5 Man Mechanics
Umpire
- Pre-Game
-Spend time each night of the week on some aspect of football. Have a normal routine
(ie. Watch film, study rules & case book, etc.)
-Facilitate crew-mate discussions during the week
-Arrive at the game site 1 ½ hours prior to Kickoff (ie. Dress professionally (ie. Slacks and collared shirt)
-Arrive on the field at least 45 minutes prior to Kickoff
-Meet with the coaches, as a crew
-Inspect the field. Observe any unusual markings. Take measures to remedy any hazardous obstructions
-Approve Game Balls
-Inspect any player equipment concerns (ie. Knee pads, visors, wrist bands, etc.)
- Free Kicks
- Position (Normal After Safety, and Obvious Onside Kick Situations)
-Normal: R-20 yard line home team side opposite the HL and off the field of play
-After Safety: R-40 yard line home team side opposite the HL and off the field of play
-Obvious Onside Kick: On Team R’s free kick line
-Line-up off the field and use the restricted area
- Responsibility before kick
-Help with clearing sideline
-Don’t kick until you have 11 on each side – count Receiving Team
-Arm above head for ready
- Keys
-Know #’s of key blockers
-Start Clock when legally touched
-If kicked away, cover area away from the runner
-If kicked to your side, coverage on the runner and follow along on the SL
-Be ready to help with the Team R’s GL coverage
- What to look for during play
-Illegal blocks
-Good kick in bounds/out of bounds
-Catch/fumble/muff
-Know what to rule on ball OB
- Dead Ball Mechanics
-Observe action, have head on a swivel
-Peek at clock when play is over
5 Man Mechanics
Umpire
- Scrimmage Kicks - Punts
- Position (Punts)
-10 yards deep
-Need view of snapper
- Responsibility before kick
-Count K players
-Check numbering exceptions
-Remind Team R players to stay off of snapper
- Keys
Guard, Center, Guard
4.What to look for during play
-Legal snap
-Step toward neutral zone after the snap
-Action on center
-Fake punt/Bad Snap: move toward neutral zone after the snap to rule on ineligible and ill forward pass
- After the Kick
-Let line players clear you and pivot towards LJ side
-Observe Blocking in side zone on LJ side
-Observe players away from ball, have head on a swivel
- Dead Ball Mechanics
-Observe action, have head on a swivel
-Relay ball out of bounds
- Scrimmage Kicks – Field Goal, Try
- Position (Field Goal, Try)
-4-7 yards deep
-Need view of snapper
- Responsibility before kick
-Count R players
-Check numbering exceptions
-Remind Team R players to stay off of snapper
3.What to look for during play
-Legal snap
-Move toward neutral zone after the snap
-Action on center
-Fake field goal/ try, bad snap: move toward neutral zone after the snap to rule on ineligibles, ill forward pass and blocking in side zone vacated by wing official
-blocking in side zone on LJ side
-Observe players away from ball
5 Man Mechanics
Umpire
- Plays from Scrimmage (Run)
- Position
-Spot ball and get into starting position unless change of possession or R holds you over ball
-Start 4-7 yards deep behind Team B’s line and between A’s tackles
-See the ball snapped
- Responsibility before snap
-Get into a routine. Do the same things on every play to get ready
-Make sure the right down is indicated and note position of ball between inbounds lines (wear 2-down indicators)
-Count A players and signal to R
-5 numbered 50-79 on line
-Interference with snap
-Disconcerting signals
- At the Snap
-Read the snap (legal?)
-Initial Keys are the Guard-Center-Guard. If they block aggressively, read run. If they pass block, read pass
-Read the snap (legal?).
-Read point of attack and pay attention to free blocking zone restrictions
- Areas of coverage
-Point of attack
-Guard-Center-Guard
-Blocks around point of attack
-DO NOT SOUND WHISTLE UNLESS COVERING OFFICIAL IS NOT IN POSITION
- Point of attack
-Fouls should occur at the point where the ball carrier is, or will be soon. A foul should have a direct impact on the outcome of the play.
-Safety fouls should be enforced regardless of where the Point of Attack is
- Dead Ball Mechanics
-Observe action, have head on a swivel
-Use your voice and have a presence
-Flow to dead ball spot (ie. Plays in sidezone)
-Relay ball out of bounds
-Spot ball
5 Man Mechanics
Umpire
- Plays from Scrimmage (Pass)
- Position
-Spot ball and get into starting position unless change of possession or R holds you over ball
-4-7 yards deep behind Team B’s line and between A’s tackles
-See the ball snapped
- Responsibility before snap
-Get into a routine. Do the same thing on every play to get ready
-Make sure the right down is indicated and note position of ball between inbounds lines (wear 2-down indicators)
-Count A players and signal to R
-5 numbered 50-79 on line
-Interference with snap
-Disconcerting signals
- At the Snap
-Read the snap (legal?).
-Initial Keys are the Guard-Center-Guard. If they block aggressively, read run. If they pass block, read pass
-Read the snap (legal?).
-Read point of attack and pay attention to free blocking zone restrictions
- Areas of coverage
-If you read pass, move towards the LOS and be ready to rule on ineligibles, ill forward pass and whether the pass crosses the neutral zone
-Be alert for illegal blocks (holds, chop blocks, ill blocks below waist, etc)
-Spin to help other officials on catch/no catch
-DO NOT SOUND WHISTLE UNLESS COVERING OFFICIAL IS NOT IN POSITION
- Point of Attack
-Fouls should occur at the point where ball carrier is, or will be soon. A foul should have a direct impact on the outcome of the play
-Safety fouls should be enforced regardless of where the Point of Attack is.
- Dead Ball Mechanics
-Observe action, have head on a swivel
-Use your voice and have a presence
-Flow to dead ball spot (ie. Plays in sidezone)
-Relay ball out of bounds
-Spotting ball
5 Man Mechanics
Umpire
- Goal Line Mechanics
- Position
-Spot ball and get into starting position unless change of possession or R holds you over ball
-Start 4-7 yards deep behind Team B’s line and between A’s tackles
-See the ball snapped
- Responsibility before snap
-Get into a routine. Do the same things on every play to get ready
-Make sure the right down is indicated and note position of the ball between inbounds line (wear 2-down indicators)
-Count A players and signal to R
-5 numbered 50-79 on line
-Interference with snap
-Disconcerting signals
- At the Snap
-Read the snap (legal?).
-Initial Keys are the Guard-Center-Guard. If they block aggressively, read run. If they pass block, read pass
-Read the snap (legal?).
-Read point of attack and pay attention to free blocking zone restrictions
- Areas of coverage (Who’s Got the Goalline?!?)
-If you read pass, move toward the LOS and be ready to rule on ineligibles, ill forward pass and whether the pass crosses the neutral zone
-Be alert for illegal blocks (holds, chop blocks, ill block below waist, etc)
-LOS on pass plays – LJ/HL will be on the goal-line if snapped inside the 5.
-Spin to help other officials on catch/no-catch
-Stay off of the GL (either on front or behind)
-DO NOT SOUND WHISTLE UNLESS COVERING OFFICIAL IS NOT IN POSITION
-DO NOT GIVE TD SIGNAL
- Point of attack
-Fouls should occur at the point where the ball carrier is, or will be soon. A foul should have a direct impact on the outcome of the play.
-Safety fouls should be enforced regardless of where the Point of Attack is
- Dead Ball Mechanics
-observe action, have head on a swivel
-Use your voice and have a presence
- Change of Possession
- Reverse mechanics (Spots, Goal Line)
-Change of Possession: Get out of the way, verbalize to yourself who’s running and who’s on defense. Watch for illegal blocks
- Beanbag usage
-Spot of fumble
- Measurements
- Responsibility
-Pull front stake
- Penalty Administration
- Make sure ball and end of run are secured
- Be involved in conversation between calling official and R
- Confirm with R on enforcement spot for penalty and proceed with enforcement
- Confirm with HL that the penalty enforcement is correct prior to putting the ball on the ground
- Inform R of down and clock status