The Pregame and Rule 1

SCFOA – 3 Man Crews

Arriving at the Game Site

• Section XI Game Assignments Include School/Field Location
• Simplified Maps to Schools and Fields are on Section XI Website

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• Prior to the Game Contact Other Officials to Agree on Pants/Shorts
• Officials Contact Information is Available on Section XI Private Website

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• Arrive at Field at Least 30 Minutes Prior to JH/JV Assignments

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• Locker Rooms are Typically Not Available Prior to Junior Assignments
• Arrive Dressed in Appropriate Pants/Shorts and Undershirt
• Finish Dressing at Your Car

Meet With Crew Members

• Meet with Crew Members in the Parking Lot
• Agree on Positions (Referee, Head Linesman, Line Judge)
• First Arrivals Have First Choice of Position
• EXCEPTION: Referee Development Program Members are Always Referee on Jr. Games
• Fill Out Game Card for Both Coaches
• Take Gear Appropriate For Your Position
• Referee: Coin for Coin Toss, Timer for Play Clock
• Head Linesman: Clip for Chains
• Line Judge: Watch/Wrist Clock for Game Clock, Extra Bean Bag for Kicks
• All Officials: Take “Pink Sheet” for Extra Period Sign-off for Jr High Games
• Quick Pregame
• Review Coverage on Punts
• Review Coverage on Kick Extra Point Tries
• Take the Field Together!
• Be Alert for Officials Parked in Other Parking Lots

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Official’s Game Card for Coaches

Day/Date

Visitor

vs.

Home

Referee

Head Linesman

Line Judge

Filled Out Official’s Game Card for Coaches

Day/Date

Visitor

vs.

Home

Referee

Head Linesman

Line Judge

Saturday, September 23, 2022

Brentwood Green

William Floyd

Marc Negrin

Ed Stedronsky

Joe Gaeta

Pregame Activities

• Meet With Coaches
• Instructions to Players
• Identify and Meet With Chain Crew
• Walk the Field
• Meet With Clock Operator
• Coin Toss

Pregame Meeting With Coaches

• Meet With Home Coach First if Possible
• All Officials Present
• Referee Leads Meeting
• Coaches Meeting Outline
• Ask Head Coach to Verify Players are Legally Equipped
• Player Using Obviously Illegal Equipment in Game is USC Against Head Coach
• Ask Head Coach if They Have Any Unusual Plays
• Advise Coach if Proposed Play Would be Illegal
• Ask Head Coach if They Have Seen Anything on Film Regarding Opponents
• Avoid Commenting on Previous Officials Rulings
• Ask Home Field Head Coach Length of Halftime (Typically 5 or 10 Minutes)
• Advise Visiting Coach of Halftime Length
• Ask Head Coach if 5 Periods Will Be Played for Jr. High Game
• Get Home Field Head Coach to Sign Pink Slip
• Remind Coaches to Stay Off the Field During Play, Keep Players Clear of Field

Pre-game Instructions to Players

• Meet With Each Teams Players Prior to Game
• Briefing May Be Done By Any Official, Typically Referee
• Brief Players on Sportsmanship Expectations
• NYS Provides Card With Sportsmanship Brief
• Try to Memorize Card, or a Reasonable Paraphrasing Rather Than Reading the Card
• Brief Players on “Tommy-Tough”
• Explain Illegal Helmet Contact and Blindside Block Rules
• Talk to Wideouts About Positioning (On the Line/In the Backfield)
• Explain Officials Mechanics for Signaling Receiver Position
• Talk to Kick Returners About Fair Catch Signals
• Demonstrate Proper Fair Catch Signal (Similar to Touchback Signal)
• Other Officials Should Observe All Players and Check For Illegal Equipment

Pregame Meeting With Chain Crew

• Head Linesman Should Identify Chain Crew
• Ask Home Field Head Coach to Provide Chain Crew in Lower Level Games
• Head Linesman and Line Judge Verify Line-To-Gain Equipment
• Down Indicator Properly Displays All Downs
• Line-to-Gain Rods Are Proper Distance Apart
• Head Linesman Briefs Chain Crew on Their Responsibilities
• Chain Crew is Part of Officiating Crew
• No Cheering or Coaching For Either Team
• Wait Until Referee Signals First Down to Move Chains
• Move Promptly to New Position When Signaled
• If a Flag is On the Field Hold Position of All Rods
• If Action in Play Comes Towards Sideline Drop Chains and Move
• Don’t Allow Players to Hit the Chains or Themselves
• Consider Moving Once Play is “Outside the Numbers”
• Line Judge Must Be Present for Crew Briefing
• Liability: Line Judge Would Be a Witness that Chain Crew was Properly Briefed

Walk the Field

• All Officials Should Walk the Field Prior to Game Start
• Condition of Field
• No Significant Issues Which Would Present a Hazard to Play
• No Large Pieces of Equipment Near the Field of Play Which Might Be Collided With
• Note and Issues With Field Markings
• Lines are Straight and In Proper Position
• Hash Marks Correct Distance?
• 9 Yard Marks or “Numbers” Present and Properly Placed
• Report Any Significant Issues to Section XI and Play the Game
• Yard Line Indicators
• Soft Yard Line Markers Typically Along Visitor Sideline
• Markers Should Be 5 Yards Outside the Sideline
• Pylons Properly Placed
• Corners of Endzone, at Intersection of End Line/Goal Line and Sidelines
• Entirely Out of Bounds
• Pylons at Hash Marks Along End Line Should be 3 Yards Behind End Line

Clock Operator Briefing

• Most Junior High Games Will Not Have Clock Operators
• Clock Operators are More Typically Used at JV Level
• Line Judge Has Responsibility for Game Clock in 3 Man Crew
• Keeps Game Clock in Absence of Field Clock/Clock Operator
• Keeps Backup Clock When Field Clock is Used
• Referee Meets With Clock Operator Prior to Game
• Ensure Clock Operator Can See Entire Field
• Any Official Can Stop the Clock, Referee Starts it
• Clock Mechanics for Kickoff (JV Only)
• Clock Starts When R Touches the Ball
• What Stops Clock in Normal Play
• Out of Bounds, Incomplete Pass, Score, Penalty
• First Down Clock Mechanics
• Signal for Clock on Snap vs Start the Clock

Coin Toss

• A Few Minutes Prior to Game Gather Captains for Coin Toss
• Signal to Teams to Send Captains if Not Already in Team Box
• Referee is Positioned at 45 Yard Line Facing Scoreboard
• Head Linesman Gathers Visitor Captains at Sideline, Line Judge Gathers Home Captains
• Position Captains in a Line Parallel to Sideline, Facing Opposite Sideline
• Speaking Captain Positioned Closest to Referee
• On Referee’s Signal March Captains Out to Referee
• HL and LJ Take Position Opposite of Referee

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Coin Toss Continued

• Referee Briefs Captains
• Have Captains Introduce Themselves to Each Other
• Brief Captains on Leadership Expectations
• Coin Toss
• Show Each Side of the Coin to Each Speaking Captain
• Ask Visiting Speaking Captain to Call the Coin Toss
• Repeat the Call, HL/LJ Echo the Call
• Toss the Coin, Show Results to Each Speaking Captain
• Ask Winner for His Choice
• Take the Ball, Choose Goal to Defend, Defer to Second Half
• If Captain Chooses to Defer, Immediately Signal Defer to Sideline
• Do Not Offer “Defend” as a Choice
• If “Defer” is Chosen, TELL Losing Captain, “You Want the Ball”
• Ask Kicking Team Which Goal They Wish To Defend
• Have Captains Rotate Positions to Put Their Backs to the Goal They Are Defending
• Signal Choice to Sideline/Pressbox
• Tap Winner Captain on Shoulder, Signal “Receive” or “Defer” then “Kick”
• Have Captains Shake Hands and Return to Sideline

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Game Rules of Note

• Teams Must Have 11 Players to Start the Game, But May Continue With Fewer
• The Officials Assume Authority For The Contest 30 Minutes Before Game Time, or When They Arrive at the Field if Later
• The Official’s Authority Extends Until the Referee Declares the Game Over
• The Officials are Authorized to Rule on Items Not Covered By the Rule Book
• Use of Any Sort of Replay or Video by the Officials in Making Decisions is Prohibited
• The Referee’s Decision to Forfeit a Game is Final
• Protest of NFHS Rules are Not Recognized
• All Rules Issues Must Be Resolved on the Field During the Game

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Field and Marking Rules of Note

• Lines on the Field are Painted 4 Inches Wide
• The Actual Line For Determining Out of Bounds or Touchdowns is the Inner Edge of the Sidelines/End Lines/Goal Lines
• Yard Lines (Every 5 Yards) Should End 4 Inches From Sidelines
• Allows Officials to Clearly See When a Player Steps on Sideline
• A Logo on the Field Should Not Obscure the Yard Lines
• A Restraining Line at Least 2 Yards From Sidelines and End Lines Should Be Present
• Spectators Should Be Kept Behind the Restraining Line
• All Field Lines and Markings are Fully Defined in Rule 1-2
• Errors in the Field Markings Should Be Noted and Reported to Section XI
• The Game Should Still Be Played

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Game Equipment

• The Ball
• Rule 1-3.1 Defines The Specifications for the Game Ball
• Jr. High Balls are Smaller than Varsity Balls and are Not Required to Have NFHS Logo
• Section XI May Mandate Use of a Particular Ball Model
• At JV and Varsity Levels Balls are Inspected and Approved Pre-Game
• The “Chains”
• Line-To-Gain Indictor and Two Rods Chained Together 10 Yards Apart
• Placed So That Far Indicator is at the Yard Line Required for Award of a New Series
• Down Indicator
• Placed on the Forward Tip of the Ball to Indicate the Spot of the Snap
• Topped With a Display Showing the Current Down
• Chains Should Be Operated at Least 2 Yards Outside the Sideline

Game Clocks

• If the Scoreboard Clock is to be Used, the Home Team Will Provide a Clock Operator
• If There is No Scoreboard Clock/Operator, the Line Judge Will Keep the Game Clock
• If the Clock Operator is Not Competent, the Officials May Need to Keep the Official Time on the Field
• Play Clock
• At The Current Time, No School Has Provided a Separate Play Clock and Play Clock Operator
• In 3-Man Crew, the Referee Keeps the Play Clock
• At the Current Time, Jr. High Will Use 25 Second Play Clock
• JV and Varsity Use 40 Second Play Clock, Back Judge Keeps Play Clock on 5 Man Crew

Mandatory Player Equipment – Helmet and Jersey

• Helmet and Face Mask
• Helmets Must Meet NOCSAE Standards
• Helmets Should Have Label Indicating NOCSAE Compliance
• Face Mask Should Be Secure to the Helmet
• Chin Strap Must Have 4 Attachment Points (Older Helmets Had 2)

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• Jerseys
• Rules 1.5.1.b/c Define Restrictions for Jerseys and Player Numbers
• Home Team is Required to Wear Dark Jerseys, Visitors White
• Most Jr. High Teams Do Not Have Multiple Jerseys
• Jersey Should Be Tucked Into Pants if Longer Than Waistline
• Tear-Away Jerseys and Knots Tied in Jerseys are Not Allowed

Mandatory Player Equipment – Pads

• Required Pads and Protective Equipment:
• Hip Pads and Tailbone Protectors
• Knee Pads
• Knee Pads are Mandatory and Must Be Under the Pants and Over the Knee
• Shoulder Pads and Attachments
• Thigh Guards
• Mouthpiece
• Mouthpieces May Be Any Color
• All Pads, Including Optional Ones, Should Be Covered By the Uniform
• All Pads, Including Optional Ones, Should Not Be Altered From Manufacturer’s Original Design

Mandatory Player Equipment – Pants and Shoes

• Pants Must Completely Cover the Knees, Thigh Guards and Knee Pads
• Shoes May Have Cleats or May be Cleatless
• Rule 1-5.1.f.1/2 Define Proper Cleats
• Examples of Illegal Shoes
• Gymnastic Slippers
• Ski Boots
• Logger Boots
• Shoes Altered to Reduce Protection

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Legal Auxiliary Equipment

• Forearm Pads – Must Be Taped to Arm on Each End
• Gloves – Must Meet NOCSAE or SFIA Standards
• Plain Cloth Gloves are Level
• Other Gloves Should Have Seal Indicating NOCSAE or SFIA Compliance
• Pads Worn on Hand Without Finger Sections are Legal
• Tapes/Bandages/Wraps on Hand or Arm
• Tape May Not Exceed 3 Wrappings
• Playcards
• Must Be Worn on the Wrist or Arm, Not at the Waist
• Sweatbands
• On The Wrist, Extending No More Than 3 Inches Towards the Elbow

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Casts and Braces

• Casts and Braces Worn on the Hand or Arm Must Be Padded with Closed-Cell Slow Recovery Foam at Least ½” Thick
• Knee and Ankle Braces Must Be Unaltered From Manufacturer’s Original Design
• Knee Braces May Not Be Worn Over Pants
• Unaltered Knee and Ankle Braces Do Not Require Additional Padding
• Shin Guards Must Meet NOCSAE Standards

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Other Illegal Equipment

• Slippery or Sticky Substance on Equipment, Towel, Uniform, Opponent or Exposed Body Part
• Stickum on Gloves Is Illegal
• Sweatbands Worn On the Upper Arm
• Ball Colored Equipment (Gloves, Towels, Patches)
• Eyeshade Other Than a Single Stripe Below Each Eye
• Eye Shield Attached to Helmet With Any Tint
• Any Jersey, Undershirt, Arm Covers Designed to Enhance Contact With Ball or Opponent
• Jewelry
• Religious Medals May Be Taped to the Player Under the Uniform
• Medical Alert Medals Must Be Taped to Player and May be Visible

Equipment Issues During Game

• If an Official Detects Illegal or Improperly Worn Equipment Prior To the Snap
• For Example, Player is Not Wearing Mouthpiece
• Blow Whistle and Stop Play to Correct Equipment
• If Equipment Cannot Be Promptly Repaired/Corrected, the Player Must Be Sent Off For a Down
• There is No Penalty For This Situation
• If an Official Finds a Player Wearing Blatantly Illegal Equipment
• Unpadded Cast, Stickum on Gloves
• This is an Unsportsmanlike Conduct Foul on the Head Coach as He Had Previously Verified that His Team Was Legally Equipped
• Rule 10.8.1.h

Coaches Equipment

• All Forms of Electronic Devices and Communication Equipment are Legal For the Coaches to Use on the Sidelines
• Coaches May Not Show Video to Players or Allow Players to Use Headsets or Other Communication Devices Inside the Numbers
• Outside the Numbers, Players May Be Shown Video or Use Headsets to Communicate With Other Coaches