporting conduct. Accurately quote vulgar language or profanity used. If an explanation exceeds the space provided, use a separate sheet of paper. Provide first & last name and number of offending athlete(s). Provide first & last name of offending coach(es). SECTION I – ATHLETE/COACH MISCONDUCT REPORT Name of Person Disqualified: ___________________________________________________________ ( ___ Athlete/Number: ______ ) ( ___Coach) School: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reason for Disqualification: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Unsportsmanlike Conduct • FHSAA • Report form must be completed and faxed within 24 HOURS • Serious acts (bench clearing brawl, etc.) must be reported IMMEDIATELY • Hillsborough County Schools • Lanness Robinson – Athletic Director Fax (813) 273 - 7310 • Cell (813) 240 - 0834

Middle School Flag • General Points • NO PATCH on your shirt • A bit of organized chaos at times • No pockets in pants period! No taping them shut, etc. If you have pockets, you can not play. • Buses are frequently late, work with the schools to get the game in • This is the “low budget” version of NIRSA • No down box • No visible clock or score board • No lines on the field, just cones approximately every 20 yards • At the 6 minute mark into each half, make an announcement. The teams switch lower classmen and upper classmen at that point. • Use common sense in the timing of this announcement • Yes, there is overtime. There is a middle school playoff at the end of the season.

Flag Football Officials’ Mechanics & Responsibilities 2015