FOOTBALL OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES

FOOTBALL OFFICIATING FOOTBALL OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIESPHILOSOPHIES

Officiating Philosophies have been used with success in the BSC Officiating Philosophies have been used with success in the BSC since 1999. All philosophies are approved each year by the since 1999. All philosophies are approved each year by the

coaches. Additions are made as the rules change.coaches. Additions are made as the rules change.

Clarification of Clarification of Blocking RulesBlocking Rules

Clarification of Clarification of Blocking Rules Blocking Rules

Blocking NotesBlocking Notes

All takedowns will be called regardless of the position of the All takedowns will be called regardless of the position of the player on the field or whether or not it occurs at the point of player on the field or whether or not it occurs at the point of attack.attack.

If there is a potential for offensive holding but the action occurs If there is a potential for offensive holding but the action occurs away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, offensive holding will not be called.offensive holding will not be called.

Clarification of Clarification of Blocking Rules Blocking Rules

Blocking NotesBlocking Notes

If there is a potential for defensive holding but the action occurs away If there is a potential for defensive holding but the action occurs away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, defensive holding from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, defensive holding will not be called.will not be called.

Holding on offensive lineman by the defense that restricts their ability to Holding on offensive lineman by the defense that restricts their ability to pull and participate in the play will be called defensive holdingpull and participate in the play will be called defensive holding

OFFENSIVE LINE OFOFFENSIVE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE GUIDELINESSCRIMMAGE GUIDELINES

On the Line of ScrimmageOn the Line of Scrimmage

An offensive player is An offensive player is “on the line of scrimmage”“on the line of scrimmage” when he faces his when he faces his opponent’s goal line with the line of his shoulders parallel thereto and opponent’s goal line with the line of his shoulders parallel thereto and his head his head breaking the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper.breaking the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper.

A. A. If the offensive player is lined up with his head between the If the offensive player is lined up with his head between the waistline waistline of the snapper and a line drawn through the rear end of the of the snapper and a line drawn through the rear end of the snapper a snapper a warning will be given after the play. Each team will be given warning will be given after the play. Each team will be given one warning one warning per game. After the warning players who are in this position per game. After the warning players who are in this position will be will be penalized.penalized.

B.B. If the offensive player is lined up with his head behind the rear end If the offensive player is lined up with his head behind the rear end of of the snapper a foul will be called without warning.the snapper a foul will be called without warning.

OFFENSIVE LINE OFOFFENSIVE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE GUIDELINESSCRIMMAGE GUIDELINES

On the Line of ScrimmageOn the Line of Scrimmage

An offensive wide receiver or slot back will be given some leeway in An offensive wide receiver or slot back will be given some leeway in determining if he is off the line of scrimmage,determining if he is off the line of scrimmage, but to be on the line of but to be on the line of scrimmage he must be within one yard of the offensive line of scrimmagescrimmage he must be within one yard of the offensive line of scrimmage. . (break the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper)(break the plane of the line drawn through the waistline of the snapper)

Wide receivers or slot backs lined up outside a tight end will be ruled to be on Wide receivers or slot backs lined up outside a tight end will be ruled to be on the line of scrimmage and covering the tight end if they are within one yard of the line of scrimmage and covering the tight end if they are within one yard of the line of scrimmage.the line of scrimmage.

If there is not a tight end on the side of the slot back/wide receiver any If there is not a tight end on the side of the slot back/wide receiver any separation is enough to rule the slot back/wide receiver in the backfield.separation is enough to rule the slot back/wide receiver in the backfield.

Clarification of Pass Clarification of Pass Interference RulesInterference Rules

Defensive Pass Defensive Pass InterferenceInterference

Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch. make the catch.

Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to

make a play on the ball.make a play on the ball. Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that

restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.

Defensive Pass Defensive Pass InterferenceInterference

Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the defender is playing the ball.fact of whether or not the defender is playing the ball.

Cutting off the path of receiver by making contact with Cutting off the path of receiver by making contact with

him without playing the ball.him without playing the ball. Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get the ball in such Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get the ball in such

a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to turn prior a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving. to the ball arriving.

Not Defensive Pass Not Defensive Pass InterferenceInterference

Actions that do not constitute defensive pass interference include but Actions that do not constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:are not limited to:

Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arm or body when both players are Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arm or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental the ruling shall be no interference.question whether contact is incidental the ruling shall be no interference.

Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither

player is playing the ball.player is playing the ball. Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is

clearly clearly uncatchable by the involved players.uncatchable by the involved players. Laying a hand on a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball that Laying a hand on a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball that

does not restrict the receiver.does not restrict the receiver. Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to

catch the ball.catch the ball.

Offensive Pass Offensive Pass InterferenceInterference

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:but are not limited to:

Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched if the pass crosses the neutral zone.touched if the pass crosses the neutral zone.

Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.

Driving through a defender who has established a position on the Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.field.

Not Offensive Pass Not Offensive Pass InterferenceInterference

Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:are not limited to:

Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms or body when both players Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball.are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball.

Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or

neither player is playing the ball.neither player is playing the ball.

Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is is clearlyclearly uncatchable by involved players. uncatchable by involved players.

It is not offensive pass interference on a pick play if the defensive player It is not offensive pass interference on a pick play if the defensive player is blocking the offensive player when the contact occurs and the is blocking the offensive player when the contact occurs and the offensive player doesn’t make a separate action or if the contact occurs offensive player doesn’t make a separate action or if the contact occurs within one yard of the line of scrimmage.within one yard of the line of scrimmage.

Pass Interference NotesPass Interference Notes

Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.the ruling should be no interference.

Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players. as eligible offensive players.

Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is

touched.touched.

Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage or if the pass does not cross the neutral zone, but scrimmage or if the pass does not cross the neutral zone, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a penalty for defensive holding.penalty for defensive holding.

OFFICIATING OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIESPHILOSOPHIES

OPI – contact away from the play.OPI – contact away from the play.

• If pass has not been thrown and block/contact occurs If pass has not been thrown and block/contact occurs

anywhere downfield and the pass crosses the line of anywhere downfield and the pass crosses the line of scrimmage – call OPIscrimmage – call OPI

• If pass has been thrown and block/contact occurs in the If pass has been thrown and block/contact occurs in the half of the field where ball is thrown – call OPIhalf of the field where ball is thrown – call OPI


What Constitutes a CatchWhat Constitutes a Catch

To be ruled a catch the receiver must be able to perform an act To be ruled a catch the receiver must be able to perform an act common to football. It is the same in the end zone and in the common to football. It is the same in the end zone and in the field offield of

play.play.

If going to the ground while making the catch the following If going to the ground while making the catch the following approved rulings apply: approved rulings apply:

Ruling 7-3-6-XI, XII,XIII, XIV, XVRuling 7-3-6-XI, XII,XIII, XIV, XV

Be definite on catch before ruling catch-fumble. If close rule Be definite on catch before ruling catch-fumble. If close rule the pass incomplete.the pass incomplete.


What constitutes a catchWhat constitutes a catch

• To be ruled a catch the receiver must be able To be ruled a catch the receiver must be able to perform an act common to football. It is the to perform an act common to football. It is the same in the end zone and in the field of play.same in the end zone and in the field of play.

• Be definite on catch before ruling catch-fumble Be definite on catch before ruling catch-fumble ruling. If close rule the pass incomplete.ruling. If close rule the pass incomplete.


Intercepting MomentumIntercepting Momentum

• If the interception is near the goal line (inside If the interception is near the goal line (inside

one yard) try to make the play a touchback.one yard) try to make the play a touchback.


Passing situationsPassing situations

• Neutral Zone will be expanded one yard when determining if a pass Neutral Zone will be expanded one yard when determining if a pass (untouched) is beyond the line.(untouched) is beyond the line.

• Neutral zone will be expanded one yard when determining if a pass is Neutral zone will be expanded one yard when determining if a pass is touched beyond or behind the line.touched beyond or behind the line.

• Neutral zone will be expanded by three yards when determining an Neutral zone will be expanded by three yards when determining an ineligible player downfield. (Players entire body must be beyond three ineligible player downfield. (Players entire body must be beyond three yards)yards)

• Passer beyond the line – Passer’s entire body and ball must be beyond Passer beyond the line – Passer’s entire body and ball must be beyond the linethe line

• If the passer is legally throwing the ball away, do not penalize the If the passer is legally throwing the ball away, do not penalize the offense for having ineligible players downfield.offense for having ineligible players downfield.


Runner near the sideline.Runner near the sideline.

• If contact occurs before the runner has a foot down out of If contact occurs before the runner has a foot down out of bounds – legalbounds – legal

If whistle has blown and player has eased up then this is a If whistle has blown and player has eased up then this is a foul. Be alert and be sure any action is not part of the foul. Be alert and be sure any action is not part of the initial play before calling foul. initial play before calling foul.


Blocking Out of BoundsBlocking Out of Bounds

• In order to be a foul for blocking out of bounds both feet of In order to be a foul for blocking out of bounds both feet of the player being blocked and the player blocking must the player being blocked and the player blocking must have touched out of bounds and be out of bounds when have touched out of bounds and be out of bounds when the contact occurs.the contact occurs.


Following a Change of PossessionFollowing a Change of Possession

The ball will be placed on a yard line to begin the The ball will be placed on a yard line to begin the next series. (Exception: If the change of next series. (Exception: If the change of possession occurs on a 4possession occurs on a 4thth down (running or down (running or passing) play the ball will be left at the dead ball passing) play the ball will be left at the dead ball spot to begin the next series.spot to begin the next series.


Defensive Holding on a ReceiverDefensive Holding on a Receiver

To be defensive holding there must be some To be defensive holding there must be some

restriction to the movement of the offensive receiver.restriction to the movement of the offensive receiver.


Kicker’s Restraining LineKicker’s Restraining Line

The kicker’s restraining line on kickoffs will be The kicker’s restraining line on kickoffs will be officiated as a plane.officiated as a plane.

If any player (other than the kicker) breaks the If any player (other than the kicker) breaks the plane before the ball is kicked offside will be plane before the ball is kicked offside will be called.called.


Game ClockGame Clock

5/5 AXIOM: In order to adjust the game clock errors, 5/5 AXIOM: In order to adjust the game clock errors, there must be more than a five-second differential if there must be more than a five-second differential if there is more than five minutes remaining in either there is more than five minutes remaining in either half.half.

Any time loss due to the clock being started Any time loss due to the clock being started erroneously, such as when a dead-ball foul is called, erroneously, such as when a dead-ball foul is called, the clock must be adjusted.the clock must be adjusted.

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FOOTBALL OFFICIATING PHILOSOPHIES