NCAA FOOTBALL RULES COMMITTEE ACTION FOR 2010
Rogers Redding
Secretary-Rules Editor

INTRODUCTION
The NCAA Football Rules Committee met for the first time under the NCAA rules process which calls for rules changes to be made only in alternate years. Thus the committee did not make any rules changes for the 2010 season. The annual meeting this year gave members an opportunity to look at the game of college football holistically, consider trends in the game, and discuss and alert the membership to possible future action. The committee approved some changes to take effect in 2011 and made a small number of editorial clarifications that will go into effect in 2010 by editorial bulletin.

PLAYER SAFETY

Injured Player Procedures
When a player incurs an injury, including showing signs of a concussion, the officials will declare a timeout and the player must leave the game. He may not return until he receives approval of an appropriate medical professional designated by his institution. Relevant editorial modifications will be made to Rule 3-3-5, “Injury Timeout.” When available from the NCAA’s health and safety staff, an appendix will be distributed and added to the next addition of the rules book to assist with recognition of a concussion.

Strengthening Of Existing Rules Regarding Targeting and Initiating Contact
Editorial clarification for 2010: Current Rule 9-1-3 replaced by 9-1-3- and 9-1-4, as follows:

Targeting/Initiating Contact with Crown of the Helmet

ARTICLE 3.
No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul.

PENALTY—Personal foul. 15 yards. For dead-ball fouls, 15 yards from the succeeding spot. Also, automatic first down for Team B fouls if not in conflict with other rules. (Exception: Penalties for Team A personal fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line) [S7, S24, S34, S38, S39, S40, S41, S45 or S46]. Flagrant offenders shall be disqualified [S47].

For Team A fouls during free or scrimmage kick plays: Enforcement may be at the previous spot or the spot where the subsequent dead ball belongs to Team B (field-goal plays exempted) (Rules 6-1-8 and 6-3-13).

Defenseless Player: Contact to Head or Neck Area

ARTICLE 4
No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul. (See Points of Emphasis for a description of “Defenseless Player.”)
PENALTY—(Same as above)

Wedge Blocking on Free Kicks
The committee discussed the possibility of prohibiting an intentional wedge of three or more receiving team players on free kicks. Members will obtain more information by assessing the experience of the National Football League, which introduced such a rule in 2009. This topic will be closely examined by the committee at its 2011 meeting.

Blocking Below the Waist

The committee had an extensive discussion about blocking below the waist. There is general agreement that the current rule is overly cumbersome and complicated. Committee members will make suggestions for modification of the rule to the secretary-rules editor who will frame possible new language. This will be considered at the next committee meeting in 2011.

SPORTSMANSHIP

Pregame Warm-ups
The committee encourages conferences that do not have a pregame warm-up policy to direct that there be a 10-yard no-player zone between the 45-yard lines beginning 60 minutes before kickoff. This reinforces the Statement on Sportsmanship which was adopted by the committee for inclusion in the 2009-2010 NCAA Football Rule Book.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls

Approved for 2011
Following up on the Statement on Sportsmanship adopted last year, the committee approved by unanimous vote the following rule change which will take effect in 2011:

A live-ball foul for unsportsmanlike conduct will be treated as any other live-ball foul, rather than being administered as a dead-ball foul. When in question it is a dead-ball foul. Currently and for 2010 such fouls are treated as dead-ball fouls.

Example 1: A ball carrier is in the open field racing for the goal line. At the opponent’s 10-yard line he turns, makes a taunting gesture to his opponents pursuing him and then scores an apparent touchdown.

RULING IN 2011: Live-ball foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. Fifteen-yard penalty from the spot of the foul and the score is negated. First and 10 at the 25-yard line. (Under current rules the touchdown counts and the penalty is enforced on the try or the kickoff.)

Example 2: Third and seven at the defensive team’s 35-yard line. A defensive player is lined up in the neutral zone at the snap. The quarterback completes a pass to the tight end who races toward the end zone. At the 10-yard line he turns and taunts the players pursuing him and then crosses the goal line.

RULING IN 2011. Offside against the defense and unsportsmanlike conduct by the offense. The fouls offset and the down is repeated. No score. Third and seven at the 35-yard line. (Under current rules the offside penalty is declined by rule, the touchdown counts, and the penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct is enforced on the try or the kickoff.)

Example 3: After scoring a touchdown the ball carrier punts the ball into the stands. RULING: Dead-ball foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. The touchdown counts. The 15-yard penalty is enforced on either the try or on the succeeding kickoff, at the option of the defensive team. (No change from the current rule)

EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS

Television Monitors in Coaches Booths
Effective in 2011, television monitors will be allowed in the press box coaches’ booths. The home team has responsibility for insuring that coaches’ booths for both teams have identical television capability.

Uniforms and Player Adornment
1. Officials are admonished to be more careful about enforcing the equipment rules (chin straps buckled, mouth pieces in, etc.)

2. Editorial Clarification. EFFECTIVE IN 2010: (a) Players must wear soft knee pads at least ½” thick. Beginning in 2010 there is no reference to the pants covering the knees. (b) Socks must be of the same color and design. Beginning in 2010 there is no reference to length of the socks.

3. Editorial Clarification. EFFECTIVE IN 2010: If eye shade is worn it must be solid black with no words, numbers, logos or other symbols.

  The word is out. Monday, August 24th at 9 am EST I will host a LIVE teleseminar where I will interview SEC Commissioner of Football Officiating and NCAA Rules Editor/Secretary; Rogers Redding.

 

I hosted a small contest to see who could guess what I was up to. Several good answers but only one correct response.

AND THE WINNER IS: RON DIVINEY

 

Ron will receive a consolation prize from ProFootballReferee.com (I just need some time to come up with something impressive!)

 

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so easily at www.profootballreferee.com/teleseminar/rogersredding

 

Can’t make that time? No worries! A replay of the interview will be available but you must register to get on the notification list. I’ll also be hosting the call on the upcoming podcast next month. Stay tuned for more details on that!

I left home at 9 am Monday morning to drive about 350 miles to attend my first WVIAC scrimmage of the 2009 season. I must say this one worked out better than my Charleston scrimmage did…I managed to get two hours of work under my belt topping the four plays I had my first go-around! (he he)
It was scorching hot Monday – temperature showed 91 degrees in the West Virginia mountains.

HOT! But despite the extreme heat, it felt really good to get some snaps and work 7 man mechanics for a few hours.
Since it was a Monday the crew didn’t hang around and socialize, most opting for a quick shower and head for the house.

So I followed suit and got on the road about 6:15 pm. A few stops and 5-1/2 hours later I arrived home in KY. EXHAUSTED!
So I’m getting ready for my opening NFHS game Friday night. I already  have my self addressed DVD mailer complete with a blank DVD ready for the Athletic Director.

My goal is to get game film from all 10 games this  year. In order to do that, I have to get Game #1. Wish me luck on that quest!

I saved the best for last — Stay tuned for a sweet deal to listen in on my next interview. I’ll be sending out the details on Thursday and giving you a chance to listen to me interview a prominent D1 Supervisor of Officials. You will all most certainly recognize this person. But Idon’t want  to let the cat out of the bag just yet. Remember to check  any email you get from me Thursday for the scoop.

Until then,

Be the Best on the Field

Todd Skaggs

So let’s quickly revisit Larry Synder’s list of “What It Take To Be A Great Football Official.”

Study Rules of the Game

• Rule Book
• Tests & Quizzes
• Ask Other Officials
• Quiz a Buddy
• Never Stop Learning

Study Mechanics of Game

• CCA Mechanics Manual
• Camps & Clinics
• Philosophy
• Attend area meetings/rules study groups (Do any of you do this now?)
• Surround yourself with better officials
• Its hard to soar with the eagles, when you are surrounded by turkeys.

Part Two

• Watch film – the single biggest factor to rapidly improving your learning and accelerating your advancement. Countless seasoned NCAA and NFL veterans have pointed out to me during their interviews that film review tremendously improved their abilities. In some ways you can consider watching film as a close substitute for snaps. Granted, nothing will take the place of live play, but watching film can definitely add a different perspective while adding to your experience level. Some have suggested that it can advance your learning by a factor of four! What this means is that you can shave three years off your experience level if you are trying to get promoted to a higher level. An aspiring motivated official with 4 years of experience (1 of which was heavy on film review) is similar to an official with 7 years experience (no film review). How do you think guys get into the NFL at age 34? You can bet they spent time in front of a TV reviewing film.

• Experience – How much is enough? Larry is very clear here. Get as much experience on the field as possible. This means youth league, spring and fall scrimmages, junior varsity games, varsity games at the high school level and then basically the same process at the college level. When making the transition to college, you will find conference supervisors are looking for those individuals that are willing to take the scrimmage and JV games. They want a prospect to have a few games under their belt before putting them on the field. There truly is no substitute for experience. I have personally stood on teh sidelines behind seasoned Division I officials just to ask questions, watch from that angle and get a feel for the speed and quickness of the game at the higher levels. Without a doubt, this helped me in my first scrimmage giving me a small comfort level (that is, until the whistle blew!).

• What You Have Control Over – This was the cornerstone of Larry’s list. I hear often, officials at all levels, complain that they can’t get the good games, they can’t get the supervisor’s attention, can’t get noticed and so on… You can probably name a few in your local associaiton or area too. So let’s look at that statement. What can we control? Well for one, I can control my ability to study and know the rules and mechanics of the game. I can use the rule book, study groups, practice or scrimmage activity to really and fully know the rules. I can stay in good physical conditioning. This will allow me to get into position, be quick and react in a timely manner. It will help me look athletic in my uniform. Let me be clear – The Division I conferences have a ZERO tolerance for officials out of shape or overweight. Coaches and players prepare year around for the season. The zebras are no exception. Just take a look at the NFL staff. The athleticism and physical fitness is at its highest level. Its that important.  Attend every learning opportunity you can. Clinics, camps, rules study groups, association meetings, scrimmages, film sessions. While not necessarily consistent across the board, learning opportunities still abound in various forms in every city, state or region. Whether you take advantage of them or not is another topic.

So that’s all for my comments on Larry’s philosophy. I personally know several officials that have been mentored by Larry and they are all performing at the highest levels today. They will all admit that the process wasn’t easy and often times the requirements were not what they wanted to hear. Yet the followed the path and Larry led them in the right direction.

This post is getting long so I’m going to save my next story for tomorrow. It’s about how I applied Larry’s philosophy to gain entrance into the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Be the Best on the Field!

Todd

Mentoring could be the most important element to a successful official’s career.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about the chapter I’m currently writing on Mentoring. I went back through about 10 interviews and listened again to the NFL and NCAA guys speak about mentoring. I was blown away by what they said. I can honestly tell you that each and every person I’ve interviewed has Mentoring listed at the top of their list relative to how they achieved their current heights.
 
Here’s a few quotes I want to share with you:
 
“I think the absolute most important strategy that an official, if they want to advance or even get better at their current level, then they need to find that person who’s working at the top.  Humble yourself and go to that person and say, “Hey, I want to be where you are.  What are some things that you’ve done to make you successful to get there and, knowing my personality traits, my officiating style, what are some things that I can do to improve myself?” 
 
– Ken Rivera, Mountain West Coordinator
 
“Here were guys that would flat out look you in the eye and they’d tell you when you did something positive, and they’d flat out tell you when you needed to change something, you know?  And they did it without being judgmental.  But they could look you in the eye and they could say.”Hey, here’s what I would recommend you to do if that situation happens again.  And that’s what you need from people.  It’s great to have somebody pat you on the back but that’s not, if it needs to change somebody’s got to look you in the eye and tell you.  And then you’ve got to be able to accept that and move on.”
 
– Bill LeMonnier, Big 10 Referee and USA Football Consultant
 
Bill Lovett offered to all the officials, he said that mainly this is for the younger officials or guys that are having a little trouble or whatever and need some assistance.  But they offered their services to all the officials, and anybody who wants weekly calls or to look at film and help them out, they were offering that to anybody. The response that they got back from veterans, from guys that had just worked Super Bowls who were like, “Please take a look at me.” Guys are always trying to get better. They were wanting the training.  And just as a rookie official I looked at that like, that is unbelievable.  There are guys that you looked up to, these guys are the best in the world, and they are striving to get better. They are using tools like this to get better .
 
 – Allen Baynes, NFL Side Judge
 
I hope you see the importance of having a mentor in your officiating career. I know I have mine and they pay huge dividends.  

Please leave me a few comments on how mentoring has affected you and your officiating experience.

Have a great weekend!

Todd