Contra Costa County Football Officials Association

Training Session # 7Conduct of Players and Others

Rule Basis

• 11 – Fighting• 20 – Illegal helmet contact / targeting• 32:16 – Defenseless Player

Rule 2 Definitions

• 4 – Illegal Personal Contact• 5 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Players• 8 – Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Non Players

Rule 9 – Conduct of Players and Others

ReviewContact = Personal Foul

Non-Contact = Unsportsmanlike FoulWith couple of exceptions

Philosophy

• Illegal Personal Contact• No tolerance / no warnings – safety issue and must

be called and enforced• Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Players

• Some judgment / some warnings – Try to use preventative officiating if situation is “ramping up” (consideration given because its an emotional game)

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Non Players• Try to use preventative officiating• Don’t look for trouble• Showboating vs conversation tone

Comments directed at callversus

Comments directed a an individual

Bert’s Philosophy…Head coaches get

some leewayAssistants get none

Fighting – No tolerance• Any attempt by player or non player to

strike a player or non player in a combative manner unrelated to football

• Includes but not limited to attempts to strike with:

• Hands• Arms• Legs• Feet

• Applies whether there is contact or not• Leaving the bench during a fight (please

do not apply if coaches come on field to help breakup a fight)

You know it when you see it - but know what you see

It’s a huge foul: 15 + Disqualification

Targeting (Contact TO the head)

• Takes aim (that’s where the term “targeting” comes from)

• Initiates contact above the shoulders with:

• Helmet• Forearm• Hand• Fist• Elbow • Shoulders

• If you deem it to be flagrant it CAN BE disqualification

Safety foul – call it!

Enforcement approach different than in college

Illegal Helmet Contact (Contact WITH the head)• Initial contact at shoulders or

below with crown of helmet• Initial contact with runner with

front of helmet (once called “face tackling” which the rule book still uses)

• What about “helmet to helmet” contact? Opinions from vets on call:

• Is there such a rule in the HS rule book?

• How do you interpret the ball carrier and tackler both lowering their heads?

Judgement call

Needs some element of intent

https://fansided.com/2013/10/19/florida-player-ejected-targeting-first-play-gif/

Blindside blocks• A block that is:

• Outside free blocking zone• Forceful contact• Not initiated with open hands• Player blocked did not see it

coming

• Be alert for this on:• Reversals• Turnovers• Away from the ball

See it – Call it!

A safety foulhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv0_8h1AzLQ

https://www.footballzebras.com/2019/08/all-blindside-blocks-prohibited-starting-in-the-2019-season/

Contact Against a Defenseless PlayerPasser

Receiver attempting to catch pass who has not had time to clearly become a runner

Intended receiver during and immediately following an interception

Runner whose forward progress has been stopped

Kickoff or punt returner attempting to catch or recover a kick

Player on the ground

Player obviously out of play or not in immediate vicinity

Victim of a blindside block

Other “Safety” Personal Fouls

Charge into or throw a player to the ground after ball is dead

Pile onGrasp and twist the face mask or helmet openings (also can be a 5 yard)Horse collar

• Grab inside back or side of collar or name plate area• Pull backwards or sideways to the ground• Action by only one player

Horse collar

Roughing the snapper, passer, kicker, holder

Slap a blockers head during line play (“bell ringer”)

Hurdling - Lets Discuss

Player Unsportsmanlike Fouls

• Taunting an opponent (be watchful for taunting directed to or from sideline)

• Profanity or vulgar language or gestures (directed to opponent)

• Delayed, excessive, or prolonged celebration

• Spiking the ball• Throwing ball high into the air

Drop itPlace it on ground

Hand or toss it to someone

Non Player Fouls… Applies to coaches, substitutes, trainers and team attendants

They are on the field with your permission

• If they are team personnel and on the field they must be in Team Box and are subject to rules

• If they are not team personnel and are disruptive in ANY way have game administration remove them

Ask head coach who they are

Referee will hold up game until removed

If fans, reporters, photographers, announcers etc. are involved:

Non Player FoulsThe ones a new official will have to deal with

Taunting an opponent

Profanity or vulgar language or gestures (directed to opponent or crew)

Disrespectfully addressing game official (personal vs the call)

Alcohol or tobacco use (can’t believe we even have to say this but it happens; youth especially)

The FieldBetween 25 yard lines

All Players and Non Players to be in Team Box

Two yards wide - Only three coaches can be in Restricted Area and only until ball is ready for play

Two yards wide – no one can be inside Restraining

Line

Restricted Area Violations

• This is a safety issue – YOURS and theirs – Enforce it!• Identify the “get back” coach – he can make your life easy• Important to be consistent on BOTH sidelines – pregame discussion

• Ensure your chain crew has plenty of room to move along the sidelines • Use your body – line up two yards out of bounds• Be especially attentive on reversals (Why?)• Managing the restricted area:

• Couple of informal verbal reminders early in the game• First violation – Your flag and formal warning from referee, zero yards• Second violation – flag and 5 yards• Third violation – flag and 15 yards• Fourth violation – flag, 15 yards, Head coach is disqualified

Many officials are hesitant to enforce

Don’t be one!

Coaches cannot be inside the restricted area after the ready for play and during the play

Managing the sidelines Note: no players/coaches in white area

• How do we manage the coaches?

• What is acceptable and not acceptable

• Players coming to the sidelines to get the plays

• New: Social Distancing guidelines ??

Non player acts - field related• Timing related – let white hat handle but be

observant and assist• Teams off the field at the coin toss (end zone OK)• Teams ready to start the game on time• Teams back on the field at half time for the three

minute warm up• Be outside the team box (when might you see

this?)• Conferences – two kinds (unless flagrant and

blatant work to get this corrected):• Outside “nine yard mark” – team members and

coaches• Inside “nine yard mark” – players and one coach only

9 Yrd Marks