In the latest CFO video (2024 #7, Passing Situations), Shaw discusses a 'change' in mechanics regarding "keys" and "areas of responsibility." He spends some time describing "areas of responsibility" as opposed to the traditional "keys."
When he got through, I almost screamed out loud, "That's no different than what we have always been doing with 'keys.' You are only changing the name from 'keys' to 'areas of responsibility.'
I'll explain.
The only real difference between the conventional 'key' system and the 'areas of responsibility' system is that, in 'areas of responsibility,' they don't officially assign individual receivers to any specific official. Rather, they all look at all receivers in their general area (half the field, generally speaking), and see where the greatest threat might be - AT THE SNAP. As the action develops after the snap, everyone continues to look for the threatened receivers. If the widest receiver on one side of the field becomes threatened, then, for certain, the deep wing on that side of the field should be observing him. Others may also move their attention to that same receiver, if the receivers in their closest areas are not threatened. Conversely, if every receiver is closely covered (threatened), then each official may be observing a different receiver, until such time as it is clear the receiver in their immediate area is not likely to be involved in the action. At that time, that official would "find some work," and look at other receivers that are far more likely to be involved in the action.
Guess what? That is NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT FBS OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN DOING, under the system of "keys." It is really just terminology, for officials at that level. So, when Shaw talks about "areas of responsibility," the vast majority of FBS officials won't need to do anything different. Those working lower levels of NCAA football may have some transitioning to do. But, it isn't rocket science. They can do it. Just don't be fixed on any specific receiver after the snap, unless he is immediately threatened and likely to be a target. We should never hear, "He wasn't my key," or "I was watching my key and didn't see what happened to that other guy."
"Areas of Responsibility" is a better identifier for the way we should be officiating, and I would expect to see that identifier used in print in manuals. But, for many, if not most, NCAA officials, there is very little, if any, change.
