TASO Officiating Philosophies and NCAA Officiating Standards

[ElvisLives]

In chatting with some fellow TASO officials, it became clear that they were unsure if, for Texas High School Football, they are supposed to follow the TASO Officiating Philosophies; if they are supposed to follow the NCAA Officiating Standards; or if they are supposed follow both.
The big problem came about when the NCAA extracted their Standards from the CCA Manuals, and inserted them into the Rules Book. While this action was intended to expose coaches to the Standards directly (since very few also had CCA Manuals), it also placed two separate documents directly in the hands of TASO officials, both of which address many common topics; each address some unique topics; and each offer expanded guidelines on selected topics. This has led to the confusion I mentioned above.
Let me try to clear this up.
TASO’s official position is that the TASO Philosophies take precedence over the NCAA Standards. For any conflicts between the two, the TASO Philosophies govern for Texas High School Football. If the TASO Philosophies don’t explicitly cover a situation, then using the NCAA Standards would not draw criticism from TASO, and an official doing so would be supported by TASO.
So, the short answer is that TASO officials are to follow the TASO Officiating Philosophies, and where the Philosophies don’t offer any guidance on a topic, the NCAA Standards may be used. Where the two documents are in conflict, the TASO Officiating Philosophies are to govern. Where one document may offer expanded guidelines on a topic, those guidelines - where not in conflict with the other document, may be used.
It is very important to understand that the Philosophies and the Standards are guidelines - not hard and fast rules - which may be used to assist in making rulings on the field. These guidelines should be used as, and when, appropriate for the level of contest being played. The higher the talent and skill level of the players, the more tightly these guidelines should be used. In contests with lesser skilled players, the limits of these philosophies/standards should be adjusted (increased/decreased) to allow for smooth game play, while always maintaining player safety.
I hope this helps.

[JasonTX]

Maybe we can come up with a list of the conflicts.  I'll go first.

NCAA:  When in question regarding whether the quarterback passed or fumbled, it will be ruled a fumble.

TASO:  When in question, the ball is passed and not fumbled during an attempted forward pass.

[zebrastripes]

Maybe we can come up with a list of the conflicts.  I'll go first.

NCAA:  When in question regarding whether the quarterback passed or fumbled, it will be ruled a fumble.

TASO:  When in question, the ball is passed and not fumbled during an attempted forward pass.

I would presume that this difference has everything to do with replay.

[ElvisLives]

I would presume that this difference has everything to do with replay.

That would be correct. Generally speaking, in NCAA, when in question, let it play out, and let replay ‘fix it.’ For TASO, we need to officiate on the field, to the best of our abilities.

[ElvisLives]

If I haven’t relayed this anywhere else, the TASO Football Board is standing up a committee to consider blending the Standards into the TASO Philosophies, so we have a single comprehensive document. Won’t happen for 2026, I don’t think, but, hopefully for 2027.

[blindtxzebra]

Kind of along the same lines, kind of not...The NCAA CCA manual has mechanics for a 10 second runoff, are there runoff mechanics listed in the TASO mechanics? I have looked and cannot seem to find them. Really only asking because of the change in the CCA manual this year.

[ElvisLives]

Kind of along the same lines, kind of not...The NCAA CCA manual has mechanics for a 10 second runoff, are there runoff mechanics listed in the TASO mechanics? I have looked and cannot seem to find them. Really only asking because of the change in the CCA manual this year.

I have inquired if the CCA 10-second subtraction (runoff) mechanics were considered for inclusion in the TASO manuals. When (if) I hear, I will advise.
IMHO, the CCA mechanics for the 10SRO were added to assure consistency in announcements across all of NCAA football, since they have referee’s field mics at 100% of their sites. The vast majority of UIL/TAPPS stadiums do not have referee field mics, so this may not be as important for TASO officials, but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to have this in our manuals.

[ElvisLives]

No, the CCA 10-second subtraction (runoff) mechanics were not considered for inclusion in the TASO manuals. The TASO manuals were approved before anyone was aware of this new addition to the CCA manual. I don’t believe anyone has an objection to TASO folks using these mechanics (although, personally, I have some issues with it - see the NCAA forum).

Scrimmages less than two weeks away.

[TxJim]

I have one I'd like to see created...

Add the following to the TASO officiating philosophies in mechanics manual under Formation-Offense or wherever appropriate:

“Do not be technical in determining if scrimmage kick formation numbering exception players forming a 2x2 are within the tackle box. When in question, it is not a foul. When less than 10 players are on the field, allow a late substitute to fill an obvious player vacancy in the 2x2 provided no established 2x2 players shift position or false start.”

[ElvisLives]

I have one I'd like to see created...

Add the following to the TASO officiating philosophies in mechanics manual under Formation-Offense or wherever appropriate:

“Do not be technical in determining if scrimmage kick formation numbering exception players forming a 2x2 are within the tackle box. When in question, it is not a foul. When less than 10 players are on the field, allow a late substitute to fill an obvious player vacancy in the 2x2 provided no established 2x2 players shift position or false start.”

Concur on the]technicality of the width of the 'numbering exceptions box,' which is my term for what everyone is calling the "2X2" sub-formation. The full width of the numbering exceptions box is the width of the tackle box. But, we can certainly allow the size of that box to expand, reasonably. What is reasonable has been described as up to where a third player from the snapper would be - essentially the same as a player just "catching a piece of the tackle box. For both feet to be within the box, the box would then be some 6 1/2 yards from the snapper. I think we're all good with that.

Regarding substitutions that affect the "2X2" formation, direction we have received from Shaw, to date, says that, after the "2X2" is established, nothing can be changed about it. No player may move into it, no player may depart from it, no players inside of it may change position, and substitutions affecting the "2X2" are not permitted[/s.
As for players within the box, I am certainly not going to be technical about a player adjusting his stance, or modestly moving laterally to get set - maybe a foot or so in either direction.
But, for actual substitutions, by definition, a substitution is either a replacement for a player, OR for a player vacancy (which means Team A has fewer than 11 players on the field). What you are talking about is a substitution to fill a player vacancy AFTER the "2X2" is established. And Shaw has said, in writing, that substitutions affecting the established "2X2" are not allowed. He has not distinguished between a player replacement and a player vacancy. Unless he (or Matt Young) says that player vacancies may be filled by a substitute, then we need to hold the line and rule an illegal formation at the snap.

OK, in 2026 NCAA Bulletin 2, Matt Young clarified that YES, in fact, Team A may fill a player vacancy within the fully established “numbering exceptions box” (my better term for the “2X2”). As long as we have it in writing, OK by me.

I don’t know what’s happening, but my revision, with the addition of the sentence above was not supposed to be struck-through or color pink. That sentence is the new info we received today, from Matt Young.

[TxJim]

Bulletin 2 just fixed it for me.

[ElvisLives]

I don’t know why the last two sentences in my previous post above are struck-through. They are not intended to be. As of today, Team A MAY fill a player vacancy within the established numbering exceptions box.