2006 California Football Officials Association

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2006 California Football Officials Association

• Kick Off Mechanics

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All Officials

• The objective is to cover the play with a maximum
  of two sets of eyes on the ball at any given time
  with the remainder of the crew watching blocks
  ahead of and behind the ball.
• Treat every kickoff as a potential onside kick
  be prepared.
• The direction of the ball when kicked will
  determine what you will be looking for and when
  and where to look for it. Knowing your partners
  responsibilities is as important as knowing your
  own.

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Referee

• Your initial position will be at the receivers
  goal line pylon on the press box side of the
  field. Insure that the sideline and coaches area
  are clear.
• See that the opening kick off and second half
  kick off start on time.
• Once you have counted the receivers and verified
  with the Head Linesman, verify with the Umpire
  that he is ready and mark the ball ready-for-play.

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Referee

• Be prepared to rule on kicks on the sideline and
  goal line. Know when the ball is out of bounds in
  the field of play or a touchback. When in doubt
  its a touchback.
• The goal line is yours from your sideline to the
  far hash marks (2/3rd of the goal line). The Head
  Linesman will handle his sideline and the goal
  line to the nearest hash mark (1/3rd of the goal
  line). If the ball breaks the plane of the goal
  line it is dead. Sound your whistle and stop the
  play.

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Referee

• You have your sideline from the goal line up to
  the 20 yard line. The Line Judge will assume
  responsibility from there. If the kick and
  subsequent return threatens your sideline, you
  will trail the play with an outside-in look.
• Kicks in your 2/3rd of the field (sideline to the
  far hash mark) that do not threaten your
  sideline, you need to position yourself behind
  the play at an angle with the inside-out look.
  The ball carrier and the action around him is
  your responsibility until he is released to the
  Line Judge (around the 20 yard line) and then the
  Line Judge will assume the runner and you assume
  all action around the runner and any late action.

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Referee

• Kicks that enter between the farther side line
  and hash mark are the responsibility of the Head
  Linesman. Since your sideline is not threatened,
  move to the center of the field and trail the
  play with the inside-out look.
• Dont be in a hurry to get the spot. Action
  around the runner is more important than the
  actual spot. BE A GREAT DEAD BALL OFFICIAL.

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Umpire

• On all kick offs following a score, you should
  hustle up the sideline of the scoring team and
  obtain a football as you are entering the team
  box area.
• Move to the middle of the field and provide the
  kicker with the ball. Instruct the kicker that he
  is not to kick the ball until the Referee has
  blown the ball ready for play. Take position over
  the ball to prevent the kicker from kicking the
  ball before the ready for play signal has been
  given.

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Umpire

• Count the kicking team and verify with the Back
  Judge and Line Judge that the kicking team has
  fielded 11 players. DO NOT LET THE PLAY START
  WITHOUT 11 PLAYERS.
• Verify with the Field Judge and Line Judge by
  acknowledging that they have raised their hand
  above their head indicating that they are ready.
  Raise your hand above your head while facing the
  Referee indicating the kicking team is ready.

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Umpire

• After the Referee has blown the whistle
  ready-for-play, indicate to the kicker by
  pointing to the football that the whistle has
  been blown.
• You MUST know if the ball was kicked in the air
  or directly into the ground. The Back Judge will
  have secondary responsibility.
• Observe any action against the kicker after the
  ball is kicked.
• Move downfield trailing the kicking team and
  leave a 10 yard cushion.

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Umpire

• You should be covering plays from sideline-to
  sideline as the play dictates.
• Insure that the play is dead and the players have
  cleared the area BEFORE looking for a ball.
• If there is a penalty that involves a re-kick,
  The Umpire gives the appropriate signal and
  enforces the required yardage.

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Head Linesman

• Your initial position will be at the receivers
  goal line pylon on the side of the field opposite
  of the press box. Insure that the sideline and
  coaches area are clear.
• Once you have counted the receivers, signal to
  the Referee that you are ready by extending your
  hand over your head.

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Head Linesman

• You will want to adjust your positioning
  depending on the length of the kick. Keep in mind
  that the goal line is your first priority
• Be prepared to rule on kicks at the sideline and
  goal line. Know when its OB in the field of play
  or a touchback. When in doubt its a touchback.
• The goal line is yours from your sideline to you
  hash mark (1/3rd of the field). The Referee has
  the other 2/3rd of the goal line. If the ball
  breaks the plane of the goal line, it is dead.
  Sound your whistle and stop the play.

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Head Linesman

• When the kick is away from you (1/3rd of the
  field), come on to the field as the play
  dictates. Dont stay on your sideline.
• Kicks into your 1/3rd of the field (your sideline
  to your hash marks) you have the ball carrier and
  the action around him. Stay on your sideline with
  the outside-in look.

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Head Linesman

• The sideline is yours from the receivers end
  line to the kickers goal line with one exception.
  Short kicks that immediately threaten the
  sideline (ball kicked less than 20-yds) should be
  covered by the Back Judge in an effort to assist
  you. This mechanic should be reviewed with the
  Back Judge in the pre-game.

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Head Linesman

• When the ball becomes dead and you have the spot,
  square up and do not close upon the spot. Hold
  your position closer to the sideline, watching
  for DEAD ball fouls.
• The Back Judge will signal Touchdown on a
  successful return.

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Line Judge

• On the press box side of the field, position
  yourself on the receivers restraining line on
  the sideline or slightly out of bounds. Insure
  that the sideline and coaches area are clear.
• Do not leave your line until the ball is touched
  or has clearly crossed the plane.

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Line Judge

• You have the sideline from about the 20 yd line
  of the receivers to the goal line of the
  kickers. The Referee has the sideline for the
  first 20 yards.
• See that the receivers line up correctly and have
  11 players. Do not allow play to start with less
  than 11 players on the receiving team. Verify
  your count with the Referee. Have bean bag in
  hand.

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Line Judge

• After the kick, know its general direction then
  move downfield slightly trailing the kicking
  team. Watch for fouls by either team, touching by
  either team, kickers out of bounds, ball going
  out of bounds, etc.
• Pick up the runner as he enters your area and
  switch from blocking to ball carrier.

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Line Judge

• When the kick is away from you (far 1/3rd of the
  field), come onto the field as play dictates.
  Dont stay on your sideline.
• When the ball becomes dead and you have the spot,
  square up and do not close on the spot. Hold your
  position closer to the sideline, watching for
  fouls.
• The Back Judge will signal touchdown on a
  successful return.

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Back Judge

• Your position is on the kickers restraining line
  on the sideline opposite the press box. Stand on
  the sideline or slightly out of bounds. Insure
  that the sideline and coaches area are clear.
• Count the kicking team and verify with the
  Umpire. Do not let the play start with less than
  11 kicking team players.

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Back Judge

• Signify to the Umpire that you are ready by
  raising your arm with an open hand.
• You have secondary responsibilities for knowing
  if the ball is kicked into the air or directly
  into the ground.

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Back Judge

• Your responsibilities will change depending on
  the location where the ball is kicked.
• a) On kicks that immediately threaten your
  sideline (ball kicked less than 20-yds), move
  down the sideline and observe action from the
  outside in, assisting the Head Linesman. Look
  for touching, blocking ahead of the runner and
  action around the dead ball spot. You may be in
  the best position to get the spot if the kick
  goes out of bounds.
• b) When the kick does not immediately threaten
  your sideline, angle onto the field towards the
  action to the hash mark slightly deeper than the
  Umpire. Observe action around the ball with the
  inside-out look. Move into the side-zone as
  necessary for clean up.

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Back judge

• The kickers goal line is yours. Check with the
  Head Linesman and Line Judge on plays down the
  sideline before signaling touchdown. Watch the
  scoring player for unsportsmanlike/taunting fouls.

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Referee and Head Linesman

• It is a penalty for a free kick out of bounds if
  untouched by B. Insure that all players are
  separated and teams have cleared the area before
  starting the penalty enforcement.
• See that all the penalty options are given to the
  receivers.

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R
LJ
U
R
K
BJ
HL
Initial Posititioning
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R
LJ
U
R
BJ
HL
Initial movement when sidelines are not
threatened. Ball kicked in the 2/3rd of Referees
area.
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R
LJ
U
R
BJ
HL
Ball kicked in 1/3rd of Head Linesmans area,
sideline not threatened.
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Head Linesman
R
LJ

• Your initial position will be at the receivers
  goal line pylon on the side of the field opposite
  the press box. Insure that the sideline and
  coaches area is clear.

K
U
R
BJ
HL
Ball kicked in middle of field, sideline not
threatened.
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R
LJ
U
R
BJ
HL
Ball kicked in middle of field, returned for a
touchdown.
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R
R
LJ
LJ
U
R
U
R
K
BJ
BJ
HL
HL
Ball kicked in middle of field, returned for a
touchdown.
Ball kicked in Head Linesmans 1/3rd, sideline
not threatened.
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R
LJ
U
R
HL
BJ
Ball kicked in Head Linesmans 1/3rd, returned
for a touchdown.
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LJ
R
R
U
BJ
HL
Ball kicked near Line Judge, sideline threatened.
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R
LJ
U
R
BJ
HL
Ball kicked near Head Linesman, sideline
threatened.
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LJ
U
R
HL
BJ
Onside Kick Attempt
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Onside Attempt

• Referee
• Position yourself in the middle of the field,
  near receivers goal line. The goal line is
  yours.
• If the kick is short, you have clean up
  responsibilities.

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Onside Attempt

• Umpire
• Normal position.
• You must know if the ball is kicked into the air
  or directly into the ground.
• Be aware of fouls against the kicker and touching
  (legal and illegal) by either team.
• Watch for illegal acts, late or unnecessary
  action.

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Onside Attempt

• Head Linesman
• Move up to receivers restraining line opposite
  the Line Judge.

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Onside Attempt

• Line Judge
• You are in normal position on the receivers
  restraining line.

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Onside Attempt

• Back Judge
• You are in normal position.
• Absolutely NO ENCROACHMENT by the kicking team.

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Onside Attempt

• All Officials
• Remember the status of the clock and legal
  touching wind the clock rule.
• When possession is determined and play is dead,
  do not hesitate to stop the clock and indicate
  the direction of the recovering team.
• U/HL/LJ/BJ will have their bean bags in hand.
  Touching here is very critical therefore your
  bean bag placement needs to be correct.

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