We’re three weeks into the season and league play is right around the corner. The goal this week is to raise our standard one step higher. My challenge to you is to pick one thing to improve on in this week’s game; if everyone on the field improves at one small aspect of their game, that’s becomes a big positive impact on the overall crew.

NFHS Loss of Down and Automatic First Down
It is always a good reminder to review these throughout the season. Remember NFHS rules are not the same as college or pro. Our list of fouls with a loss of down or an automatic first down is very short and it’s easy for coaches to get confused with what they see on TV. We need be confident in our knowledge to ensure proper enforcement. Our automatic first down fouls are our roughing calls – Roughing the passer, snapper, kicker. Loss of down fouls are Illegal Forward Pass, Illegal Touching, Illegal Forward Handing.

Clock Awareness
Continue to emphasize clock management with operators. Review the 5-and-5 standard before every game. Make sure the operator knows how to quickly fix errors. This season has seen a lot of clock operators who seem inexperienced. Take the time before the game to work with them as best you can to hopefully help the game itself go smoother.

Free Kicks

There have been some questions regarding where to stand in the CFOA free kick mechanic is that was implemented last year. See below for clarification; this can also be found on page 20 of the CFOA Mechanics Manual.

B – K Restraining line

H – R Restraining line (opposite the L)

L – R Restraining line (opposite the H)

U – Team R pylon (same side as L)

R – Team R goal line near bottom of the numbers (same side as H)

*U has discretion to move up as far as the 20 if the kicker is not able to kick to the goal line

**R and U both need to be able to cover their respective pylons.

Crew Enforcements

Remember, enforcements are the responsibility of the entire crew. If you have information, bring it to the attention of your crew in the moment. Last night I personally forgot to assess a foul by K at the succeeding spot and nearly declined the foul. Thankfully, my crew corrected me and we were able to get it right. If something doesn’t seem right, bring it up; you very well may be the only one on the field that has it correct – and your crewmates will thank you for it.

SFV Website

Please take the time to visit the new website at sfvfootballunit.org. Thank you to Andy Green for providing the fresh new look and maintain it. Andy has added a members area that you can access with the password ‘member25’ – here you will have access to presentations from past meetings, documents such as the mechanics manual and copies of past unit communications. If there are any suggestions on what content you’d like to see please let us know.