flag football officials’ mechanics & responsibilities 2015

Flag FootballOfficials’ Mechanics

& Responsibilities2015

ProfessionalismProfessionalism• 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

PregameMeet 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”

PregameLegally Equipped Card West Coast Officials Association Compliance Record

Visitor: Plant Home: RobinsonDate: 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 CoachJosh Saunders

Visitors Head Coach

Donald Puckett

West Coast Officials Association Roster of Football Officials

Visitor: Plant Home: Robinson Date: April 15, 2015 Referee: Mark Comer Line Judge: DJ Doss Back Judge: Brian Davis

Roster Of Officials• Given to each of the head coaches

Pregame

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Coin Toss Mechanics

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Coin Toss

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Basics of Play

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14 14 Yard LineYard Line

OffensiveOffensiveLine OfLine Of

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DefensiveDefensiveLine OfLine Of

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Always1 YardApart

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Down BoxAlways On The

Line To Gain

Run/Pass Play Responsibilities

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Starting Positions

Be On TheLine Of ScrimmageOff The VISITOR’S

Sideline

Start 17 Yards From The

Line Of ScrimmageAnd

5 Yards From The HOME

Sideline

Start 7 Yards Behind

And7 Yards Outside

The Deepest BackAt A 45° Angle

To TheLine Of ScrimmageToward The HOME

Sideline

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Back up 2 yards out-of-bounds

ALL OFFICIALS STAY WIDE !!

LJ

BJ

Before the Ball is SnappedReferee1) Set the ball spotters2) Announce the down (signal “double stakes” if appropriate)3) On 4th down, announce offense’s choice of “punting” or “going for it”4) On PAT’s, announce the offense’s choice of a 1, 2 or 3 point conversion5) Back pedal to your position, be at a 45° angle to the line of scrimmage6) Give the ready for play, warn hurry up offenses to wait for your whistle7) Start the 25 second clock, warn the QB at 10 seconds and at 5 seconds

begin an audible count down8) Count the offense (confirm with the LJ)9) Preventive officiating

Line Judge1) Confirm the spot2) Announce the down and confirm the down box is correct (signal “double

stakes” if appropriate)3) Remind the team / coaches to stay 2 yards back from the sideline4) 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)5) Count the offense (confirm with the R)6) Watch the players in motion7) Watch for false starts and encroachments8) Preventive officiating

Before the Ball is Snapped

Back Judge1) Assist with the down (signal “double stakes” if appropriate)2) Count the defense3) Keep the game clock4) Under 2 minutes in each half, announce the time remaining after EVERY

play and at time outs5) Remind the team / coaches to stay 2 yards back from the sideline6) Preventive officiating

Before the Ball is Snapped

Referee1) Watch that the ball doesn’t hit the ground on the snap2) Watch the blocking3) Move with runner while still maintaining a 45° angle to the line of scrimmage 4) Watch forward vs. backward pass (use appropriate signals)5) 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 ruling6) Watch for roughing the QB7) Get ALL spots BEHIND the line of scrimmage8) Get the spot on short runs and passes to the HOME sideline

After the Ball is Snapped

Line Judge1) Watch initial contact on line then move 3-5 yards downfield.2) Watch for illegal contact by receivers (picks) or by the defense (chucks).3) If a player steps out of bounds and re-enters the field of play, throw your hat

and remember the number of the player.5) Plays to the VISITOR’S sideline, trial play down the sideline and get the spot6) Plays to the HOME sideline, get off the sideline to “clean up” play.7) Watch for backward passes vs. illegal forward passes.8) SIDELINE ONLY: Give the “catch” signal or “bobbled out of bounds.” 9) Trial the play slightly and square in to get spots in the field of play.10) Communicate with referee whether the clock starts on the whistle or snap.


Back Judge1) Keep the play in front of you at ALL times.2) Watch for illegal contact by receivers and defenders.3) If a player steps out of bounds and re-enters the field of play, throw your hat

and remember the number of the player.4) On plays to the HOME sideline, get the out of bounds spot.5) On long plays and passes, be at the goal line BEFORE the ball gets there.6) 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.” 8) After the play is over, keep the players in your view to police their actions

and then help out the other officials as needed.

9) Communicate with referee whether the clock starts on the whistle or snap.


Goal Line and Try PlaysLine 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 ResponsibilitiesReferee1) Announce “Offense elects to… kick or play.”2) Watch for the snap hitting the ground.3) Watch to see if the punt goes out of bounds in the air.4) After punt, move towards the line of scrimmage to observe blocking.

Line Judge1) Hold position on the line of scrimmage until the punt crosses the line.2) Move downfield and watch for illegal blocking.

Back Judge1) Watch for muffs and kick catch interference.2) Bean bag the end of the kick (PSK enforcement spot) (Momentum).3) Watch for illegal blocking.

Run / Pass Play Responsibilities

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Plays In The Middle

Trail The Play Then Square In

And Get The Spot

Keep The PlayIn Front Of YouThen Come In And Help Out

Trail The PlayWatch Blocks

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Plays To Visitor’s Sideline

Watch For RoughingThe Passer

Get In PositionTo Trail The Play

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Get The Spot

Come BackTo Help

With SpotOut of Bounds Plays

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Trail The PlayWatch Blocks

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Plays To Home Sideline

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Trail The PlayOn Long Runs

Get The SpotOn Long Plays

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Proper Positioning

Don’t GetDrawn Into Plays

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Proper Positioning

Keep PlayersIn Your View

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Get Out Of The Way AndUse Your Sideline


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Passing Plays

Keep Your Distance

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Drift DownfieldAbout 3 - 5 Yards

Back Up And

Keep The PlayIn Front Of You

Watch BlockingAnd

Roughing ThePasser

Pick Up The PlayAnd Officiate

Downfield

Cover TheGoal Line R

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Goal Line Responsibilities

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Approaching The Goal

Clean Up Play

Break To The Goal LineAnd Officiate Back If NeededLJ

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ResponsibleFor The Endline

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Approaching The Goal

Break To The Goal LineAnd Officiate Back If NeededLJ

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Come Back Off The Goal LineTo Get The Spot


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When The Ball Is Advanced Out Of The End Zone

Break To Officiate Downfield

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Move Back To The Goal LineTo Help Rule On A Safety


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Punt Play Responsibilities

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Punts

Hold Position Until The PuntCrosses The Line Of

ScrimmageLJ

Parallel To TheDeepest Receiver8 – 10 Yards Wide

Watch ForMuff Or

Kick Catch Interference

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Watch ForBackward Passes

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And For The Ball

Hitting The Ground

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1) Dead Ball – Safety2) Dead Ball – Touchback3) Live Ball – Run It Out

CaughtIn The

End Zone

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1) Dead Ball – Safety2) Dead Ball – Touchback3) Live Ball – Pick It Up And Run

Punt Play Scenarios

Punt Scenarios

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1) Dead Ball – 5 yard line2) Dead Ball – 12 yard line3) Live Ball – Pick It Up And Run

Punt Play Scenarios

Punt Scenarios

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1) Dead Ball – 5 yard line2) Dead Ball – 20 yard line3) Live Ball – Run

Bouncing BallRecovered

Cleanly

Punt Play Scenarios

Punt Scenarios

The SpotSpotting

• 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.

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Screen BlockingSource 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 BlockingKey Points• Under NO circumstance can you use your hands, elbows, arms or shoulders.

• Blocks become ILLEGAL when contact is made and an advantage gained:

• 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 GameDefensive 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 MovesSpinning• 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 MovesFlag 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

PassingDowning 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 OfficiatingBasis 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 EnforcementsUnusual 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.

OvertimeOvertime• 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.

SportsmanshipRules 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

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Florida High School Athletic AssociationUnsporting 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 OFUNSPORTING CONDUCT SUCH AS BENCH EMPTYING AND CONTESTS THAT DO NOT GO TO THEIR NORMAL CONCLUSIONSMUST 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: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 FlagGeneral 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

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