Mechanics:The LinesmanJohn H. FishelYACPFOC Rules InterpreterFebruary 2013

Pre-game Responsibilities• Unless otherwise stated throughout the presentation, the

mechanics shown/discussed in 5 Man is the same for 4 Man*

• Participate in Pre-game Conference• Know your position in all situations

• Scrimmage Play Coverage• Scrimmage and Free Kick Coverage• Expect the unexpected to occur (plan for it)

• Coin Toss• Upon dismissal of the captains, move together at the center

• Hustle to Kickoff positions – “crisp, square off”

Pre-game Responsibilities• CHECK LINE-TO-GAIN (“Chains”)

• Make sure the equipment is in adequate condition• Extend “Sticks” to measure 10 yards end to end• Down indicator (“Box”) is in working condition• Tape on the chain at the 5 yard mark• Provide clip if necessary• Provide extra bean bag to the Box Operator for inside the 10 yd line

• Meet with Chain Crew• Instruct them on what is required of them (even though they’ve

done it before!!• Remind them they are NOT Fans when serving as the Chain Crew.• Box Operator should mark forward progress on the heal of your

foot.• They need to hold their positions until the Referee or you have told

them to move.*• Communicate with the Box Operator throughout the game, insure

the correct down and have him remind you what you need for a first down.

Kickoff Mechanics• Clear the sidelines!• 5 Man

• Identify Restraining (Free Kick) Line for R Players• Position on Visitor’s sideline at the 50 yd line, 1-2 yds out of

bounds• Count R players with Referee

• 4 Man• Present ball to Kicker

• Make sure there is 11 K Players• Instruct Kicker, ball may be placed anywhere between the hash

marks• Point at Referee and instruct Kicker to wait for his whistle• Tell him not to let anyone beat him to the line so you don’t have an

off-sides on the Kickoff!• Position at the 40 yd line, 1-2 yds out of bounds• Count K players with Line Judge

Kickoff Mechanics (cont.)• Signal Referee (Fist for 11, Five-finger open hand for >11)• Bean bag in hand (First Touching by K inside the Neutral

Zone)• Be ready for kick out of bounds in your area (during a normal

kickoff from the 40 yd line, spot foul if >35)• Wind Clock if R touches ball in your zone. • Move “swiftly” up/down sideline while remaining out of

bounds and watching blocks around the point of attack as well as safety concerns away from the play.

• Talk to the players, let them know you’re watching or that the ball is away from them.

Keys for Kickoff (5 Man)• Keys on Kickoff (optional)

• Players versus Zone • Better officiating than watching a particular zone

• Same premise as passing keys• K1 (end) and K2 (2nd from sideline) and K3 (3rd from sideline)

on your side of the field• Observe initial contact of key players then move to zone

• Kicking Player Keys (in conjunction to zone responsibilities)• U – K Players 3, 4, 5 to Home Team side• BJ – K Players 4 and 5 to Visitor’s Team Side and the Kicker• LJ – K Players 1 and 2 (Outside players) on Home side.• L – K Players 1, 2 and 3 (Outside players) on Visitor’s side.

35 4

K

432

U

LJ

BJ

R

L

1 12

5 Man Kickoff Mechanics

R10

R1

R5

R9

R6R4

R7 R8

R2

R11

R3

5

BJ

35 4

K

432

LJ

U

L

R

1 12

4 Man Kickoff Mechanics

R10

R1

R5

R9

R6R4

R7 R8

R2

R11

R3

5

L

Kickoff Mechanics (cont.)• If play becomes dead in your zone.

• Blow whistle• Square off and come into the top of the numbers to mark Forward

Progress spot.• If play ends out of bounds, BLOW Whistle and move to Forward

Progress spot, WHILE TURNING AND WATCHING action (players) out of bounds, Signal to stop the Clock. (DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON PLAYERS OUT OF BOUNDS ... Communicate – let them know you’re there watching, “Play’s Over, Use the ground to get up … Walk Away, etc.”)

• Stay in position while help arrives, drop bean bag on forward progress spot only if absolutely necessary to separate players. Don’t worry about the ball … get another.

• If ball becomes dead on the other side of the field, mirror spot from Line Judge• Hold spot until Referee signals to mark with chains• Obtain ball from Visiting Team if they are on offense or assist rotating

ball from kick off the field

General Pre-Scrimmage Mechanics• Controlling the Sideline

• Starts from the very beginning• Be firm, consistent and professional• Work OFF THE FIELD

• Stay off the sideline, move up and down 1-2 yds out of bounds• Sideline Warning (early, don’t start enforcing in the 2nd Half) – 1st Team

Violation• When the ball is DEAD, Throw flag, Blow whistle, Stop the clock• When the ball is LIVE, Throw flag. At the end of the play, following same

procedure.• Notify Referee and mimic signal

• Count DEFENSE with: • Back Judge and Linesman (5 Man)• Linesman (4 Man)• Fist for 11, Five finger open hand for <11

• Pay ATTENTION to R and U Count on OFFENSE• <11 on OFFENSE “may” result in <7 foul on the LOS

• Preventive Officiating• Position yourself just behind the LOS• Line-up Receivers• Communicate: Tell them, “I’m on the line.”• Communicate: I have you “off the line,” I have you “on the

line”• You may not know whether they should be on or off, don’t tell

them to move forward or back in case the ball is snapped and they’re caught moving.

• Ball Rotation• Be prepared to relaying a ball in or out

• During a change of possession• After a deep incomplete pass• During inclement weather conditions

General Pre-Scrimmage Mechanics

Scrimmage Plays• Use of the whistle

• SEE THE BALL – KNOW THE PLAY IS OVER!!!• The play kills itself, however A LATE WHISTLE IS OFTEN BETTER

THAN NO WHISTLE … alerting all players stops dead ball contact.

• When and only when, ball becomes dead in your area … Sound whistle loudly! (Unless it is necessary to stop dead ball contact)

• i.e. Don’t whistle a play dead on the other side of the field• Drop Bean Bag at location where ball is when an Inadvertent

Whistle is blown.• Use sharp, repeated whistle to get everyone’s attention at the

end of a play when a foul has occurred.

Scrimmage Plays• Use of Signals (Pre-game discussion with Linesman)

• Hand on belt – number on the line outside the Center is 3.• Hand to the face – number on the line outside the Center is 4

(Unbalanced)• Two fingers in the air or on the chest – number on the line

outside the Center is 2. Use of Signals (cont.)• Use crisp, clear signals (Incomplete passes and Stopping the

clock)• Do NOT give signals while running/moving to spot

AdditionalSignals

Scrimmage Plays• Straddle LOS

• Watch for false starts/encroachment• If widest end to your side is off the line, hold extended arm

out indicating end is back until ball is snapped or end has motioned away.

• A player in motion away from you is your responsibility until he has stopped or the ball has been snapped.

• Hold your position while observing the action around the ball until the ball has passed the LOS.

• Trail the runner.• On pass plays, let the receivers go 10 yards before releasing.

Expect the QB scramble and sack. Be prepared to reverse direction and make the spot.

• Be able to rule on a forward or backward pass, lineman downfield.

Scrimmage Plays• Mark forward progress (the point of the ball at it’s furthest

advancement toward the opponent’s goal – while sometimes is the case, this is not necessarily where the ball ended.)• Square off, come into the bottom of the numbers or a point of

resistance and give Umpire a good spot. Indicate the next down. Don’t stay glued to the sideline. Make your presence known – stay involved in the game.

• If mark is close to a 1st Down, call for ball to be spotted at your location!

• DO NOT TURN AROUND OR LOOK BACK to see if your spot has gained a 1st Down. Know where you are on the field or let the Line Judge give the indication or communicate with your Chain Crew.

Scrimmage Plays• Stopping and Starting the Clock

• Signal to STOP the clock when:• Down ends with a foul• Play becomes dead out of bounds• FORWARD pass is obviously incomplete• HEAD COACH (only) calls a Time Out• Official Time Out• Period ends• A Fair Catch is made or awarded• An OBVIOUS First Down has occurred

• Signal to START (continue) the clock when:• Whenever the ball becomes dead outside the numbers• WIND the clock then STOP when the ball becomes dead outside

the numbers and an OBVIOUS First Down has occurred.• Whenever a R player touches a Free Kick in your zone.

Penalty Administration • General Rule: Use of the penalty marker

• Toss the penalty marker in the air for a Dead Ball foul• Throw the penalty marker to the spot (appropriate yard line) for a

Live Ball foul• Procedure following a foul:

• If it’s your call, make sure you get the R’s attention. Hold forward progress until the Line Judge has it mirrored.

• If it is NOT your call, HOLD forward progress until you are certain the enforcement no longer needs the spot.

• Expect confusion to occur and your spot may be the most important in the end.

• Communicate with the Head Coach, let him know what’s going on. If you can’t get a number immediately, tell them you’ll get it as soon as possible.

• Communicate with Umpire – down, distance, penalty and enforcement spot. Walk distance simultaneous with Umpire.

• Move chains or box as needed

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJC

R

L E EB

Enforcement Spots:All-But-One – Penalized from the Basic Spot

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

“Basic Spot”

OFFENSE fouls BEHIND “Basic Spot”

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJC

R

L E EB

Enforcement Spots:Loose Ball Play

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

“Basic Spot”(not PSK fouls)

OFFENSE fouls BEHIND “Basic Spot”

K11

K3

K9

P

K10K8

K2

U

LJ

BJ

K7

R

L K5 K6

K4

5 Man Punt Coverage

R7

R1

R8 R9 R10R3 R4 R6 R11 R5 R2

“Basic Spot”PSK

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJC

R

L E EB

Enforcement Spots:Running Play

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

“Basic Spot”(fouls by B)

OFFENSE fouls BEHIND “Basic Spot”

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJC

R

L E EB

Enforcement Spots:Running Play, followed by Loose Ball

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

“Basic Spot”(fouls by B)

Fouls by A

Measurements• On each new series, the chains should be set on the

sideline. After clip is attached, move chains back 2 yards off the sideline.

• Clip should be moved and placed on the back edge of the 5 yard line nearest the rear stick (closest to the ball) on the start of every new series.

• If a measurement is required, grasp “chains” at clip (back edge of nearest 5 yard line). Bring chains onto field – place clip on back edge of yard line at Line Judge’s alignment.• If not a 1st down, after marking ball location inside hash marks,

return chains to sideline and place on the same edge 2 yards outside the sideline.

Time Out Procedure• ONLY the Head Coach or a Player on the field may call a Charged Time

Out.• Two types of conferences

• Inside the hash marks, (only one coach may be with the team.)• Stay next to your team, be ready to notify the coach when there is 15

seconds to the Ready of Play whistle.• Outside the numbers, 11 Players must remain on the field but any

number of Coaches and Players may be in the huddle.• Stay next to your team and in a position to observe all players remain on the

field. Again, be ready to notify the coach when there is 15 seconds to the Ready for Play whistle.

• Do NOT gather at the middle of the field unless it is necessary to pass information along to another official or get clarification for a Coach, etc.

• Injury Time Outs• This is not coach-player conference. Keep players inside the hash marks

unless the length of the time to care for the injury causes the Referee to approve the teams to go to the numbers for an authorized conference.

Goal Line Plays• Inside the 10 yard line, provide bean bag to Box Operator to

mark current spots in the event Box has been moved.• When the Line of Scrimmage is AT or INSIDE the 5 yard line

• At the snap, release to the Goal Line and officiate back to the ball!

• SEE THE BALL, make sure the tip breaks the plane of the Goal Line.

• IF YOU DON’T SEE IT, DON’T CALL IT!• DO NOT MIRROR A TD SIGNAL GIVEN BY ANOTHER OFFICIAL!• MAKE THE CALL – SELL IT … if it’s SHORT, Blow the whistle and

position yourself on the spot.• For plays beginning inside the 1-2 yard line, as soon as you

know it’s a run inside - CRASH IN! Do not stay glued to the sideline or make a close call from outside – again, make a decision and sell it!

Between Periods/Halftime• End of the First and Third Quarters

• Take note of the ball location (yard line), down and distance before changing sides of the field. Hustle to the new location and make sure location, down and distance are correct.

• Grasp “chains” at clip, reverse ends of sticks. Proceed to opposite end of the field and place clip on back edge of same yard line.

• Use same procedure as a charged time out with Outside the numbers conference-type. Notify team of 15 seconds to Ready for Play.

• End of the Half (Second Quarter)• Linesman hustle into middle of both teams proceeding off the field. Keep

teams separated while walking off the field.• 4 Man

• If the Visiting Team will be kicking at the end of Halftime, ascertain which direction the Head Coach would like to kick.

• The teams need to be on the field at the end of the 15 minute Halftime Period and before the Mandatory 3 minute warm up.

• Make sure you notify the Coach at least a couple of minutes before the Team needs to leave to walk to the field.

Keys and Priorities• Strength of Formation

• ALWAYS determined by the number of RECEIVERS outside the Tackle. (Nothing to do with the number of lineman on either side of the center.)

• The strong-side of the formation is the side where the most receivers are lined up outside the tackle.

• Back Judge ALWAYS has the widest outside receiver(s) on the strong-side of the formation.• Whenever the formation is balanced (equal), the Strong-side is

ALWAYS to the Line Judge side of the field.• Ex. Two Tight End formation

• The Linesman has the second or third receiver inside the widest receiver on the strong-side OR the outside receiver on the weak side OR the receiver back on a double wing and stacked formation.

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TE

RB

U

LJ

BJ

C

B

R

L

Strength to Line Judge’s side - two eligible receivers compared to one on L side

• Keys:

• BJ has TE

• L has TE on his side of field

• LJ has B

G

QB

T EG

R

T

RB

TE

RB

U

L LJ

BJ

C

B

Strength to Linesman’s side

• Initial Keys:

• BJ has B, 15-20 yards deep and shades to strong side

• L has TE

• LJ has E

• Secondary Keys: L and LJ have first RB out of backfield towards their side

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TE

RB

U

LJ

BJ

C

B

R

L

Strength to Lineman’s side - two eligible receivers compared to one on LJ side

• Keys:

• BJ has TE

• L has B that shows strength

• L would also have first back out of backfield to his side

• LJ has TE on that side of field

G

QB

T TEGT

RB

TE

B

U

LJ

BJ

C

B

R

L

Trips to Line Judge’s side

• Keys:

• BJ has two outside eligible receivers on strong side, TE and B on LJ’s side

• LJ has action on or by B lined up on the inside

• L has TE on his side of field

• L also has first back out of backfield to his side

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L E EB

Double wing or four receiver set

• No declared strength so BJ shades to LJ side

• Keys:

• BJ has outside receiver on LJ’s side

• LJ has primary coverage on B (flanker/slot back to his side)

• LJ also looks through to tackle and help if RB becomes involved in play

• L has E and B (two eligible receivers) on his side of field

G

QB

T

RB

GT

RB

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L TE TE

B

Motion Changes Strength and Keys

• Initial Strength to L side

• Initial Keys:

• BJ has TE on L’s side (strong side)

• L has B on his side of field

• LJ has TE on his side of field

• When slot B goes in motion, strength changes and keys for BJ, L, and LJ change

• New Keys:

• BJ slides to strong side when motion back is clearly outside of tackle before ball is snapped and has B

• L has TE on his side of field, also responsible for legality of motion by motion B

• LJ stays with original key

G

QB

T

RB

GT

RB

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L TE TE

B

Motion Creates Trips to L side

• Initial strength to L side

• Initial Keys:

• BJ has B on L side

• L has TE on his side of field

• LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side

• Motion by back doesn’t change strength but creates trips so keys for BJ and L change

• New Keys follow normal trips keys:

• BJ switches key from strong side B and takes two outside receivers on strong side, in this case

B and motion back

• L stays with TE on his side

• LJ still responsible on action on or by TE and also back out of backfield on his side

G

QB

T

RB

GT

RB

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L TE TE

B

Motion Creates Strength Change

• Initial strength to L side

• Initial Keys:

• BJ has B on L side

• L has TE on his side of field

• LJ responsible on action on or by TE and also first back out of backfield on his side

• Motion by back changes strength to even. Declared strength shifts to LJ side and changes

the keys for the BJ and LJ

• New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys:

• BJ shades to strong side and switches key to B on the LJ side

• L takes TE to his side of field, also responsible for motion by B before snap

• LJ takes motion man after snap

G

QB

T

B

GT

B

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L TE E

RB

RB

Trips to LJ side, Motion changes keys

• Initial Keys:

• BJ has two outside receivers to strong side

• L TE to his side

• LJ responsible for inside B

• Motion by inside back does not change strength but changes keys for BJ , L, and LJ.

• New Keys follow normal LJ strong side keys:

• BJ takes E

• L takes both TE and B to his side of field

• LJ responsible for motion by B before snap, once ball is snapped has remaining B on his side of

field

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJ

BJ

C

R

L E EB

5 Man Zone Coverage

After initial keys release, Passing and Running Plays

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

G

QB

T

RB

GT

B

U

LJC

R

L E EB

4 Man Zone Coverage

After initial keys release, Passing and Running Plays

T

S

LB LBTCB

LB

E ESS

CB

Scrimmage Kick Formation: Punt• Position as regular scrimmage play.• Hold LOS until ball has clearly crossed the neutral zone.

• If kick is short or blocked rolls out of bounds, mark spot. • Observe Fair Catch signals away from the Receiver.

• On a routine kick:• Be prepared to drop bean bag for First Touching by K.• Move with runner on return, observe blocks around point of

attack• Hold forward progress spot until Referee signals to move

Chains.• 4 Man

• If kick goes out of bounds in the air, proceed passed location and walk back towards the previous LOS along the sideline with arm upright while watching Referee to (“chop”) mark the out of bounds spot. Stop on yard line and spot ball.

K11

K3

K9

P

K10K8

K2

U

LJ

BJ

K7

R

L K5 K6

K4

5 Man Punt Coverage

R7

R1

R8 R9 R10R3 R4 R6 R11 R5 R2

K11

K3

K9

P

K10K8

K2

U

LJ

K7

R

L K5 K6

K4

4 Man Punt Coverage

R7

R1

R8 R9 R10R3 R4 R6 R11 R5 R2

LJ

Scrimmage Kick Formation: FG/Try• If you are looking at the front of the Place Kick Holder …

• Proceed under the upright to your side on the field.• EXPECT THE FAKE, be prepared to try to get to the goal line

pylon without interfering with the play.• If no fake, rule on ball being inside the upright.

• Communicate – YES or NO (Preferred you do not use “No Good,” as it may cause confusion.

• Back Judge has the whistle.• Both step forward and give clear signal.• If kick is a FG attempt, LIVE BALL until ball breaks the plane of

the Goal Line…HOLD Whistle. Be prepared to assist with possession, return, momentum or score, etc.

• If you are looking at the back of the holder, stay home.• Follow goal line mechanics, while helping Referee with

roughing the holder.

LBLB T

S

LBTE

U

LJBJ

S

R

L

CB

E CB

5 ManFG/Try Coverage

K7

K

K8 K9 K10K4

H

K6 K11K3

LB

LBLB T

S

LBTE

U

LJS

R

L

CB

E CB

4 ManFG/Try Coverage

K7

K

K8 K9 K10K4

H

K6 K11K3

LB

When in question …• Incomplete Pass or Fumble• Forward Pass or Backward• Kick or Pass – Touched or Not• Catch or No Catch• Passer has thrown or fumbled• Touchback or Safety• Fumble or Dead Ball• Helmet on or off• Accidental or Intentional

• Contact• Touching• Kicking

• Legal Block or Clip• Block above the waist or below• 5 or 15 yd Facemask• 5 or 15 yd Running into or Roughing

the Kicker

• Incomplete Pass• Forward Pass• Not Touched• No Catch• Incomplete Pass• Touchback• Dead Ball• Helmet Off• Accidental

• Legal• Above• 15• 15