Reading and Understanding Keys

Bux-Mont Chapter

PIAA Football Officials – District One

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• In recognizing the strength of the formation (strong vs. weak side), officials must pay attention to the offensive team.

• Strength has nothing to do with the number of offensive lineman on each side of the center or the wide side of the field (unless you are still playing the game).

• To determine the strength of the formation, take note which side of the formation has more eligible receivers outside the tackle.

• If players are stacked, the player nearest the LOS is considered to be the widest.

Determining Strength

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• The back judge has priority followed by the wing men.

•Wing officials should never key the same player as the back judge.

•Be alert for motion as this can change the strength and keys.

Determining Strength

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• Unbalanced•Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field.

•Wing official on the strong side keys on the inside player of the formation, normally a flanker or wing back.

•Wing official on the weak side will key on the end nearest his side, normally a wideout.

Formations

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• Balanced•Strength is always considered to be to the line judge side of the field.

•Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).

•The wing officials key on receivers other than the back judge’s key and any backs who move toward them at the snap.

Formations

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• Trips•The back judge keys on the two widest receivers.

•Strong side wing official keys on the inside-most receiver.

•Weak side wing official keys on the end nearest him.

Formations

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• Double Wing•Strength is always considered to be to the line judge side of the field.

•Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).

•Line judge keys on inside receiver.

•The linesman has both receivers on his side.

Formations

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• Wishbone•Strength is always considered to be to the line judge side of the field.

•Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).

•Line judge keys the backs.

•Linesman keys the end on his side.

Formations

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TE WR

WR

HL – Pro Set

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FBHB

Strength to HL Side

1

2 1

30

HB

FB

TEWR

FL

HL - I – Formation

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30

42

00

40

Strength to HL Side

2

1 1

30

FBHB

TE

WRTE

LJ – Pro Set

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04

0

Strength to LJ Side

11

2

30

HB

FB

TE WR

FL

LJ - I – Formation

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30

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40

Strength to LJ Side

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1

34

000 Strength to Head Linesman side

of the field

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TE WR

WR

HL LJ

R

BJ

U

Pro Set - Unbalanced

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FBHB

Strength to HL Side

30

HB

FB

TEWR

FL

HL LJ

R

BJ

I Formation - Unbalanced

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30

42

00

40

U

Strength to HL Side

30

FBHB

TE

WR

TEHL LJ

R

BJ

U

2 Tight Ends - Unbalanced

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04

0

Strength to HL Side

30

HB

FL

TEWR

FL

HL LJ

R

BJ

Trips

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30

42

00

40

Strength to HL Side

U

34

000 Strength to Line Judge side of

the field

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34

000

FL

WRWRHL LJ

R

BJ

U

Single Back - Balanced

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FL

HB

Balanced Formation,

Strength to LJ side

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TEWR

WR

HL LJ

R

BJ

U

Pro Set - Unbalanced

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Strength to LJ Side

FBHB

30

HB

FB

TE WR

FL

HL LJ

R

BJ

I Formation - Unbalanced

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30

42

00

40

U

Strength to LJ Side

30

FBHB

TE

WR

TEHL LJ

R

BJ

U

2 Tight Ends – Unbalanced

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04

0

Strength to LJ Side

30

HB

WB

TE

WB

TEHL LJ

R

Wing T - Balanced

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30

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40

U

BJ Balanced Formation,

Strength to LJ side

30

HB

FL

TE WR

FL

HL LJ

R

BJ

Trips

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30

42

00

40

U

Strength to LJ Side

30

HB

FL

TEWR

FL

HL LJ

R

BJ

One back - Balanced

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30

42

00

40

Balanced Formation,

Strength to LJ side

U

30

HB HBFB

HL LJ

R

Wish Bone - Balanced

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30

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40

U

TETE

BJBalanced

Formation, Strength to LJ

side

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TEWRHL LJ

R

BJ

U

Motion – Change of Strength

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Strength to LJ Side

FBHB

WR

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TEWR

WR

HL LJ

R

BJ

U

Motion – Change of Strength

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FBHB

BJ

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TEWR

WR

HL LJ

R

BJ

U

Motion – Change of Strength

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FBHB

Strength to HL Side