AuthorOrganizing member of iCanReferee & Head Offiicial of Friday Night Lights flag football league. Over 12 years experience with youth flag & tackle football. Major responsibilities are education, on-field training, game assignments, rules interpretation & expanding the organization. Archives
February 2020
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know the rules?11/8/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
In this week's rules question I have posted the Timing/OT Rules that come directly from the FNL Rules Manual. Please read them and message me if you have any questions. TIMING/OVERTIME Games are played with 10 minute running quarters (40minutes), 1 minute water break between quarters and a 5 minute halftime. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. The following tie-breaker system will be used for all overtime games. • Coin flip determines possession • Ball is placed at Midfield • After 3 plays, the referee will mark where the ball ended up (cone, flag, etc) • Opposing team will now take over at Midfield run their 3 plays going in the same direction. • Whichever team gains the most yards on 3 plays wins the game • If both teams are tied after 3 plays, we do it again until there is a winner. • Negative net yards on offense will count against you. Other team must still run their 3 plays. • If the ball is intercepted and the runner’s flags are pulled before they reach the end zone. The ball is spotted at mid field and the team only needs to gain one yard. If they gain one yard on the first play, the team can take knee the ball twice and they will win the game. • If ball is intercepted and returned for a touchdown, game is over. • Overtime is only for all Premier Games, 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, and playoff games. - Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. - Teams will receive one warning before a delay of game penalty is enforced. - 2 timeouts per half and they do not carry over to 2nd half if unused.
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know the rules?10/29/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
In this week's rules question we will be explaining the sub rules for teams with 9 players. When a team has 9 players they will sit 3 players each quarter except for 1 quarter. The quarter that no players sit is called the ALL PLAY quarter. At the beginning of the game you need to ask the coach what quarter will be their ALL PLAY, as they are allowed to designate the quarter 1-4. Once they choose the quarter confirm with the opposing coach the quarter that the team selected to have as their ALL PLAY. During the ALL PLAY the coach is only allowed to sub 3 players on offense and 3 players on defense. This means that the other 3 non-sub players on offense or defense must be in for the entire ALL PLAY quarter. Basically they can sub 3 players on offense and 3 players on defense during the ALL PLAY quarter as I understand it so please be aware as I have had complaints that coaches are subbing all players on offense and defense. If you notice this or it is brought to your attention during the game please take an official time out and verify the players that are to remain in the entire quarter so you can make sure the coach is abiding by the rule. Many times the coaches are just new to the rules and don't understand them completely and if you take a moment and explain them they will comply and the game will move along smoothly.
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Know the rules?10/21/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
In this week's rules question we will be explaining Snap Infractions. So at these levels many of the kids struggle with the quarterback center exchange and we need to be aware of that. One of the things I do is when I see a center struggling to snap the ball, before I throw a penalty flag I stop the center and explain that what they are doing is incorrect and what I would like to see him or her doing. I also get the attention of the coach and tell them what I saw and what they need to correct. After I have done that I judge the severity of the snap exchange, which is whether its just a jerky snap or whether the kid double clutches the ball including how it affects the play. What this means is if a kid has a jerky snap I typically ignore it and do not penalize the snap unless it dramatically affects the play. However, if the kid snaps the ball and it leaves the ground and then he places the ball back on the ground I penalize it as a false start/snap infraction because they double clutched the ball. Also remember many kids pick up the ball because they are unaware that they cannot do that prior to the snap, so lets remind them that they must leave the ball on the ground and not flag them, especially if it doesn't affect the rusher or any other players on the team. If I see a kid pick up a ball and rotate it because of the laces I typically ignore it unless it causes the defense/offensive to rush illegally/false start. If the kid rotates the ball end over end or double clutches a snap then I will penalize it, especially at the upper levels as the kids have more skill and ability to control the snap. Keep in mind at the lower levels kids struggle so you do not have to penalize it even if you throw your flag, you can give a warning and pick up your flag, but I leave the determination up to you. Again I will never change your call or tell anyone that you are wrong in your assessment of a penalty/foul. I am here to always support you. If you have any questions please feel free to comment on the post or email me and I will answer you. Thanks
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know the rules?10/8/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
In this week's rules question we will be speaking about the no-run zone. The no-run zone is roughly 4-5 yards from the midfield and the end zone. This means when the offensive team enters the no-run zone they are not allowed to run to advance the ball beyond the line of scrimmage(LOS). However they are allowed to throw as many backward passes as they would like, but the final pass must be forward beyond the LOS to be a legal completion and allow the team to advance the ball. If the forward pass does not go beyond the LOS it is not considered a legal forward pass while in the no-run zone and the penalty will be 10 yards and loss of down for illegal procedure. This is only a penalty when the team is in the no-run zone, you can signal the penalty by using the false start signal of rolling your arms. Keep in mind that if the initial quarter passes the ball backwards, pitches the ball backwards or hands the ball off to a player, the 7 second clock is no longer in effect, although the ball is still required to be thrown forward beyond the LOS to be a legal play. Also after the initial quarterback releases the ball either by passing, pitching or handing it off to another player, any defensive member of the team may now legally rush the passer as the blitzing rules are no longer in effect. If you have any questions please contact me and I will be happy to explain the rule and its interpretation.
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know the rules?9/29/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
I mentioned this before but I will mention it again as I have been asked about it by several referees & a few coaches. After a scoring play, when a team is attempting the try for 1 or 2 points they can either run or pass the ball. The only exception would be if a penalty moves the offensive team into the no-run zone, then they would only be allowed to pass the ball for the try. Please announce whether the try is for 1 or 2 points prior to signally the ready for play whistle.
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Know the Rules?9/24/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
This weeks question deals with players jumping, spinning, diving or leaving their feet & feet placement. It is important to know the rules as many coaches come from other leagues and don't understand all the rules or assume rules are different. It is our job to read the rules week to week so that we know, without a doubt, what is the proper interpretation of the rules. All players are legally allowed to jump, spin, dive or leave their feet, however we must address some issues and penalties that arise out of that situation. When a player leaves their feet for any reason you need to know that rules state that the ball is placed where their feet are in-bounds and that they are only required to have 1 foot in-bounds to be considered in the field of play. This means catches where a player jumps to catch the ball and comes down with 1 foot in-bounds it is a legal catch and the ball is placed where the in-bound foot came down. A Knee touching the ground counts towards placement of the ball and is considered part of the feet in-bounds as well. This is especially important as it pertains to scoring plays. Case in point: I had a player this week in my game running towards the end zone and right before he entered the end zone he jumped to avoid a player over the pile-on landing with both feet out of bounds. Unfortunately it is not a touchdown due to the rules as neither of his feet were in the end zone after he jumped into the air, although he crossed the plane of the goal. Remember regardless if the ball crosses the end zone plane or not the player must establish at least 1 foot or knee in-bounds to be considered a touchdown. The ball is considered to be placed where the feet are located not where the ball is located, please remember this when spotting the ball, it is not where the defender grabs his flag that is the spot it is where the players feet are as many times the defender is grabbing the flag as the player is in front of them. We need to get better at placing the ball where the feet are as the spot where the play ends. Last we need to know when a player leaves their feet if they are the initiator of contact with another player while in the air it is a penalty is on the player who left their feet. Remember leaving the feet is allowed but can be very dangerous for either of the players, as I have penalize a player who left their feet and kneed another kid in the face as he was attempting to pull his flag. Know that a player in the air has no control over his body direction and it was their decision to leave their feet, so if they initiate the contact they will receive the penalty for illegal contact. Also it is very easy for a player to go to the ground hard as a result of a flag pull, while they are in flight as they have no stability since their feet aren't in contact with the ground. Let's do our best and try to keep the kids safe out there.
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know the Rules?9/19/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
This weeks question deals with substitution and advantage rules. Their are only 2 rules that requires the referee to be involved. First is the 8 vs 7 advantage rule, this rule states that the coach with an 8 player team is allowed to select one player from the opposing 7 player team to sit a quarter, however the coach of the 7 player team gets to choose what quarter that player sits. As an official you must notify the coaches of this rule anytime you have an 8 vs 7 game, so please read the rule in the rules manual. Once the coaches agree to sit a particular player, please make note of the player and quarter the player will sit on your score card for record. If both coaches agree not to sit a player please make note that they agreed to ignore the advantage rule. The second rule deals with free substitutions. Only a team with 9 players is allowed free substitutions. The rules works as follows, at the beginning of the game the coach of the 9 player team can select which quarter he would like to freely substitute players on offense or defense. Once they choose the quarter this is the only quarter they can use free substitutions and cannot change or substitute players in any other quarter. Any violation of the rule is an unsportsmanlike penalty for cheating. Please make note of the quarter the coach wants free substitution and announce it to the opposing team head coach.
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Know the Rules?9/10/2018 CHECK IN POLICY INSTITUTED
Due to multiple coaches violating or bending the rules of the league, we will be implementing a Check-In policy. Please make sure that the coaches and players are available at the time of check in. Check-In will commence at least 5 mins before the start of the game and it will be the referee's responsibility to check in both teams, coaches and players. Check-In is as follows: 1. Have the players line up in a straight line and check each player to make sure they have the proper equipment such as mouth pieces, cleats(no metal spikes), flags are on properly(with VELCRO facing outward), no shorts with pockets are allowed and hoodies must be tucked under jersey. Any discrepancies must be fixed immediately and if they cannot be fixed prior to start of the game,(such as player is wearing shorts with pockets), then the player will be disqualified from playing in the game. 2. Ask the coach if all his players are present and let him know that any player that shows up after check-in is completed, will be disqualified from playing in the game. We cannot allow players to show up late or not at all and affect the outcome of a game. Especially in regards to the 8 vs 7 advantage rule. If you are unsure of the rules please download rule manual from the website on the 2018 Fall Season page the link is at the bottom. Read the rule and how to implement it, as this rule is one many coaches are intentionally violating. 3. Ask the coach if he has any questions in regards to the rules or situations that he needs clarification on and do your best to answer the question as it pertains to rules. Also you must explain to the coach that no communication devices are allowed to be used on the field at any time, for example walkie-talkies, headphones or earbuds, mega phones or any other amplification devices are not allowed. These devices present an unfair advantage to the game and any use of them by coaches or players will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty and ejection. If you are unsure of any rule please contact me and I will explain the rule and it's interpretation to you. As always please read the rules every week so that you are well versed and won't be confused by coaches trying to bend the rule to their favor. 4. Once you have checked in both teams call for captains at the center of the field for the coin toss and proceed with the start of the game. Thanks and keep up the good work.
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know the rules?9/5/2018 Rules Question of the Week?
We had a question about the extra point try. After the offense scores a touchdown they have the choice between a 1 or 2 extra point attempt. The 1 point try line of scrimmage (LOS) is marked 5 yards from the goal line and the 2 point try LOS is marked 12 yards from the goal line. On either extra point attempts the team is allowed to run or pass the ball, however, if a penalty is called on the defense which moves the offense's ball into the no run zone (5 yards out from the goal line) then the offense can only pass the ball. If the offense chooses to decline the penalty they will receive the result of the play. For example, if the extra point try was no good and the offense declined the penalty then they would not receive an extra point nor would they get to retry the extra point attempt. If a dead ball foul occurs after the offense scores the extra point try, the penalty is enforced on the next offensive possession. If you have any question please feel free to contact me or comment on anything you don't understand in the comment section below. |