BULLETIN #5 OCTOBER 10, 2017
Mid Season Observations
Many of you are aware that the NAIA Football Coordinator’s meet via a conference call every other Thursday. Reports from each of the coordinators have been positive at this point in the season.
Ø Mechanics continue to be a topic each call and as officials, we need to be diligent in our efforts to put ourselves in the best position to officiate.
Ø Preventive officiating is another area that is brought up regularly. Officials should be proactive in trying to help players from committing fouls. We won’t always be successful in our effort and when we aren’t we must have the composure to penalize the action.
Ø Sideline management seems to be an area that each Coordinator if pleased with.
Ø LTG awareness should be a focus of LOS officials each snap. All officials should be aware of LTG
Ø Penalty enforcement mechanics. Making sure our LOS is walking with the umpire. Not moving chains until we confirm and making sure we have the right ball position on the field, and correct clock status are a few examples.
Pass Interference - Make sure we can put it in a category
DPI
ü Early Contact
ü Not playing the ball
ü Grab and Restrict
ü Hook and Restrict
ü Arm Bar
ü Cutoff
OPI
ü Initiate contact by shoving or pushing the opponent
ü Driving through a defender
ü Blocking downfield on a pass that crosses the LOS
ü Picking off a defender
Officiate
The expectation is that we understand and officiate the game. Below is a review of some officiating axioms that each official should adhere themselves to.
1. We want quality fouls. See everything you call but don’t call everything you see. No technical fouls. Let ‘em play.
2. Get a number and keep officiating. Your reputation is attached to your flag. Meaning when you make a decision to throw it or keep it in your pocket.
3. Always see the ball before you blow your whistle.
4. Be a good dead ball official. View all players until they are back with their teammates.
5. Be deliberate on fumbles and get a bean bag down.
6. Crisp ball movement, no walking on the field.
7. Count players EVERY down.
8. Excellent communications with coaches, players, and other officials. Courtesy always.
9. If you miss one, don’t look back! We must always be ready to officiate the next play.
10. Concentration. Give everything you have on every play for 60 minutes. OT if needed.
11. Use preventative officiating when needed.
12. Display integrity, courage, and poise. Let the “tight” situations reveal your true character.
13. Be mentally and physically prepared to work the game.
14. Keep hustling and working.
Play of the Week
Team A executes an on-side free kick at the A-35. The untouched kick is at the A-43 when A55 blocks B44 above the waist in the front at the A-46. A28 muffs the ball at the A-44, and after it rolls to the A-46, A88 blocks B22 at the A-42. A20 then recovers the ball at the A-44.
RULING: The block by A55 is a foul and the touching by A28 is illegal because Team A is not eligible to touch the ball since it has not gone 10 yards nor has it been touched by Team B. The block by A88 is legal because it occurs after the ball has gone 10 yards. Team A is in legal possession of the ball when A20 recovers it at the A-44.
Team B has two options: Decline the penalty for the illegal block and have the ball at the A-44 via the illegal-touching privilege, or cancel the illegal touching privilege by having Team A re-kick from the A-30 after the 5-yard penalty for the block by A55. Note that the dead-ball spot, the A-44, is not an enforcement spot because the ball does not belong to Team B when the down ends. (Rule 6-1-12)
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Bulletin #5 / NAIA Officiating
Last Modified: 10/10/17 2