07/26/12 – Officials Manual Notes

July 26, 2012 Football Blog Updates

Greetings to all. Hopefully you are all inside, out of the heat, but excited and getting ready for the 2012 season. Just a few mechanics notes.

Frankly, its been a little disappointing the last couple of years to watch our crews at the finals, not in terms of their judgement, but with mechanics inconsistencies. So, once again this year we have supplied all officials with the NFHS Officials Manual. Other than a VERY FEW deviations, that I will spell out below, there is to be no deviation. No matter how much pressure you get from veteran officials, particularly those that work other levels of football, these mechanics are to be used. You will hear more about it at the Rules Clinics when you watch them online, but until then, here’s a few highlights.

There have been LOTS of changes in the Manual. Many of the things that we were doing when we published our own manual have now been adopted by the committee. So thank you for sticking to your guns, and doing what was asked. Here are the main points –

• Use of the NFHS Manual is required use by all officials in all contests with four or five officials
• Deviations (minimal) will be published on football blog on KHSAA web site (in this blog)
• All Local Associations must consistently use the Officials Manual and it is extremely likely that postseason assignments will be adjusted based on that compliance
• Some fairly major changes for 2012, many safety and coverage based. An example is the new kickoff coverage, which is solely being done to get more coverage (and it is felt by the Manual Committee, more APPROPRIATE coverage) near the area where the most problems have been occurring.

KHSAA Points of Emphasis

• Use of NFHS Manual as printed with very few exceptions as noted
• Wing officials – Heels on sideline, NOT off of the field of play, and not out onto the field of play
• Referee – Get proper depth, but NEVER laterally outside of the tight end. This is 5-person not 7-person coverage, and you have sideline to sideline. And none of this mechanic where a few have had their backs parallel to the sideline which is in no way appropriate or proper.
• Umpire, shoulders square to LOS, consistent depth, behind linebackers, able to move alternate from their movement

Major Changes

Five person kick coverage has changed, and will be utilized consistently throughout the state. R no further in than the numbers, on the goal line, with all others available to adjust either way as listed below.

Other changes made by the Manual Committee that they considered major include: