Get Ready for Fall 2024
From: "Rich Kollen" - dayofgame@icloud.com
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, Septermber 30, 2022
I would like to congratulate Compton College on their first win since 2017 and their first back-to-back wins since 2009. They came close to a three-peat last weekend. Compton College is one of the historic programs in Southern California. In 1957, they played for the junior college national championship at the Rose Bowl in front of 57,000 people. Their longtime coach, “Tay” Brown, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958. His overall record at Compton College was 140-33-9. It’s good to see their program winning games again under head coach Al Dorsey.
We have all heard that you should never anticipate a call. However, you should always be anticipating the PLAY. Use your football IQ. On third and long, anticipate a pass and know your keys. Teams can surprise us; but if you watch enough football, you should be able to anticipate the next play on most downs.
There has been some discussion on unsportsmanlike conduct fouls versus personal fouls during dead-ball situations. Be aware that at our level, two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls require ejection and carry a one- game suspension. If it happens during a dead-ball and it’s a football related act (i.e. late hit out of bounds, pushing players, or piling on), those are personal fouls. Report them properly so we don’t improperly suspend players.
In high school, on a kick play, if the ball breaks the plane of the end zone, it’s dead. In the NCAA, the ball must hit the ground in the end zone, untouched by Team B, to be ruled dead. (Rule 6-1-7-a) We had a situation on a free kick where the receiver muffed the ball, then picked it up off the ground and started his run. Officials incorrectly killed the play as a touchback. If the ball touches a Team B player, prior to touching the ground, it remains a live ball. Team B must do something with it (run it or down it). If Team A picks it up in the end zone, this is a touchdown for Team A. This crew put the ball at the 25-yard line. This should have been enforced as an inadvertent whistle, and re-kicked.
Under NCAA rules, a kick-off is from the A-35. (Rule 6-1-1) The kicking team can position themselves anywhere between the A-35 and the A-30, but cannot be behind the A-30 after the ready for play (except the kicker). (Rule 6-2-b) The farthest back players can be is one foot on the A-30. Last week, a coach was told the entire team must be on the A-32.
You know you’re getting old when three of our new officials had dads and grandfathers who started in SoCal community college football officiating and later moved into either the NFL or NCAA Division I football officiating. I hope all new officials appreciate and embrace the storied history of the association. You all owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before you.
On normal kick-offs, we have what we call a soft plane for the kickers being offside. Unless a kicking team player has a foot down beyond the restraining line, it is not a foul. However, when we are in an onside kick situation, or a pooch kick situation, the kickers’ restraining line is a hard plane. Any part of the body entering the plane is a foul. (Rule 6-1-c-1) Don’t be afraid to throw a flag late, if you didn’t expect an onside kick or pooch kick, but one occurs.
Celebration, taunting, and bringing disrespect to your opponent is a point of emphasis this season. Please be mindful of this action early and consistently during the game. On a touchdown run, if a ball carrier turns and taunts a defender, a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul. (Rule 9-2-1 Penalty) If the foul is prior to the touchdown, it negates the touchdown. PLEASE MAKE THIS ACTION BIG. When in doubt, the foul occurred after the touchdown.
Remember, by NCAA rules, until inside the last two minutes of each half, if a ball carrier goes out of bounds, the clock will stop, and then start on the ready. (Rule 3-3-2-e-3) We have encouraged our officials to wind the clock as soon as a new ball is ready to be put in place. When time isn’t a factor (i.e., early in a period), Referees should be winding the clock fairly quickly. You don’t need to wait for the chains or for the ball to be actually put in play. The entire crew needs to communicate this with each other. Use your radios if you have them.
Whoever has the chains (Head Line Judge or Line Judge), don’t turn your back to see if the line to gain was reached after a play. #1: You need to already know the line to gain. #2 Trust your wing partner on the other side of the field to see and call timeout if he or she rules a first down.
Make sure that someone on the field is always in charge of the play clock (usually the Back Judge). Make sure it is correct after different play situations. This crew member should also meet with the play clock operator before the game. Perhaps give them an information document on 25- and 40-second play clock rules. This is available in our Mechanics Manual on the web site. http://www.sccfoa.org/mechanics.htm
Science has shown that the best distance to observe players is 8-12 yards. Obviously, the nature of the game and the players will not always allow us to accomplish this (e.g., sideline officials are restricted by the sideline; we need to be at the goal line on scoring plays, etc.). At times, however, we attempt to get too close. This fits with the purposeful movement philosophy. Limit your tendency to get too close. Settle, and you will have a better view. Keep a cushion.
The NFL uses a five factor self-evaluation process. How well did we manage the game? Did we consistently apply the rules and philosophies? How were our mechanics? How did we do as a crew? How did I do as an individual? Utilize these five questions with your crew as you self-evaluate your performances each week. Feedback, especially from officials that have been on the field for years, is a great tool to help you get better. The honest comments from veteran officials are always helpful.
I encourage officials to step up when penalties are missing, enforced incorrectly, or flags are being discussed. This is excellent officiating and is not going unnoticed. If you know a mistake is being made, show courage and be a crew saver. Step up and get it right. Don’t bring it up in the locker room after the game when there’s nothing that can be done.
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, Septermber 30, 2022
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2022 WEEKLY BULLETIN #5I would like to congratulate Compton College on their first win since 2017 and their first back-to-back wins since 2009. They came close to a three-peat last weekend. Compton College is one of the historic programs in Southern California. In 1957, they played for the junior college national championship at the Rose Bowl in front of 57,000 people. Their longtime coach, “Tay” Brown, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958. His overall record at Compton College was 140-33-9. It’s good to see their program winning games again under head coach Al Dorsey.
We have all heard that you should never anticipate a call. However, you should always be anticipating the PLAY. Use your football IQ. On third and long, anticipate a pass and know your keys. Teams can surprise us; but if you watch enough football, you should be able to anticipate the next play on most downs.
There has been some discussion on unsportsmanlike conduct fouls versus personal fouls during dead-ball situations. Be aware that at our level, two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls require ejection and carry a one- game suspension. If it happens during a dead-ball and it’s a football related act (i.e. late hit out of bounds, pushing players, or piling on), those are personal fouls. Report them properly so we don’t improperly suspend players.
In high school, on a kick play, if the ball breaks the plane of the end zone, it’s dead. In the NCAA, the ball must hit the ground in the end zone, untouched by Team B, to be ruled dead. (Rule 6-1-7-a) We had a situation on a free kick where the receiver muffed the ball, then picked it up off the ground and started his run. Officials incorrectly killed the play as a touchback. If the ball touches a Team B player, prior to touching the ground, it remains a live ball. Team B must do something with it (run it or down it). If Team A picks it up in the end zone, this is a touchdown for Team A. This crew put the ball at the 25-yard line. This should have been enforced as an inadvertent whistle, and re-kicked.
Under NCAA rules, a kick-off is from the A-35. (Rule 6-1-1) The kicking team can position themselves anywhere between the A-35 and the A-30, but cannot be behind the A-30 after the ready for play (except the kicker). (Rule 6-2-b) The farthest back players can be is one foot on the A-30. Last week, a coach was told the entire team must be on the A-32.
You know you’re getting old when three of our new officials had dads and grandfathers who started in SoCal community college football officiating and later moved into either the NFL or NCAA Division I football officiating. I hope all new officials appreciate and embrace the storied history of the association. You all owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before you.
On normal kick-offs, we have what we call a soft plane for the kickers being offside. Unless a kicking team player has a foot down beyond the restraining line, it is not a foul. However, when we are in an onside kick situation, or a pooch kick situation, the kickers’ restraining line is a hard plane. Any part of the body entering the plane is a foul. (Rule 6-1-c-1) Don’t be afraid to throw a flag late, if you didn’t expect an onside kick or pooch kick, but one occurs.
Celebration, taunting, and bringing disrespect to your opponent is a point of emphasis this season. Please be mindful of this action early and consistently during the game. On a touchdown run, if a ball carrier turns and taunts a defender, a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty is enforced from the spot of the foul. (Rule 9-2-1 Penalty) If the foul is prior to the touchdown, it negates the touchdown. PLEASE MAKE THIS ACTION BIG. When in doubt, the foul occurred after the touchdown.
Remember, by NCAA rules, until inside the last two minutes of each half, if a ball carrier goes out of bounds, the clock will stop, and then start on the ready. (Rule 3-3-2-e-3) We have encouraged our officials to wind the clock as soon as a new ball is ready to be put in place. When time isn’t a factor (i.e., early in a period), Referees should be winding the clock fairly quickly. You don’t need to wait for the chains or for the ball to be actually put in play. The entire crew needs to communicate this with each other. Use your radios if you have them.
Whoever has the chains (Head Line Judge or Line Judge), don’t turn your back to see if the line to gain was reached after a play. #1: You need to already know the line to gain. #2 Trust your wing partner on the other side of the field to see and call timeout if he or she rules a first down.
Make sure that someone on the field is always in charge of the play clock (usually the Back Judge). Make sure it is correct after different play situations. This crew member should also meet with the play clock operator before the game. Perhaps give them an information document on 25- and 40-second play clock rules. This is available in our Mechanics Manual on the web site. http://www.sccfoa.org/mechanics.htm
Science has shown that the best distance to observe players is 8-12 yards. Obviously, the nature of the game and the players will not always allow us to accomplish this (e.g., sideline officials are restricted by the sideline; we need to be at the goal line on scoring plays, etc.). At times, however, we attempt to get too close. This fits with the purposeful movement philosophy. Limit your tendency to get too close. Settle, and you will have a better view. Keep a cushion.
The NFL uses a five factor self-evaluation process. How well did we manage the game? Did we consistently apply the rules and philosophies? How were our mechanics? How did we do as a crew? How did I do as an individual? Utilize these five questions with your crew as you self-evaluate your performances each week. Feedback, especially from officials that have been on the field for years, is a great tool to help you get better. The honest comments from veteran officials are always helpful.
I encourage officials to step up when penalties are missing, enforced incorrectly, or flags are being discussed. This is excellent officiating and is not going unnoticed. If you know a mistake is being made, show courage and be a crew saver. Step up and get it right. Don’t bring it up in the locker room after the game when there’s nothing that can be done.
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations