KO mechanics, 5-man crew (Fed)

I don't work under fed rules/mechanics but have researched some websites. Am I correct in saying that the R and U are deep, on opposite sidelines? Do they then take fporward progress on the return all the way or do they go to a point and then stop?

The R should be on the home-side inbounds line around the 5, and the others should be staggered about every fifteen yards up the field. The ref has coverage up to the 25 or so because he stays behind the return for clean up. After the 25, the others should pick up the play.

Yes...
 

The 5 man mechanics we use have the R and U deep near R's end zone on opposite sidelines. This is according to the California Official's Mechanics manual for 2003 written by John Pemberton.

However, our association here in Hawaii is also authorized to use the old formation where the R and B are deep, HL and LJ are on the 40 and 50 respectively, and the U is with the kicker.

For varsity and JV we use 6 man, so the only time we see 5 man is in Pop Warner.

5 man KO
 

I work in IN, and we use a different format wiht great success. We feel that we put people in correct positions for returns/clean ups/ and for easy movement into our positions for the next scrimmage play. We have been using this for about 4 years now:

R- on goal line, faoring press box side, moves to side of play after reciept.
U- about 20-25yd line, press box side
H- about 15 yd line, opposite press box
LJ- on "R"'s free kick line, press box side
BJ- on "K"'s free kick line, opposite press box

We have found ot be in good positions for hand offs up the field, coverage on reception of kick (including on side: U and H will creep up line if one is signaled. We ask the K if they will on side. If it is not an obvious situation, U and H will creep up the line as it is kicked so as to not alert recievers.

R has main job of touch back/not; then up to 20 yd line then clean up the play.
After play, H spots and sets chains, R steps in behind "A" huddle, U places ball down and assumes possition, LJ is setting spot for his side line and shuttles ball out/in on his side, and BJ shuttles in ball in/out for opposite side.

Yet another reason to move to Hawaii -

5 man Pop Warner games? They're still *****ing about paying 3 guys here. It used to be four, but each youth league has scaled back. I honestly don't think we would have enough guys to fill all the youth games with 5 man crews.

Yes, but...
 

Good thing is that we use 5 man for Pop Warner. Bad thing is that the league only pays us about $10 per game. But they do provide us with a delicious pot-luck feast after the games. (roasted pork, cabbage, poi, rice, salmon and other delicious items)...

Plus the kids that are playing Pop Warner will be playing high school in a few years and its a great chance for us to get to work with them now...

REPLY: TxMike, I thought that Federation 5-man says:

R - down near goal line with deep receiver
BJ - press box side at around the 25
U - opposite side at around 20
LJ - on B's restraining line press box side
HL - on A's restraining line opposite side after administering ball to kicker.

That's what we've done here for years. I thought it was the NF "approved" technique. I don't much like it. I'd prefer it similar to the way the CCA 6/7 man has it -- H and L deep with R, and F and S up on R's restraining line (with U on K's line). It seems to make more sense to have the runners (F and J) at midfield ready to go on a breakaway and H and L following the play. This parallels what they would normally do on a long run from scrimmage.

Re: Yes...
 

We use the same mechanic in NC.

Re: Yes...
 

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We use our guru's 5 man stuff. Guru is really a great official, game management stress. Showed up at last years mechanics meeting packing his Glock .40 cal(who's gonna argue with a cop??)

R deep at 5, ready to bust for TB(visitors side) Picks up all the trash after R80 is moving upfield

U opposite up at 10-15...same basic stuff

HL has K's line

LJ has R's line

BJ is with the ball, raises hand and points to each other official and gets a hand up from each to show ready, then points to R and backs up, prefer BJ to float to the offside the reciever is heading and work as a deep winger....but he usually ends up working similar to U in a scrimmage play

A high number of crews here in Oklahoma have got to R on goal line usually around the hash. U about the 20 (home side), HL about the 30 (visitor side with chain crew right behind him), LJ with receiving line (home) and BJ with the K line (visitor). The thought being this. Run back ends with a tackle say at the 30. R is already behind the O line/backfield. U slides into the middle with the ball. HL has chain crew behind him with spot. Line judges slides into his spot and BJ and already behind the D. Barring a long run back everyone is usually 5 to 25 yards from where they will be for first play from scrimmage and no official is "crossing paths" with another official on his way to his position for the next play.