Welcome to Opening Week!
Play begins today with lower-level games and our first varsity contests tomorrow. We’ve waited a long time and put in many hours of training – sadly the season will be over in less time than we’ve spent preparing for it. I bring this up to say we must be ready from Game One. Treat every assignment this week as if you were working a championship final. Trust in your preparation and bring your best effort from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
Emotions will be high as players finally get their first chance to line up against an opponent. That means dead-ball officiating and sideline management are critical this week. Use calm communication and presence to manage situations. When tensions rise, use your feet over your flag whenever possible to defuse problems before they escalate. When you throw your flag be decisive; we want BIG, CLEAR, OBVIOUS fouls.
Game Day Professionalism
Arrival: Be at the site early enough to handle logistics without rushing. Check in with game administration.
Appearance: Walk in looking the part. We represent the unit before the first whistle is blown.
Pregame Walkthrough: Review timing, communication, and unusual situations so the crew is on the same page.
Heat & Hydration
Temperatures will be very high in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys this week. Be proactive in checking with schools in advance if afternoon lower-level games are impacted by heat. Game management is responsible for monitoring WBGT and will let us know if conditions do not allow play.
Trainers should be alert for signs of heat illness in players. If a trainer or coach recommends additional water breaks, support them and allow it. If you feel a break is needed yourself, you should initiate one. Always listen to the guidance of /training/medical staff and coaches when it comes to heat and hydration – player safety comes first.
Take care of yourselves as well. Hydrate throughout the day, not just at the field. Use halftime and timeouts to rehydrate. Watch each other for warning signs of heat illness – dizziness, nausea, cramps, or confusion. Step in if a crewmate is struggling. Your safety matters just as much as the athletes’.
Forward Progress & Clock Management
Be precise with forward progress rulings, especially near the sidelines:
If a runner goes backward out of bounds untouched, the clock stops and restarts on the snap.
If a runner is driven backward out of bounds by a defender, spot the ball at the forward-most point reached before contact. In this case, the clock continues to run (unless a first down is achieved, in which case it stops and restarts on the ready).
Too often, clocks are incorrectly run in situations where forward progress was not stopped in bounds. These games are not so long that we need to “shorten them.” Officiate the play as it happens and apply the correct ruling.
Forward Fumble Out of Bounds – New Rule
Review this point in your pregame. Anytime a ball carrier (for either team, before or after a change of possession) fumbles forward and the ball goes out of bounds beyond the spot of the fumble, the ball must be returned to the spot of the fumble as if the run ended there.
The 40-second play clock runs as normal.
The game clock starts on the ready-for-play.
This is a significant change for 2025 — be consistent and prepared to explain it when it comes up.
Quiz Applications:
A 1/10 @ A-45. A21 runs to the B-30 where he fumbles forward. At the B-27, A82, in an attempt to prevent B from recovering, bats the ball forward and out of bounds at the B-25.
The foul for illegal batting on A82 does not change the ball’s status as a fumble. Therefore, the forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the B-30. The foul occurred beyond the B-30, so it is enforced from the B-30.
A 1/10 @ A-45. A21 runs to the B-30 where he fumbles forward. At the B-27, B22 illegally kicks the loose ball out of bounds at the B-25.
The foul for illegal kicking on B22 does not change the ball’s status as a fumble. The forward fumble out of bounds is returned to the B-30. Since the foul by B occurred beyond the B-30, it is enforced from the B-30.
Uniform & Equipment Standards
The first games of the year often bring preventable equipment issues. Address them during warmups, not after kickoff.
Pants must cover knees.
No tinted visors. (Sunglasses are OK.) There is no process for obtaining approval.
Mouthpieces must be attached and worn.
Pads and braces must be properly covered.
Crew Communication
Headsets should be tested before kickoff. Confirm they are working properly as part of your pregame routine.
Summer Study Guide and Referee Classification Exam
These are due tonight at midnight – most but not all have completed them. Get this done today so you don’t have to worry about makeups during the season.
Final Note
The first week sets the tone. Hustle, confidence, and professionalism are contagious – bring them every snap. Take pride in your work and enjoy being back under the Friday Night Lights!
Thank you,
Jon Stein
Instructional Chair
SFVFBOA
818-679-4912