Football Instruction/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Tackle Box Free Blocking zone | 1/25/2012 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: In high school football, against a double tight, double wing, set-up, with heel to heel splits, can ... A: Doug Thank you for your question. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but, please know under ... | ||
| NFL Touchdown Rules | 1/23/2012 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: I am a Patriot fan (not that it should matter). I could not believe that the Raven player's catch ... A: Jennifer The reason why it was not a TD is because the receiver has to complete the process of the ... | ||
| NFL goal line spot | 1/22/2012 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: When the Patriots were inches short on a play that had been called a touchdown the referees spotted ... A: John you assume correctly. They spot the ball where it is down per the replay. Many times when the ... | ||
| Defesive back. | 1/9/2012 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: So ive seeen that you gave real good advice on the db poistion. I wanted some advice of how should i ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I have been working at several football clinics. ... | ||
| stretching a ball out for first down | 1/8/2012 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Let's say a ball carrier on a play jumps over the offensive line, stretches the ball over the first ... A: Dan Thank you for your question about Forward Progress. This is a rather common question and I ... | ||
| Coverage | 1/2/2012 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: Coach, I'm a freshman and our school just recently finished the season, since we're in off season, I ... A: I could give you a long-winded answer and go in depth, but I might as well link you to the video I ... | ||
| Computing passing yards | 12/30/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: When a pass is completed, is it figured from: 1. From the line of scrimmage or from where the pass ... A: Passing yards are computed from the line of scrimmage (a bit unfair considering most passes are ... | ||
| FULLBACK | 12/21/2011 | Louis |
| Q: Sorry this will be kinda long. So im goin to be a fredhman next year. Im 6' 185 right now probably ... A: Do not gain any more weight it will only make you slower. You might want to do some running and ... | ||
| Forward Hand Offs | 12/18/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: While behind the line of scrimmage, how many times can the offence LEGALLY hand the ball FORWARD to ... A: I do not believe the rule books even touch this one. I simply think there just are not many ... | ||
| Should I play football the end of my junior and senior year of hs? | 12/17/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: my mother has never let me play football but finnaly theres somebody on my side ( my grandpa ). I ... A: Ryan Only you can aswer whether you should play football. If you have the desire to play then you ... | ||
| Fullback | 12/14/2011 | Louis |
| Q: Hey, my name is Greg and I'm considering on playing semi-pro football. I'm 19 now and will start ... A: A fullback needs to be able to block, catch the football coming out of the backfield, and average ... | ||
| NCAA Football rules | 12/8/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: player from team A running towards team B goal for apparent touchdown, but tosses the ball toward ... A: Thomas Thanks for you question. There are several different situations that arise from this ... | ||
| Encroachment | 12/7/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Is there any discussion about re-visiting the offsides/encroachment rule change that allows the ... A: David I am not aware of any discussion about re-visiting the fouls of offside or encroachment. The ... | ||
| Freshman HS Football | 12/6/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: My son is currently in 7th grade, is 5'8" tall and 150 lbs. He is strong for his age, not terribly ... A: I will say that with hard work and dedication, quarterback is possible. Now, I will say that he ... | ||
| Roughing the Kicker (Punter) | 11/27/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: I just read your response to a question about what is and is not roughing the punter. You stated ... A: Donald, Thanks for the question. This applies to NCAA rules and not to the Federation rules. One ... | ||
| Early Years football calls | 11/26/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Years ago when a football team had a penalty the referee would yell out the penalty and just point ... A: Frank, The announcement of the penalty by the Referee has evolved over the decades, primarily to ... | ||
| Chop Block | 11/24/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: I just wanted to quickly ask an officials opinion on this call. My college team runs the flexbone ... A: Ethan I have reviewed the play involving #91 Defense and the two OL[Center #77 & backside Guard #71) ... | ||
| Cut Block | 11/22/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Is there any chance that Cut blocks like the ones allowed in College Football will ever be allowed ... A: Ethan Thank you for your question about blocking below the waist. To simply answer your question, no ... | ||
| OT field goal dead ball penalty/excessive celebration | 11/16/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: This is a lengthy question. High School round 2 playoff game. game tied at end of game. OT ... A: Amanda Thank you for your question. First an foremonst as an official and instructor of high school ... | ||
| 12 men in the huddle | 11/15/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Is the purpose of the 12 men in the huddle rule so that he defense can anticipate the formation of ... A: Benjamin In a sense, yes. But first, the rule does not prohibit 12 players in the huddle, it ... | ||
| OT -PAT penalty | 11/14/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: My question concerns a high school football game played this past Friday night to determine the next ... A: Sorry for the slow response. Now, if this happened exactly how you explained it ( no, I am not ... | ||
| PRE-READING THE DEFENSE | 11/11/2011 | Louis |
| Q: Coach I am getting into coaching and I want to coach on the offense side of the ball. I am ... A: The pre-snap read is not that difficult to master. Look at the deep safeties; One safety equals ... | ||
| nutrition/size | 11/8/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: I am currently a junior in high school, i play line backer and am only 185 lbs, i am six feet tall ... A: Yes, I agree, you can always get better. Although you are eating a lot that doesn't always mean ... | ||
| What does it take to make an arena football team? | 11/7/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: I'm 21yrs old and in High School I played 2yrs of football and 4yrs of basketball. I was really good ... A: The Arena football league is a speed game. But the linemen are usually big athletic guys. (not all ... | ||
| 12 men in the huddle | 11/7/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Does calling a time out with 12 men in the huddle negate the penalty? A: Melanie. This is an excellent question. Briefly the answer is Yes. First, it is not a foul for ... | ||
| fumble or down | 11/6/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: In yesterday's Michigan vs. IOWA game, the Michigan quarterback was rushed. In his attempt to ... A: Graydon Thanks for the question, I have had several questions about this game. Please know I did ... | ||
| HB | 11/5/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: Next year i'm going to Highschool and i want to play football as a halfback. I want to know if i'm ... A: I'll put it to you this way. Our leading scorer with the varsity this season is our 5'4" 135 ... | ||
| High school football rules | 11/5/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: nfhs: 1st quarter ends. Ball is moved to other end of field, clock is re-set to 12 min. Ref blows ... A: The Referee should be blowing his whistle to get the teams on the filed and ready for play. When ... | ||
| Punter protection | 11/5/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: If a team does not have a long snapper and punts the ball by snapping the ball to the QB under the ... A: This is very interesting. At first thought, the play seems illegal. So I asked some official friends ... | ||
| Rugby style punt | 11/4/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: In high school football when does the punter lose his protection and become a runner while doing a ... A: Tom As you describe your follow up play situation, it does not sound like a personal foul and to not ... | ||
| Fullback workouts | 11/1/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: I am looking at transferring to a D III school and walking on as a fullback or linebacker. I have ... A: The best advice I can give you is to work on your lower leg agility and your power lifts. Agilities ... | ||
| Spotting the ball. | 11/1/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: When a runner advances the ball and his knee is down by contact, is the ball spotted where the knee ... A: Floyd, Thank you for your question. In your question the ball is spotted where the ball is when the ... | ||
| College football referee mechanics | 10/31/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: Which official on the college football field is responsible for determining if the QB has passed the ... A: Doug In 7 man mechanics, the Line Judge - LJ will be on the line of scrimmage and he will look down ... | ||
| Penalty | 10/29/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: 2nd down and 5yds to go. Offense has an holding penalty 5yds behind the los on the 2nd down play. ... A: Let me just Put the question in here for other readers: 2nd down and 5 yds to go for a first down. ... | ||
| O-Linemen Contact Drills | 10/28/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: My name is Elimar and I'm a football coach here in Brazil. First of all, thank you for all your ... A: Coach, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I am coaching again. I was asked to come over ... | ||
| O-Linemen Contact Drills | 10/28/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: My name is Elimar and I'm a football coach here in Brazil. First of all, thank you for all your ... A: Sorry for the slow response. Didn't see this question. Having not seem them play or practice, I ... | ||
| on side kick/touched ball | 10/26/2011 | Arthur Anderson |
| Q: Arthur, Here is a good one. Hope you can help explain. This actually happened this weekend in my ... A: Oh yeah, this definitely a good topic. I have seen this call blown in a few games. If the ball is ... | ||
| punting | 10/25/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: I was at a college football game when the punter dropped the ball and then kicked it from the ... A: Marie Thank you for your question, this touches on a couple kicking issues that are rarely seen. ... | ||
| Intentional grounding rule | 10/23/2011 | Victor Winnek |
| Q: If a college quarterback takes the snap and drops back and runs outside the tackles and then runs ... A: Les In your play, it is not intentional grounding because th epasser is deemed to have been outside ... | ||
| Quarterback | 10/20/2011 | Jeffrey M. Cziska |
| Q: I am a quarterback in Australia, we play 9 man football down here in our juniors competition which ... A: I would not say it is a step up. Good quarterback mechanics are important regardless of where you ... | ||
Answers by Expert:
Victor Winnek
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I answer questions related to: Football Officiating; NCAA & Federation Rules; History of Football; Football Officiating - Mechanics (2,3,4,5,7 man); NCAA Rules & High School Rules; Player Safety, Issues of liability arising from injuries, workers compensation, discrimination of officials, Standard of Care; Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters. History of the Game. Instructor of officials. I do not answer questions as to what position a person should play or what their chances are ...
Experience
24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Line Judge, Head Linesman; 2 years Arena Football-substitution official; Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Member of the Board of Directors CFOA-Long Beach & South Bay Units, Pres. of Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman of the Officiating Ethics Committee; Played prep & college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer
Organizations
President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit
Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NCAA Div. 1-AA football officials clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; UWLA Law Review Answers are for educational and information purposes only and may not be reprinted, reporduced or used in any: articles, blogs, research, news story or republished in any fashion without the expressed permission and consent of the under signed.
Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
Big 12 Mini Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp
24 years of instruction in Officiating Football
Awards and Honors
9 Bowl games, NCAA Div. 1 FCS; CIF State Championship, 9 years CIF Finals, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 17 years of CIF play-offs.
NCAA Div. III Semi-Finals
I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response. I also will not entertain questions that use profanity. Football officials don't seek to “screw” any team Such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.
Past/Present Clients
If you have NFL question I suggest you contact NFL experts here on AllExperts.com or Mike Pereira on Wed. Afternoons at 1PM EST/10AM PST http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/page/Mike-Pereira-FOX-NFL-Rules-Analyst I work with Mike at FoxSports on Sundays in the Control Center explaining rules and officiating
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