stop the play

[joe bonner]

I finished my first year of Freshman / Jr.Varsity. I also had the opportunity to work the chains for some of the State Champ playoff games. (AA & AAA) I am confused by some inconsistent whistles to A.)stop a play from starting or B.)stop a play that has just started . It is obvious when a O-lineman jumps prior to the snap. How about when a D-lineman jumpsand gets back , when two offense players are in motion, when 12 men are on the field ,or six men on the line. I have seen the play blown dead in each of these examples. I have also seen the play run through in each of the examples. I know, I know , get the rules book out and study!!! However you guys clarify things and make learning techniques fun.

[JMN]

Joe, need to clarify which rules your using in your association NFHS or NCAA.

If NFHS, then....

* If B (A is usually offense, B is defense) lineman crosses the plane into the neutral zone, whistle, flag, kill the play. The ball is dead. He can't "get back" if he breaks the plane. If he doesn't break the plane, no call.

* 2 offensive players in motion. Were they in motion or was it a shift? Different problems, different solutions.

* 12 men on the field. If you know for sure that you've got 12 men, whistle & flag before the snap. This is preferred if you're sure because it a 5yd foul (substitution infraction) vs. a 15yd (illegal participation) foul after the snap. If you're not sure, and your partner isn't sure, officiate, then try to count them again after the play. Not optimal, but don't miss the play.

* Six men on the A line. Live ball foul. Flag, officiate, then blow whistle, kill clock, report to your R.

Also, when you work the chains at the playoffs, be sure to ask the officials working the game about specfic plays. They can clarify their calls and you'll find that discussing plays with knowlegeable officials is one of the best learning experiences.

And you're right, get the rule book out and study because that combined with experience makes you a better official. We're all still learning, and you can never bury your nose in the book enough.

Good luck!!

[ABoselli]

An easy way to keep things straight regarding dead ball / live ball fouls is ask yourself the question, "Is it correctable before the snap?" If it is, it's a live ball foul. If not, blow it.

Six men on the line? Correctable. Illegal shift? Correctable. Illegal motion? Correctable. All these infractions become fouls at the snap because the offense has a chance to correct them before they snap it.

12 men in the huddle? Can't turn back time so it's a dead ball foul. False start? Can't turn back the clock, kill it.

For B, I think encroachment and USC (interfereing with A's cadence) are the only fouls that stop the play from bbecoming live.

[Mike Simonds]

Just wanted to run these 2 plays by you guys. NF rules (applying the new PSK rules for 2003):

K kicks-off from the K 40 yard line. The kick is rolling on the ground at the R 20 yard line when R#29 blocks K#64 below the waist at the R 30 yard line.

K punts from the K 40 yard line. The kick is rolling on the ground at the R 20 yard line when R#29 blocks K#64 below the waist at the R 30 yard line.

[nvfoa15]

The first play is not PSK enforcement (not a scrimmage kick). K may take the result of the play or the penalty enforced from the previous spot.

For the second play, PSK enforcement, I'll assume that the kick/play ends at the R20 - R(now A) 1/10 A10.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by nvfoa15
The first play is not PSK enforcement (not a scrimmage kick). K may take the result of the play or the penalty enforced from the previous spot.

For the second play, PSK enforcement, I'll assume that the kick/play ends at the R20 - R(now A) 1/10 A10.

The basic spot is where the kick ends under the 2003 PSK rules. If the ball were to continue to roll to the 15-yard line, that would become the basic spot and the enforcement spot.