APPENDIX I

PRE-GAME CONFERENCE WITH CREW

The Referee will conduct the Pre-Game Conference.

However, in his absence the Linesman will assume this responsibility.

A. GENERAL:

  1. Review rule changes.
  2. Coordinate Watches with Back Judge. (Line Judge in four man crew)
  3. Review any special bulletins issued by LHSAA.

B. TOSS OF COIN:

  1. Actual three minutes before kickoff at mid-field.
  2. Keep all players going on field for toss, except for captains (4-maximum),from going beyond the hash mark.
  3. All officials meet at fifty and record result of coin toss.
  4. Break briskly to positions for kick-off. Outside officials check to insure that sidelines are clear.

C. KICKOFF:

  1. All officials give referee signal when ready.
  2. Discuss field and sideline coverage.
  3. Anticipate on side kick, bean bag.
  4. Starting clock.
  5. Coverage on long run.
  6. Fair catch - valid and invalid signals.
  7. First touching.
  8. Blocking below waist.

D. SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATION:

  1. Kicks:
    bulletTouched or untouched by K or R after crossing neutral zone.
    bulletKicks that do not cross neutral zone
  2. Long or short kicks out of bound, Officials responsibilities.
  3. First touching.
  4. Catch or recovery by R or K.
  5. Fair catch signal.
  6. Linesman responsibility if kick cross line.
  7. Opportunity to catch kick.
  8. Roughing the kicker.
  9. Muff or fumble.

E. RUNNING PLAYS:

  1. L and LJ to rule on forward point of ball. Stay parallel with runner.
  2. Caution on close measurements. Wing officials hold forward progress spot until ball is brought to you.
  3. L and LJ position outside of widest man on offense (five to seven yards). Watch for crack-back action.
  4. L and LJ check for seven men on offensive line (hand signals).
  5. L and LJ man in motion away from you.
  6. Referee, Umpire, and Back Judge clean up on plays in side zone and outside sidelines.
  7. False Starts - Umpire, Lineman, Line Judge - No player permitted in or beyond neutral zone.
  8. Clipping zone.
  9. Official nearest action, stop clock on first downs.
  10. SEE LEATHER BEFORE BLOWING WHISTLE.
  11. Illegal snap ball remains dead.

F. GOAL-LINE OR SHORT YARDAGE PLAYS:

  1. L and LJ forward progress (10 yard line) BJ must cover end line.
  2. When ball is coming out, L and LJ step back to goal line for forward progress.
  3. See leather.
  4. Signal score (Lineman and Line Judge responsibility).
  5. Referee never signal score from behind runner.
  6. Umpire never signal score from ahead of runner. (Can help on plays at feet.)

G. FORWARD PASS PLAYS:

  1. Linesman and Line Judge know eligible receivers.
  2. Umpire, ineligible lineman. Know if pass crosses neutral zone. (Wings can help.)
  3. Referee, eligible backs.
  4. Run-pass option coverage. Referee take passer to line of scrimmage. Know if pass is legally thrown.
  5. Referee covers passer.
  6. L and LJ responsible for quick quarterback pass (forward or backward).
  7. Back Judge all passes must be in front not behind him.
  8. Zone coverage.
  9. Screen passes.
  10. Discuss catch and forward progress.
  11. Momentum rule inside five yard line.
  12. Roughing Passer.
  13. Discuss eligible receiver going out of bounds.
  14. L and LJ has forward progress and sideline from end line to end line.

H. FIELD GOAL AND TRY FOR POINT:

  1. Field Goal - LJ and BJ responsible for ruling and signaling on all attempts.
    bullet(Four man crew: LJ takes cross bar; R responsible for ruling and signaling on all attempts inside fifteen yard line. Outside fifteen LJ has responsibility.)
  2. Referee responsible for action on kicker and holder.
    bullet(Four man crew - Linesman has responsibility.)
  3. Back Judge has whistle.
  4. Discuss fumble by holder.
  5. Unsuccessful kicks.
  6. Ball must go between not over uprights and over cross bar to be successful.

I. MEASUREMENTS:

  1. Always place ball parallel to sideline for measurement.
  2. LJ give spot for L.
  3. Umpire stretches chain.
  4. Referee makes decision.
  5. Linesman put clip on yardline nearest rear rod. (Have down marker put in place of head rod before measurement.)
  6. Back Judge sees that ball is not moved prior to measurement.

J. FOULS:

  1. Know status of ball when foul occurred.
  2. Referee give foul verbally to captain - Umpire to check - official calling foul stay by Referee to be sure he understands foul.
  3. Signal foul before explaining options - again after acceptance or declination.
  4. L or LJ to report foul and number to coach.
  5. Captain must exercise penalty option before going to sideline during a time-out.
  6. Umpire step off penalty.
  7. Line Judge to walk off penalty with Umpire from sideline.
  8. Review fouls which extent periods.
  9. Official calling foul is primarily responsible for seeing that the Referee and Umpire assess penalty properly in all respects.

K. TIMING AND TIME OUTS:

  1. BJ times length of time outs, twenty-five second count, and holds arm up after fifteen seconds.
    bullet(Referee times time outs and twenty-five second count in four man crew.)
  2. Position of officials during time out.
  3. All officials record time outs. Referee notify coaches and captains after third time out in each half.
  4. All officials must observe the clock at all times. Do not allow a mistake to occur.
  5. Procedure at end of period.
    bulleta. End of first and third period, record position of ball and down.
    bullet(Umpire, linesman, and Referee write it down.)
  6. If time is kept on field, stop game and notify benches when four minutes remain in game.
  7. Officials should not gather together for bull sessions during time out.

L. SUBSTITUTIONS:

  1. Line Judge, Linesman, be alert for replaced players leaving field by any sideline except that of their team area.
  2. All officials alert for substitution situations.
  3. Substitution rules. (Replaced players leave immediately.)

M. MISCELLANEOUS:

  1. Referee blow whistle and give arm signal whenever he declares ball ready for play.
  2. Dealing with coaches (all officials).
  3. Emphasis:
    bulletKeep sideline area clear.
    bulletWatch for blocking below waist.
    bulletSEE WRITING ON THE BALL BEFORE YOU BLOW THE WHISTLE.
  4. Counting of players (back judge, LINESMAN and line judge: defense; referee and umpire: offense). Give signals.
  5. Inadvertent whistle.
  6. Call what you see but see what you call.
  7. Don’t turn your back on tough calls.
  8. A mistake by one is a mistake by all. Don’t allow your co-officials to make an obvious mistake.
  9. Be in position for all calls. Hustle and be alert.

N. POST GAME DUTIES:

  1. Join other officials and leave field together.
  2. Use good judgment in any remarks to anyone.

 

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