SCFOA · General Mechanics

ALL OFFICIALS

GENERAL
MECHANICS

SCFOA 5-Man Mechanics Manual

SCFOAGENERAL MECHANICS

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South Carolina Football
Officials Association

SECTION 2 — PP. 6–7

Basic Philosophy & Principles

"Game officials must accept the responsibility of enforcing the letter, as well as the spirit, of the rules promptly and with consistency."

Decisions by Reflex

Decisions must come by reflex — developed through thorough study of the rules and continued review of possible situations.

Physical Condition

Officials must be in sound physical conditioning to move to proper position and remain mentally alert through the end of a demanding game.

Preventive Officiating

The preferred approach — using positioning, communication, and presence to prevent fouls before they occur.

SECTION 4 — P. 8

Official Uniform: Shirts, Pants & Shoes

▸

Game Shirt: Exclusive SCFOA custom shirt — short or long sleeve. If the crew chooses long sleeves, all officials must wear long sleeves. No black arm sleeves under a short sleeve shirt. The shirt must be tucked in at all times.

▸

Under Shirt: A black shirt shall be worn under the game shirt at all times. The shirt shall ALSO be tucked into the pants.

▸

Pants & Socks: Standard black pants with 1¼″ white stripe. Solid black socks.

▸

Shoes: Must be predominantly black. Some white is acceptable (manufacturer logo or midsole), but shoes must be cleaned prior to arriving at the game site. Black laces required. Black leather belt, 1¼″ to 2″ wide, plain buckle.

SECTION 4 — P. 8

Official Uniform: Cap, Grooming & Equipment

▸

All Officials Must Carry: Black whistle · Penalty marker (gold cloth ~15″ sq.) · Game card & pencil · Down number indicator · Bean bag (approved colors shown below)

⚠

BEARD STANDARD — STRICTLY ENFORCED: Maximum ½ inch. Must be fully grown by Week One. District Director approval required. Mustache: neatly trimmed, not extending below the lip edge. Hair: natural color, not touching the collar or ears.

▸

Female Grooming: Hair at or above shoulders in a ponytail or bun. No hair over eyebrows. Black accessories only. Nails trimmed, natural color, no decorations.

Approved Bean Bag Colors

WHITE

BLACK /
WHITE

BLUE

PINK
Oct. only

SECTION 5.1 — P. 10

Pre-Game: Arrival

1½ hours

BEFORE GAME TIME

"Lateness in arrival is a cardinal sin in officiating." — SCFOA Mechanics Manual

If the Referee is late or absent, the most experienced crew member runs the pre-game conference. If the crew cannot agree, the official with the most seniority decides.

If another official does not arrive and the Referee is present, the Back Judge assumes the open position — unless another position swap is more logical.

SECTION 5.2 — P. 10

Pre-Game Conference

WHEN

Before or after dressing
~1 hour before game time

WHO

All officials + ECO (if assigned by SCHSL)

NOTE

The Back Judge sets the correct game time. All officials synchronize watches before kickoff.

Key Conference Topics

1

Crew assignments & coin toss mechanics

2

Free kick positions & responsibilities

3

Coverage during scrimmage plays & kicks

4

Momentum rule inside the 5-yard line

5

Starting and stopping the clock

6

Measurement & penalty administration

7

Overtime procedure

8

Unusual plays or formations of concern

SECTION 9.1 — P. 35

Game Administration: Coin Toss

5 min

before game time

The visiting captain calls the toss before the coin is flipped. If the coin is not caught cleanly, it is tossed again.

The Umpire steps in and listens as the winner announces their choice — kick or receive, defend a goal, or defer to the second half.

If the winner defers: the Referee steps toward the press box and gives the penalty-declined signal. The opposing captain then selects, and the deferring captain takes the remaining option.

All officials record which team holds first choice for the second half. At the Referee's signal, hustle to kickoff positions.

SECTIONS 9.2 & 9.3 — PP. 37–38

Ending a Period & Between Periods

ENDING A PERIOD

If no field clock, or field clock is not functioning: Referee takes official's time-out at ~4 min remaining in 2nd and 4th periods.

Crew communicates when clock is under 1 minute in the 1st & 3rd quarters, and under 2 minutes in the 2nd & 4th quarter.

The R or U/BJ is responsible for sounding the whistle to prevent the snap if the quarter expires before the snap.

If field clocks are on both ends of the field, the crew must discuss who is primarily responsible before the game.

BETWEEN PERIODS

The crew records the following between periods: team in possession, down, distance to gain, location of the clip, and the yard line through the foremost point of the ball.

The Umpire takes the ball to the corresponding spot at the opposite end of the field and reverses directions.

The Linesman reverses the yardage chain and chain crew and sets the chain at the corresponding spot.

The Back Judge notifies the Referee when 60 seconds have elapsed.

SECTIONS 9.4 & 9.5 — PP. 38–39

Between Halves & End of Game

BETWEEN HALVES

When teams leave the field, the Referee signals the ECO to start the intermission clock.

During the mandatory 3-minute warm-up, the Referee and Back Judge obtain second-half choices from head coaches.

All officials leave the field together and return at least 5 minutes before the second half begins.

After the warm-up, the crew meets at the center of the field to review second-half options.

END OF GAME

Hustle off the field together. Do not seek out coaches, but do not avoid them.

Notify security to hold the field until any SCHSL-assigned ECO has cleared the area.

Do not discuss the game on the field or make any public statement to the media.

The Line Judge submits the Penalty Report in Arbiter at the earliest opportunity.

Report any flagrant irregularity or disqualification to the SCHSL League Office: (803) 798-0120.

SECTION 9.6 — P. 39

Game Administration: Overtime

▸

One coin toss only — there is a single coin toss covering all overtime periods. The winner chooses either the end zone to defend or whether to begin on offense or defense.

▸

The line to gain is always the goal line in overtime. Only the down marker is used; no yardage chains.

▸

Each team receives one timeout per overtime period. For each additional period, the first choice of options alternates between teams.

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Game clock: Set to 3 minutes for the first overtime intermission, and 2 minutes for each additional intermission. The clock starts on the Referee's signal.

▸

Ball placement: To begin each series, the offensive team may designate ball placement anywhere between the inbound lines.

SECTION 9.9 — P. 44

Game Administration: Time Outs

REFEREE

Sound whistle, signal time-out. Indicate charged team by moving both arms horizontally toward that team.

Official's time-out: tap chest with both hands.

Check number of time-outs remaining. Notify head coach after their 3rd time-out is charged.

When the Back Judge signals 60 seconds elapsed, mark the ball ready for play.

BACK JUDGE

Time the 60-second interval.

Notify other officials 15 seconds prior to ready-for-play by giving two short blasts of the whistle.

Notify Referee when 60 seconds elapses by pointing directly at him.

Confirm the play clock is set to 25 seconds.

LINESMAN & LINE JUDGE

Move to a position halfway between the ball and your sideline.

Check team box and huddle areas for appropriate conference procedure.

Be alert for signal from Back Judge — give 15-second warning to your sideline coach.

Inform the head coach of the number of timeouts remaining.

SECTIONS 9.10 & 9.8 — PP. 42–45

Injury Timeouts & Measurements

INJURY TIMEOUTS

Do NOT touch an injured player. This applies to all officials.

Any official who notices an injured player should sound their whistle, stop the clock, and notify the Referee to take an official's timeout.

The Back Judge notes ball position, line to gain, down and distance, and game clock time on the game card.

Play clock resets to 25 seconds for an offensive player injury, and 40 seconds for a defensive player injury.

MEASUREMENTS

The Referee signals timeout, directs the Linesman to bring the chains onto the field, and motions players away.

The Umpire places one hand on the ball and rotates it so the long axis is parallel to the sideline.

If the down ends in the side zone, the measurement takes place in the side zone.

The Linesman grasps both the chain and the clip at the back edge of the yard line.

The Line Judge places their foot at the spot to show the Linesman where to set the clip.

The Back Judge ensures the previous down indicator remains displayed until the measurement is complete.

SECTION 9.13 — P. 46

Use of the Bean Bag

Drop the bean bag on the appropriate yard line. It is an aid to enforcement — not always an absolute reference point.

1

Spot of first touching of a kick

2

Spot of the catch or recovery when momentum is involved

3

Spot where the runner or loose ball goes out of bounds (last resort — when covering official must retrieve the ball)

4

Spot of any fumble

5

Spot of a backward pass thrown from beyond Team A's line of scrimmage, or any backward pass by Team B

6

Spot of the end of a scrimmage kick · Spot of last possession if an inadvertent whistle is sounded

SECTION 9.14 — P. 47

Use of the Penalty Flag

↓

DROP the Flag

Drop the flag on the appropriate yard line where the live ball foul occurred.

CONTINUE TO OBSERVE THE PLAY — note the location and status of the ball at the time of the foul.

Do NOT sound the whistle after dropping the flag on a live ball foul.

↑

TOSS the Flag

Toss the flag into the air to signal a dead ball foul or a sideline warning.

The toss immediately signals that play has stopped.

Non-calling officials must cover both the penalty flag and the dead ball spot. Do not leave either uncovered.

SECTION 9.12 — P. 46

Sounding the Whistle

Find the ball first

The covering official must locate the ball before sounding the whistle. Sound the whistle loudly when the ball becomes dead by rule.

See the ball

All officials must see the ball in possession before sounding the whistle. Confirm the runner is down or that forward progress has stopped — this prevents inadvertent whistles.

Live ball foul signal

After a down in which a live ball foul occurs, give several short blasts of the whistle to alert the rest of the crew.

INADVERTENT WHISTLE

The ball becomes dead immediately.

Ball location and the next down are determined by where the ball was at the moment of the whistle.

Mark the spot of last possession with a bean bag.

Disciplined mechanics — locating the ball and confirming possession before whistling — will prevent most inadvertent whistles.

SECTION 10.1 — P. 48

Special Situations: Covering Trouble Spots

Wing official committed downfield

May return to assist with out-of-bounds coverage, retrieve the ball, or exchange the out-of-bounds spot with the Referee.

Keep the play boxed in

All officials must maintain proper box positioning at all times. Keep eyes on the runner when covering, and on your area when not.

When the ball is dead

Sound the whistle promptly and be alert for dead ball fouls. Confirm the ball is dead and its location before whistling.

Hustle and teamwork

Hustle and teamwork are essential to prevent delays in spotting the ball after every play.

SECTION 10.2 — P. 48

Special Situations: Water Bucket Play

Heavily loaded formations that stress sideline coverage and ball-ready-for-play sequencing.

REFEREE

Do not mark the ball ready for play until all officials are in proper position.

UMPIRE

Stay over the ball. Do not allow the snap until the Referee has marked the ball ready for play.

LINESMAN & LINE JUDGE

Maintain a position with all players in front of you. Do not allow players between you and the sideline. Keep the play boxed in.

LINE JUDGE

Stay on the line of scrimmage until a kick becomes imminent.

SECTION 10.3 — P. 49

Special Situations: Controlling Team Personnel

ALL OFFICIALS — Altercation in Your Area

If an altercation occurs in your area, attempt to stop the initial confrontation.

If you cannot stop it, step back and record the uniform number of every player and team personnel involved.

Head coaches are permitted to enter the field to help stop the altercation.

LINESMAN & LINE JUDGE — Sideline control

Alert the coaches on your sideline to keep all team personnel off the playing area.

Record the uniform number of any substitute who enters the playing area during the altercation.

SECTIONS 10.4 & 10.5 — P. 49

Correcting Timing Errors & Shortening Periods

CORRECTING TIMING ERRORS

The error must be readily evident and result in an acknowledged discrepancy.

The error must stem from a failure — human or mechanical — to correctly apply a timing rule. It cannot involve a judgment call.

The Referee is authorized to correct obvious timing errors and must be able to reasonably determine the interval of time involved.

All officials should note the game clock during dead ball intervals and monitor closely if any discrepancies arise.

SHORTENING PERIODS

Shortening a period requires the agreement of both head coaches and the Referee.

The Referee signals the end of a shortened period using the prescribed end-of-period signal.

Note: Shortened periods and the mercy rule running clock are independent mechanisms and may both be in effect simultaneously.

SECTION 10.6 — P. 49

Special Situations: Coach / Referee Conference

Request timing

The request must be made before the ball becomes live on the next play. No review is allowed once the period has officially ended.

Who can request

A player (directed by the head coach) or the head coach may request a timeout to confer with the Referee. The timeout is charged to the requesting team.

Rule applied correctly

The timeout remains charged to the requesting team. If the team has used all permissible timeouts, a delay of game foul is charged.

Rule applied incorrectly

The correction is made immediately. The timeout becomes an official's timeout. The Referee must explain the correction to the opposing head coach before play continues.

SECTION 10.7 — P. 50

Special Situations: Coach Disqualification

Any coach receiving TWO unsportsmanlike fouls (15-yard penalties) must vacate the stadium area. IF severe enough, the coach may be disqualified on the FIRST unsportsmanlike foul.

REFEREE

Accompanied by another official, inform the coach of the reason for disqualification.

Require the coach to vacate the stadium area — not just the sideline.

If the coach refuses to vacate, inform them that continued noncompliance may result in forfeiture.

Locate local school administration for assistance. Do not continue the contest until the coach leaves. Forfeit if necessary — LAST RESORT!

Comply with SCHSL reporting: note on game report card, notify SCHSL office as soon as possible at (803) 798-0120, file written report via Arbiter.

OTHER OFFICIALS

Linesman, Line Judge, or Back Judge: accompany the Referee to the sideline.

Assist the Referee if necessary.

Notify the opposing coach of the disqualification.

REMINDER: The coach must be notified after every unsportsmanlike conduct foul charged against them — not only the disqualifying foul.

SECTION 10.8 — P. 51

Special Situations: Lightning Safety Guidelines

30 sec

flash-to-bang count or less = Stop the game

SCHOOL LIGHTNING DETECTOR: If the school has a lightning detection system and game management notifies any official that lightning has been detected, immediately stop the game and follow game management instructions.

FLASH-TO-BANG RULE: Count the seconds between the lightning flash and thunder, then divide by 5 for distance in miles. If the count is 30 seconds or less (6 miles), the crew shall stop the game with an official's timeout.

Once stopped, wait 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder before resuming. Any new lightning or thunder resets the 30-minute clock.

Before resuming play, allow teams at least three minutes to warm up.

SECTION 10.9 — P. 51

South Carolina "Mercy Rule"

42

point differential at any point in the 2nd half

Once triggered, the mercy rule stays in effect for the remainder of the game, even if the point differential falls below 42.

The mercy rule takes effect automatically once the differential is reached. Periods may also be shortened with the approval of both head coaches and the Referee.

Clock STOPS during Mercy Rule for:

✓ Heat and humidity timeouts

✓ Coach-Referee conference

✓ After a foul/penalty enforcement

✓ TV/radio time outs

✓ 1-min intermission between 3rd/4th period + following all scores

✓ Apparently injured player (play clock stopped)

✓ Player showing concussion signs/symptoms

✓ Charged team time outs

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