Reading and Understanding Keys Bux-Mont Chapter PIAA Football Officials – District One
Dec 30, 2015
Reading and Understanding Keys
Bux-Mont Chapter
PIAA Football Officials – District One
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• In recognizing the strength of the formation (strong vs. weak side), officials must pay attention to the offensive team.
• Strength has nothing to do with the number of offensive lineman on each side of the center or the wide side of the field
• To determine the strength of the formation, take note which side of the formation has more eligible receivers outside the tackle.
• If players are stacked, the player nearest the LOS is considered to be the widest.
Determining Strength
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• The back judge has priority followed by the wing men.
• Wing officials should never key the same player as the back judge.
• Be alert for motion as this can change the strength and keys.
Determining Strength
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• Unbalanced• Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong
side of the field.
• Wing official on the strong side keys on the inside player of the formation, normally a flanker or wing back.
• Wing official on the weak side will key on the end nearest his side, normally a wideout.
Formations
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• Balanced• Strength is always considered to be to the line judge
side of the field.
• Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).
• The wing officials key on receivers other than the back judge’s key and any backs who move toward them at the snap.
Formations
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• Trips• The back judge keys on the two inside receivers.
• Strong side wing official keys on the inside-most receiver.
• Weak side wing official keys on the end nearest him.
Formations
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• Double Wing• Strength is always considered to be to the line judge
side of the field.
• Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).
• Line judge keys on inside receiver.
• The linesman has both receivers on his side.
Formations
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• Wishbone• Strength is always considered to be to the line judge
side of the field.
• Back judge keys on the widest receiver on the strong side of the field (line judge side).
• Line judge keys the backs.
• Linesman keys the end on his side.
Formations
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TE WR
WR
HL – Pro Set
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FBHB
Strength to HL Side
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2 1
30
HB
FB
TEWR
FL
HL - I – Formation
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30
42
00
40
Strength to HL Side
2
1 1
30
FBHB
TE
WRTE
LJ – Pro Set
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04
0
Strength to LJ Side
11
2
30
HB
FB
TE WR
FL
LJ - I – Formation
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30
42
00
40
Strength to LJ Side
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1
34
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of the field
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TE WR
WR
HL LJ
R
BJ
U
Pro Set - Unbalanced
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FBHB
Strength to HL Side
30
HB
FB
TEWR
FL
HL LJ
R
BJ
I Formation - Unbalanced
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30
42
00
40
U
Strength to HL Side
30
FBHB
TE
WR
TEHL LJ
R
BJ
U
2 Tight Ends - Unbalanced
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04
0
Strength to HL Side
30
HB
FL
TEWR
FL
HL LJ
R
BJ
Trips
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30
42
00
40
Strength to HL Side
U
34
000 Strength to Line Judge side of
the field
04
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34
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FL
WRWRHL LJ
R
BJ
U
Single Back - Balanced
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FL
HB
Balanced Formation,
Strength to LJ side
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TEWR
WR
HL LJ
R
BJ
U
Pro Set - Unbalanced
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Strength to LJ Side
FBHB
30
HB
FB
TE WR
FL
HL LJ
R
BJ
I Formation - Unbalanced
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30
42
00
40
U
Strength to LJ Side
30
FBHB
TE
WR
TEHL LJ
R
BJ
U
2 Tight Ends – Unbalanced
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04
0
Strength to LJ Side
30
HB
WB
TE
WB
TEHL LJ
R
Wing T - Balanced
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30
42
00
40
U
BJ Balanced Formation,
Strength to LJ side
30
HB
FL
TE WR
FL
HL LJ
R
BJ
Trips
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30
42
00
40
U
Strength to LJ Side
30
HB
FL
TEWR
FL
HL LJ
R
BJ
One back - Balanced
20
30
42
00
40
Balanced Formation,
Strength to LJ side
U
30
HB HBFB
HL LJ
R
Wish Bone - Balanced
20
30
42
00
40
U
TETE
BJBalanced
Formation, Strength to LJ
side
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TEWRHL LJ
R
BJ
U
Motion – Change of Strength
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Strength to LJ Side
FBHB
WR
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TEWR
WR
HL LJ
R
BJ
U
Motion – Change of Strength
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FBHB
BJ
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TEWR
WR
HL LJ
R
BJ
U
Motion – Change of Strength
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FBHB
Strength to HL Side