Get Ready for Fall 2024
From: Rich Kollen
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
We continue to have issues with the play clock. Starting this Saturday, I want all of the Referees to meet with the play clock operator before the game, along with the Back Judge and Side Judge, and explain to them your signals, why the clock stops, and why time is added to the clock. Game management, this meeting must occur on the field 30 minutes before the game. If one of the play clocks is inoperative, please make sure you turn both of them off until they are both working again. If they aren’t working, the Back Judge should be keeping the play clock on the field. If this happens, make sure to coordinate on signals to show when the clock is at 10 seconds, and then 5 seconds, and each second after that. I have typically seen a raised hand for 10 seconds. Arm to the side for 5 seconds, and dropping to your side after that so that the arm is against your body at 0. Make sure the quarterbacks understand your signals. Do not get too technical on play clocks if the visible clocks are not working.
Guardian helmets have been around for a while, mainly used in spring football. They look like waffle foam helmets. An athletic director asked me if they are legal to wear during games over a normal helmet. After doing research, I cannot find where it is illegal to wear them, provided the player also has a legal helmet. I noticed players are now wearing them in the NFL. In the interest of safety, let’s not be too picky about these, unless you hear differently from me.
If the ball carrier fumbles a ball forward and out of bounds, our standard is to drop a beanbag where the fumble occurred and return it to that point. (Rule 7-2-4-b-1) We had a situation last week with a ball spotted incorrectly at the point where the ball went out of bounds.
On a fourth down and a try, the only person who can advance a fumble is the person who fumbled it. (Rule 7-2-2-a Exception 2) The fourth down rule only applies to fumbles, not backward passes.
There have been numerous reports of important equipment, such as the chains, not arriving on the field until game time. Nothing is worse for officials than arriving on the field 45 minutes before the game and looking for the chains and crew. Officials who are responsible for the chain crew should go straight to the administrator to get the situation resolved. Do not wait and hope they arrive before kickoff.
When a player's helmet comes completely off during play, the player must stop participating beyond the immediate action in which they are engaged. (Rule 9-1-17) We had a play where the helmet came off, the player put it back on and continued to play. It does not matter if he puts it back on, he cannot continue to participate. The crew discussed it in the locker room, but it would have been better to take care of it on the field. Remember, it is not unsportsmanlike conduct, but merely a live-ball personal foul.
One of the biggest advancements in training football officials is the use of video. All our videos are extremely easy to access for our officials and the quality is excellent. If you want to improve, there is no better way than studying yourself during games on video. If you have trouble accessing it on Hudl, we have hired a video coordinator who will gladly assist you. Ryan Castillo’s number is available in Arbiter.
Coaches and administrators, please instruct whoever is taking your video not to shut it off too quickly after the play. Many times, things happen after the play is over and we need the video available for review. Please help us with this. Please run the video for several seconds after a down and then for several seconds before the next snap (if you cannot keep it running throughout the whole game).
When a player is ejected from the game, he cannot stay on the sidelines. (Rule 2-27-12-b-1) He must leave the playing enclosure under the escort of team personnel. If a player is disqualified for targeting, he can stay in the team area. (Rule 2-27-12-a-1) Last week, a crew allowed an ejected player to stay in the team area.
During this week's pregame, please discuss the mechanics of the onside kick: “six in the box.”
From game observers’ reports:
Carry two flags. Throwing your hat for your second foul looks bad!
On a two point try down that is not successful, the official should give the signal indicating the try was not good, the same as you would a kicking attempt.
Line Judge and Head Line Judge are in charge of the down box. Never let them move until you direct them to move. In one situation last week, the down box picked up and moved on a 3 rd and 16. When a foul that required a previous spot enforcement occurred, the Referee could not find the correct spot. Also last week, we had the person holding the down box stand his ground resulting in a broken down box and I’m sure the official was a little sore on Sunday. The remainder of the game was played with a broken 4-foot-high down box.
Upon further review, the Big Game Football is the required ball for this season. Officials should not get involved if a team uses a ball other than the big game ball, but put it in your game report.
As always, thank you for what you do for all of the student-athletes and this wonderful game.
Stay safe!
“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” – Vince Lombardi
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2024 WEEKLY BULLETIN #5We continue to have issues with the play clock. Starting this Saturday, I want all of the Referees to meet with the play clock operator before the game, along with the Back Judge and Side Judge, and explain to them your signals, why the clock stops, and why time is added to the clock. Game management, this meeting must occur on the field 30 minutes before the game. If one of the play clocks is inoperative, please make sure you turn both of them off until they are both working again. If they aren’t working, the Back Judge should be keeping the play clock on the field. If this happens, make sure to coordinate on signals to show when the clock is at 10 seconds, and then 5 seconds, and each second after that. I have typically seen a raised hand for 10 seconds. Arm to the side for 5 seconds, and dropping to your side after that so that the arm is against your body at 0. Make sure the quarterbacks understand your signals. Do not get too technical on play clocks if the visible clocks are not working.
Guardian helmets have been around for a while, mainly used in spring football. They look like waffle foam helmets. An athletic director asked me if they are legal to wear during games over a normal helmet. After doing research, I cannot find where it is illegal to wear them, provided the player also has a legal helmet. I noticed players are now wearing them in the NFL. In the interest of safety, let’s not be too picky about these, unless you hear differently from me.
If the ball carrier fumbles a ball forward and out of bounds, our standard is to drop a beanbag where the fumble occurred and return it to that point. (Rule 7-2-4-b-1) We had a situation last week with a ball spotted incorrectly at the point where the ball went out of bounds.
On a fourth down and a try, the only person who can advance a fumble is the person who fumbled it. (Rule 7-2-2-a Exception 2) The fourth down rule only applies to fumbles, not backward passes.
There have been numerous reports of important equipment, such as the chains, not arriving on the field until game time. Nothing is worse for officials than arriving on the field 45 minutes before the game and looking for the chains and crew. Officials who are responsible for the chain crew should go straight to the administrator to get the situation resolved. Do not wait and hope they arrive before kickoff.
When a player's helmet comes completely off during play, the player must stop participating beyond the immediate action in which they are engaged. (Rule 9-1-17) We had a play where the helmet came off, the player put it back on and continued to play. It does not matter if he puts it back on, he cannot continue to participate. The crew discussed it in the locker room, but it would have been better to take care of it on the field. Remember, it is not unsportsmanlike conduct, but merely a live-ball personal foul.
One of the biggest advancements in training football officials is the use of video. All our videos are extremely easy to access for our officials and the quality is excellent. If you want to improve, there is no better way than studying yourself during games on video. If you have trouble accessing it on Hudl, we have hired a video coordinator who will gladly assist you. Ryan Castillo’s number is available in Arbiter.
Coaches and administrators, please instruct whoever is taking your video not to shut it off too quickly after the play. Many times, things happen after the play is over and we need the video available for review. Please help us with this. Please run the video for several seconds after a down and then for several seconds before the next snap (if you cannot keep it running throughout the whole game).
When a player is ejected from the game, he cannot stay on the sidelines. (Rule 2-27-12-b-1) He must leave the playing enclosure under the escort of team personnel. If a player is disqualified for targeting, he can stay in the team area. (Rule 2-27-12-a-1) Last week, a crew allowed an ejected player to stay in the team area.
During this week's pregame, please discuss the mechanics of the onside kick: “six in the box.”
From game observers’ reports:
Carry two flags. Throwing your hat for your second foul looks bad!
On a two point try down that is not successful, the official should give the signal indicating the try was not good, the same as you would a kicking attempt.
Line Judge and Head Line Judge are in charge of the down box. Never let them move until you direct them to move. In one situation last week, the down box picked up and moved on a 3 rd and 16. When a foul that required a previous spot enforcement occurred, the Referee could not find the correct spot. Also last week, we had the person holding the down box stand his ground resulting in a broken down box and I’m sure the official was a little sore on Sunday. The remainder of the game was played with a broken 4-foot-high down box.
Upon further review, the Big Game Football is the required ball for this season. Officials should not get involved if a team uses a ball other than the big game ball, but put it in your game report.
As always, thank you for what you do for all of the student-athletes and this wonderful game.
Stay safe!
“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” – Vince Lombardi
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations