National Federation

5 Person Mechanics Football

Technology Tim Kiefer

Edited by Octavio Herrera
Bill Laude

IACAO Football Dec 2005 1

Football Mechanics Criteria

 Communication
Field Positions
Keys & General Mechanics

2
 Mechanics – 5 man

 Before Kickoff
After Kickoff
Basic Scrimmage Position
Prior to the Snap
Running Plays
Passing Plays
3
Mechanics 5 man (cont’d)

 Scrimmage Kicks
SK’s - Field Goals & Try Attempts
SK’s – Field Goals & Try Fakes
Goal Line – Inside 10 yard line
Measurements

4
 Before Kickoff
U LJ

Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Position near R’s

goal line
Linesman’s side
Count R Players
Check other
officials in position R
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
and signal ball
ready for play
after other officials H BJ
are ready

5
 Before Kickoff
U

Umpire G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Position on R’s 20
yard line opposite
Linesman
Count R Players
Ensure coaches,
players,
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
substitutes in
proper location
Hold hand in air to
inform Referee
ready

6
 Before Kickoff
Linesman G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position on R’s 30
yard line with line-to-
gain equipment
Monitor bench area
Count R Players
Hold hand in the air
to inform Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
ready

7
 Before Kickoff
Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position on R’s Free
Kick line and identity
Move to side line LJ
opposite Linesman
Ensure coaches,
players, substitutes
and others in proper G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
location
Count K players
Hold arm in air to
inform Referee
ready

8
Back Judge Before Kickoff
Position on K free-
kick line G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Hand ball to kicker
and advise
Referee location.
BJ
Inform K to wait
for RFP signal
Count K Players
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Move to sideline
with line-to-gain
equipment and
hold hand in the
air to inform
Referee ready

9
 After Kickoff
Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Deep Kicks, Be
ready to rule on
touchback or player
momentum
Kicks middle, start
clock when kick is
touched (other than R
first touching by K) G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Pick up runner and
follow until released
to covering official

10
 After Kickoff
Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
If kick goes OOB
determine if touched
by R inbounds
Kicks outside
inbounds lines,
move cautiously
with play R
Observe actions G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
behind play and
clean up

11
 After Kickoff
U LJ

Umpire G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
On kicks middle or
your side, start
Clock when kick is
touched (other than
first touching by K)
Pick up runner and
follow until released
to Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

12
 After Kickoff U

Umpire G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Determine if kick
goes OOB and flag
if not touched by R
Kicks opposite side,
move cautiously
with play
Observe actions
behind play and G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
clean up

13
 After Kickoff
Linesman
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Kicks your side,
start clock when kick
is touched by R
(other than first
touching by K)
Pick up runner and
follow until released
to Back Judge
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Once you release
runner, observe
action behind play H BJ
Maintain
responsibility for you
sideline

14
 After Kickoff
Linesman G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Determine if kick
goes OOB and flag
if not touched by R

Kicks opposite side,

move cautiously
with play

Observe actions G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
behind play and
clean up H

15
After Kickoff
LJ

Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Watch for free-kick
line infractions
Be Alert for first
touching by K prior
to R’s free-kick line
and bean bag if
necessary
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

16
After Kickoff
U LJ
Line Judge
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Kick to your side
Move down sideline
while watching for
fouls and to area
best to officiate
depending on the
kick
Keep spacing with
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Umpire
Determine if kick
goes OOB and flag
if not touched by R
Pick up
responsibility for the
runner from Umpire
and follow to goal 17
line
 After Kickoff LJ

Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Kick Opposite Side
Move cautiously
toward play being
ready to rule on your
sideline if play
reverses
Observe action of G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
player in vicinity of
runner and watch for
fouls away from the
ball
Help Back Judge
with goal line on
long runs
18
 After Kickoff
Back Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Watch for free-kick
line infractions
Help LJ rule on first
touching by K prior
to R’s free-kick line
and bean bag if
necessary
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Watch initial blocks
near R’s free-kick
line and blocks on
BJ
kicker / holder
Administer fouls
prior to kickoff

19
 After Kickoff
Back Judge
Kicks to your Side G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Move down the
sideline to area to
best officiate
depending on kick
Keep spacing with
HL
Determine if kick
goes OOB and flag G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
if R has not touched
Pick up H BJ
responsibility for
runner from
Linesman and follow
to goal line

20
 After Kickoff
Back Judge
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Kick Opposite side
Move cautiously
toward play being
ready to rule on your
sideline if play
reverses
Observe action of
player in vicinity of
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
runner and watch for
fouls away from the
ball BJ
Assist Line Judge
with goal line on
long runs

21
 Basic Scrimmage Position

Referee
A’s backfield 10-12 G 10 20 30
yards behind LOS* R
Must be able to view
tackle on your side**
U
Umpire
3 to 8 yards off ball as
to not interfere with
vision or movement of G 10 20 30
defensive backs.

22
 Basic Scrimmage Position
LJ
Linesman &
Line Judge G 10 20 30
R
Start on side line OFF
the field straddling BJ
line-of-scrimmage.
U

Back Judge
15 to 20 yards off the
ball AND always
deeper than deepest G 10 20 30
back

23
 Prior to Snap (All Plays)
Referee
Declare ball ready-for- G 10 20 30
play R
Count A players
Check players set for
one second prior to
snap.
Watch for snap
infractions, illegal
shifts, and false starts G 10 20 30

24
 Prior to Snap (All Plays)
Umpire
Vary position to not
block view of B players
or allow A to use you G 10 20 30
as interference
Count A Players U
Check five players on
line numbered 50-79
Be ready to rule on
snap infractions, false
starts, encroachments, G 10 20 30
disconcerting signals
by defense and be
aware of B players line
up in free blocking
zone
25
 Prior to Snap (All Plays)
Linesman & LJ
Line Judge
Check down number
G 10 20 30
on box and signal
down
Extend arm back with
palm extended toward
backfield to indicate A
player closest to you
off the LOS
Check to see if all
G 10 20 30
backs, flankers, split
ends in legal position
and check eligibility
H
Determine if player in
motion’s movement is
legal 26
 Prior to Snap (All Plays)
LJ
Linesman &
Line Judge G 10 20 1 30
Check for seven on the 2
line-of-scrimmage 3
Help in determining 4 5
false start,
encroachment, 6
interference with snap
Count B players and be
alert for illegal G 10 20 30
7
substitutes
H

27
 Prior to Snap (All Plays)

Back Judge
Responsible for 25 G 10 20 30
second count
Provide a visible count
of the last 5 seconds
BJ
EVEN when 25 second
field clock is utilized
Count B players

G 10 20 30

28
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
Balanced
Formation G 10 20 30
When no strength is
declared, Line Judge
side considered
BJ
strength
Back Judge Key: End
Line Judge side
Linesman Key: End on
his/her side G 10 20 30

Line Judge Key: First

back out his/her side H

29
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
Strength to
Linesman G 10 20 30
Back Judge Key: End
on Lineman’s side
Linesman Key: Back BJ
his/her side
Line Judge Key: End
his/her side
G 10 20 30

30
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
Strength to
Line Judge G 10 20 30
Back Judge Key: End
on Line Judge side
Linesman Key: End BJ
his/her side
Line Judge Key: Back
his/her side both
formations
G 10 20 30

31
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
“Trips”
Formation G 10 20 30
Back Judge Key: Two
outside receivers
Linesman Key: End BJ
his/her side
Line Judge Key: Inside
receiver his/her side
formation
G 10 20 30
Note: Reverse
coverage for trips
formations to Linesman H
side

32
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
Motion
Initial Coverage same
as Strength to Lineman G 10 20 30
Motion to Line Judge

Back Judge Key: BJ

Change to End Line
Judge side

Linesman Key: Change

to End his/her side G 10 20 30

Line Judge Key:

change to Back in H
motion his/her side
formation
33
 Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
LJ
Motion
Initial Coverage same G 10 20 30
as Strength to Lineman
Motion to Line Judge
BJ
Formation now
balanced but since
strength was
established to Lineman
side, keys remain the G 10 20 30
same with the Line
Judge picking up
responsibility for H
receiver in motion to
his/her side
34
 Running Play
Referee
Key opposite guard / G 10 20 30
tackle
R
Responsible for ball
carrier and action
around him to the
neutral zone

G 10 20 30

35
 Running Play
Referee
Move behind play G 10 20 30
toward side of field
R
where play advances
and cover runner until
reaching neutral zone
or if down near line-of-
scrimmage
Watch action behind
ball and away from
runner, action on G 10 20 30
quarterback, and
backward or forward
passes.

36
 Running Play
Referee
When ball is dead, G 10 20 30
move to location and
R
signal next down
Help relay ball and
assist umpire with spot
If first down, stop clock
and signal
Make sure all officials
ready to go before G 10 20 30
signal ball ready for
play

37
 Running Play
Umpire
Read point of attack
(POA)

Watch line play for G 10 20 30

illegal action around
ball carrier and in free
blocking zone U

Move accordingly
depending on play
working inside out

Be alert for fumbles G 10 20 30

beyond neutral zone
and help determine
who gains possession

After play spot ball

38
Running Play
Linesman
Action toward you

Work OFF the field G 10 20 30

Observe actions of
linemen your side and
blockers in front of ball
carrier

Pick up responsibility
of ball carrier, mark
forward progress and G 10 20 30
stop clock if out of
bounds
H
Stop clock if ball
carrier crosses line to
gain 39
 Running Play
Linesman
Action away from you G 10 20 30

Move cautiously onto

field ready for reverse
action

Observe action behind

play

Be ready to help with G 10 20 30

forward progress spot

40
 Running Play
Line Judge LJ

Action toward you

G 10 20 30
Work off the field

Observe actions of
linemen your side and
blockers in front of ball
carrier

Have responsibility for

ball carrier G 10 20 30

Mark FP and stop

clock if out of bounds

Stop clock if ball

carrier crosses line to 41
gain
 Running Play
LJ
Line Judge
Action away from you
G 10 20 30
Move cautiously onto
field ready for reverse
action

Observe action behind

play

Be ready to help with

forward progress G 10 20 30

42
 Running Play
LJ
Back Judge
Work inside out G 10 20 30

Move to maintain
triangle coverage with U
BJ
Umpire, Linesman or
Line Judge on runs to
side zones

Trail play to sideline

and move into dead G 10 20 30
ball area assisting
covering official

Goal line responsibility

on long runs
43
 Passing Plays
Referee
Key opposite guard / G 10 20 3R0
tackle (see notes)

Watch blocking

Remain wider and

deeper than passer

After pass released,

verbally alert G 10 20 30
defenders and
observe action on
passer not ball

Determine pass
forward or backward 44
 Passing Plays
Referee
Sole responsibility for G 10 20 R 30
intentional grounding;
however, can get
assistance from
covering official
Determine if passer
crosses neutral zone
(see notes)
Continue to observe G 10 20 30
action behind neutral
zone before leaving

45
 Passing Plays
Umpire
Watch for Illegal
contact in free G 10 20 30
blocking zone
U
Move towards line-of-
scrimmage (LOS)

Observe action of
players in and just
behind neutral zone
G 10 20 30
Assist Referee in
determining if forward
pass released beyond
neutral zone

46
 Passing Plays
Umpire
Know if ball tipped at
line-of-scrimmage (if G 10 20 30
so – give tipped
signal) U

Pivot after pass

crosses neutral zone
and assist on
determining catch or
no catch
G 10 20 30

47
 Passing Plays
LJ
Linesman &
Line Judge G 10 20 30
Watch initial action off
line for defensive
holding

Move downfield
cautiously (5-7 yards)
on passes to your side

Be ready to adjust G 10 20 30
back for run

Be ready to rule on H
pass incomplete /
complete and
interference 48
 Passing Plays
LJ
Linesman &
Line Judge R
If ball intercepted, G 10 20 30
observe action until ball is
dead, covering official
stop clock and signal first
U
down, if inside defensive
5 yard line, be ready to
rule on momentum

If incomplete pass in your

area, sound whistle and
signal
G 10 20 30
Be alert for illegal passes

Rule on touching or H
catching by ineligibles

49
 Passing Plays
Back Judge
Retreat to be in
position behind
deepest receiver G 10 20 30

Responsible for deep

receivers
BJ
Be ready to rule on
complete / incomplete
pass and interference

Move to goal line or G 10 20 30

end line if either is
threatened

50
 Scrimmage Kick
Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position NO closer R
than 3-4 yards in
front of kicker (see
notes), 5-7 yards
wide on Line Judge
side
Be able to see ball
and all backs G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Watch for fouls
behind neutral zone
and roughing /
running into kicker
Be alert for blocked
kicks and recovery
51
 Scrimmage Kick
Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
After ball crosses R
neutral zone,
observe line play
and move down field
slowly
Be ready to pick up
runner on long run
and continue with G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
him to goal line

52
 Scrimmage Kick
LJ
Referee G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
If ball kicked out of R
bounds in flight,
assist the covering
official with spot

In no foul, signal
linesmen and line-
to-gain equipment
into position for next G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
play

Make sure all H

officials ready prior
to giving ready-for-
play signal

53
 Scrimmage Kick
Umpire G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position 7 yards
deep (see notes
U
section), keeping
ball in view
Check numbering
exceptions
After snap, step G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
toward neutral zone
watching for
possible roughing of
snapper, then shift
to blocking action

54
 Scrimmage Kick
Umpire G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Assist Referee with
short or blocked
U
kicks
Once kick crosses
neutral zone, pivot
and observe blocks
downfield and
players away from G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
ball

55
 Scrimmage Kick
Linesman G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Determine if kick
crosses NZ

Hold line-of-
scrimmage until ball
crosses then move
slowly down field BJ
and keep spacing G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
with Back Judge
H
Grounded kicks out
of bounds close to
you, mark spot and
observe action

56
 Scrimmage Kick
Linesman G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Help Referee with
short or blocked
kicks and note spot
of recovery

On short kicks to
your side, bean bag
spot of first touching
and end of kick G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Be ready for fair H

catch on short kicks
to your side and
blow whistle only
after kick is secured

57
 Scrimmage Kick
Linesman G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Routine kick, move

downfield cautiously
observe action in
front of ball carrier

Move with runner to

your sideline and BJ
follow until goal line G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Only move line to H

gain equipment
when sure no foul
on play and signaled
by Referee

58
 Scrimmage Kick
LJ
Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position on line of
scrimmage

Move down field

after snap

Drop Bean Bag to

mark end of short BJ
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
kicks to your side

Pick up
responsibility for ball
carrier from Back
Judge on returns to
your side

59
 Scrimmage Kick
LJ
Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

If out of bounds in
flight, move past
where ball went out
and walk forward
until Referee spots
you

On grounded kicks G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
out of bounds, mark
spot and observe
action

On return to
Linesman side,
move slowly behind
play observe all
60
action
 Scrimmage Kick
LJ

Line Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
If K first to touch,
mark spot of first
touching with bean
bag

If fair catch is
signaled on short
kicks to your side,
sound whistle (see G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
notes) after kick is
complete (know
when Kick ends),
and mark spot

If muffed, you must

clean up
61
 Scrimmage Kick
Back Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Position 7 to 10
yards in front of
deepest receiver
and in position to
cover sideline
Carry bean bag in
hand BJ
G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
Be ready to rule on
momentum inside 5
yard line
Observe initial
action around
receiver

62
 Scrimmage Kick
Back Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G

Drop Bean Bag to

mark end of kick

Maintain
responsibility of ball
carrier on returns up
the middle and to
your side until G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 2 0BJ1 0 G
released to other
official

63
 Scrimmage Kick
Back Judge G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
If K first to touch,
mark spot of first
touching with bean
bag

If fair catch is
signaled on short
kicks to your side, BJ
sound whistle (see G 10 20 30 40 50 40 30 20 10 G
notes) after kick is
complete (know
when Kick ends),
and mark spot

Be ready for muff

64
 Field Goal and Try Attempts (all)
Referee
Position 1 yard behind
and 2 to 3 yards to G 10 20 30
side of kicker facing
holder
Observe Kicker,
Holder, and opposite
side tackle
Be ready for fumble or
fake R
G 10 20 30
Assist Line Judge /
Linesman with side
line if run develops
Rule on roughing
kicker / holder
65
 Field Goal and Try Attempts (all)
Referee
After ball is kicked, if
try, sound whistle, if G 10 20 30
field goal, ball live
Signal score or no
score after receiving
signal from Back
Judge or Line Judge
R

G 10 20 30

66
 Field Goal and Try Attempts (all)

Umpire
Position 5-7 yards G 10 20 30
deep keeping ball in
view
Check numbering U
exceptions
After snap, step
toward neutral zone
watching for roughing
the snapper G 10 20 30
After kick crosses
neutral zone, pivot to
line judge side and
assist with coverage

67
 Field Goal and Try Attempts
LJ
H/LJ
Position on line-of- G 10 20 30
scrimmage to be
determined by R’s
position (see notes)
Watch line play
If run or pass develops
handle as goal line
play
G 10 20 30

68
 Field Goal and Try Attempts
LJ/H (inside 25 yard line)
Position under
uprights with Back
Judge determined by G 10 20 30
R’s position WING

Rule on kick to your

upright

If run or pass
develops, move to the
side line and work BJ
back to the play G 10 20 30
Signal score for
successful or
unsuccessful (see
notes) for no score
69
 Field Goal and Try Attempts (all)
Back Judge Inside 25 yard line

Position under
uprights EITHER with
H or LJ G 10 20 30
WING
Sound whistle when
ball crosses plane of
end zone and rule on
kick
Successful signal
score, unsuccessful, BJ
signal no score and if
field goal attempt, G 10 20 30
signal touchback
If field goal does not
cross plane, handle as
scrimmage kick
70
 Field Goal Attempt 25 yard line +
LJ
Back Judge
Initial position will be in G 10 20 30
center of Crossbar
Will have responsibility
of BOTH uprights!
BJ
BJ will slide to
challenged upright to
make appropriate
ruling
H/LJ will have “normal” G 10 20 30
LOS positions
H

71
 Goal-Line Plays (Inside 10 yards)
Referee
LJ
Same Coverage as
Running and Passing
G 10 20 30
Plays
U R
Umpire BJ
Move to goal line
AFTER ball is
snapped depending on
initial position

G 10 20 30
Linesman &
Line Judge H
Move to goal line and
work back on play
72
 Goal-Line Plays (Inside 10 yards)
Back Judge LJ
End line responsibility
G 10 20 30
All Officials U R
ONLY signal BJ
Touchdown if you see
ball cross goal line
(primary coverage is
wing officials – U
should communicate
only) G 10 20 30
Do NOT mirror signal
H
Communicate on dual
coverage areas

73
 Measurement
Line Judge
Align Linesman up
with line and ball
G 10 20 30
Linesman
Walk chains out, place
clip on line and hold BJ U LJ
R
Back Judge
After Linesman ready,
pull chain

G 10 20 30
Umpire
Hold Ball
H
Referee
Determine if ball
across line-to-gain 74