The Basics of Five-The Basics of Five-Person MechanicsPerson Mechanics

Jason S. CappsJason S. CappsPacific Northwest Football Officials AssociationPacific Northwest Football Officials Association

When the Offensive Team Assumes Their Formation:

• Check for eligible receivers in your “area”– Numbered 1 – 49 or 80 – 99– Are either on the end of the line OR legally behind the

line AT THE TIME OF THE SNAP.

• Find Keys – Intended to help determine coverage at the initial snap.

• After every play, be able to answer, “What did my key do on that play?”

Important Definitions

• Strength of Formation: determined by number of eligible receivers outside tackle.

• Tight End: Man on end of line no more than 4 yards from nearest lineman.

• Back in Backfield: Player in backfield between the tackles at snap.

• Trips: Three or more receivers outside tackle.

FIVE MAN MECHANICS – Back Judge

• BACK JUDGE HAS FIRST KEY– BASED ON STRENGTH AND NUMBER OF

RECEIVERS– USUALLY THE END ON THE STRONG SIDE.– TRIPS: IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO OUTSIDE

RECEIVERS– BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH

TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE

FIVE MAN MECHANICS- Linesman & Line Judge

• LINESMAN AND LINE JUDGE HAVE SECOND KEY– DO NOT KEY OFF THE SAME PLAYER AS BACK

JUDGE– STRONG SIDE - KEY STRONG SIDE BACK– WEAK SIDE - KEY OFF RECEIVER(S) TO YOUR

SIDE– TRIPS: INSIDE ELIGIBLE RECEIVER– BALANCED FORMATION - DECLARE STRENGTH

TO LINE JUDGE’S SIDE

EXAMPLES OF KEYSIN FORMATIONS

BALANCED FORMATION

LJ

L

B

R

U

STRENGTH TO L’s SIDE

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ’s SIDE

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ’s SIDE

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ’s SIDE

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ (MOTION)

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ- CHANGES TO L AFTER MOTION

LJ

L

BR

U

STRENGTH TO LJ’S SIDE -STACK

LJ

L

B

R

U

ON PASSING PLAYS- MOVE INTO ZONE COVERAGE

BR

U

LJ

L

Positioning for On-Side KicksPositioning for On-Side Kicks

B

L

LJ

U

R

KICK-OFF (SHORT KICK) FORMATION

U

R

B

Goal Line MechanicsGoal Line Mechanics

• Initial position is on end line . Move as the play dictates. • Be alert. Be ready to rule on loose ball plays and on

recovery in the end zone. • Protect the end line. End line responsibility on all plays.

Be able to determine whether a catch of pass was made in or outside of end line. Watch for eligible receivers going over the end line before they catch or touch a pass.

• On pass plays to sideline, assist side official in determining a catch, incompletion, fumble or player foul.

Back Judge

• Stay out of bounds on sideline.  Close in towards play only after you are positive the play has gone into line or away from you.

• When ball is dead on your side, mark forward point. • Do not give a signal (visual or verbal) until you are positive you see

a touchdown -SEE THE BALL CROSS THE GOAL LINE PLANE.

• Be prepared to assist the Back Judge on all plays, especially passes into the end zone.

• Have goal line responsibility on all plays. • Snap inside the “5”- Move towards goal line as soon as the ball is

snapped and “work back.”

Linesman and Line

Judge

• ONLY the official who sees and rules the touchdown should signal touchdown.

• Do NOT mirror the touchdown signal of other officials!

All Officials