CFOA Meeting Replay

Meeting 3 of 5 - September 24th, 2025

Meeting Summary

The meeting focused on improving game report accuracy, officiating mechanics, communication, and sideline management to enhance overall game conduct and safety.

 

  • Meeting held on 24 September for CFOA with significant content to cover.
  • John Conklin discussed game report issues regarding unsportsmanlike conduct and disqualifications.
  • Clear instructions provided on filling out game reports accurately based on specific situations.
  • Kirk Russell emphasized the importance of cross field mechanics for officials during critical plays.
  • Officials should prioritize communication and coordination to ensure accurate spotting of the ball.
  • Damian Savolt addressed chain crew procedures, emphasizing pre-game communication and handling penalties.
  • Consistency in sideline management is crucial to avoid confusion and maintain order during games.
  • Sideline interference and sideline warnings are two distinct rules tracked separately.
  • Interference occurs if a coach or player obstructs an official’s view, leading to a 15-yard penalty.
  • Officials must maintain clear sidelines for safety and effective game management.
  • Coaches should be instructed to remain within the coaching box during play to prevent interference.

IMPORTANT MEETING NOTE

During the Sept 24 CFOA meeting, there was some confusion between what constitutes a Sideline Warning vs a Sideline Interference call. In particular, it was stated that if an official has to change direction or “move around” a coach, that it should be flagged as 15-yard Sideline Interference penalty.  However, this statement was based on NCAA rules/interpretation, and is incorrect at the NFHS level.
 
Inadvertent contact with someone in the restricted area falls under rule 9-4-8.  That would be a 15-yard penalty, and if it happens a second time the head coach is disqualified by rule.
 
However, if there is no contact, and the official has to run around the person in the restricted area would NOT be a 15-yard penalty.  This falls under 9-8-1k and 9-8-3.  When this happens, the official should still throw a flag.  For the first offense, a no-penalty sideline warning is given.  For the second offense, a 5-yard penalty is enforced.  For the third and subsequent offenses, a 15-yard penalty is enforced.
 
More information will be provided soon.  One main point of emphasis remains – officials should always avoid running into people in the restricted area when possible.  While sometimes contact will still occur as you have your focus on the field, do not deliberately cause contact in order to ‘send a message’ and get the 15-yarder.  That has potential to lead to injury, and potentially legal trouble.