Get Ready for Fall 2024
From: "Rich Kollen" - dayofgame@icloud.com
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
In January 2020, I had never heard of Zoom and never knew their stock price was $68 a share (and then moved quickly to over $500). When the pandemic started, Zoom became a household word, and even a verb. I think if anything good came out of the pandemic, it was video conferencing for educational purposes in officiating. I have used Zoom constantly with officials: conducting clinics, meetings, and open discussions. It’s a powerful tool, if used correctly. We have weekly referee Zoom meetings where video of the previous week's games is shared. Our new instructional chairman, Greg Truex, conducted Zoom training for over 35 new officials, helping them transition from high school officiating to college. Video was difficult in the beginning, but in the last year using Zoom, I’m able to share training plays with all of our staff.
A little tip on targeting. When considering a Rule 9-1-3 “crown of the helmet” foul, focus on the player delivering the hit. When considering a Rule 9-1-4 “hit to the head or neck of a defenseless player” foul, watch the person being hit. Remember, all elements of targeting must be present to make the call. Make sure you are aware of the elements. Do not kick someone out of a game because you “think it looked like targeting.”
A coach sent in video of a scrimmage kick in which the officials allowed the receiving team to play with 12 on the field. Our mechanics requires that we have three officials counting the defense, so I don’t understand how this can happen. We should have three flags when there are 12 on defense. This is especially true on any scrimmage kick, where our antennas must go up (as units change in and out). Count players on EVERY play. Also on scrimmage kicks, remember that any low block is a foul (Rule 9-1-6-c), and control your whistle. As you are all aware, kick plays are where most of the big officiating issues occur.
In the last three weeks, I have received reports of players spitting on opponents. This is a vulgar act in the game of football, and we need to end it immediately. I’m sure you can understand that it is exceedingly difficult to see in video, so discipline is not easy to dole out by the commissioner. The commissioner has and will continue to support the officials who have made these calls. Coaches, please discuss with your players that this must stop immediately.
Duplicate numbers on players are generally OK. However, they can never be in the game at the same time. (Rule 1-4-2-B) I have not seen it happen this season. If you have seen this called on a play, please email me the official’s name. I may have a special award for situational awareness. Also remember that two players with the same number cannot play the same position during the game. (Rule 9-2-2-d) If anyone has called that, I may have a really special award!
We definitely have to get the numbers of players who commit fouls. That said, I see too many officials pull out game cards and start writing when they should be dead-ball officiating. At our level, officials need to focus on dead-ball officiating. After the play is over, your attention needs to go immediately to the players and their actions. Addressing trash-talking, chicken-fighting, etc., needs to be done many times. Always first try whistles and a strongly worded “knock it off.” Speaking of what happens after the play is over, coaches, please ask your video operator to keep recording the action on plays until all players are separated (about 8-10 seconds).
When restricted linemen (any interior lineman and a lineman wearing 50-79) are down and locked in the 3- or 4-point stance or hands below their knees, they cannot rise out of their stance. (Rule 7-1-2-b-3) If a coach or quarterback changes the play, these linemen are still locked and cannot rise up out of their stance. If they do, it is a false start. Tight ends are not restricted linemen, and can rise and re-establish themselves (provided they are not 50-79).
A coach shared video regarding tackles not breaking the plane of the waistline of the snapper. If the tackles are not on the line, they can get a tremendous advantage. Officials, please work with the players and coaches and get the tackles up so their helmet breaks the waistline of the snapper. (Rule 2-27-4-a-2) Let’s give a warning to coach before a penalty is enforced.
Recently, I have noticed crews reviewing video of the two teams they will be officiating that week. Although preparation is good, consider the value of knowing all the stats of key players, formations they will be running, etc. Personally, I tend to feel that if you have that much time, it is better spent discussing catch/fumble plays, ball carrier down or fumble, types of defensive pass interference, correct penalty enforcement, and counting to twelve.
We are starting to see some unusual signals on kickoffs by the receivers. Remember, any waving is a signal and kills the play, when the ball is caught or recovered. The receiver can shade their eyes from the sun, as long as the arm/hand does not wave. Receivers can also point to the ball with one or both hands with no issue. The T signal is an invalid signal.
The receiver running along the sidelines clearly takes one step out of bounds, not forced, returns immediately and catches a pass. The official correctly ruled illegal touching and advanced the down. (Rule 7-3-4) Remember, a player who is forced out of bounds can reestablish and be eligible. Speaking of a receiver stepping out on his own, he is not an eligible receiver, and there can be no defensive pass interference against this player. This situation requires commutation with the crew to get the correct ruling. The first question needs to be how he went out of bounds. We need to know. When in doubt, he was forced out.
I have had numerous officials mention to me that they have not been paid for their services. Officials, please email me the date and Arbiter game number and I will pass those on to the commissioner and all our colleges.
There will be no bulletin next week, as I will be up in the Bay area attending community college meetings.
“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety perfect how you respond to it” Lou Holtz
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2022 WEEKLY BULLETIN #8In January 2020, I had never heard of Zoom and never knew their stock price was $68 a share (and then moved quickly to over $500). When the pandemic started, Zoom became a household word, and even a verb. I think if anything good came out of the pandemic, it was video conferencing for educational purposes in officiating. I have used Zoom constantly with officials: conducting clinics, meetings, and open discussions. It’s a powerful tool, if used correctly. We have weekly referee Zoom meetings where video of the previous week's games is shared. Our new instructional chairman, Greg Truex, conducted Zoom training for over 35 new officials, helping them transition from high school officiating to college. Video was difficult in the beginning, but in the last year using Zoom, I’m able to share training plays with all of our staff.
A little tip on targeting. When considering a Rule 9-1-3 “crown of the helmet” foul, focus on the player delivering the hit. When considering a Rule 9-1-4 “hit to the head or neck of a defenseless player” foul, watch the person being hit. Remember, all elements of targeting must be present to make the call. Make sure you are aware of the elements. Do not kick someone out of a game because you “think it looked like targeting.”
A coach sent in video of a scrimmage kick in which the officials allowed the receiving team to play with 12 on the field. Our mechanics requires that we have three officials counting the defense, so I don’t understand how this can happen. We should have three flags when there are 12 on defense. This is especially true on any scrimmage kick, where our antennas must go up (as units change in and out). Count players on EVERY play. Also on scrimmage kicks, remember that any low block is a foul (Rule 9-1-6-c), and control your whistle. As you are all aware, kick plays are where most of the big officiating issues occur.
In the last three weeks, I have received reports of players spitting on opponents. This is a vulgar act in the game of football, and we need to end it immediately. I’m sure you can understand that it is exceedingly difficult to see in video, so discipline is not easy to dole out by the commissioner. The commissioner has and will continue to support the officials who have made these calls. Coaches, please discuss with your players that this must stop immediately.
Duplicate numbers on players are generally OK. However, they can never be in the game at the same time. (Rule 1-4-2-B) I have not seen it happen this season. If you have seen this called on a play, please email me the official’s name. I may have a special award for situational awareness. Also remember that two players with the same number cannot play the same position during the game. (Rule 9-2-2-d) If anyone has called that, I may have a really special award!
We definitely have to get the numbers of players who commit fouls. That said, I see too many officials pull out game cards and start writing when they should be dead-ball officiating. At our level, officials need to focus on dead-ball officiating. After the play is over, your attention needs to go immediately to the players and their actions. Addressing trash-talking, chicken-fighting, etc., needs to be done many times. Always first try whistles and a strongly worded “knock it off.” Speaking of what happens after the play is over, coaches, please ask your video operator to keep recording the action on plays until all players are separated (about 8-10 seconds).
When restricted linemen (any interior lineman and a lineman wearing 50-79) are down and locked in the 3- or 4-point stance or hands below their knees, they cannot rise out of their stance. (Rule 7-1-2-b-3) If a coach or quarterback changes the play, these linemen are still locked and cannot rise up out of their stance. If they do, it is a false start. Tight ends are not restricted linemen, and can rise and re-establish themselves (provided they are not 50-79).
A coach shared video regarding tackles not breaking the plane of the waistline of the snapper. If the tackles are not on the line, they can get a tremendous advantage. Officials, please work with the players and coaches and get the tackles up so their helmet breaks the waistline of the snapper. (Rule 2-27-4-a-2) Let’s give a warning to coach before a penalty is enforced.
Recently, I have noticed crews reviewing video of the two teams they will be officiating that week. Although preparation is good, consider the value of knowing all the stats of key players, formations they will be running, etc. Personally, I tend to feel that if you have that much time, it is better spent discussing catch/fumble plays, ball carrier down or fumble, types of defensive pass interference, correct penalty enforcement, and counting to twelve.
We are starting to see some unusual signals on kickoffs by the receivers. Remember, any waving is a signal and kills the play, when the ball is caught or recovered. The receiver can shade their eyes from the sun, as long as the arm/hand does not wave. Receivers can also point to the ball with one or both hands with no issue. The T signal is an invalid signal.
The receiver running along the sidelines clearly takes one step out of bounds, not forced, returns immediately and catches a pass. The official correctly ruled illegal touching and advanced the down. (Rule 7-3-4) Remember, a player who is forced out of bounds can reestablish and be eligible. Speaking of a receiver stepping out on his own, he is not an eligible receiver, and there can be no defensive pass interference against this player. This situation requires commutation with the crew to get the correct ruling. The first question needs to be how he went out of bounds. We need to know. When in doubt, he was forced out.
I have had numerous officials mention to me that they have not been paid for their services. Officials, please email me the date and Arbiter game number and I will pass those on to the commissioner and all our colleges.
There will be no bulletin next week, as I will be up in the Bay area attending community college meetings.
“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety perfect how you respond to it” Lou Holtz
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations