Positioning and KeysPositioning and Keys5-Man Mechanics5-Man Mechanics

Miracle Strip Officials AssociationMiracle Strip Officials Association

Coin TossCoin Toss

Kickoff CoverageKickoff Coverage

Scrimmage PlayScrimmage Play

Goal Line PlayGoal Line Play

Scoring KickScoring Kick

Scrimmage KickScrimmage Kick

What Keys doWhat Keys do

Reading the proper key enables full formation coverage at the snap

Recognizing keys helps officials anticipate the play

Proper key recognition enables officials to be properly positioned on the field

Eliminates the “Who do I have” question at the snap

Gives each official a starting point in coverage progression

Provides another level of non-verbal crew communication

““Key” TermsKey” Terms

Strength of Formation:

Determined by the number of eligible receivers on either side of the ball

Tight End:

The end man on the line of scrimmage lined up no more than four yards from the nearest lineman

A player in the backfield between the tackles at the snap

Back in Backfield:

Determining KeysDetermining Keys

Back Judge has the first key Linesman and Line Judge have second keys

Strong side of the formation is the side with the most eligible receivers outside the tackles

A balanced formation has an equal number of eligible receivers outside the offensive tackles on each side of the formation

In a balanced formation the strength is given to the Line Judge side (press box)

A man-in-motion prior to the snap CAN alter the strength of the formation prior to the snap

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TELLJ

BJ

C

Balanced Formation

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side (TE) Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright

2 L Eligible on his side Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage

LJ First back out of backfield on his side

Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage

RB RB

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TE

WR

L LJ

BJ

C

RB

Wing

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible on L side (WR) Shaded to L side, no wider than upright but not “in line” with U

2 L Second eligible in on his side (TE)

LJ Eligible on his side

G

QB

T

FL

GT

RB

FL

WRL LJ

BJ

C WR

Four Wide

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright

2 L Both eligibles (WR & FL) on his side

LJ Second eligible in (FL) on his side

G

QB

T

SL

GT

RB

SL

WRL LJ

BJ

C WR

Trips

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Two widest eligibles (WR & SL) on LJ side

Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright

2 L Eligible (WR) on his side

LJ Inside eligible (SL) on his side

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

SL

WRL LJ

BJ

C

RB

Motion Changes Key Before the Snap

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright

2 L Second eligible (SL) on his side

LJ Eligible (TE) on his side

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible (TE) on LJ side Do not move until the snap if warranted

2 L Eligible on his side

LJ Second eligible (SL) on side

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TE

WR

L LJ

BJ

C

RB

Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change Keys

# Official Key Notes

1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright

2 L Second eligible in (TE) on his side

LJ Eligible (TE) on his side

EndEnd