7 Man Mechanics

[jumpire]

I'm currently helping officiate a semi-pro league and we use 7 officials and NFL rules. Does anyone know of any good training videos or printed material on 7 man mechanics?

Thanks

[gsrc]

See my website (below in my signature).  There is a power point that was created by the NFL with their mechanics on there.

Hope that helps-

[Big-Tee]

http://www.eaifo2.org/EaifoMechanics.html

[brownie]

http://www.eaifo2.org/EaifoMechanics.html

Anyone have any suggestions for downloadable manuals of this quality for 5 man crews?
The 5 man passing presentation under your site gsrc is really helpful  but it would be nice to find something that covers off all the other things in the detail that the eaifo ones do.

[HLinNC]

http://football.refs.org/mechanics/

http://sdcfoa.org/mechanics.htm

http://www.austinofficials.org/mechanics.html


http://www.ctcfoa.com/751.html

[TampaSteve]

I copied/pasted this from eaifo 7-man mechanics, running plays:

Line Judge and Head Linesman:
observe action on or by their nearest interior lineman (normally the tackle). If run is toward him he will observe blocking ahead of the runner. He has forward progress both behind and beyond the Line of Scrimmage. Take forward progress in his zone as far as possible. Once responsibility is released to the deep official try to stay 10-15 yards behind the play. When play goes away move cautiously on to the field keeping the play boxed in. Observe any illegal action behind the play and help the Referee in cleaning up behind the play. Be prepared to offer a “soft spot”.

My question is how far downfield fo H/L take forward progress?  At what point to they release responsibility to S/F?

[cincybearcat]

I copied/pasted this from eaifo 7-man mechanics, running plays:

Line Judge and Head Linesman:
observe action on or by their nearest interior lineman (normally the tackle). If run is toward him he will observe blocking ahead of the runner. He has forward progress both behind and beyond the Line of Scrimmage. Take forward progress in his zone as far as possible. Once responsibility is released to the deep official try to stay 10-15 yards behind the play. When play goes away move cautiously on to the field keeping the play boxed in. Observe any illegal action behind the play and help the Referee in cleaning up behind the play. Be prepared to offer a “soft spot”.

My question is how far downfield fo H/L take forward progress?  At what point to they release responsibility to S/F?

Most college officials use the philosophy of H/L will "take all they can get"...meaning they really don't release responsibility to S/F, unless the spot is inside the 2 yard line, with the S/F already on the pylon.  I tell my S that the only time I will usually want him taking a spot is on a long play where HE actually gets passed and is they trailing the ball-carrier...or on a pass play where the reciever dives and makes a catch and litterally lands right at the S's feet.  Studies have been done that show that spots are much more accurate by an official trailing the play, even if he is a good 10-15 yards behind, as opposed to a deep official coming from upfield.  The depth perseption is just better.

[TampaSteve]

Most college officials use the philosophy of H/L will "take all they can get"...meaning they really don't release responsibility to S/F, unless the spot is inside the 2 yard line, with the S/F already on the pylon.  I tell my S that the only time I will usually want him taking a spot is on a long play where HE actually gets passed and is they trailing the ball-carrier...or on a pass play where the reciever dives and makes a catch and litterally lands right at the S's feet.  Studies have been done that show that spots are much more accurate by an official trailing the play, even if he is a good 10-15 yards behind, as opposed to a deep official coming from upfield.  The depth perseption is just better.

Thanks for the insight.  That was the iten I was asking. i.e. sweep play and the runner is going to go a long way.
At what point, if at all would H/L 'hand off' the runner to S/F and S/F would become the primary official covering the play? - 20yds downfield? more?

[JABReferee]

It is the 2 yard line or the point that the runner has passed the deep side. 

Also, don't forget x-field mechanics.  Sometimes the opposite deep side can offer a x-field spot to the H/L.  Just depends on how the play develops.

[With_Two_Flakes]

Strongly prefer the wing to get all spots up to the 2yd line.

Philosophy with my crew (when we go out in a 7-man) is that maybe a handful of times a season there might be a situation where the deep guy takes it, but I don't want it to be a regular thing. The deep guy should be backing up and covering action ahead of the runner and the wing guy should be getting the spot from behind. I want that play bracketed between the two of them all the way up the field.
 
As stated earlier, wing gets a more accurate spot as he come up from behind.

What can sometimes be tough for the SJ or FJ is knowing when to stop, ie where is that pylon? A tip I was given by a deep official from the BigTen who helped train me is to not try and look directly behind you but instead take a quick glance across the field to the other pylon. That will help you establish your North / South position if you lose your bearings.

[cincybearcat]

It is the 2 yard line or the point that the runner has passed the deep side. 

Also, don't forget x-field mechanics.  Sometimes the opposite deep side can offer a x-field spot to the H/L.  Just depends on how the play develops.

Cross field mechanics is very benifitial once you get comfortable using them.  My x-field partner and I worked hard on this this past season.  Especially helpful when you have any play close to the sideline where a runner is being pushed back towards where you are.  Just continue to officiate, give the wind the clock signal...then look for your buddy accross the field.

[VALJ]

Strongly prefer the wing to get all spots up to the 2yd line.

Philosophy with my crew (when we go out in a 7-man) is that maybe a handful of times a season there might be a situation where the deep guy takes it, but I don't want it to be a regular thing. The deep guy should be backing up and covering action ahead of the runner and the wing guy should be getting the spot from behind. I want that play bracketed between the two of them all the way up the field.

When we go 7-man, we follow this.  On anything that starts outside the B 15 yard line, H and L have progress all the way to the 2, and S and F have the goal line.  On a play inside the B 15, F and S are on the end line, so H and L have the goal.

And on a turnover, when reverse mechanics apply, S and F get progress to the 2 while H and L have A's goal line.

[cincybearcat]

When we go 7-man, we follow this.  On anything that starts outside the B 15 yard line, H and L have progress all the way to the 2, and S and F have the goal line.  On a play inside the B 15, F and S are on the end line, so H and L have the goal.

And on a turnover, when reverse mechanics apply, S and F get progress to the 2 while H and L have A's goal line.

Wow...you guys break at the 15 yard line in 7 man???!!!  I though most used the 5 or 7 yard line.  Doesn't that leave the goal line unnessesarily uncovered on plays?

[VALJ]

You know, I don't know what I was thinking.  Just double-checked the mechanics manual, and the 15 isn't even mentioned.

F and S start on the goal line if the ball is inside the 20.  F and S start on the end line inside the 5.

Good thing I study my mechanics manual the night before each game so I can have them fresh, I guess. 

[Big Howie]

Looking for the 7 man mechanics manual for the NFL. Could use some assistance.

[clearwall]

Can someone explain this "x-field" term? Never heard that one before

[HLinNC]

"x-field" = cross field as in across the field.   HL & LJ, SJ & FJ

[bossman72]

Thanks for the insight.  That was the iten I was asking. i.e. sweep play and the runner is going to go a long way.
At what point, if at all would H/L 'hand off' the runner to S/F and S/F would become the primary official covering the play? - 20yds downfield? more?

We never "pass the baton" to the deep wings on long runs. 

Never.

Deep wings only have spots inside the 1 or 2 when they are on the pylon