ALL OFFICIALS
PENALTY
ENFORCEMENT
SCFOA 5-Man Mechanics Manual
Section 9.7
SCFOAALL OFFICIALS
SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL
OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
SECTION 9.7 — APPROVED SIGNALS

Enforcement Distance Signals

Umpire & Linesman
The Umpire and Linesman communicate the enforcement distance to each other using hand signals prior to stepping off enforcement.
1 finger = 5-yard penalty.
2 fingers = 10-yard penalty.
3 fingers = 15-yard penalty.
Chop across the elbow = half-the-distance.
Umpire — Enforcement Steps
Secure the ball and move to the enforcement spot.
Identify and confirm enforcement with the Linesman.
Face the Linesman and signal the enforcement distance.
Administer the penalty.
Confirm with the Linesman before spotting the ball.
On a properly marked field, avoid stepping off the distance between yard lines except for the first and final yard line. Walk briskly, signaling each yard line crossed.
SCFOA · Penalty Enforcement 2 / 9
SECTION 9.7 — UMPIRE

Umpire — Ball Placement & Readiness

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Stand over the ball: Following penalty enforcement, the Umpire stands over the ball until the Referee is ready to put the ball in play. The Referee signals the Umpire off the ball by waving him away prior to giving the ready-for-play signal.
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Spot the ball: After the penalty has been administered and confirmed with the Linesman, spot the ball at the proper enforcement spot.
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Confirm with Linesman: Before spotting the ball, confirm the enforcement spot and distance with the Linesman.
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Stay alert: Remain alert for any substitutions or other activity while standing over the ball.
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SECTION 9.7 — REFEREE

Referee — When a Foul Occurs

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Ball dead following a foul: Signal time-out. Get full information from the official who called the foul. Depending on the situation, a preliminary signal may or may not be given to the press box side of the field.
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Penalty options: Give the penalty options to the player or coach designated to make penalty decisions. Once made, the choice cannot be revoked. After obtaining the decision, relay penalty information to the other officials.
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Accepted: Inform the Umpire of the foul, the spot, and the enforcement distance. Give all signals away from players with a clear view of the press box. After the ball has been spotted, give the final signal for the foul to the press box side only.
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Declined: Go to the spot of the ball. Give the signal for the foul followed by the penalty-declined signal to the press box.
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Double foul: Signal each foul facing the press box, then give the penalty-declined signal.
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Post-score / overtime: If a penalty is to be enforced on the kickoff or succeeding spot: indicate the score is good, follow with the proper foul signal, point to the offending team, then point to the succeeding spot.
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SECTION 9.7 — ALL OFFICIALS

All Officials — Live Ball Foul

When You Observe the Foul
Drop the penalty marker on the proper yard line and continue to observe the play, noting the location and status of the ball at the time of the foul.
Withhold blowing the whistle.
When the ball becomes dead — sound the whistle and signal time-out. After a delay, give several short blasts of the whistle to alert the crew.
Do not leave the dead ball spot until released by another official.
An available official should cover the flag and maintain the dead ball spot.
Reporting to the Referee
Verbally report all information to the Referee. Give no visible signal. (Exception: the Back Judge may give the Delay of Game signal when the play clock has expired.)
Identify the foul.
Identify the offending team — jersey color and offense/defense or kicking/receiving team.
Identify the offending player's number or position.
Indicate the spot of the foul, end of the run, or end of the kick.
Indicate the status of the ball when the foul occurred.
Make a mental note as to whether the clock should be started on the ready or on the snap.
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SECTION 9.7 — ALL OFFICIALS

Dead Ball Foul & Disqualification

Dead Ball Foul
Sound the whistle, toss the penalty marker into the air, and signal time-out immediately.
Follow the same reporting procedures as a live ball foul.
Recover penalty markers and the ball.
Record the foul on the game card — note the offending player's number if an unsportsmanlike foul is called.
See that the Umpire assesses the penalty properly. Avoid visiting while the penalty is being assessed.
Umpire and Back Judge: communicate to the Referee whether the game clock should start on the snap or on the ready-for-play following enforcement.
Disqualifying Foul
Calling official: inform the offending player and report the number and type of infraction to the coach and all other members of the officiating crew.
Emphasize that the disqualification is for the remainder of the game.
Do NOT place a hand on the offending player, accompany him, or escort him to the sideline.
If there are multiple disqualifying fouls, the Referee may designate another official to assist in reporting to the coaches.
All officials: record the player's number and name if known, and observe all other players.
The covering official must submit an ejection report.
Line Judge: notify the League Office via the penalty game report and report to SCHSL at (803) 798-0120.
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SECTION 9.7 — BY POSITION

Penalty Enforcement — By Position

Linesman
Maintain eye contact with the Umpire and mirror the Umpire's signal.
Walk with the Umpire during enforcement.
Confirm enforcement distance.
Be ready to have the line-to-gain equipment moved after penalty administration.
Verify the down number.
Do not permit trainers, attendants, or coaches to come onto the field.
Relay the penalty information to the appropriate coach.
Line Judge
Return the time-out signal to the Referee.
Hold the enforcement spot to ensure the distance is properly administered.
Do not permit trainers, attendants, or coaches to come onto the field.
Relay the penalty information to the appropriate coach.
Record all game fouls using a game card or recording device.
Back Judge
Help obtain the ball.
Assist in holding the spot of the foul or recovering the penalty marker.
Assist in relaying foul information to the appropriate sideline.
Confirm the play clock is set properly to either 25 or 40 seconds.
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MODULE COMPLETE
Be Precise.
✓Penalty enforcement is a crew effort — communication and confirmation at every step.
✓Give no visible signal when reporting a foul. Verbally report all information to the Referee.
!You will not receive credit until you complete the quiz and score an 80 or higher. The quiz is open book — use your mechanics manual.
✓Complete the Google Forms quiz on the next slide to receive credit.
SCFOA · Penalty Enforcement · Check on Learning
Complete the questions below. The quiz is open book — use your mechanics manual. You must score 80 or higher to receive credit.