Pre Snap Routines

[rickref]

Ok boys and possibly some girls. (allen)

I need your pre snap routines by position. If someone posts on yours it is ok to post what you do if there is some variation. I am gathering this info to consolidate into some check lists much like what was going around for college around 2009-2010 ish. Oh and I can share once done at your request.

Thanks

[Coby]

Good Topic.  This has really changed a lot with the new BBW rule.  The only way I can see us calling BBW by the motion back is the R calling it.  Rick please send me any checklist you develop.

1.  Walk up to 2 yards behind the LOS (I am still agile enough to run to my spot after I blow it ready)
2.  Check HL and Down Box (make sure he has correct down)
3.  Make eye contact with BJ or LJ.  I usually go BJ on odd downs, LJ on even downs
4.  Look at clock to make sure it is good (BJ is usually taking care of this and will signal me if wrong,  I do this more often when I am only one facing game clock).
5.  Signal ball ready to play.  Run 11 steps backwards while watching the ball.  Setup 12 yards back outside of TE about a yard
6.  Count Offense.  Signal U that we have 11.

Here is where I deviate from traditional mechanics
7.  If wing or RB goes in motion I am responsible for their initial engagement and to make sure they stopped before ball is snapped if they intend to block.  This usually only happens with wing-t or option teams.

8. Snap (make sure it gets there)
9. The book says go Tackle here.  I go 2nd line of blockers.  This is usually RB/Wing.  This cuts down on Hi/lo's and BBW.  There is really no other way of getting BBW on the wing and motion man in a 5 man crew without doing this.  I am all ears if any of you have a different method.

10.  Once QB breaks pocket or DL breaks 2nd line of blockers I watch the QB until the play is dead

[TexDoc]

Coby, I think you should get back into position and then blow it ready.  The offense can snap the ball the moment you blow it ready.  I never blow the rfp until I'm back into position.  Also, if you don't have to go to the line of scrimmage as a R, then don't.  Stay back until the situation warrants.

[JasonTX]

1.  Walk up to 2 yards behind the LOS (I am still agile enough to run to my spot after I blow it ready)

5.  Signal ball ready to play.  Run 11 steps backwards while watching the ball.  Setup 12 yards back outside of TE about a yard

Why not make the ball ready when you get in position?  I have some video of R's making the ball ready and then the ball is being snapped while they are running into position.  I don't make it ready until all officials are in position, including myself.

[Kalle]

1.  Walk up to 2 yards behind the LOS (I am still agile enough to run to my spot after I blow it ready)

As others have said, why a) always walk to the LOS and especially b) signal the ball ready from there? Don't you wait for the other officials to be at their correct positions? If yes, why don't you wait until you are in the correct position?

If you always signal the ball ready from your position, you don't have to adjust your mechanics in eg. hurry-up situations. Plus you don't have to worry about the offense snapping the ball before you are ready.

My dead ball routine (4/5 man mechanics):

1. Cover dead ball action.
2. After the action has fully stopped, help relaying the ball to the umpire.
3. Move to my position.
4. Check the downbox, H, B, L, U.
5. Mark the ball ready.
6. Wait for the offense to break the huddle.
7. Count the offense as they are breaking the huddle.
8. Confirm the count with U.
9. Check for a false start of the 2nd kind.
10. Key the stationary running backs for false starts.

[allen]

Ok boys and possibly some girls. (allen)

Ouch!

[rickref]

Ouch!

I need your pre snap routine . Please. And you know I'm kidding because I care.

[allen]

My pre-snap routine as a U:

(1) Take a bite of snickers.
(2) Double check my spot in case I forgot it was an incomplete pass after chasing off the kid who lost his helmet. (inside joke here)
(3) Review previous play on big screen

Ok seriously, hopefully not forgetting something....after the deadball and spot stuff...

(1) Double check the down with the box. (not sure its the U's job but I cant help it)
(2) Check for sub signals, cover ball if needed. (initially cover on 4th down always)
(3) Check LOS for reference in case of Illegals downfield or weird stuff.
(4) Count the Offense while in huddle, confirm via a signal with the R, recount the O after the huddle.
(5) Move to location 7-10 yards from LOS center to opposite of R where I can see the ball and the 3 interior linemen but am not blocking some LB or shallow safety's view.
(6) Check the numbers of the linemen, especially on punts in case of those tricky fakes where the covered tackles run off for a pass.
(7) Look for false starts/illegal defense signals/defensive contact.

[Etref]

Why has not one said the majic words for the presnap???


Down, distance, ball on.....................

just my $.02

[CenTexTM]

Would a BJ be willing to share his presnap routine?

[110]

U spot here, Canadian mechanics, but some of it might carry over.

- Move down-counter on right hand to appropriate finger(s) for down just signalled.
- Move down-counter on left hand to indicate lateral position (left hash, pinkie finger, right hash, index finger, right post, middle finger, etc. Remember, Canadian fields are wider than Yankee fields.)
- Confirm box is set to correct down
- call out incoming subs, for either side, to referee (aids in count, also may trigger clock stoppage)
- if inside three-minute warning, following a time-count violation or a time out, aid referee with start of clock
- if short yardage situation (goal-line plunge, third and one), either set up on wide-side on line to gain/goal if called for (Canadian short-yardage mechanic)
- else set up in standard position, 10-12 yards beyond LOS, diagonally opposite R, with provisions to move to avoid/diminish "Umpire pick" plays if offence has shown that tendency
- ensure five ineligibles form interior line
- assist in declaring players reporting ineligible/eligible as needed
- focus on line players from centre to my side of the field for illegal procedure (false start) penalty detection

[Reverend30]

Would a BJ be willing to share his presnap routine?

In a 5-man game, starting at the end of the previous play -

1)Check the status of the clock to make sure it is correct
2)Mentally say down, distance, LOS (usually an approximation if I am not facing the scoreboard)
AND
2.5)Backpedal to my initial position, 22-25 yards from LOS (depending on down/distance/team tendencies), on the strong side but shading to the middle/wide
3)Count B players, confirm with L
4)Begin play clock (on my wristwatch) with R's RFP (although we do have some Rs who prefer to keep it themselves, and have the B mirror their signals - when that's the case, I keep a backup game clock to mirror my responsibilities in college ball, where I'm an S)
5)Note from left sideline to right which A players (non-interior linemen) are restricted with regards to blocking below the waist - at the same time I look at each wing man to determine who is a lineman, who is a back
6)Give the QB a signal at 0:10 on the play clock (hand straight up in the air) and 0:05 (hand to side at 90-degree angle)

I think that's it - if I come up with more I do, I'll edit.  This was actually an interesting exercise to realize the things I do without even thinking about at this point in the year.

[Coby]

To answer all of your questions about why I go to the LOS.... Because I am still athletic enough to run backwards after I blow it ready.  If I ever get caught I may change it but until then I am good.  Other reasons why I do is.  I like to be able to talk to the DLine kids.  The offensive players were always trying to look around me to get the plays in from the sideline.  It is easier to relay the ball in from the sidelines.  I guess I could get caught with a quick snap.  It has not happened in 9 years but I guess it could???

How do all of you watch the motion men for BBW in a 5 man crew?

[rickref]

I B so here is mine. Thanks to everyone. We still need some wings it appears.

Pre snap once previous play is completed.

1.   Once players are separated and moving back for next play: Get clock status and time.
2.   Count D with L and confirm. Have a signal with L to know you have more.
3.   on ready signal check play clock.
4.   Check down and Distance and LOS mental note what team may do on situation.
5.   After being set up 22-25 yards back set up inside goal posts. Move slightly to key side once A formation is being established. Get numbers of flexed players. Try get numbers on any player in motion.
6.   Check subs both O and if D is matching. Hold out arms if A is subbing.
7.   Count D with L and confirm. Have a signal with L to know you have more.
8.   Check play clock and make sure we snapped on time.

[Kalle]

To answer all of your questions about why I go to the LOS.... Because I am still athletic enough to run backwards after I blow it ready.

Why don't you run first and then mark the ball ready? That way you won't be caught out of position.

[fencewire]

H....

Pre snap once previous play is completed and colors have separated

1.   Down and distance, signal down box to move and what down to make it.
2.   I typically don't look at the box to verify that he can handle this task, our L double checks and signals if there is a discrepancy
3.   Tell myself down and distance and where we have to go for a 1st down.
4.   Check the clock status if I killed the clock for a first down, or OOB, signal R and U as to what my clock status is if close play OOB.
5.   Watch for O' subs without a huddle, if on my side then cross, if from L side, watch defense, if no move is made, continue on, if subs (rarely) then cross.
6.   Align receivers that come to my side, I don't step off the line, I move them with signals or verbally.
7.   Verify that I don't have a TE or another otherwise legal receiver covered.
8.   Count 4 in the backfield.
9.    Verify that everyone has been set at some point for 1 sec.
10.   I key to the guard for false start, although my focus is primarily on the TE and T, only so that I can see what the DT is doing as far as the NZ is concerned, I have found that if I just key to the T, I tend to lose focus on what the DT is doing.
11.  I watch the wideouts primarily out of the corners of my eyes looking for quick jerky movement.


There can also be potential blind spots with all of the doubles, trips, and even quad sets that are out there now a days...  at just the right angle slots can "hide" behind the player that splits out wide near the LOS official, I got caught once this year where the slot man moved before the snap (verified by film) and with trips to your side and he is the inside guy completely obscured by the end, you are watching DT, DE, T, wide out, corner in press coverage, there are a lot of things to draw your attention.  We discussed it and R looking through should have seen that FST as well, hopefully.

You think, how can they miss those easy calls, that is until it happens to you and you have no idea that you had movement until you watch it on film..   

[El Macman]

How do all of you watch the motion men for BBW in a 5 man crew?

Not sure what you may be driving at, but it doesn't strike me that it would be different for different crew sizes. If the formation is relatively normal, I don't think the R should be expected to observe linemen for BBW fouls. He should be expected to observe backs for BBW fouls. We know our key at the snap, so we don't even have to be looking at that 'key' until the ball is snapped. Thus, we can take note of backs that are unrestricted. Then, we need to be aware of where a motion man started, and where he is at the snap. If he does something that makes him suspect, we may need to prioritize his action, since a BBW foul is a safety issue (unlike holding). Easier in practice than it is to put into words.
Had a right TE, positioned outside a 'normal' tackle, step back into the backfield and stop - but still completely outside the normal tackle. Then he went in motion left, slowing and running in place directly behind the left tackle at the snap. He turned back to the right and lead blocking on a right sweep, cutting a linebacker at the knees while moving toward the right sideline. Since he started in motion from outside the TB, and his adjacent sideline was the left sideline, this was a BBW foul. Having seen video of this action being missed by others, I had changed my pre-snap routine to not be so hung up on focusing on my 'key,' and became more cognizant of where the backs were. It paid off. I was actually able to check my tackle - nothing - then switch to the motion back before he made his cut block. I got the flag down.
I don't think that would be any different if it was a crew of 5, 6, or 7 (or 4!).
 

[TampaSteve]

My pre-snap routine as a U:

(1) Take a bite of snickers.

Absolutely classic.  Reading this made my day & it's 0830...   

[Coby]

Not sure what you may be driving at, but it doesn't strike me that it would be different for different crew sizes. If the formation is relatively normal, I don't think the R should be expected to observe linemen for BBW fouls. He should be expected to observe backs for BBW fouls. We know our key at the snap, so we don't even have to be looking at that 'key' until the ball is snapped. Thus, we can take note of backs that are unrestricted. Then, we need to be aware of where a motion man started, and where he is at the snap. If he does something that makes him suspect, we may need to prioritize his action, since a BBW foul is a safety issue (unlike holding). Easier in practice than it is to put into words.
Had a right TE, positioned outside a 'normal' tackle, step back into the backfield and stop - but still completely outside the normal tackle. Then he went in motion left, slowing and running in place directly behind the left tackle at the snap. He turned back to the right and lead blocking on a right sweep, cutting a linebacker at the knees while moving toward the right sideline. Since he started in motion from outside the TB, and his adjacent sideline was the left sideline, this was a BBW foul. Having seen video of this action being missed by others, I had changed my pre-snap routine to not be so hung up on focusing on my 'key,' and became more cognizant of where the backs were. It paid off. I was actually able to check my tackle - nothing - then switch to the motion back before he made his cut block. I got the flag down.
I don't think that would be any different if it was a crew of 5, 6, or 7 (or 4!).

That is pretty much what I am driving at.  If the X goes in motion and does not stop before the snap who is watching if he blocks below the waist down field on a sweep?

When the wing back comes behind the OL after the snap to pick up a blitzer or lead on the counter who has that BBW?  I watch about 40 games a week and BBW by the backs and motion men is the 2nd most missed call.  The most missed call by the way is BIB.  If the player gets decleeted it is not an automatic BIB.  If they engage legally and then finish the contact with a push in the back it is not a BIB.  I would say 80% of the BIB penalties that are called are wrong.

[Welpe]

I would say 80% of the BIB penalties that are called are wrong.

Boy howdy do I think you nailed that one. There are far too many flags at the high school level for IBB in my not so humble opinion.

[JasonTX]

Boy howdy do I think you nailed that one. There are far too many flags at the high school level for IBB in my not so humble opinion.

I agree.  The benefits of using HUDL.