Plays of the Month

4.21.24 Scrimmage kick rules

Some plays seem like they are only going to happen in rules tests….till you have one happen to you live. This play has many elements of penalty enforcement to test the skills of all officials on the field.

3.19.24 - OH

OH = Offensive Holding but too often it’s, “Oh, I shouldn’t have thrown that flag!”. We have a 4 play vignette to help us identify what a great and not so great offensive holding foul looks like.

2.29.24-Blocked kicks: The key question

Blocked kicks can be chaotic and confusing. Answering the question “Did it cross the neutral zone?” is your key for finding your way to the next play

1.20.24 - End of the game

Welcome to the 2024 season! As we close out the end of the 2023 season, let’s talk about how we close out games!

10.31.23-The pylon and the process of the catch

Plays involving the pylon and catch-no catch happen fast and require quick processing and rule knowledge. This play tests both of those items as we break it down in October’s play of the month.

9.21.23 -ABA and NCAA differences.

The offense gives up the possession, defense recovers but then gives up the procession again for the offense to then recover. We often refer to this type of play as A-B-A. There are some important differences when this happens from NFHS to NCAA.

7.23.23 -KCI/Blocked into & Blocking in the back

Owning your keys and your rule book on a scrimmage kick play are critical to getting the play right. This play looks at when it is KCI and when it is not along with when a block in the back is legal or not.

5.29.23 - Leaping and Leveraging

Leaping and leveraging are one of the smallest percentage calls that we can ever make. They are few and far between. This play illustrates what the receiving team can and cannot do to try and block a scrimmage kick for points.

4.14.23 Blocked Try

Kicking plays and try downs can be the bane of many a good official on a rules test. But, the real rules test is live and on occasion we see a “rules question” actually happen during a game. Here is a great example of one from this previous season.

3.13.23 4th Down

In the last minute, on forth down, the intensity changes—and so do our rules. One of the last plays in the 2022 CFP Semifinal had a few unique elements to it that are broken down from 4th down rules and mechanics to backwards passes to targeting.

2.10.23- When is a ball carrier down?

One of the most basic concepts in our game that happens over a hundred times a game, but one that is frequently reviewed, debated and discussed on the broadcast. So, when is a ball carrier down?

11.10.22 - Targeting

Targeting is a major foul in our game and one that we want to get right. Is the player defenseless, is the contact forcible, is there an indicator, was the action with the crown of the helmet, was the contact in the head/neck area? All important questions that we need to know and be sure about to get this call correct.

10.25.12 - Surprise Onside Kicks

Onside kicks are hard enough when we know they are coming but how do we prepare ourselves for when they aren’t. This play is an example of the surprise onside kick.

10.11.12 - Valid & Invalid Signals

Kick plays, we don’t see them often but there are a lot of unique rules and mechanics that go along with those plays - like valid and invalid signals. This video shows you 2 examples we don’t see everyday and they happen in the same game!

9.28.22 - Illegal Substitution - Defense

There were a lot of illegal substitution fouls on the defense this past weekend. We get into the details of how to nail this call.

9.12.22 - Red Zone passing mechanics

This play highlights several concepts in regards to officiating passing plays in the red zone.

7.10.22 - A lot going on here…mechanics

We return to our play from July 5th to break down the mechanics in this play. A little bit for every position on the field on this meaty play.

7.5.22 - A lot going on here…rules

We break down this play, that has a lot going on, from a rules perspective.

6.13.22 - Sliding QB

We use 2 plays to illustrate how best to officiate a sliding ball carrier as well as the new rule in 2022 related to sliding ball carriers.

11.30.20 - Onside Kick

This play provides a good review of all the basic mechanics, rules knowledge, and philosophies required to successfully officiate an onside kick.

11.23.20 - Intentional Grounding

In this play, we’ll talk through the rules knowledge, philosophies, mechanics, and crew communication to correctly rule intentional grounding.

11.17.20 - Hands to the Face

In this play, we’ll look at a personal foul for hands to the face, the actions of a player that loses his helmet, and a forwards / backwards pass ruling.

11.03.20 - Mechanics

This play features a tight sideline catch that highlights the importance of rules knowledge, mechanics, and crew communication.

10.19.20 - Mechanics

We look at a series of plays where a breakdown in crew communication and mechanics resulted in a teachable moment.

10.12.20 - Catch and Mechanics

We break down two plays this week. The first offers a good opportunity to talk about how we rule on the process of the catch. Our second play provides an illustration of sudden change and highlights our need to be prepared for the unexpected from the very first snap.

10.06.20 - Mechanics

We break down two plays that focus on goal line mechanics, communication, and host of key items to consider as play moves deeper into the red zone.

09.28.20 - DOF

In addition to a defensive offside that touches on a key philosophy, this play has a whole lot going on for multiple officials from pre-snap through the ruling on the field.

09.21.20 - IBB

This play features a good example of a block in the back while in chase mode during a kickoff return. We break down chase mode and discuss situational awareness.

09.14.20 - Catch or No Catch

This play play provides a great learning opportunity for how to properly work through the process of the catch in real time.

09.14.20 - BBW

In this play, we look at yet another type of illegal block below the waist. This time we see a suspect block below the waist that is initiated by the defense.

09.08.20 - BBW

We continue to break down the types of illegal blocks below the waist. In this play, we get a great look at an illegal block below the waist that’s directed back toward to the initial position of the ball.

08.31.20 - BSB

In this play, we’ll break down the criteria and actions to consider when ruling on an illegal blindside block.

08.31.20 - BBW

This play provides a great example of an illegal block below the waist that’s executed beyond 5 yards of the LOS. Although the block is directed from the front and contact is initiated from the front, the block cannot be more than 5 yards downfield.

08.31.20 - IDP

In this play, we’ll cover the basics of officiating ineligible players downfield. The primary responsibility to get ineligibles downfield falls on the line of scrimmage officials. This play provides a great example of what to look for and how to nail the call.