Hey-Ref

RULE 9 SECTION 8 NONCONTACT UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT BY NONPLAYERS ART. 1 . . . No coach, substitute, athletic trainer or other team attendant shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner once the officials assume authority for the contest. Examples are, but not limited to: g. The failure of a team to: 1. Be ready to start the first half; and 2. Be on the field following the conclusion of the halftime intermission; or 3. Be ready to start the second half at the conclusion of the mandatory warm-up period. 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct foul on head coach The following explanation was added to the rulebook... HALFTIME INTERMISSION STRUCTURED AND STANDARDIZED (Table 3-1; 9-8-1g): These changes clarify that the mandatory three-minute warm-up period begins immediately following the conclusion of the halftime intermission. The head coach is responsible to have his team back on the field at the conclusion of the halftime intermission. Failure of the team to be back on the field at the conclusion of the halftime intermission results in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty assessed to the head coach. Failure to have the team back on the field at the end of the mandatory three-minute warm-up period may result in application of Rule 3-6-3. The responsibility for the team activities conducted during the mandatory three-minute warm-up period rests with the respective head coach.ct foul on head coach Rule 3-6-3 means that after the coach gets 15 yards for USC, he could then have a 5 yard delay of game added on top of that.

If #84 is the snapper AND on the end of his line of scrimmage, when he takes his initial position in the formation, AND until the ball is snapped, then yes he is an eligible receiver on 4th down and for the try. But not so in a scrimmage kick formation on 1st, 2nd or 3rd downs. If #84 is the snapper and covered up in his initial position, then the team shifts to uncover him, he is ineligible. He must be eligible by number, and by position from the time he takes his initial position in the formation until the ball is snapped, regardless of shifts..

So! Based on the rules printed above, the snapper on the Try may be eligible if he has an eligible number AND if he is on the end of the line when he assumed his initial position in the formation AND remains on the end of the line until the ball is snapped. If he is ever covered up during this swinging ladder, or swinging gate, process he becomes ineligible. Exception 1 above applies only to first, second or third down plays, while exception 2 applies to 4th down and try situation.

Here is the rule governing forward pass eligibility... (A players are on offense at the snap, B on defense) NFHS Rule 7-5 ART. 6 . . . Pass eligibility rules apply only to a legal forward pass. The following players are eligible pass receivers: a. All A players eligible by position and number include those who, at the time of the snap, are on the ends of their scrimmage line or legally behind the line (possible total of six) and are numbered 1-49 or 80-99. (See 7-2-5b EXCEPTION 2) b. All A players become eligible when B touches a legal forward pass. c. All B players are eligible. d. A player who is eligible at the start of the down remains eligible throughout the down. Exception 7-2-5b deals with eligibility of players when a team lines up or shifts into scrimmage kick formations... NFHS Rule 7-2-5b ART. 5 . . . Player formation and numbering requirements include: a. At the snap, at least seven A players shall be on their line of scrimmage. b. At the snap, at least five A players on their line of scrimmage must be numbered 50-79. EXCEPTIONS: 1. On first, second or third down, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation as in 2-14-2a, the snapper may be a player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99. If Team A has the snapper in the game under this exception, Team A shall have at least four players wearing numbers 50-79 on its line of scrimmage. The snapper in the game under this exception must be between the ends and is an ineligible forwardpass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5-6b). 2. On fourth down or during a kick try, when A sets or shifts into a scrimmage-kick formation, any A player numbered 1 to 49 or 80 to 99 may take the position of any A player numbered 50 to 79. A player in the game under this exception must assume an initial position on his line of scrimmage between the ends and he remains an ineligible forward-pass receiver during that down unless the pass is touched by B (7-5- 6b). This exception to pass eligibility rules was modified for 2009 to eliminate the A-11 offense as a legal use of the exception. Recall the A-11 took advantage of the pass eligibility rules by lining the team up in scrimmage kick formation on every down.

Yes it is and it is a foul. However, the unfair act referred to above is something which is an affront to the spirit of the rules of the games. Think "cheating". In the case of intentional pass interference, this is most often seen (and very rarely at that) when a defender is beaten so badly in coverage his only option is to foul to prevent a long gain or a score. I have seen it called once when one team, ahead 28-27 in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter, committed DPI on 4 consecutive plays when the trailing team tried for 2 and the win. On the 5th try, the referee made the same foul intentional. It had no real impact on the next play as there are not that many yards left when continually halving the distance from the 3. But it did send a message and the next play had no foul. All 6 attempts for 2 points were the same fade route to the same player. Final 28-27. Great game. Exciting finish.

Intentional Pass Interference is not two fouls, but twice the distance. Pass Interference is a 15 yard foul with automatic first down (for defensive) or loss of down (for offensive). If intentional then it is 30 yards + either first down or loss of down. This is similar in nature to the 5 yard face mask or 15 yard personal foul face mask. Severity determines yardage.

The uncatchable pass and the QB outside the tackle box are the two most common. But I've also heard a coach tell his players one time that holding within 5 yards of the line of scrimamge is not a foul. I can only think he dreamed that one up. Another big difference between high school and NCAA/NFL is the block below the waist. There is only one type of BBW that is legal in high school and it involves the free blocking zone. There are many times BBW is legal in NCAA and NFL. ____________ NFHS Rule 2 SECTION 17 FREE-BLOCKING ZONE — LEGAL BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST, LEGAL CLIPPING, LEGAL BLOCK IN THE BACK ART. 1 . . . The free-blocking zone is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. A player is in the free-blocking zone when any part of his body is in the zone at the snap. ART. 2 . . . Blocking below the waist is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. All players involved in the blocking are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. The contact is in the zone. ART. 3 . . . Clipping is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. Against defensive players who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. c. The contact is in the zone. ART. 4 . . . Blocking in the back is permitted in the free-blocking zone when the following conditions are met: a. By offensive linemen who are on the line of scrimmage and in the zone at the snap. b. Against defensive players who are in the zone at the snap. c. The contact is in the zone. ART. 5 . . . The free-blocking zone disintegrates and the exception for a player to block below the waist and/or the exception for an offensive lineman to clip and/or block in the back is not to continue after the ball has left the zone.

Generally the receiver is running a route if he is not blocking, or if he makes a move to get into his route, such as get past the defender, make a cut to avoid being blocked by a defender. Keep in mind officials do not know what play is being run, so we cannot tell where his route should be.

Under Federation rules there is adefintion of Blocking, which includes the following for open hand blocking... 3. Inside the frame of the opponent’s body, except when the opponent turns his back to the blocker during the block or after the blocker is committed to his charge. The frame of the opponent’s body is at the shoulders or below other than the back. If flagrant the officials could possibly call this a PF for an unnecessarily rough act. However, if the blocker first contacts his opponent below the shoulders and his hands slide up and under the face mask, it is probably not a foul.

The wing officials, Line Judge and Linesman (chains), who start every play on the sidelines at the line of scrimmage, have responsibility for forward progress on nearly every play. They judge forward progress and mark the spot with their feet. They do not, however, come all the way to where the ball lays, because they have to keep all players on the field in front of them. If the ball is at their feet already, there is no need to move it. If the ball is away from them, another official will give them the ball to place at their feet. Notice, the wing officials will not move from the spot until the ball is placed. There are generally only two reasons to measure for the first down. One, because the officials cannot determine if it should be a first down and they need to find out. And two, they already know if it is or is not, and they want everyone present to know what they already know. When watching a game you can tell if the line to gain is threatened by watching the wing officials. Assuming no fouls, if they signal to stop the clock, it is either very close to, or actually is, a first down. Then wait for the Referee to signal the next down or a new series.

Rule 9-4-3h ART. 3 . . . No player or nonplayer shall: h. Grasp an opponent’s face mask, any edge of a helmet opening or the chin strap. foul for doing so.... incidental grasping = 5 yards; grasping and twisting, turning or pulling the face mask or helmet opening or chin strap = 15 yards Touching the face mask is not a foul.

If the foul by the receiving team occurred in or behind the nuetral zone, or simultaneous with the snap, then this enforcement is correct. If the foul occurred beyond the nuetral zone during the kick, then it should be PSK enforcement. PSK means the receiving team keeps the ball following enforcement of the foul from the end of the kick, or end of the return, whichever is worse for receiving team. PSK fouls were added to the NFHS rules a few years ago. PSK fouls already exist in NCAA and NFL, although their enforcements can vary.

There used to be many more bars around Price Hill, but there are a few nice neighbohood pubs still. You missed a nice place called "Crow's Nest" at the corner of W 8th St. and Nebraska Ave. There's also a place at the corner of W 8th St and Sunset, but I think it shnaged names. It used to be the Sunset Lounge, and then Murphy's I think. If you get back to the Hill, check those out. Glad you liked the Pit!!!

My guess is the pilot is an Eder alum.

I was at the game and have the following observations 1. The score was closer than I expected, and Trinity did score after a turnover deep in Elder territory. Elder's place kicker is top shelf, rumored to be interested in becoming a Bearcat. 2. Trinity had pretty many fans there, a good group of knowledgeable fans. A Trinity mom sitting near me won $3900 in the split-the-pot drawing. 3. The spectator with the medical condition died on the scene from an apparent heart attack. Prayers for him and his family. 4. The PIT looked great, but the crowd may have been down a bit. 5. Elder fans wore t-shirts that said "The Westside goes Worldwide" in the same font as ESPN logo. Pretty neat shirt from the Colerain game. 6. I was disappointed in not seeing the Kragthorpe kid play. 7. It was apparent to me that Elder was going to win when they took the field for the second half. Trinity looked beaten. Trinity players were not nearly as lively or vocal and several had heads hanging down during halftime warmups, compared to pre-game. 8. Elder won this game in the trench. Trinity line play deteriorated as the game went on. 9. What did Trinity fans think of the PIT?

Counter offer: I happen to know the Nippert is not available on Bearcat game days for any other purpose. They don't allow other games either before or after the Bearcats. You may be able to get UC/UL game on a Friday (ESPN, which I really hate, but...), then 3 HS games on Saturday. ____ Tonight Cincy goes 3-0.

OHSAA used to a have a rule that limited out of state travel for football to 300 miles from the state line. Not sure if that rule still exists or not, becasue now other sports are traveling to Las Vegas, Florida and other places. That is why Gerry Faust and Moeller used to invite teams from all over to come here to play, they weren't permitted to go there.

St. William Catholic Church has a parking lot about 4 blocks from the Pit. Easy walk, safer area. The immediate neighborhood around Elder is not as bad as you may think. And with large crowds around before and after the game, safer than any other time.

I'd say Elder, Colerain and Cincy St. X have done very well against top teams from around the country in the past few years. 2005 Colerain 27 Tyler Lee 12 2006 Colerain 28 Cardinal O'Hara 0 Lakeland 25 Cincy St. X 22 (OT) De LaSalle 56 Elder 38 2007 Clerain 20 Hoover 17 (OT) Elder 41 Independence 34 (OT) Cincy St. X 38 DeMatha 7 2008 St. Thomas Aquinas 35 Elder 24 Colerain 14 McKeesport 7 (OT) Cincy St. X 15 Prattville 10

Ohio has no mercy rule, so no running clock.

I've worn a mic at Carroll Co. I also have worked games where the referee wore a mic for radio or tv broadcasts. It is rare in high school, and many referees don't like wearing them mostly because they are not used to wearing them. There can be problems if the referee leaves the mic open when it should not be, or forgets to open it when it should be open. There have also been occassions when the mic equipment is not properly setup, batteries charged, will not work in all areas of the field, or problems related to weather. I prefer not using a mic. It is really not needed if the PA announcer is properly using the cheat sheet for signals, and the R gives accurate signals.

Coach, and the chain crew has to be 2 yards from the sideline also for the same reason: Safety.

In the last couple seasons we've seen several college and high school coaches injured severely on the sidelines during games, including Charlie Weis and Joe Paterno. I know that a Grant Co. coach suffered a broken leg a few years ago. As a former wing official I can atest to several times being blocked from avoiding getting caught up in a play by too many people crowding the sideline. This rule is definitely needed for safety's sake.

8/29 - Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown @ UC Nippert 9/5 - Herstreit Challenge @ Paul Brown Stadium 9/11 - Trinity @ Elder 9/18 - LaSalle @ Elder 9/26 - St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) @ Lakewood 10/2 - St. Xavier (Cinti) @ St. X 10/9 - Moeller @ Elder 10/16 - Open 10/23 - Open 10/30 - Western Hills @ Elder Opponents to be announced for the Skyline and Herstreit events.

Found an interesting site. Check to see if your stadium is listed/shown. http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/ohio/cincinnati_elder.shtml