umpire mechanics. concentration – consistency – common sense umpire mechanics pre-game after...
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Umpire Mechanics
Concentration – Consistency – Common SenseUmpire Mechanics
Pre-game
• After arriving at stadium, the R and U will review mutual mechanics and other items (penalty enforcement, hurry-up offense, OB sacks, etc.) that need coordinating during the game.
• The R and U will meet with coaches between 75 to 90 minutes before kickoff. The U will inspect player equipment and record the numbers of the players with illegal equipment.
• During the pre-game warm up, the U will watch the offensive and defensive lineman and monitor the legality of player equipment. The U will randomly check for any irregularities and will report any violations to the respective Head Coach or his designated team representative. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should a player be confronted about any missing/illegal equipment. The U has the FINAL ruling as to legality of equipment.
• Additionally, the U should meet with the special team coaches and record the interior lineman numbers for all scrimmage kick plays.
Coin TossUmpire Mechanics
• Wait on your respective sideline and do not go early to the center of the field and wait.
• Enter from your respective sideline prior to the team captains arrival.
• Stay close to the R and record the decision made by captain. As R is signaling receiving team, U should move and stand with kicking captain(s), to avoid congestion with R.
• After all officials have met at the center of the field to record the results of the coin toss etc. The U will move to his respective kicking team restraining line.
Free Kicks • Position is on team A’s restraining line opposite press box
• Watch for OFK from the kicker to your sideline. Foot down to be OFK
• Watch for illegal action on kicker
• Responsible for the kicking players 3, 4, and 5. They will take to you to POA.
• If ball is kicked to your side, move to a spot between the numbers and harsh no more than 15 to 20 yards downfield and observe the action mainly towards the center of the field and off-ball action.
• If ball is kicked to the opposite side, move to the hash no more than 15 to 20 yards downfield and cover the action in the middle of the field and off-ball.
• Observe action towards the center of the field
Coverage (Onside or Pooch):
• Team A’s restraining line is like a plane and if broken prior to the ball being kick, OFK must be called.
•• If the ball is kicked to your side, you are responsible for touching
by either team. When ball is legally touched, wind the clock
• If ball is kicked to the middle of the field, watch for first touching and blocking in the 10 yard zone.
• If the ball is kicked to the opposite side, you are responsible for blocking in the 10 yard zone.
Onside kicks
Scrimmage PlaysUmpire Mechanics
Run Plays:
• Initial position is should be away from the tight end, favoring the space between the snapper and the weak side tackle. ALWAYS keep a clear sightline to the ball as you have primary responsibility as to the legality of the snap. Avoid looking thru the legs of any defensive lineman. Depth is always determined by the position of the linebackers. Stay behind them and out of their lateral vision (avoid being a distraction). Generally 5 to 7 yards but no more than 8 yards is best depth (if possible), but you may find yourself at 7 to 10 yards due to the defensive formation. It is permissible to position yourself if front of the linebackers if they are in a "prevent" defense.
• Get into to your initial position prior to the offense arriving at the LOS. This will allow you time to adjust your position due to any "stunts" by the defensive team. Avoid being in motion when the ball is snapped.
• Always know the down and distance
• Count offensive players and signal to the R
Scrimmage Plays Umpire Mechanics
• U will key on the center and guards prior to the snap. Watch for FST, NZI and contact by the defense. Use the blocking of the guards as a key to the point of attack and shift your vision accordingly. Be alert for CHB, CLP and DH. Do not focus on the QB or chase the ball carrier.
• On sweep plays, slowly turn towards the flow while observing the action on the back side. Go no further back then the guard.
• On running plays that become dead near you, give the dead ball signal and move to the pile under control looking for UNR. Direct the un-piling and be active and let yours presents be known.
• As the play moves downfield, angle out ( banana) and maintain an inside-out triangle with the wing officials.
• If the ball is dead in the side zone or out of bounds, drop back to your hash and get a new ball from the deep official and relay it to the R for spotting.
Scrimmage PlaysUmpire Mechanics
• Take the forward progress spot from the official you are facing as you approach the dead ball spot. Avoid looking around as if you are choosing from whom to take forward progress spot. This makes the crew look indecisive.
• Match the forward progress foot of the spotting official with your own footwork and place the ball down on your "mirror" spot.
• If the ball has become dead in the side zone and you are the retrieving official bringing the ball into the hashmark, use the far side official as a benchmark as you are approaching the hashmark (he should have a "'mirror" progress spot). This will avoid you being "offline" and having the defensive team impeding your attempt to properly place the ball. You still use the initial side zone official for the proper forward progress spot.
• Be ready to rule on fumbles and use bean bag only when you see the ball come loose.
Scrimmage PlaysUmpire Mechanics
Pass Plays:
• When you read pass, quickly move to the LOS and maintain a proper distance to the pocket. Be ready to rule on tipped passes and give the tip signal when tipped. Watch for illegal touching by the interior lineman and be aware of lineman downfield (more than 3 yards). Also, U must know if the ball is caught behind or beyond the LOS screen passes.
• If the forward pass is thrown in any direction with a FLAT trajectory, U must rotate with the ball to assist in ruling complete or incomplete passes. If U rules the pass is incomplete, do not wait to see if anyone else is ruling, U will aggressively and emphatically rule incomplete. There is no need for the U to rotate on a "rainbow" type passes.
• When a pass is released, let the blockers know the ball is gone by verbally announcing "ball is gone". (Do this on scrimmage kicks also)
• When you "sense" the pass downfield is over, turn to get status from the covering official (ie; complete or incomplete signal) and verbally inform the R of this status when you hear the dead ball whistle.
Trips Receivers
• When the offense presents a trips receiver formation, the LJ no longer is responsible for his tackle. This causes a problem mechanically for coverage. If possible, the U will recognize the formation and assist with the LJ tackle
• After the snap, the U will clear his center and guards and leave any double team block and immediately progress to the LJ tackle watching for holding deep in the backfield.
• The R has to expand his vision and help with holding on the tackle.
Scrimmage PlaysUmpire Mechanics
QB Sack:
• Move quickly to the sack pile on the side opposite the R so you both have the players "boxed-in" and assist in preventing any unnecessary activity for game control purposes. Discuss this with R in your pre-game.
Wet Ball:
• After getting forward progress, simply mark the spot will your foot and face the offensive team with the ball under a towel. Do not put the ball down until the offensive team leaves its huddle and place the ball down with the laces up. Verbally announce to snapper it is OK to adjust ball. If the snapper requests different ball because it is wet, decline the request. You must change balls on every play except in a hurry up.
Scrimmage PlaysUmpire Mechanics
Goal Line:
• When the ball is snapped inside teams B’s five yard, the U will line up closer than normal and will be responsible for the LOS in determining if the passer was beyond the LOS
• On short plunges towards the goal line, do not look at the LOS official to see if they have forward progress or a TD. Aggressively attack the pile and start digging for the ball. If the LOS officials closes looking for help, yell loudly “I have the ball“, indicating you have the ball in the end zone. DO NOT SIGNAL TD. Let them make the ruling on TD. Do not bean bag fumbles if GL is threatened.
Hurry Up and No Huddle
• U will make a minor adjustment in his mechanics during a hurry up and no huddle offense. U must still control the pace of the game.
• U will step up his tempo and be more active by going out farther to get a ball that is between the hashmarks and numbers.
• U will allow teams to match up should there be substitutions and more importantly, make sure the LOS officials are set prior to backing off the ball.
• U will communicate with the center on every play making sure the center gives the U time to back out and get set.
• U will not be responsible for counting players on a hurry up.
Scrimmage KICKS Umpire Mechanics
• After placing the ball on the ground, remain over the ball and allow the receiving team time to match up with the kickers. Inform the snapper it is OK to adjust ball and then back out (DON'T turn your back to the ball) to a depth of 5 to 10 yards maintaining a sightline to the ball and remain in an upright position (not crouched) so you can see the status of ball after the snap.
• Count the kicking team and signal to the R. Know the ineligibles on every kick.
• Focus on the center and guards and watch for pull and shoots by the opponents. If the up-back is behind the guard, watch his action. The LOS officials will be responsible for their respective tackles and opponents.
• When the ball is kicked, allow the "first wave" of players to clear and watch for OH by the receiving team. Pivot moving slowly down field and observe the action in front of the runner.
• Bad snap U holds LOS.
Field Goal Attempts and PAT’sUmpire Mechanics
• Stay over the ball until the “R” release you and back out to a position (opposite the SJ) 5 yards favoring the weak side with clear vision of the center. Warn the nose man not to make first contact with the center. Count offensive players and signal to R
• Beware of “Disconcerting Signals and know the ineligibles.
• Watch the movement of the center’s head and focus on the defense for pull and shoots, leverage and leaping.
• After the ball is kick, tell players the ball is gone and stay with the pile of players until it has dispersed. SJ will help with the pile.
• Bad snap U holds LOS.
Umpire Mechanics
PENALTY ENFROCEMENTS:
• Make sure the ball is at the dead ball spot.
• When the foul is reported to the R, stay with him and listen to the options he gives to the captain.
• Before U marches off any distance penalty, he and R MUST agree as to the proper enforcement spot and distance.
• When a penalty is accepted, go to the enforcement spot and signal to the HL with your fingers the distance. After U has walked off the distances, he will make eye contact with the HL before placing the ball down at the new spot. If the HL and U agree, the U will place the ball at the new succeeding spot. If neither are satisfied with the resulting spot, wait until the LJ arrives and verifies.
• U should not leave the ball unattended after setting it down following penalty enforcement.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
• Player safety number one concern!
• What effect does it have on the play
• Judgment through good mechanics
• Engagement & Disengagement
• Game Tempo & Read Keys to Recognize Blocking Patterns & Techniques
THOUGHTS ON HOLDING• Holding can sometimes be best
determined by watching the disengagement.
• Grasping an opponents' shirt doesn't necessarily mean holding. When the shirt is stretched because a defensive player is trying to get away, it does.
• Did the hold restrict the movement. Take a step away.
• Was the defender still able to make penetration up field and participate in the play.
• Was the runner already past the point where the supposed hold took place?
• Takedowns are holding fouls even after a double team block.
Additional Thoughts on OH
• Takedowns at POA, in the open field and within the tackle box should be called.
• If there is a potential OH but the action is clearly away from the POA and has no effect on the play, OH should not be called.
• Holding can be called even if the QB is sacked by another play. It maybe the other half of an offset foul
MAKE THE CALL THE SAME IN EVERY QUARTER
Holding Categories
• Grab and Restrict
• Hook and Restrict
• Jerk and Restrict
• Takedown and Snatch down
• Tackles Defender
MAKE SURE THE RESTRICTION IS CLEAR AND VISIBLE
Principles for Successful Officiating
• Make sure the foul is there. Do not over officiate MAKE IT BE THERE!
• Always read the play, and then make the call. Let the play come to you. DO NOT seek out fouls
• If there is a question, always rule the pass incomplete.
• Help be responsible for timing.
• Always know and apply the appropriate officiating keys. Know your mechanics, positioning and coverage.
• Always be in position and decisive when making the call.
• Blow the whistle only when you know the play is dead football. See the football.
Principles for Successful Officiating
• Be precise in verbal communications on the field. Always be truthful.
• Be great dead ball officials.
• Officiate every game in control. Be calm and poised. Your body language should show confidence and ability.
Tips for Umpires
• Primary responsibility for conduct and action of players on scrimmage line.
• Help on trapped forward passes over your head.
• Take position not to interfere with defensive backs.
• Mark off distance penalties at Referee's instructions.
• Know and be sure of spot of enforcement.
• Always remember previous spot and succeeding spot for enforcement.
• Watch for late hits after dead ball.
• Do not allow taunting on scrimmage line. Stop it as soon as possible.
Tips for Umpires
• Slow and easy on declaring possession on fumbles. Don't be in a hurry to signal too quickly. Play can't start until you find the ball.
• After whistle, be alert for piling on and clipping. Let players know you are there. Don't anticipate fouls. They come by themselves.
• You are not graded by the number off fouls called. Just the ones that are correct, incorrect or missed.
• In the last two minutes of a half, communicate to the crew the fourth down fumble rule.
• Know the five interior linemen on punts.
Tips for Umpires
• Use proper triangle ball mechanic on balls dead in the side zone.
• Count offensive players on every down.
• Watch hands, arms, and legs of players on line.
• Watch for defensive players illegal hands to face.
• Go over with Referee what you do and look for behind line on punts.
• Be alert for blocked punts and where the ball goes behind or beyond scrimmage line and what can happen if ball is touched by defense.
Tips for Umpires
• Keep an eye on the kicker on kickoffs.
• Stay in your own area on time outs. Do not huddle with other officials, except on the two minute warning time out.
• When ball is snapped inside the 5 yard line, you are responsible for the QB throwing ball beyond the LOS
• On broken plays and screen passes, be alert for ineligible down field
REMEMBER ---THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE FOR AN UMPIRE IS TO STAY ON YOUR FEET AND GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY.
