Get Ready for Fall
From: Rich Kollen
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
As we begin the second half of the season, there’s a lot at stake for our student-athletes and for our officials as well. With the expansion of the state playoffs to 12 teams (six from the South and six from the North), there are now more opportunities than ever for both athletes and officials to participate at the highest level.
The tentative playoff schedule is as follows: Round 1: November 15; Round 2: November 22; Round 3: November 29; SoCal Championship: Dec. 6; State Championship December 13.
If a backward pass is ruled and the receiver drops the ball, either team may recover and advance it. At our level, when in doubt, remember that a pass is forward rather than backward. (Rule 2-19-2-a)
On a field goal, the holder may catch the snap with a knee on the ground, then throw a pass — provided there is a kicker in position ready to attempt the kick. (Rule 4-1-3-b)
Remember, the snapper only receives protection when a team is in a scrimmage kick formation and not on the end of the line of scrimmage. (Rule 9-1-14) Any other time, the snapper can be contacted immediately after snapping the ball. The action must be a football act and not anything of a personal foul in nature.
We had another issue with teams moving in the wrong direction after switching ends between quarters. Nothing looks worse than starting a drive or kickoff going the wrong way. To prevent this, assign one crew member to be responsible for confirming the correct direction before each quarter starts and before each kickoff. Make sure everyone is on the same page before the ball is put in play.
I’ve been around the great game of college football for over 50 years, and the one thing that has never changed is how often everyone (coaches, fans, and even players) beg for holding! It’s the most requested call in football. Because of that, I thought this would be a good opportunity to review our instruction to the officials about what actually constitutes a foul for holding. There’s a difference between a legal block and a foul for restriction, and our goal is consistency in how we identify and call holding.
1. Restriction at the Point of Attack. The most important question:
• Did the blocker restrict or impede the defender’s ability to make the play?
• If restriction occurs at or near the point of attack, it’s almost always a foul.
• Away from the play, officials typically pass on marginal restriction unless it’s flagrant.
2. Hands or Arms Used Illegally
• Grabbing or tackling the defender.
• Hooking or pulling back the shoulders or jersey.
• Twisting or turning the body of the defender.
• Material restriction – visible stretch of the jersey or a pulled shoulder pad.
3. Feet Beat, Then Grab
• If the lineman is beaten by quickness or angle, and the defender has an advantage, the blocker often reaches, grabs, or clamps. This is a classic holding setup.
4. Arm Bar / Hook
A blocker uses an arm around the body or waist of the defender to stop progress or redirect him.
• This is legal if contact is inside the frame and there is no restriction.
• It is illegal if the arm prevents disengagement or alters the defender’s path.
5. Take-Downs or Pull-Downs
• Any time the lineman pulls a defender to the ground, even accidentally, officials lean toward a hold — especially if it springs the runner or prevents pressure on the QB.
6. Hand Placement
• Legal zone: inside the frame of the defender (chest area, between shoulders).
• Illegal: hands slide outside and then grab, hook, or torque the defender. If hands stay inside and the lineman maintains control with active feet, it’s usually legal, even if the defender doesn’t move freely.
7. Effect on the Play
If the restriction creates an advantage or affects the outcome of the play, it’s more likely a foul. If a restriction occurs behind the play, or has no effect, it’s often passed on (philosophy of advantage/disadvantage). REMEMBER, MAKE IT BIG!
Overall, our officials are taught to “let the players play.” The most important thing is whether or not a hold has a material effect on the play. Please keep that in mind as you watch the game and before you plead for a holding foul.
“You FAIL all of the time. But you aren’t a FAILURE until you start blaming someone else.” – Bum Phillips, Houston Texans
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2025 WEEKLY BULLETIN #8As we begin the second half of the season, there’s a lot at stake for our student-athletes and for our officials as well. With the expansion of the state playoffs to 12 teams (six from the South and six from the North), there are now more opportunities than ever for both athletes and officials to participate at the highest level.
The tentative playoff schedule is as follows: Round 1: November 15; Round 2: November 22; Round 3: November 29; SoCal Championship: Dec. 6; State Championship December 13.
If a backward pass is ruled and the receiver drops the ball, either team may recover and advance it. At our level, when in doubt, remember that a pass is forward rather than backward. (Rule 2-19-2-a)
On a field goal, the holder may catch the snap with a knee on the ground, then throw a pass — provided there is a kicker in position ready to attempt the kick. (Rule 4-1-3-b)
Remember, the snapper only receives protection when a team is in a scrimmage kick formation and not on the end of the line of scrimmage. (Rule 9-1-14) Any other time, the snapper can be contacted immediately after snapping the ball. The action must be a football act and not anything of a personal foul in nature.
We had another issue with teams moving in the wrong direction after switching ends between quarters. Nothing looks worse than starting a drive or kickoff going the wrong way. To prevent this, assign one crew member to be responsible for confirming the correct direction before each quarter starts and before each kickoff. Make sure everyone is on the same page before the ball is put in play.
I’ve been around the great game of college football for over 50 years, and the one thing that has never changed is how often everyone (coaches, fans, and even players) beg for holding! It’s the most requested call in football. Because of that, I thought this would be a good opportunity to review our instruction to the officials about what actually constitutes a foul for holding. There’s a difference between a legal block and a foul for restriction, and our goal is consistency in how we identify and call holding.
1. Restriction at the Point of Attack. The most important question:
• Did the blocker restrict or impede the defender’s ability to make the play?
• If restriction occurs at or near the point of attack, it’s almost always a foul.
• Away from the play, officials typically pass on marginal restriction unless it’s flagrant.
2. Hands or Arms Used Illegally
• Grabbing or tackling the defender.
• Hooking or pulling back the shoulders or jersey.
• Twisting or turning the body of the defender.
• Material restriction – visible stretch of the jersey or a pulled shoulder pad.
3. Feet Beat, Then Grab
• If the lineman is beaten by quickness or angle, and the defender has an advantage, the blocker often reaches, grabs, or clamps. This is a classic holding setup.
4. Arm Bar / Hook
A blocker uses an arm around the body or waist of the defender to stop progress or redirect him.
• This is legal if contact is inside the frame and there is no restriction.
• It is illegal if the arm prevents disengagement or alters the defender’s path.
5. Take-Downs or Pull-Downs
• Any time the lineman pulls a defender to the ground, even accidentally, officials lean toward a hold — especially if it springs the runner or prevents pressure on the QB.
6. Hand Placement
• Legal zone: inside the frame of the defender (chest area, between shoulders).
• Illegal: hands slide outside and then grab, hook, or torque the defender. If hands stay inside and the lineman maintains control with active feet, it’s usually legal, even if the defender doesn’t move freely.
7. Effect on the Play
If the restriction creates an advantage or affects the outcome of the play, it’s more likely a foul. If a restriction occurs behind the play, or has no effect, it’s often passed on (philosophy of advantage/disadvantage). REMEMBER, MAKE IT BIG!
Overall, our officials are taught to “let the players play.” The most important thing is whether or not a hold has a material effect on the play. Please keep that in mind as you watch the game and before you plead for a holding foul.
“You FAIL all of the time. But you aren’t a FAILURE until you start blaming someone else.” – Bum Phillips, Houston Texans
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations