5 Man Mechanics - Keys and Priority of Keys - Back Judge

[biltheref]

What is the correct priority of keys when the offense is in a 'trips' formation?  On page 29 of the NFHS 2014-2015 game officials manual, example 4 says that when in trips the Back Judge's keys are the two widest eligible receivers.  The diagram and the description on page 32 shows that his keys are the two inside receivers.

Anyone have any help for me on this one?  Thanks.

[ncwingman]

I believe "correct" is whatever the BJ and wings agree on in the pregame conference, especially since keys are really more of a guideline than a rule or official mechanic.

It makes no logical sense that the BJ gets the widest reciever(s) to the strong side in every formation EXCEPT trips. The local groups here have all pretty much agreed to treat that as a typo and give the BJ the widest receivers.

[Welpe]

I brought this up in our pre season mechanics training and it was explained to me that the B is supposed to take the two inside receivers. Evidently this was a change in 2014 and as you can see, was poorly executed in the book.

[pjsaul]

I believe "correct" is whatever the BJ and wings agree on in the pregame conference, especially since keys are really more of a guideline than a rule or official mechanic.

Amen!

In the league I most frequently officiate, BJ tends to have the inside receiver. The official mechanics never made sense to me.