OHSAA Weekly Bulletins

Fall 2026

Week 2
Line of Scrimmage

The last 3 years we have had illegal formation calls for “6 on the line”. THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE RULE FOR 5+ YEARS! These were impactful calls.

1. Rule 7, Section 2, Article 5a-No more than 4 A players may be backs….

2. It doesn’t matter if A only has 10 players.

3. Referees and CJs-You know the backs. Ask the specifics if a LOS official has an illegal formation foul! We can make a crew save on this live ball foul.

Dead Ball Officiating/Personal Fouls

We must call personal fouls.

1. U and BJ-Clear the kicker on kickoffs. This video shows that the kicker is obviously out of the play and the R player comes 10yds to deliver a blow: Clear.kicker.mp4

2. This DBPF needs to be an ejection: DBPF.eject.mp4

3. Look for the player with a “brick” in their hand.

Tush Push

We have had this on SRIs and video presentations. If an offensive player puts their hands on the back of the runner, IT IS A FOUL! This video shows a tush push not called in a varsity game. They ran this 8 times! The first time it was run in the JV game, it was called. Tush Push.MP4

Intentional Grounding/Rule 7, Section 5, Article 2-Exceptions

1. The QB must be outside the LATERAL BOUNDRY of the Free Blocking Zone. No mention of “pocket”. This is width. Int.Grounding.mp4

2. CJs should help here.

Week 3

Player Equipment

1. Officials must be diligent in enforcing the player equipment rules. Players may not play unless they are legally equipped, PERIOD. No excuses from the coaches. They are getting a reminder in their memo this week.

Dead Ball Officiating/Personal Fouls

We must call personal fouls. Anytime we see them during or after the play.

1. This should be an easy call for the R or CJ. DO NOT LET THIS GO: Tight - Clip 001.mp4
Let’s concentrate this week on what players we should be seeing
1. This is an obvious BBW on the KO: BBW.KO.mov The CJ is in perfect position to see the first blocks. U and BJ can get this also. What else is there to look at??
2. Here is a BBW by a defender we see often. WE NEED TO GET THIS! R and CJ primary: BBW.DE.LG (1).mov
3. Hurdling-Know the rule. This is a great get by the R: hurdling.mp4
4. Pick-Who’s responsible for the outside receiver at the top? You need to stay with him. BJ can also help: pick.play.MOV
Kicks-Know the Rules
1. Do you know when the kick ends? This is still a kick, so touchback: tchbk.kick.mp4

Week 4

False Start

1. Either the offense simulates the snap with movement or they do not. What movement/shifts are legal? Rhythmic and doesn’t simulate the snap. Here is one that is too quick and simulates. This was called encroach on B. Should be FS on A: False.start.mp4

Illegal Use of Hands

1. Here is one we miss at times because we don’t remember it is illegal use of hands. Rule 9, Section 2, Article 3d: “Contact an eligible receiver who is no longer a potential blocker” : 9.2.3.d ill.hds.mp4

Let’s concentrate this week on what players we should be seeing

1. Helping the runner-AGAIN! I think we need to realize that other players may help the runner. I know the blocking at the POA is important here. We need to use our peripheral vision to see players that may be coming to help the runner. The player clearly puts their hands on the back of the runner. This is a foul: helping.runner.1.mp4

2. Remember this one? Head on a swivel: DBPF.eject.mp4

Kicks-Know the Rules

1. Do you know when the kick ends? We missed this again last week!!This is still a kick, so touchback: tchbk.kick.mp4

Week 5
Rule 6/Scrimmage Kicks

1. Field goals are scrimmage kicks. When a scrimmage kick crosses the GL and no points are scored, it results in a touchback. The ball should go to the 20-yd line. That didn’t happen here! fg.m.plc.mov

Illegal Forward Pass/Mechanics

1. Know your Gold Book Mechanics on the passer threatening the LOS PG19, #26 C6). It is critical that the R memorize the spot of the pass, go there and look. This play was snapped at the 8-yd line and the ball was clearly thrown from the 6. The R did not come up. ifrp.mech.mp4

Talk about this during your pre-game conferences!

Let’s concentrate this week on what players we should be seeing

1. Who can see this DPI in the middle of the field? DPI.mov Discuss this.

2. Purple #10 engaged with white #10 on the outside. White #10 was called for DPI. Did we see the whole play here? Who can help? ndpi.enc.mp4

3. This was called down by FWD progress stopped. FWD.Prg.mp4 Who can help here? SLOW WHISTLES!!

Week 6
Rule 6/Kicks

1. Officials need to know the rules and definitions as they relate to rules. We have discussed that any kick is defined as a kick until possession. How does that relate to the GL versus the SL ESPECIALLY ON FREE KICKS? Rule 6, Article 1, Section 10: If a free kick goes OB between the goal lines TOUCHED by R, the ball is put in play by R at the inbounds spot. This is different from the GL! Here is an example: tch.R.ob.mp4

2. Here is a free kick that should be a touchback: KO.TB.mp4

3. Here is a multiple foul on K. KCI (free kick touched in flight) and kick OB untouched by R. Do you know all options? KCI.KOOB.mp4

Passes/Complete/Incomplete

1. Know your rules in relation to completed or incomplete passes. This video should have been ruled an incomplete pass. Who can help here? inc.pass.mp4
Talk about this during your pre-game conferences!
Let’s concentrate this week on what players we should be seeing and seeing the whole play
1. Who is watching the kicker and who can help? This is clearly a slip. no.rough.k.MOV
2. Who needs to communicate here? Who makes the call? Do you know your passing exceptions? Int.Grounding.mp4

Week 7
Passes

1. Illegal FWD pass/QB close to the NZ. We are missing this call BOTH ways because we are not using the correct mechanics. R watches the QB always. R memorize spot of pass release and move quickly to the spot. Check with U if necessary but R MAKES THIS CALL. legal.fp.mp4

2. Who is watching which receiver? This is a “Pick Play” that was correctly called: pick.dpi.mp4

Talk about these during your pre-game conferences!
Let’s concentrate this week on what players we should be seeing and seeing the whole play

1. Who can call this? Do you know your shift/motion rules? Ill.Sft.Ob.mp4

2. Look at the block at the end by the runner. Foul? For what? Who can see? Ill.Sft.Ob.mp4

3. Classic “crack” BSB. Who sees? bsb.crack.mp4
4. Take a look at the long snapper running up the field. How is this not a hold?? Who sees? hold.LS.mp4

Week 8
Great Play! This is a fabulous play to talk about in Pre-Game: Ill.Bat.mov
1. What is the foul on this play?
2. What is the result of the play (if there was no foul)?
3. What is the enforcement spot?
4. Who has the ball at the end of enforcement?
Are You Watching the Correct Players?
1. Here is a blatant hold in the middle of the field on a kickoff. CJ, BJ and U should see this. 7B.29W.KO .mp4
2. Here is a scrimmage kick where the long snapper gets held downfield. Who sees this? hold.LS .mp4
3. BSB again! bldsd.blk.mov
Check With Me
This happens in many games. If it is rhythmic, it is legal. Here are 2 examples of legal moves by the offense and illegal encroachment on the defense: rythm.enc.D.mp4