AHSAA Football Mechanics Basic Mechanics, Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 7 2011 Football Season

1. AHSAA Football Mechanics Basic Mechanics, Keys and Responsibilities for a Crew of 7 2011 Football Season

2. Why use seven officials? • Why not just adopt the college 7-man mechanics? The speed of the game is different and AHSAA wanted consistency between AHSAA 5-man and 7-man mechanics. • A crew of 7 will provide more consistent, area coverage resulting in: • Better detection and enforcement of rules which are designed to protect safety of players • Better detection of rules infractions which would otherwise give one team an unfair advantage • Better side line control • Preventive officiating is improved • Dead ball and back side officiating is improved Alabama High School Athletic Association

3. 15 to 20 yards L SJ 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 5 yards 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

4. Pre-snap (Initial) Keys • Referee – All backs and far side tackle • Umpire – Guard/center/guard and tackle on referee side • Linesman/Line Judge – The third eligible receiver in on strength side of the field; otherwise second in. • Side Judge/Field Judge – The widest eligible receiver on your side. • Back Judge – Second eligible receiver in from the strength side of the field. If no strength of formation, key second eligible receiver on the Line Judge’s side. Takes man in motion all the way. Alabama High School Athletic Association

5. Responsibilities during the Down • Referee – Observe actions and illegal acts by or against QB and far side tackle • Umpire – Concentrate on the “point of attack”, line actions • Linesman/Line Judge – Officiate actions of players approaching and/or in your zone • Side Judge/Field Judge – Officiate actions of players approaching and/or in your zone • Back Judge – Officiate actions of players in the center, deep zone Alabama High School Athletic Association

6. Note: Referee positions same as in a Crew of 5.

8. Communications • Special situations • Snap inside the 5-yard line • Sideline pass reception – possession and feet • End line pass reception – possession and feet • Close goal line plays Alabama High School Athletic Association

9. Basic Positions For Snaps Between the 20 Yard Line and the 5 Yard LineCrew of 7 SJ L 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 U BJ R 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 LJ FJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

10. Basic Positions For Snaps Inside the 5 Yard LineCrew of 7 SJ L 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 U BJ R 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 LJ FJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

11. Positions During KickoffsCrew of 7 SJ L 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 R U 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 BJ FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

12. Positions During Obvious Short KickoffsCrew of 7 L SJ 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 U R 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 BJ FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

13. Basic Positions For PuntsCrew of 7 L SJ 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 R U BJ 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 FJ LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

14. Basic Positions For Kick Trys and Field GoalsCrew of 7 L 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 SJ BJ FJ U R 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 LJ Press Box Alabama High School Athletic Association

15. Free Kicks Following a Fair Catch or Awarded Fair CatchCrew of 7 SJ L 50 20 20 40 40 10 10 30 30 BJ U FJ 20 30 40 10 30 20 40 50 10 R LJ Press Box

16. Keys and Responsibilities • Seven officials, 22 players, one football and nonplayers on each sideline • Keys are intended to help determine officiating coverage requirements at the snap • Keys include: • Formations and players • Position of ball on the field • Down and distance • Score • Formation and player keys will be summarized herein by position Alabama High School Athletic Association

17. Priority of Player Keys The priority of keys to determine initial assignments for each group of officials is as follows: • Field judge and side judge • Back judge • Line judge and linesman The general rule is not to key the same player as the group of officials ahead of you priority-wise. Alabama High School Athletic Association

18. Officiate “Man-Zone-Man” • “MAN” - Before the snap, identify and read your key(s) and note initial actions on and by key(s) • “ZONE” - After the snap, officiate player action in your zone • “MAN” - When direction of ball has been established (pass or run), officiate at and around the ball if in your zone; otherwise, back side officiating. When the ball is dead, continue to officiate your zone (dead ball officiating) Alabama High School Athletic Association

19. L SJ Single Slot 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

20. L SJ Trips 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 BJ U X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

21. L SJ SJ Double Slot 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 BJ U X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

22. L SJ Double Slot, Tight End 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

23. L SJ Double Slot, Double Tight End 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

24. L SJ Man in Motion 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box

25. L SJ Communication 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 U BJ X X R 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 LJ FJ Alabama High School Athletic Association Press Box