Download - Positioning and Keys 5-Man Mechanics
Positioning and KeysPositioning and Keys5-Man Mechanics5-Man Mechanics
Miracle Strip Officials AssociationMiracle Strip Officials Association
Coin TossCoin Toss
Kickoff CoverageKickoff Coverage
Scrimmage PlayScrimmage Play
Goal Line PlayGoal Line Play
Scoring KickScoring Kick
Scrimmage KickScrimmage Kick
What Keys doWhat Keys do
Reading the proper key enables full formation coverage at the snap
Recognizing keys helps officials anticipate the play
Proper key recognition enables officials to be properly positioned on the field
Eliminates the “Who do I have” question at the snap
Gives each official a starting point in coverage progression
Provides another level of non-verbal crew communication
““Key” TermsKey” Terms
Strength of Formation:
Determined by the number of eligible receivers on either side of the ball
Tight End:
The end man on the line of scrimmage lined up no more than four yards from the nearest lineman
A player in the backfield between the tackles at the snap
Back in Backfield:
Determining KeysDetermining Keys
Back Judge has the first key Linesman and Line Judge have second keys
Strong side of the formation is the side with the most eligible receivers outside the tackles
A balanced formation has an equal number of eligible receivers outside the offensive tackles on each side of the formation
In a balanced formation the strength is given to the Line Judge side (press box)
A man-in-motion prior to the snap CAN alter the strength of the formation prior to the snap
G
QB
T TEGT
RB
TELLJ
BJ
C
Balanced Formation
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side (TE) Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright
2 L Eligible on his side Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage
LJ First back out of backfield on his side
Heels on OB, at line of scrimmage
RB RB
G
QB
T TEGT
RB
TE
WR
L LJ
BJ
C
RB
Wing
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible on L side (WR) Shaded to L side, no wider than upright but not “in line” with U
2 L Second eligible in on his side (TE)
LJ Eligible on his side
G
QB
T
FL
GT
RB
FL
WRL LJ
BJ
C WR
Four Wide
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible on LJ side Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright
2 L Both eligibles (WR & FL) on his side
LJ Second eligible in (FL) on his side
G
QB
T
SL
GT
RB
SL
WRL LJ
BJ
C WR
Trips
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Two widest eligibles (WR & SL) on LJ side
Shaded to LJ side, no wider than upright
2 L Eligible (WR) on his side
LJ Inside eligible (SL) on his side
G
QB
T TEGT
RB
SL
WRL LJ
BJ
C
RB
Motion Changes Key Before the Snap
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright
2 L Second eligible (SL) on his side
LJ Eligible (TE) on his side
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible (TE) on LJ side Do not move until the snap if warranted
2 L Eligible on his side
LJ Second eligible (SL) on side
G
QB
T TEGT
RB
TE
WR
L LJ
BJ
C
RB
Motion Before the Snap Does Not Change Keys
# Official Key Notes
1 BJ Widest eligible (WR) on L side Shaded to L side, no wider than upright
2 L Second eligible in (TE) on his side
LJ Eligible (TE) on his side
EndEnd