2009 SRI Bulletin #9

2009 SRI Bulletin #9

Changing Jerseys

Question: Do the rules allow a player to change jerseys, and therefore his/her number during the game?

Answer: Yes. NFHS rules do not address this; therefore it’s legal. Problems arise when a player is disqualified and attempts to re-enter the game wearing a different number. That’s a foul for illegal participation. Rule 9-6-4f.

Signals

Just as officials should avoid making calls on the run, Referees should come to a complete stop before giving their penalty signals. Walk to an area clear of players, come to a complete stop and give the signal. Look straight ahead. Find a spot halfway up in the stands and focus your eyes on that spot. Also, come to a complete stop after signaling, then hustle to your next task.

Neither your signal nor your facial expression should indicate emotion. Avoid jabbing the arm when signaling; it shows you may be angry and also shows a sense of “gotcha” towards the offending team. If the penalty is for UNS, an over-enthusiastic thrust of the arms could enflame an already contentious situation. Be calm, be professional when signaling, announcing and administering penalties.

Squaring Off

Squaring off means making a crisp right-angle turn perpendicular to the sidelines to mark the forward progress spot. By squaring off, the covering official has a wider, better look at the action and is less likely to come to the spot too soon. Keep your head up; do not officiate grass; the spot will not move! Do not go around players or jump over players to get the progress spot. For help with the correct spot, use crossfield mechanics and look across the field to the other wing official for assistance.

Penalty Enforcement

Play: 4th and 11 from K’s 26-yard line. While K’s scrimmage kick is in the air beyond the expanded NZ, R35 clips K12 at the 50-yard line. During the kick return, R28 is tackled by the face mask by K22.

Ruling: This is a PSK foul by R. R may decline the face mask foul and keep the ball after enforcement of R35’s clip. OR, R may accept the penalty against K22, thereby creating a double foul resulting in a replay of the down. Rules 10-2-1c and 10-2-3.