Eastern Association Intercollegiate Football

Officials Keys & Coverage

Pre-snap Key

Pre-snap Keys

Motion

Area of Responsibility

FORMATION KEYSPreface and general information

The following presentation has been developed as a training document to focus on the fundamental process of identifying the formation keys for each officiating position.

It will illustrate pre-snap and post-snap keys, as well as define areas of responsibility, prior to, during, and after the play.

Plays pulled from actual game action are utilized to provide realistic visual scenarios.

Plays are grouped as follows- scrimmage downs, illustrating pass and run from various formations, punts and kickoffs, and PAT/field goals.

Color-coded arrows and shadowing, are used for ease of identification.

All plays are presented from the LJ’s side or end zone view.

H&L Initial Read

Threat for Foul

Pre-snap Key

Pre-snap Keys

Motion

Area of Responsibility

FORMATION KEYS (cont)Preface and general information

We will also identify areas where officials should be aware of, and alert for, the “threat of a foul”, and other “danger point” areas during and after the play.

Each official must be able to instantaneously identify all pre-snap keys as the offensive team is aligning, in addition to any other pre-snap responsibilities. Note that these keys may change based on shifts and/or motion.

At the snap, and immediately thereafter, officials should observe action on, and by, those keys. As the play evolves, keys may dissolve based on the type and direction of the play, with some officials now focused on the Point of Attack (POA), runner, or off the ball action.

The adjustments made by each official as the play proceeds are critical to the successful officiating of the play.

H&L Initial Read

Threat for Foul

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Strength to HL SideHL - BackLJ – BackBJ – #2 on HL sideF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

BJU

HL

FJ

R

Strength to LJHL - BackLJ – BackBJ –#2 on LJ SideF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

LJ

Strength to LJHL - #2 on HL SideLJ – BackBJ –#2 on LJ SideF&S – Widest Receiver

SJ

BJU

HL

FJ

R

LJ

Balanced FormationHL - #2 on HL SideLJ – BackBJ –#2 on LJ SideF&S – Widest Receiver

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

LJ

FJ

BJ

SJ

HL

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Strength to LJHL - #2 ReceiverLJ – BackBJ - #2 on LJ sideF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

BalanceHL - #2 ReceiverLJ – BackBJ - #2 on LJ sideF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

U

HL

FJ

R

LJ

Trips FormationHL - #2 on HL SideLJ – BackBJ –#3 on HL SideF&S – Widest Receiver

BJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Trips to LJHL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 ReceiverF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Trips to HLHL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 ReceiverF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

LJ

Trips with MotionKeys are determined by

player position at the snap.HL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 ReceiverF&S – Widest Receiver

MotionKeys are determined by

player position at the snap.HL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 ReceiverF&S – Widest Receiver

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Strength to HL with Stack

HL - BackLJ – Tight EndBJ - #2 on HL sideF&S – Widest Receiver

LJ

RB

T

G

G

T

WR

TE

QB

79

77

39

62

67

1

32

30

TB

WR

44

26

22

C

LJ FJ

SJ

R

U

BJ

HL

Bunch to LJLet the receivers declare and go to zone quickly.

F&S – Widest ReceiverHL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 Receiver

Passing keys are based on formations.

RB

T

G

G

T

WR TE

QB

79

77

39

62

67

1

32

30

TB

WR

44

26

22

C

LJ FJ

SJ

R

U

BJ

HL

Stack to LJLet the receivers declare and go to zone quickly.

F&S – Widest ReceiverHL - BackLJ – #2 ReceiverBJ - #3 Receiver

Passing keys are based on formations.

SJ

U

HL

FJ

R

PuntHL - BackLJ – BackBJ – Punt ReceiverF&S – Widest Gunner

LJ

SJ

U

HL

FJ

R

PuntHL - BackLJ – BackBJ – Punt ReceiverF&S – Widest Gunner

LJ

1

1

23

4

2

3

45 K

SJ

BJ

U

FJ

Free KickF&S – 2 & 3 BJ – 4 & 5U – 4 & K

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJR

Field GoalR – Kicker / HolderU – Center to TackleHL – End /Wing LJ – End /Wing S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.F – PostB – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Field GoalR – Kicker / HolderU – Center to TackleHL – End /Wing LJ – End /Wing S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.F – PostB – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle

LJ

SJ

BJ

U

HL

FJ

R

Field GoalR – Kicker / HolderU – Center to TackleHL – End /Wing LJ – End /Wing S – Guard / Tackle to strong side.F – PostB – Post, Crossbar, & Whistle

LJ

Slightly behind adjacent lineman for Pull and

shoot Potential leaper