"Areas of Responsibility"

[ElvisLives]

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."
The truth is, for those with significant experience, especially those with 'tutoring' from FBS officials, 'areas of responsibility' is not really any different than what they have been doing under the mechanics labeled as 'keys.' To put it bluntly, for those who have been doing it right, there is no difference, in practice, between the systems labeled as 'keys' and 'areas of responsibility.' 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.

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 (i.e., Back Judge, short wing), 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.
 
For TASO football, IMHO, I believe we need to stick with the label 'keys,' and I will explain why.
Even after we thoroughly cover 'keys,' and what that means, in meetings and training sessions, I have found that lesser experienced officials (rookies through 3rd year, in particular), need something they can grasp more easily than the more advanced concept of 'Areas of responsibility.' In reality, when lesser experienced officials are put on the field after covering 'keys' in a meeting, they are so overwhelmed with basic positioning, whistle use, signals, player counts, etc., once the ball is snapped, between self-preservation and just trying use their whistles correctly, and using the correct signals, etc., they have no idea what went on with the receivers. They are focused on getting settled in on basic positioning, movement, spots, clock management, etc. - they ain't looking at anything in specific, much less ‘keys.’
As a starting point, we need to get them to identify their ‘keys’ (pre-snap), and follow those keys, and know what their keys did, or what happened to them. By doing so, we know they are looking at SOMETHING (not nothing). After they get comfortable and proficient with that, then they can be introduced to the concept of ‘areas of responsibility,’ where they evaluate all potential receivers, find the greatest threat in their general area, and observe the most important action on the field.
So, we need to leave “keys” in our manual, as is. Those that are responsible for training at the chapter level need to teach keys, strictly, to the lesser experienced, then graduate them to ‘areas of responsibility.’

[Bulldog75]

As a lesser experienced official, the difference to me is like zone vs. man coverage.  As a deep wing last year, I had primary responsibility for the outside receiver.  On running plays I would watch him initially for crack back blocks, blocking below the waist, or holds if the ball came to my side.  If the run continued up my sideline then I transitioned to watching action generally in front of the ball carrier for illegal blocks.  On passing plays I would initially watch my key and any interaction between him and the defender covering him.  But if he ran a crossing route to the far side of the field the B or F would pick him up and I would find someone else in my zone to watch.  Or if the ball was in flight to my side I would watch the action on the intended target.  So I start with my key but move to other players in my zone if that makes more sense.

This year I moved to L and I'm thinking the zone coverage mentality will be more important.  Cover all the action in the flat to my side.

[ElvisLives]

As a lesser experienced official, the difference to me is like zone vs. man coverage.  As a deep wing last year, I had primary responsibility for the outside receiver.  On running plays I would watch him initially for crack back blocks, blocking below the waist, or holds if the ball came to my side.  If the run continued up my sideline then I transitioned to watching action generally in front of the ball carrier for illegal blocks.  On passing plays I would initially watch my key and any interaction between him and the defender covering him.  But if he ran a crossing route to the far side of the field the B or F would pick him up and I would find someone else in my zone to watch.  Or if the ball was in flight to my side I would watch the action on the intended target.  So I start with my key but move to other players in my zone if that makes more sense.

This year I moved to L and I'm thinking the zone coverage mentality will be more important.  Cover all the action in the flat to my side.

Sounds like you have a good grasp of AOR, and you are looking at somebody, be that a receiver or a blocker, on every down. That's good progress. The only thing I would warn against is giving up an early threat just because he ran across the field on a crossing pattern. The B or opposite deep wing may also have severely threatened receivers, and may not be able to pick up the crossing guy. This is where it gets difficult. You just have to have a good sense of situational awareness, and don't come off the first threat unless you have a greater threat develop in your area.  EX: Wide end A88, to your side, moves downfield three steps and cuts across the field with the cornerback right on his hip at the break. At the same time, wingback A44 breaks out toward the numbers to your side with a linebacker chasing him, but a couple of yards behind. A88 is still closely covered as he moves across the field. You should stay with him, unless he is able to make some significant separation.
This takes practice and experience, in a 'team' (crew) environment. Do scrimmages, and get video. Then review and discuss what you saw, and when you switched, or why you stayed with your early threat.

Although the position players change when you move to a different officiating position, the concept doesn't.

I have never liked the expression, "Man-Zone-Ball," because it makes everything so linear, when it rarely is. See who are pressed, and not. At the snap, scan for the greatest threat in your general area, and check that action, but be able to sense greater threat elsewhere, and move your attention to the greater threat. This is the epitome of the fact that, as officials, we aren't spectators. We don't get to watch the game. We watch the players, and that is a totally different view of the game.

Keep up the good work.