D EAD B ALL AND T IME S ITUATIONS Definition Time-Outs Injured/Unconscious/Bleeding Player Conferences (Player/Referee/Coach) Line To Gain and Measurements Reporting Fouls To Referee and Sidelines Spot Of The Snap Designations Time Factors Scoring Plays Fouls Overtime Procedures Player/Game Equipment D EAD B ALL AND T IME S ITUATIONS Definition of Dead Ball Term Used to indicate the interval between downs. Of a typical football game, the ball is live roughly 8 minutes of the game. Therefore to be a great official, you must be a great DEAD BALL official. Avoid the tendency to relax this is when disaster can strike Jon Bible, Big 12, Referee of the 2008 BCS National Championship Game Action Prior To Snap Duties - Dead Ball Interval From the initial RFP until the final horn over 70% of the game is a Dead Ball interval, you have duties do your job and use the time wisely: The things you do now minimizes or eliminates problems later in the game: Address any penalty administration duties Maintain rhythm of ball being spotted Make sure ball is legal Note position of ball between inbounds lines Communicate with crew-members Check that the Down is correct Check status of Clock Address uniform/equipment/injury issues Preventative officiating/communication with players Count offensive players (signal if 11) Note 5 offensive players numbered 50 79 on LOS Unbalanced line or unusual formations (do keys change) Note player numbers and any exceptions Note center making final ball adjustments Note potential ineligibles (usually TE) Note who is on their LOS (offense and defense) Note who is in the Free Blocking Zone (offense and defense) Watch for false starts by O-linemen 1 DEAD BALL FUNDAMENTALS An officials whistle seldom KILLS the ball. It is already DEAD by rule. No LIVE ball foul causes the ball to become DEAD. A DEAD ball may become LIVE only by a legal snap or free kick. Catching is ALWAYS preceeded by touching of the ball; thus, if touching causes the ball to become DEAD, securing possession of the ball has no significance. 1 Primary Dead Ball Times Before/after scrimmage plays After scores Timeouts Penalty Administration / Measurement Injuries Between Periods Questions?