South Dakota High School Activities Association. Sportsmanship

South Dakota High School Activities Association S e p t e mb e r 1 0 , 2 0 15 A u t h o r : B u c k T i mmi n s Sportsmanship Sportsmanship is alwa...
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South Dakota High School Activities Association

S e p t e mb e r 1 0 , 2 0 15

A u t h o r : B u c k T i mmi n s

Sportsmanship Sportsmanship is always a priority passed down from the SDHSAA. Teams most often take on the characteristics of their coaches. When a coach is one who believes in the virtues of fundamentals, the players can usually be counted on to play crisp football as designed by the NFHS rules book. Conversely, a coach who berates officials, uses profanity and constantly points out the supposed mistakes of officials will often have teams that follow suit. Most officials will answer a coach’s question if it is asked in a reasonable tone of voice. No one expects coaches to appreciate every call but constant comments such as “you blew that one” or “how can you make a call like that” deserve to be answered with silence and possibly a penalty flag if the comments escalate to continuing badgering. Continual complaining can serve as a distraction to officials. Coaches who let the officials officiate serve the game much better than one who constantly questions every call and berates the officials. The head coach can help officials by keeping players in the team box and by moderating the behavior of assistant coaches. The head coach should be the only one communicating with the officials. Coaches, make sure you take time at least once a week to discuss GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP and the fact that character counts.

LET Officials Officiate Knee Pads The 2015 NFHS Football Rules require that that the pants must completely cover the knees, thigh guards and knee pads and any portion of any knee brace that does not extend below the pants. Also, that the knee pads which are unaltered from the manufacturer’s original design/production, which are worn over the knee and under the pants and shall be at least 1/2 inch thick or 3/8 inch thick if made of shock absorbing material. The NFHS Football Rules Committee and SDHSAA both support this current NFHS Football Rule from a risk minimization perspective that both knees be covered and padded according to rule. The NFHS is not looking to follow the NCAA rule which only strongly recommends but does not require by rule that the knees be covered. High school football players are apt to mimic what they see college players wearing. Officials should be extra vigilant for missing knee pads on receivers and missing tailbone protectors on linemen, who may think the pads will slow them down. Prior to a game, the head coach must verify to the umpire and referee that all his players are legally equipped and know how to use the legal equipment. Coaches must

instruct players on how to wear equipment properly, and they must wear all mandatory equipment when participating in the game. When required equipment is missing or illegal equipment is found, correction must be made before the player participates. Knee pads may extend below the pants. Knee pads may be worn over the pants if a legal knee pad is also worn under the pants. Knee braces may NOT be worn over the pants. Coaches: When ordering new pants for your football team make sure you order the pants that are designed to cover the knees. Manufacturers are making smaller length pants for college players where knee pads and pants need not cover the entire knee.

Passes To Save Time/Yardage Save Loss of Yardage A forward pass is illegal if to save loss of yardage the pass is intentionally thrown incomplete into an area not occupied by an eligible Team A receiver. Penalty: five yards from the spot where the pass was released plus loss of down. The game clock starts on the ready for play signal. By NFHS rules for high school football—A passer who is outside the frame of the tackle and ball lands beyond the neutral is NOT an exception to the intentionally grounded rule. This exception applies to college and NFL games but NOT high school games. Pass: Intentionally Grounded To Save Time It is an illegal forward pass any time a pass is intentionally thrown incomplete to conserve time. However, it is legal to intentionally throw the ball forward and directly to the ground if it thrown immediately after receiving a direct hand-to-hand snap. “Immediately” means right after receiving the snap and includes allowing the passer to take a quick step backward before releasing the pass. The passer may not intentionally ground the ball if he muffs a hand-to-hand snap and the ball hits the ground or if the snap is not hand-to-hand (i.e., when the snap is a backward pass as in a shotgun formation). Penalty: five yards from the spot where the pass was released plus loss of down.

Free Blocking Zone The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist (offense or defense) and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to clip and/or block in the back are not to continue AFTER the ball has left the zone. Offensive or defensive players who are NOT on the line of scrimmage and in the free blocking zone at the snap are prohibited from blocking below the waist. A defensive player is on his line of scrimmage when he is within one yard of his scrimmage line at the snap. The defensive player does not have to be in a three-point stance to be considered on the line of scrimmage. When Team A is in the shotgun/pistol or scrimmage kick formation, blocking below the waist is legal if the block is initiated immediately at the snap (offensive lineman can’t stand-up then go back down and block below the waist) while the ball is passing through the zone. If there is any delay, it is an illegal block.

Sweatbands Moisture-absorbing sweatbands are legal for players to wear when they are worn on the wrist beginning at the base of the thumb and extend no more than 3 inches toward the elbow.

Players Should Not Wear Sweatbands As Bicep Bands

Blocking Below The Waist Coaches and observers have several concerns related to blocking, including low blocks by the defense on lead blockers. Rules and restrictions concerning blocking below the waist are clear and do not specify that the prohibitions are solely on the offense. These safety-driven rules mandate consistent enforcement by officials. Properly positioned officials, watching the play from a wider perspective than simply following the football, and properly instructed players taught the right techniques by their respective coaches, will ensure that knee and other injuries are minimized, and that the balance between offense and defense is maintained. Blocking below the waist is now restricted to players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the free-blocking zone at the snap. It is no longer legal for a back to block below the waist. Blocking below the waist is making initial contact below the waist from the front or side against an opponent other than a runner. Blocking below the waist applies only when the opponent has one or both feet on the ground. If a Team A blocker’s initial contact is with an opponent’s hand(s), that are at or above the waist, and the blocker follows through and blocks that opponent below the waist, the block is considered above the waist. If the blocker first contacts the opposing player’s hand(s) below the waist and the blocker follows through with a block below the waist the initial intent of the block in this case was to block below the waist and will be considered an illegal block. Officials make sure you see the entire block, in order to rule if it is a legal or illegal block.

Motion Double wing formation: If both backs go in motion at the same time and have not made any movement that simulates the beginning of a play the play would continue because both backs could stop --reset--and remain motionless for one second before the snap which makes the play legal. If both backs are still in motion or if one back stops and the other stays in motion you would have a illegal shift foul at the snap which is a live ball foul that carries a fiveyard penalty from the previous spot. The defensive team could accept the five yard penalty from the previous spot and replay the down or decline the penalty and take the result of the play. The philosophy is some acts can be corrected before the snap and are not a foul until the ball is snapped.

Officials Need A Patience Whistle Expanded Neutral Zone On scrimmage downs, the neutral zone may be expanded following the snap to a maximum of two yards beyond the defensive line of scrimmage, in the field of play. That affects scrimmage kicks and forward passes. On scrimmage kicks, the touching of a low kick is ignored in or behind the expanded neutral zone and Team K cannot be guilty of first touching until the ball clears the expanded neutral zone. On forward pass plays, ineligible Team A players may continue into the expanded neutral zone if contact is made immediately on Team B linemen and sustained the block as long as the contact does not continue beyond the two-yard expanded neutral zone.

Enforcement Fouls During A Loose-Ball Play If a foul occurs during a loose ball play, the basic spot is the previous spot unless post-scrimmage kick enforcement applies (10-4-2b) PLAY 1: First and 10 for Team A from its own 30 yardline. A1’s legal forward pass is incomplete beyond the line. Holding is called at Team A’s 45 yard line on (a) A2, or (b) B3. RULING 1: In either case, the penalty is enforced from the previous spot. In (a), it will be first and 20 for Team A from its own 20 yardline. In (b), it will be first and 10 for Team A from its own 40 yard line. PLAY 2: During a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone, snapper A58 holds B74 behind the neutral zone. RULING 2: Penalize Team A 10 yards from the spot of the foul. The basic spot is the previous spot because it is a loose ball play. The foul is behind the previous spot so the holding penalty has spot foul enforcement. Fouls During A Running Play If a foul occurs during a running play, the basic spot is the spot where the run ended, unless it is a foul by the offense (team in possession) behind the end of the run. In that case, enforce the penalty from the spot of the foul (2-41-1; 10-4-4). If the runner does not lose possession, the ball becomes dead when the run ends. PLAY 3: Quarterback A17 is downed behind his scrimmage line on a play during which B49 commits a defensive holding penalty downfield. RULING 3: The foul occurs on a running play and the basic spot is the end of the run. The foul is by the team not in possession, so the penalty is from the basic spot. Hence Team B is penalized 10 yards from the end of the run. PLAY 4: First and 10 on Team A’s 46 yardline. A1 is sacked on his 35 yardline. During the down, A2 clipped at his (a) 47 yard line, (b) 41 yardline, or (c) 33 yardline. In each case, the penalty is accepted. RULING 4: The basic spot is where the run ended, Team A’s 35 yard line. In (a) and (b), the penalties are enforced from the 35 yard line (end of run) back to Team A’s 20 yardline. In (c), it is a spot foul moving the ball back to Team A’s 18 yardline as the foul is behind the end of the run. PLAY 5: Runner A33 is downed one yard beyond the neutral zone on play during which B49 commits a personal foul (a) 10 yards downfield, or (b) behind the neutral zone. RULING 5: The foul occurs on a running play and the basic spot is the end of the run. In either (a) or (b), Team B is penalized 15 yards from the end of the run.

Medical Coverage—Ambulaance Service Schools are encouraged to review the “Anyone Can Save a Life” Emergency Action Plan to develop proper procedures for handling medical emergencies that may take place during football contests. For all football games, the SDHSAA recommends having a physician and/or ambulance service available at game site. If not available, schools need to have phone loation and phone numbers available for contacting a physician and/or ambulance service. If the ambulance service that is at the game site gets a call to go to an accident or other service the football game will continue.

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Call The Obvious          

Credibility begins with getting the easy call right (false starts, encroachment, etc.). Miss the obvious and you’ll have a hard time selling and having credibility with the tough call. The best officials are those that let the game come to them They see what is happening, absorb the information, take an extra second to process the information and decide the impact on the play The best officials know the rules but don’t use them as a crutch Good officials communicate well with players, coaches and other officials Good officials are best at “people skills” The best officials aren’t afraid to make the game deciding call or no-call The best officials are lifelong learners Remember it’s the players game, not the officials Being able to handle the gray areas of judgment and enforcement is critical in applying the spirit and intent, which the rule was written

Officials Quiz 2015 Question 1: Team A is in shotgun formation. At the snap, left tackle A77 sets up to pass block, taking two steps back to block the edge rush end, B50. As B50 tries to rush outside of the blocker, A 77 drops and blocks B50 just below the knees, taking both players to the ground. What is the ruling? Question 2: Second down and 15 for Team A at the Team B 18-yard line. A34 gains four yards and goes out of bounds at the 14 yard line where he is hit by B70 after the ball is dead. What is next down and distance? Question 3: Team A trails by four points as the ball is snapped from Team B’s 20 yard line, third down with 1:10 left in the fourth period and Team A out of timeouts. A1 takes the snap and to stop the clock intentionally throws a backward pass that goes out of bounds at Team B’s 24 yard line. Is this a legal play? Question 4: Third and five on Team A’s 30 yardline. A1 throws a forward pass well downfield. While the pass is in flight, guard A6 is blocking B3 at Team A’s (a) 32 yard line, (b) 35 yard line. A6 began contacting B3 right after the snap on Team A’s 30 yardline and sustained the block. Are these legal blocks? Question 5: Team A’s ball at Team B’s 36 yard line. A25 loses yardage and is downed at Team B’s 45 yard line. During the play A63 clips behind the line at Team B 39 yard line. What is the ruling? Question 6: Where is the ball spotted following penalty acceptance when it is snapped from the right-side hash mark and the run ends in the left-side zone and the foul is: (a) illegal motion by A1; (b) holding by A1 in the middle of the field behind the end of the run; or (c) grasping the face mask/helmet opening by B1 in making the tackle. Question 7: Third and 25 at Team A’s 20 yard line. A13 drops back to pass and scrambles. He is eventually pulled to the ground by his face mask by B54 at his (a) 15 yard line, or (b) 25 yard line. Where is penalty enforced? Question 8: During overtime on the first offensive series (Team B has not had an offensive series yet). B2 intercepts Team A’s forward pass in the end zone. B2 advances for a touchdown. Does the touchdown count?

Question 9: Third and 10 on Team A’s 30 yard line. A67 holds at the 25-yard line as A12’s pass is intercepted by B23 and returned for a touchdown. Will the holding penalty be enforced? Question 10: K1’s kick try is blocked by R2. The ball never went beyond the line and is recovered on Team R’s 13 yardline and advanced for a touchdown by (a) K7, or (b) R4. Do the points count?

Football Officials Or Coaches Concerns    

If you have any play situations during your games that officials statewide should know about to help them become better officials, please send plays to be included in weekly bulletins. If you have questions about rule interpretation, please forward your concerns to [email protected] or call me at 605-996-1483 (home)--605-933-1493 (cell). If you have any questions or comments about any information you will receive this football season--please forward your concern to me. If you have any ideas for newsletter topics that would benefit all the SDHSAA officials, please let me know your topic(s).

Quiz Answers Ruling 1: Foul for illegal block below the waist. While the contact took place with the zone, the ball had long left the zone (shotgun snap). Ruling 2: Half-the-distance enforcement to the seven-yard line; no automatic first down. Third and four. Ruling 3: Legal play. Team A’s ball fourth down on Team B’s 24 yardline. It is legal for a player to intentionally throw a backward pass out of bounds. The game clock starts on the snap. Ruling 4: Legal play in (a). Offensive pass interference (and ineligible illegally downfield) in (b). The neutral zone may be expanded following the snap to a maximum of two yards. Ruling 5: The foul occurs on a running play and the basic spot is the end of the run. The foul is by the team in possession beyond the basic spot, so the penalty is from the basic spot. Team A is penalized 15 yards from the basic spot, which is Team B’s 45 yard line.

Ruling 6: In (a), it is spotted at the right-side hash mark. In (b), it is spotted in the middle of the field since the enforcement spot was the spot of the foul. In (c), it is spotted at the left hash mark. Ruling 7: It is a running play and the 15-yard penalty is enforced from the end of the run. In (a), it will be third and 15 at Team A’s 30 yard line. In (b), it will be third and five at Team A’s 40 yard line. Ruling 8: The ball is dead when B2 intercepts the pass. The ball becomes dead immediately whenever the defensive team gains possession in overtime. Ruling 9: Team B will accept the touchdown. The penalty for the hold will be declined; it cannot be enforced as it occurred before the change of possession. Any foul that occurs before a change of possession cannot carry over. Ruling 10: In each case, the ball is dead and the try is over the instant it is certain K1’s kick try will not score. The ball becomes dead and the try is over whenever Team B gains possession or whenever it is apparent a kick try will not score. Under no circumstances may Team B advance any fumble, muff, pass, kick.