Get Ready for Fall 2024
From: Rich Kollen
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, November 15 2024
We had a play last week where a defensive player's helmet came off due to illegal hands to the face by the offense. The penalty was not called. What made it worse was that the player was pushed into a pile, and we flagged this player for a 15-yard personal foul for playing without a helmet. (Rule 9-1-17) Someone on the crew should have stepped up and helped out in this situation. When you see a helmet off, THINK it might be off due to a penalty.
As we close the 2024 SCFA season, I’m sorry I didn’t mention that Victor Valley College, in the high desert, just opened a new facility this season. It is a state of the art stadium, seating 4000 people. Congratulations to the Coach and Athletic Director for getting this done and completing the long overdue facility upgrades at Victor Valley College.
Coaches can come down to the 20-yard line to coach, in the coaching box. In situations where a coach is requesting a time out and the ball is inside the 20, near the goal line, the coach can come outside the coaching box and inside the 20 to get the attention of an official. Coaches should be aware, however, if you leave the coaching box and come inside the 20, and the official notices you, a time out will be called, regardless of whether that is what you wanted. Last week, we had a coach attempting to get an important time out, and none of the seven officials saw the request. We should know when a coach needs a timeout and be looking for it. Game awareness.
I understand this year we’ve had more lopsided games than in previous years. I’ve advised the Referees not to get involved in suggesting that a game be shortened. By rule, we cannot go with a running clock, but we can shorten remaining quarters. (Rule 3-2-2-a) Coaches should make that decision without input from the Referee.
There cannot be defensive pass interference on a pass that does not cross the line of scrimmage (including if the ball is tipped behind the line of scrimmage). (Rule 7-3-8-a) There can be a foul for holding or a personal foul, but it cannot be DPI. I commend the crew that brought this to my attention after they discussed it in the locker room. This is all about learning, and it should never happen again. The Head Line Judge and Line Judge must know where the pass is first touched in relation to the line of scrimmage, and must be prepared to step up with such information.
Please advise any new officials on your crew, usually deeps and line of scrimmage officials, that when coaches ask them questions to be sure they’re giving correct interpretations, I would suggest you inform them that you have to check with the Referee. The last couple of weeks, we’ve had officials tell the coach if football hits the ground, it could never be a catch. If the ground aids in a catch it’s not a catch, but the ball can touch the ground. Also, remember, when speaking with a coach about rules, try to always have at least two officials present.
A pancake block by the defender has an offensive player on the ground. He simply lays on him and prevents him getting up. There is no rule prohibiting this, provided he doesn’t hold him.
A few final thoughts for the last week, bowl games, and playoffs: If the kickoff is caught in the end zone, but never brought out of the end zone by the receiver, the game clock does not start. (Rule 3-3-2-a) Clock errors, especially those at critical times at the end of a half or game, should be corrected by officials. Additionally, if a kickoff is caught in the end zone, and the player tosses the ball to the Referee (without taking a knee), that player has given himself up, and the play is over.
More schools are providing a microphone for Referees. When you talk, there can sometimes be a 2-3 second delay. I know this is distracting and hard to get used to, but this happens at all levels, and it's something you just need to practice.
Tips for Referees: Do not say, "We have" a foul, rather just report the foul, i.e. "holding, #64, offense." I also hear defense "offsides." There is only one side for each team. So, the defense is "offside." The offense cannot be offside. The offense has "encroached.
When a team is celebrating after a play, do not run into the celebration. Stand back and observe the action. It is dangerous to try to intervene. Consider having ball personnel get you another ball after the touchdown for the try. It doesn't look good for us to be chasing after the ball.
Referees need to be aware that your microphone may be on at any time. Be very careful what you say after any announcement. The mic could still be hot. Very little makes you blush more than when you throw out an expletive that is heard by the whole crowd. Another safety there is not to use expletives on the field at all.
I hope to have all of you back for the 2025 season. Good Luck to our colleges in the playoffs and Bowl Games.
"I wanted to have a career in sports when I was young, but I had to give up the idea. I'm only six feet tall, so I couldn't play basketball. I'm only 190 pounds, so I couldn't play football, and I have 20/20 vision, so I couldn't be a referee." – Jay Leno
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations
Subject: SCCFOA
Date: Friday, November 15 2024
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
2024 WEEKLY BULLETIN #11We had a play last week where a defensive player's helmet came off due to illegal hands to the face by the offense. The penalty was not called. What made it worse was that the player was pushed into a pile, and we flagged this player for a 15-yard personal foul for playing without a helmet. (Rule 9-1-17) Someone on the crew should have stepped up and helped out in this situation. When you see a helmet off, THINK it might be off due to a penalty.
As we close the 2024 SCFA season, I’m sorry I didn’t mention that Victor Valley College, in the high desert, just opened a new facility this season. It is a state of the art stadium, seating 4000 people. Congratulations to the Coach and Athletic Director for getting this done and completing the long overdue facility upgrades at Victor Valley College.
Coaches can come down to the 20-yard line to coach, in the coaching box. In situations where a coach is requesting a time out and the ball is inside the 20, near the goal line, the coach can come outside the coaching box and inside the 20 to get the attention of an official. Coaches should be aware, however, if you leave the coaching box and come inside the 20, and the official notices you, a time out will be called, regardless of whether that is what you wanted. Last week, we had a coach attempting to get an important time out, and none of the seven officials saw the request. We should know when a coach needs a timeout and be looking for it. Game awareness.
I understand this year we’ve had more lopsided games than in previous years. I’ve advised the Referees not to get involved in suggesting that a game be shortened. By rule, we cannot go with a running clock, but we can shorten remaining quarters. (Rule 3-2-2-a) Coaches should make that decision without input from the Referee.
There cannot be defensive pass interference on a pass that does not cross the line of scrimmage (including if the ball is tipped behind the line of scrimmage). (Rule 7-3-8-a) There can be a foul for holding or a personal foul, but it cannot be DPI. I commend the crew that brought this to my attention after they discussed it in the locker room. This is all about learning, and it should never happen again. The Head Line Judge and Line Judge must know where the pass is first touched in relation to the line of scrimmage, and must be prepared to step up with such information.
Please advise any new officials on your crew, usually deeps and line of scrimmage officials, that when coaches ask them questions to be sure they’re giving correct interpretations, I would suggest you inform them that you have to check with the Referee. The last couple of weeks, we’ve had officials tell the coach if football hits the ground, it could never be a catch. If the ground aids in a catch it’s not a catch, but the ball can touch the ground. Also, remember, when speaking with a coach about rules, try to always have at least two officials present.
A pancake block by the defender has an offensive player on the ground. He simply lays on him and prevents him getting up. There is no rule prohibiting this, provided he doesn’t hold him.
A few final thoughts for the last week, bowl games, and playoffs: If the kickoff is caught in the end zone, but never brought out of the end zone by the receiver, the game clock does not start. (Rule 3-3-2-a) Clock errors, especially those at critical times at the end of a half or game, should be corrected by officials. Additionally, if a kickoff is caught in the end zone, and the player tosses the ball to the Referee (without taking a knee), that player has given himself up, and the play is over.
More schools are providing a microphone for Referees. When you talk, there can sometimes be a 2-3 second delay. I know this is distracting and hard to get used to, but this happens at all levels, and it's something you just need to practice.
Tips for Referees: Do not say, "We have" a foul, rather just report the foul, i.e. "holding, #64, offense." I also hear defense "offsides." There is only one side for each team. So, the defense is "offside." The offense cannot be offside. The offense has "encroached.
When a team is celebrating after a play, do not run into the celebration. Stand back and observe the action. It is dangerous to try to intervene. Consider having ball personnel get you another ball after the touchdown for the try. It doesn't look good for us to be chasing after the ball.
Referees need to be aware that your microphone may be on at any time. Be very careful what you say after any announcement. The mic could still be hot. Very little makes you blush more than when you throw out an expletive that is heard by the whole crowd. Another safety there is not to use expletives on the field at all.
I hope to have all of you back for the 2025 season. Good Luck to our colleges in the playoffs and Bowl Games.
"I wanted to have a career in sports when I was young, but I had to give up the idea. I'm only six feet tall, so I couldn't play basketball. I'm only 190 pounds, so I couldn't play football, and I have 20/20 vision, so I couldn't be a referee." – Jay Leno
Rich Kollen
Director of Football Operations