Get Ready for Fall
From: Rich Kollen
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
We’ve reached the halfway point of the season. This is our bye week, where all teams have Saturday off to get healthy and catch up on their studies.
A few comments from the first half of the season:
We need to cut down on unsportsmanlike acts—there have been too many issues in this area. Let’s not go searching for fouls, but make sure we get a flag down when necessary. Coaches, we need your help with your players on this. Officials must continue working to get into a good position, which leads to more accurate calls on the field. This is a good point in the season to review the mechanics manual. Communication with coaches remains critical. Referees/white hats—any time something unusual happens, take the time to explain it to both coaches.
It hasn’t happened with SCCFOA in a few years, but two weeks ago, we awarded a team five downs in a game. This occurred late in the game, and in my experience, that usually indicates we lost focus. Still, it’s hard to justify how seven officials on the field didn’t notice the mistake. Let this be a reminder to all crews: we must officiate for the full 60 minutes. In addition, if you think something isn’t right, don’t be afraid to step up and say so. Be a crew saver.
Remember, it is an illegal wedge formation to have two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other blocking on a free kick. The penalty is 15 yards from the spot of the foul (or 15 yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B if it is behind the spot of the foul). It is a foul whether or not there is contact. It is NOT a foul if (a) it is from an obvious onside kick formation, (b) the play results in a touchback, (c) the play results in a foul for free kick out of bounds, or (d) there is a fair catch. (Rule 6-1-10)
25-Second Play Clock / 40-Second Game Clock Reminder: When the play clock is winding down, the calling official must see “0” on the clock, then look down to the snap, and make a ruling. If the ball is not moving, it is a foul. Some of you are throwing the flag too early without allowing that extra moment to check. Remember, the delay of game isn’t generally helpful to either team. Let’s not be too strict (except at the end of half/game, when important).
You all know I’m old school, but there was something we always said — the ground can never cause a fumble. Although we know that technically isn’t true, if anything but the runner’s foot or hand hits the ground, the player is down by rule. A fumble is no longer possible.
We have one college team struggling to stay competitive due to low numbers. They’ve requested to shorten the second half in several recent games. Remember, by rule, we are allowed to shorten any remaining period or periods, with the mutual agreement of the opposing head coaches and the Referee. However, we cannot have a running clock. (Rule 3-2-2-a)
Postgame Handshake: The decision to participate in a traditional handshake after the game is solely up to the two head coaches. If a coach asks officials whether handshakes should take place, the appropriate response is: “That’s a decision for the two coaches.”
I’d like to compliment the many schools now using live video feeds — whether through YouTube or other platforms — to showcase our games. The quality of these broadcasts is excellent, the announcers are professional, and it’s a great way to share our product with a wider audience.
Live streaming, Hudl film exchanges, and modern recruiting networks have made California’s community college players even more visible to four-year schools nationwide. Officials have also found value in these broadcasts for training, as the video angles often provide clearer views than those on coaches’ game film.
Last weekend, we had 19 UNS fouls across 17 games. My concern is: who on each crew is tracking these fouls? We should all be recording the number of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls (to ensure that everyone knows who has a counter on them already). At the very least, make sure that at least one official is recording the fouls. In addition, as I mentioned in a previous bulletin, make sure to know if there are two players wearing the same number, so we do not eject someone unnecessarily. This is critical at our level because an ejection leads to a one-game suspension. If someone deserves to be ejected, don’t be afraid to do so, but let’s make sure they deserve it and it is the right player.
Per NCAA rules, players warming up before the game must either wear their game jerseys or have their numerals readily visible. In addition, there must be a head coach or an assistant coach present on the field when their players are on the field. (Rule 3-1-1) If there's a special circumstance — such as honoring a player with a shirt bearing only that player’s number — prior approval must be obtained from the commissioner.
I understand that substitution mechanics are still new to some of our younger officials. However, when a coach calls me asking why the offense is being held up when the defense has already made a substitution, that tells me we can do better. We need to be sharp on this and handle substitutions correctly and efficiently. (Rule 3-5)
“Remember: without referees, it isn’t a game; it’s recess.”
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2025 WEEKLY BULLETIN #6We’ve reached the halfway point of the season. This is our bye week, where all teams have Saturday off to get healthy and catch up on their studies.
A few comments from the first half of the season:
We need to cut down on unsportsmanlike acts—there have been too many issues in this area. Let’s not go searching for fouls, but make sure we get a flag down when necessary. Coaches, we need your help with your players on this. Officials must continue working to get into a good position, which leads to more accurate calls on the field. This is a good point in the season to review the mechanics manual. Communication with coaches remains critical. Referees/white hats—any time something unusual happens, take the time to explain it to both coaches.
It hasn’t happened with SCCFOA in a few years, but two weeks ago, we awarded a team five downs in a game. This occurred late in the game, and in my experience, that usually indicates we lost focus. Still, it’s hard to justify how seven officials on the field didn’t notice the mistake. Let this be a reminder to all crews: we must officiate for the full 60 minutes. In addition, if you think something isn’t right, don’t be afraid to step up and say so. Be a crew saver.
Remember, it is an illegal wedge formation to have two or more players aligned shoulder to shoulder within two yards of each other blocking on a free kick. The penalty is 15 yards from the spot of the foul (or 15 yards from the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B if it is behind the spot of the foul). It is a foul whether or not there is contact. It is NOT a foul if (a) it is from an obvious onside kick formation, (b) the play results in a touchback, (c) the play results in a foul for free kick out of bounds, or (d) there is a fair catch. (Rule 6-1-10)
25-Second Play Clock / 40-Second Game Clock Reminder: When the play clock is winding down, the calling official must see “0” on the clock, then look down to the snap, and make a ruling. If the ball is not moving, it is a foul. Some of you are throwing the flag too early without allowing that extra moment to check. Remember, the delay of game isn’t generally helpful to either team. Let’s not be too strict (except at the end of half/game, when important).
You all know I’m old school, but there was something we always said — the ground can never cause a fumble. Although we know that technically isn’t true, if anything but the runner’s foot or hand hits the ground, the player is down by rule. A fumble is no longer possible.
We have one college team struggling to stay competitive due to low numbers. They’ve requested to shorten the second half in several recent games. Remember, by rule, we are allowed to shorten any remaining period or periods, with the mutual agreement of the opposing head coaches and the Referee. However, we cannot have a running clock. (Rule 3-2-2-a)
Postgame Handshake: The decision to participate in a traditional handshake after the game is solely up to the two head coaches. If a coach asks officials whether handshakes should take place, the appropriate response is: “That’s a decision for the two coaches.”
I’d like to compliment the many schools now using live video feeds — whether through YouTube or other platforms — to showcase our games. The quality of these broadcasts is excellent, the announcers are professional, and it’s a great way to share our product with a wider audience.
Live streaming, Hudl film exchanges, and modern recruiting networks have made California’s community college players even more visible to four-year schools nationwide. Officials have also found value in these broadcasts for training, as the video angles often provide clearer views than those on coaches’ game film.
Last weekend, we had 19 UNS fouls across 17 games. My concern is: who on each crew is tracking these fouls? We should all be recording the number of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls (to ensure that everyone knows who has a counter on them already). At the very least, make sure that at least one official is recording the fouls. In addition, as I mentioned in a previous bulletin, make sure to know if there are two players wearing the same number, so we do not eject someone unnecessarily. This is critical at our level because an ejection leads to a one-game suspension. If someone deserves to be ejected, don’t be afraid to do so, but let’s make sure they deserve it and it is the right player.
Per NCAA rules, players warming up before the game must either wear their game jerseys or have their numerals readily visible. In addition, there must be a head coach or an assistant coach present on the field when their players are on the field. (Rule 3-1-1) If there's a special circumstance — such as honoring a player with a shirt bearing only that player’s number — prior approval must be obtained from the commissioner.
I understand that substitution mechanics are still new to some of our younger officials. However, when a coach calls me asking why the offense is being held up when the defense has already made a substitution, that tells me we can do better. We need to be sharp on this and handle substitutions correctly and efficiently. (Rule 3-5)
“Remember: without referees, it isn’t a game; it’s recess.”
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations