Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2000

CCFOA SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER II

CCFOA Member Do's Don't's

1. Don't talk to any members of the media (print, radio, TV, etc...) as a CCFOA associate unless your answers, reflections, explanations, replies, responses have been first reviewed by the CCFOA Board. Any media inquires should be always first directed to your Board or your Assignor for a response regarding game situations or rule interpretations

2. When attending contests as a spectator, Don't ever criticize a fellow official to others attending that game as to a game situation or a rule interpretation.

3. Do use common sense in communicating with the coaching staff and players and attempt to build rapport so as to avoid serious confrontations during tense situations that can arise during games. Please review the following:
   

• Chain crew should be two yds.off the sideline as an aid to keeping teams back
  
• Thou shalt understand and appreciate the coaches.
  
• Coaches and players should not control your sideline but you must use pleasant, courteous interpersonal techniques to establish your control.

(Additional Do's and Don't's advice will be featured in future newsletters)

Miscellaneous Rule Reminders .

Darken Eye Shields (1-5-3m) An eye shield that does permit visual inspection of the player's eyes is illegal. Violations are handled the same as other illegal equipment fouls: Coach is assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct foul and player is removed until corrected.

Dead Ball (4-2-2k) The ball becomes dead when a player in possession of the ball loses his helmet.

Penalty Enforcement (5-3-1, 10-2-4) Penalties for fouls with succeeding spot enforcement prior to the ready for play signal are administered before setting the line-to-gain equipment for a new series - no 1st and 25 situations.

On fourth-down plays, team A must still advance beyond the line to gain or team B takes possession. Two exceptions would be if team B commits a live-ball foul that takes the ball beyond the line to gain or team B commits a live-ball foul that includes the award of an automatic first down. Unsportsmanlike, nonplayer and dead-ball fouls before the next ready for play signal are administered I before the chains are set for team B's new series.
On fourth-down plays when A has come up short of the line to gain but B has fouled, it is important for the referee to signal the change of possession (giving the first down signal in the opposite direction), then giving the dead-ball foul and appropriate foul signals.

Play 1: Rl fair-catches a punt on R's 20 yardline. After the whistle sounds, (a) K7, or (b) R3 slugs an opponent.
Ruling 1: In either case, the penalty for the dead-ball foul is enforced before the chains are set. The result: In (a), R will have first and 10 from R's 35, in (b), R will have first and 10 from R's 10. In both cases, the penalized players are also ejected.
Play 2: First and 10 on A's 30. After the ready for play signal but before the snap, (a) A7 curses at the official, or (b) B6 encroaches.
Ruling 2: Because the ready signal had been given, the chains are not moved with enforcement of the penalty. If the penalty is accepted in (a), team A will face first and 25 from A's 25; in (b), team A will have first and five from the 35.

Kick-Catching Interference (6-5-6 Exp., 9-7-2 Exp. ) K players may catch, touch, muff or bat a scrimmage kick in flight beyond the neutral zone if no R player is in position to catch the ball. Requires official to use judgment to determine if receiver is in position to catch the ball. If there is any doubt in this regard, kick-catching interference must be called.

Roughing the Passer (9-4-3) Roughing the passer penalty is enforced from the end of the last run if the run ends beyond the neutral zone. With no change of possession and if the run ends behind the neutral zone, enforcement is from the previous spot. There is no "carry over" provision if the play results in a touchdown or a two-point conversion.

Automatic first down (9-4-5 penalty). Roughing the snapper carries an automatic first down in addition to a 15-yard penalty. NOTE: A defensive player shall not charge directly into the snapper when the offensive team is in a scrimmage kick formation until the snapper is in a position to defend himself or moves to participate in the play.

Free-Blocking Zone (2-17-2c). Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone if all of the players involved are in the free-blocking zone at the snap. The blocker must be stationary at the snap.

Illegal kick (2-31-1,10-3-1c). The penalty for an illegal kick from in or behind the neutral zone is enforced as a loose-ball foul. Previously, the illegal kicks were not addressed in the definition of loose ball plays. Penalties for illegal kicks beyond the neutral zone are also to be enforced from the spot of the kick, which is the end of the run that preceded the illegal kick.

Doctor's Verification

Head coaches are required to provide to the referee prior to game time written verification of a physician's permission for any player's participation who is wearing a cast.
The CCFOA is required to keep these notifications (either the original or a copy) as protection against any possible future legal liabilities.

Umpires Pre-Game Equipment Check

There are two areas of player equipment checks to which we must show more vigilance:

• A number of players are failing to wear their required tail pads.

• Some players have cleats that are longer than the rule book limit of 1/2 inch. All members should review Rule 1-5-1g regarding cleat specifications.

Pass Interference Review

Pass Interference is one of the more controversial plays in all of football. The majority of the calls in this regard are on the defense, known as Defensive P.I. but the offense in many cases can be just as guilty.

• Both teams have equal right to the ball.
  
• Offensive pass interference starts with the snap -- NOT WHEN THE BALL THROWN.
  
• In order for a penalty to occur the pass must be a legal, beyond the line and untouched.
  

NOTE 1: An offensive lineman who goes down field beyond the neutral zone yards and blocks B either before or after the pass is thrown is guilty of pass interference if the pass goes beyond the line. If the pass is ruled behind the line, it is a legal play.

NOTE 2: The umpire *should alert the other officials that the pass has been touched with the tip signal

Legal and Illegal Pick Plays

There are legal and illegal ways of running these pass plays. It is a LEGAL PLAY If Al runs a 10 yard button hook pass pattern and is looking back at the Q.B. as to receive a pass and A2 runs a 7 yard crossing pattern between the line of scrimmage and Al and catches the ball using Al to screen or pick off Bl who is covering him. If Al was moving toward Bl (looking away from the Q.B.) while the ball is in the air or blocking him either before after the ball is thrown then you would have Offensive P.I.

The Pushoff

One illegal technique that receivers use to free themselves to catch a pass is the push off. They will run at or get close to a defensive back and then with a lighting quick motion they will give the defender a quick push or chug in one direction and break into their pass pattern in the opposite direction.

Tangled Feet

There are times when two players from opposite teams will be running closely together before or after the ball has been thrown when either or both of the players falls when their feet become entangled. You should always rule on the side that this is not a foul unless in your mind you are absolutely sure that it was done intentionally by either A or B.

Lineman Blocking Beyond the Expanded Neutral Zone

If a pass is thrown beyond the line an offensive lineman may legally block an opponent on his line and drive him 3 yards beyond the line. If he continues to drive him beyond the 3 yards then he will be flagged for offensive pass interference.

Forward Pass Mechanics

HL / LJ

• Both are responsible for ruling on passes at the backline.
  
• After initial play of linemen, drift side-side (at first) to cover play- After pass is thrown. Run quickly to within 5 yards of where the ball will arrive.
  
• Watch for contact interference by either team downfield before and after the pass has been thrown and before touched by any player.
  
• You have complete charge of all forward passes thrown beyond the line. Referee stays with the passer.
  
• Know whether forward pass touches an eligible beyond or behind the line of scrimmage or neutral zone.
  
• If pass is intercepted and runner downed, sound whistle and give first down signal pointing in direction that team is going that intercepted the pass, so that other officials will know outcome of the play.
  
• If pass is incomplete, the covering official gives the incomplete pass signal followed by the time out signal all other officials involved then will give the "time out" signal.
  
• Be aware if a pass is forward or a backward. You might have to be the one to rule on it.
  
• Both are in the best position to know when a tackle releases on a pass play.
  
• On a quick stand up pass, you may have to rule on whether it is forward or backwards.
  

Referee

• Stay with the passer, check on legality of the pass as to whether it is a forward or a lateral.
  
• Know whether or not forward pass was thrown on or behind the line of scrimmage.
  
• Watch for forward pass touching any ineligible receiver on or behind the line.
  
• You are responsible for any roughness against the passer.
  

Umpire

• Vary your movements. If you move up to the line of scrimmage on a pass play, be alert for the draw play and a runner coming your way.
  
• ON SHORT, BUTTON HOOK, OR TRAP PASSES, THE UMPIRE HAS TO TURN AND BE IN POSITION TO ASSIST THE FLANK OFFICIALS IN RULING ON THE PASS IF NEEDED.
  
• On kicking situations, note the ineligible interior linemen. numbered other than 50 thru 79.
  
• In being responsible for the five ineligible linemen. first locate the tight end and count quickly the next five linemen inside the end - they are ineligible.
  
• Assist in whether the pass is beyond or behind the line. Both Flank Officials will also rule on this.
  

Incorporation and New By-Laws

It was the intention of the Board to publish incorporation data and accompanying bylaws for membership examination in this newsletter. However, this will be done later as the documents have not been fully prepared at this time.

2000 CLINIC

Our 2000 Clinic was most successful with special thanks to its organizer, Assignor Dave Cutaia. Dave was ably assisted by session presenters Rich Rose & Mark Ernst (referee position - two veterans with much expertise to share), Bob Mendell (umpire duties - after 39 years Bob still has "it" and still diligently prepares for his offerings), Dale Newhouse (side officials - what more can we say about Pac-Ten's "Mr. Wonderful"?) and Ken Leffle (a very beneficial, well-edited video presentation of game situations). Mark Ernst also gave us, via his his law enforcement background, some worthwhile techniques to deal with difficult fans, coaches and players. We also must convey particular recognition to Chef / El President Tony Ghisletta, our provider of excellent mid-day nosh and nutrition (the tri-tip supper was simply a savory delight).

Daryl Perna is our Youth Football liaison. A recap of his clinic presentation is on the web site. Please be sure to capture his Youth Football weekly updates on the web.

REMAINING 2000 MEETINGS

All meetings at:
Walnut Creek Intermediate School
2425 Walnut Blvd.
Walnut Creek, CA

PASS ON THE MESSAGE!!
Please pass on this information to following members who do not have access to either e-mail, FAX or the web:
BILL HOEFS,   PAUL SWANSON, JIM REBSTOCK,   BOB MENDELL, KELLY HOGARTY,   ROGER ALVARADO, BILLY ULMER,    GENE VIGIL, ED REGALADO,   ARNOLD LEHMAN, TRACY REIGELMAN,   JOHN BUTLER.

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