The NFHS moves around the H, L, U, and R on kickoffs

[Harry]

KICKOFF MECHANICS AND COVERAGE
Significant changes were implemented by the NFHS Game Officials Manual Committee regarding kickoff mechanics and coverage. As a result of the addition of the new NFHS football rule 9-3-8, the committee is emphasizing the new mechanics and coverage on the kickoff.

The rationale for the changes has to do with the addition of NFHS football rule 9-3-8 and the number of deep kicks that are occurring throughout the country. The Umpire and Line Judge have reversed their positions. This will allow for the Line Judge to be on the line during runbacks and allow him/her to make the calls on the line he/she would typically make during the other plays of the game. In addition, the positioning of the Line Judge has been moved back to the 10-yard line to help with kicks in the deep corner. The Referee has been positioned closer to the sideline to take care of deep kicks to his/her deep corner. The Linesman has been moved up to the receiver’s free-kick line to have a better look at the legality of blocks if an on-sides kick occurs. As in other situations, the crew should consider other factors such as wind conditions, skill of the kicker, etc., in adjusting their positions on the kickoff.

Here's the rest of the Officials Manual Points of Emphasis: http://www.nfhs.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6915

[TampaSteve]

Sorry fellas, brain dead.  Where WAS JL?

[HLinNC]

I don't remember because we don't follow NFHS mechanics anyway.  The old guys call it "the old mechanic".

R- GL opposite press box
U- behind kicker
HL- R restraining line
LJ- K restraining line
BJ- GL or up, LJ side

allow for the Line Judge to be on the line

  This would be clearer if they stated "sideline"  I believe.

[TampaSteve]

I got my answer.
LJ is/was on the 50 - for NFHS 5-man mechanics.

So now U will be on the 50 yd line & LJ will be on the 10.

[VALJ]

That's how we do it now - R and L deep, H on R's line, B on K's line (on L's side), and U with the kicker.  The idea was that L is used to trailing the play keeping it boxed, so have him doing the same thing.  U's used to being in the middle of the field too, so it's really only the R and the B (and to a lesser extent the H) doing things differently.

[TampaSteve]

For FL, we just follow NFHS.
I'll tell you what though, that U trot from G - 20 which is now G - 50 may delay the game a bit.   

I suppose with this change, it seems mechanics would work generally like this: (?)

HOME SIDE: 2 officials on this sideline
With U on the 50 & L on the 10, U will follow K & float to the 30 or 35 & as ball is returned maintain 10-15 yd cushion – basically a ‘don’t get beat to the goal line’ psyche; U takes the runner from the 50-on in;  therefore, L has the runner from the goalline to about the 40 or so.

 
VISiTOR SIDE: 3 officials on this sideline
With R near the corner on goalline: H would follow K & float to 20 or 25; R takes runner to the 20 or 25; H takes runner from 25 to 50; B takes runner from 50-on in

[HLinNC]

Meanwhile mayhem is committed in the middle.

We'll have to start placing  at the 50.

[VALJ]

Most umpires I know would have to break for the K goal line about the time the ball is kicked to avoid getting beat...   

[Tom.OH]

And Ohio does it different. We have the B on the kickers line, the U on the receivers line. The R is on the goal line in the middle. The L and LJ are on the goal line pylons for the first free kick for each team. If the kick is inside the 5 yard line we will stay on the goal line for the next kick. If the kick is short we will move to the 10 yard line for the second kick. Our director of football wants the goal line covered! The only down side is the 50 to 60 yards of sideline "uncovered". At times you need to bookit to get to a very short kick especially near the sidelines.

[Rulesman]

And Ohio does it different... Our director of football wants the goal line covered! The only down side is the 50 to 60 yards of sideline "uncovered"...

I never cease to be amazed at the mindset of some folks. But then, when in Rome (or in this case, Ohio)...

How many high school kickers can consistently put it in (or even near) the end zone? I dare say it is a distinct minority. A kick that breaks the plane is dead and every R should be able to cover it alone 95% of the time. Having 3 down there is goal line overload. Even if the kick should threaten the pylon, H and L, positioned somewhere up the sideline, can come back to help that other 5%.

If I'm a kicking coach in Ohio, I'm putting my bruisers out there and kicking it short every time I see 3 officials lined up that deep. By the time the posse arrives, I've had a better than average shot at stealing it from the pile.  Tom, B's and U's in Ohio should get combat pay!

What about it Atlanta Blue? From a kicking coach's perspective, what's your take?

[TampaSteve]

Agree 100%, not many HS kickers threaten the goalline.
Conversely, I do not see the drawbacks (unless I'm missing something) on putting L on the goal line.  Everything will happen in front of him & will never have to retreat & restrict his vision.

[FBUmp]

Most umpires I know would have to break for the K goal line about the time the ball is kicked to avoid getting beat...   

Which is why putting the U with the kicker is a stupid idea.

[VALJ]

Which is why putting the U with the kicker is a stupid idea.

True, but on a kickoff, where is he going to be that he's not going to have to worry about getting outrun?

[HLinNC]

where is he going to be that he's not going to have to worry about getting outrun?

 

  on a greyhound mechanical hare track mechanism?

[VALJ]

 

[HLinNC]

Well according to the 2012 Officals Manual diagram for 5 man kickoff mechanics, I am now Lord Overseer for what appears to be about 40% of the field and 36% of R's blocks from the K45 to the R15.

The BJ shuffles off to my sideline and then apparently takes a nap until such time as the return man makes it to him.

How much you want to bet that next year's point of emphasis will be illegal blocks in the middle of the field on kick returns?