17.3.4 FIVE PERSON MECHANICS EXCEPTIONS

 

These are the ONLY allowable exceptions to the National Federation Mechanic Manual to be used in Arizona. References to the Page and Section in the NFHS 2005 FOOTBALL OFFICIALS MANUAL are included in parenthesis, where applicable.

 

  1. FREE KICK POSITIONS (pg 50-52):

 

  1. B starts on the sideline opposite the press box on K’s restraining line (Section V.A.2).
  2. L starts on the sideline nearest the press box on R’s restraining line (IV.A.2).
  3. U starts on the sideline nearest the press box on the goal line (II.A.2).
  4. H starts on the sideline opposite the press box on the goal line (III.A.1).
  5. R starts in the center of the field on the goal line (I.A.1).
  6. B and L will use reverse fade mechanics on long returns (VII.B.7/IV.B.5).
  7. R may reposition U and H between the goal line and the 20 yard line after the initial free kick, if K’s kicking style/ability warrants (I.A.3).

 

  1. SCRIMMAGE KICK POSITIONS (pg 69-71):

 

  1. L will move downfield to the same yard line as B(III.A.1).
  2. R moves to side vacated by L, in position to rule on action near the kicker as well as covering sideline nearest the press box, the goal line, and the end line (I.A.3).
  3. U will line up in position to rule on action against the snapper, favoring the sideline nearest the press box (II.A.1).
  4. When snap is inside K’s 10 yard line, U will be ready to assist with coverage near the goal line (II.A.1).
  5. R/U to give tipped ball signal (Signal 11) if ball is touched behind the line by Team R (I.B.2/II.B.3).
  6. R will verbally alert defenders when ball has been kicked (I.B.2).
  7. B starts five yards wider (to side opposite press box) and ten yards deeper than deepest Team R player. B will start on the goal line when snap occurs inside of Team R 40 yard line (IV.A.1).
  8. B will drop bean bag on yard line of Team R possession (for PSK enforcements).
  9. B will extend arm to point “direction” and hold signal until seen by R (IV.B.8.a)

 

  1. COIN TOSS (pg 14):

 

  1. R and U enter field from press box side at 50 yard line. R faces scoreboard.
  2. L escorts captains from home team, stopping at the nine yard marks.
  3. B escorts captains from visiting team, stopping at the nine yard marks.
  4. H remains with chain crew during toss.

 

  1. SECOND HALF OPTIONS (pg 15):

 

  1. R and U enter field from press box side at 50 yard line. R faces scoreboard.
  2. L escorts captains from home team, stopping at the nine yard marks.
  3. B escorts captains from visiting team, stopping at the nine yard marks.

 

 

  1. RUNNING PLAYS (pg 63-64):

 

  1. On plays in the middle, square off at a 90-degree angle, ruling on the succeeding spot. You may come in until you meet resistance (do not leave players behind you).  On “spot critical situations/fumble”, continue to make your way to the actual spot on the field where the run ended.     
  2. If run goes to the opposite side of the field, observe action behind runner and assist with action on QB after he gives up the ball. Maintain a position behind or level with runner's progress observing action behind the Umpire. Clean up middle of the field. When play ends, make effort to get a cross-field spot (III.B.1.g).
  3. If the ball goes out of bounds on your side of the field, blow whistle and signal timeout. Move to the dead-ball spot once players have cleared the immediate area. Pivot to face out-of-bounds and watch any continuing action in out-of-bounds area. Only after all action has stopped, obtain ball and place it at the spot where the live ball crossed the sideline. If needed, assist to relay another ball to the Umpire (III.B.1.j).
  4. B to begin 18 to 20 yards from snap and always deeper than the deepest Team B player (V.A.1).

 

  1. FORWARD PASS PLAYS (pg 66-67):

 

  1. U will turn on forward passes which cross the LOS to assist on ruling whether the pass was complete or incomplete (II.B.7).
  2. U shall have primary responsibility for ruling whether any pass was thrown from beyond/behind the LOS (II.B.5).
  3. B to begin 18 to 20 yards from snap and always deeper than the deepest Team B player (IV.A.1.a).

 

  1. FIELD GOALS AND PAT (pg 72-73):

 

  1. R will take a position 1-5 yards to rear and 5-10 yards wide of spot of potential kick (I.A.1).
  2. R will verbally alert defenders when ball has been kicked (I.A.5).
  3. B/L will identify and announce player numbers of eligible receivers (IV.B.2).
  4. SWINGING GATE - Officials stay in the normal scrimmage position (B under the non-hook post, R looking through the holder) until the kicking team shifts into kicking formation.

 

  1. GOAL LINE (pg 74):

 

  1. B starts on end line if snap is from 15 yard line or inside (IV.A.1)
  2. When wing officials have responsibility for the goal line, immediately after the snap, move directly to and straddle the goal line. If the line to gain is near goal line, wing officials’ first priority is the goal line. If necessary, come back from the goal line to the end of the run once it is clear that the runner is not going to score (III.C/III.D).

 

  1. When covering goal line, wing officials should start off the pylon and be prepared to move backwards and parallel to the goal line to cover action right on top of the pylon (III.C).
  2. While giving the Touchdown signal, official should be stationary and not moving. Maintain the touchdown signal until you know the Referee has seen it, but keep your eyes on players, turning to follow the action.  Touchdown signals should not be echoed (III.D.2).

 

  1. REVERSE GOAL LINE

 

  1. When ball is snapped inside the 3 yard line, L/H will move to the goal line immediately after the snap and have responsibility for rulings at the goal line.
  2. When ball is snapped between the 3 and 10 yard lines, R will share responsibility for rulings at the goal line with the wing facing R at the snap.
  3. When ball is snapped beyond the 10 yard line, R will have the goal line.

 

  1. ADDITIONAL MECHANICS

 

  1. L/H will punch off backward passes (pg 67 –  FORWARD PASS III.B.3).
  2. R will arrange for the captains to be present three minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff time for the coin toss (pg 14 – COIN TOSS I.A.2).
  3. B/L will be sent to the locker rooms near the end of the halftime interval to escort teams back to the field and prevent late arrivals (pg 15/16 COIN TOSS III.A.4/5).
  4. DELETE ITEM VII.A.3.d (pg 76).
  5. During penalty enforcement, H will stay with the box until ball is placed following enforcement. When possible, all flags should be covered by any available official (pg 76 – PENALTIES III.B, pg 77 PENALTIES VII.B.1).
  6. When calling a sideline warning, the calling official will throw the flag into the air to indicate enforcement is imminent (pg 77 – PENALTIES VII.B.1).

 

  1. APPROVED SIGNALS (pg 24):
  2.  

COUNTING PLAYERS

Eleven players – Show fist with arm extended

Less than eleven players – Ten fingers extended with hands down on thighs

More than eleven players – Roll fingers at chest height

 

            RECEIVERS ON/OFF LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

Off the line – extend arm with open hand towards offensive backfield

Two widest players off the line – 2 fingers in air/sweep arm to offensive backfield

Acknowledge signal – Extend arm and point at wing official across the field

 

            MISCELLANEOUS

Double stakes – Pound fists on top of each other

Previous play ended OB – Cross arms in front of chest

Backward pass – Punch and hold arm extended with closed fist in direction of pass

Unbalanced line – Wings to use Signal 19 (False start)

Numbering exception (scrimmage kicks) – U raises open hand into the air.