Here is a summary of the mechanic changes for 2026. The IHSAA Mechanics and Best Practices for a Crew of Five, 2026 Edition, is now posted on my.IHSAA. Access it at the Resources tab on your dashboard.
❖ Free Kicks
Crew’s initial alignment on kickoffs changed significantly. Wings now start on the goal line pylons. They can then adjust but must always stay at least 5 yds. behind the deepest receiver, if they are not on the goal line. U moves up to R’s restraining line. Officials’ responsibilities and mechanics before and during the kick have changed correspondingly, the biggest change being the wing officials are now responsible for forward progress on the return all the way to K’s goal line. The new free kick mechanics appear in the Manual at pp. 68-70. The new alignment also applies to a free kick following a safety.
❖ Scoring Kicks
The U moves back under an upright with the B, and rules on the kick. The wing officials hold their positions on the LOS, with associated responsibilities. R must now make sure his position is wide enough to encompass a view of both the snapper and the holder/kicker, as he is now responsible for all roughing fouls. The new scoring kick mechanics appear in the Manual at pp. 78-79.
❖ Umpire Positioning
U’s initial positioning on scrimmage plays has changed slightly, in that U’s position is now on the side of the formation opposite R, and no wider than the outside shoulder of the guard. The Manual now makes explicit that, on pass protection, U is responsible for the block of the tackle on R’s side, while R is to look through the QB to the block of the far tackle.
❖ Wings’ responsibilities on pass plays
Wing officials hold the LOS while watching the block of the tackle. Upon reading “pass,” they continue to hold until a receiver on their side gets 7-10 yds. deep. Then move downfield and find the ball.
❖ Wings to accompany teams to the field
The wing officials notify the team on their respective sidelines when there are 4 minutes remaining on the game clock prior to kickoff and at the halftime intermission. The wings will accompany their respective teams out to the field.
Question
Bobref
Here is a summary of the mechanic changes for 2026. The IHSAA Mechanics and Best Practices for a Crew of Five, 2026 Edition, is now posted on my.IHSAA. Access it at the Resources tab on your dashboard.
Crew’s initial alignment on kickoffs changed significantly. Wings now start on the goal line pylons. They can then adjust but must always stay at least 5 yds. behind the deepest receiver, if they are not on the goal line. U moves up to R’s restraining line. Officials’ responsibilities and mechanics before and during the kick have changed correspondingly, the biggest change being the wing officials are now responsible for forward progress on the return all the way to K’s goal line. The new free kick mechanics appear in the Manual at pp. 68-70. The new alignment also applies to a free kick following a safety.
The U moves back under an upright with the B, and rules on the kick. The wing officials hold their positions on the LOS, with associated responsibilities. R must now make sure his position is wide enough to encompass a view of both the snapper and the holder/kicker, as he is now responsible for all roughing fouls. The new scoring kick mechanics appear in the Manual at pp. 78-79.
U’s initial positioning on scrimmage plays has changed slightly, in that U’s position is now on the side of the formation opposite R, and no wider than the outside shoulder of the guard. The Manual now makes explicit that, on pass protection, U is responsible for the block of the tackle on R’s side, while R is to look through the QB to the block of the far tackle.
Wing officials hold the LOS while watching the block of the tackle. Upon reading “pass,” they continue to hold until a receiver on their side gets 7-10 yds. deep. Then move downfield and find the ball.
The wing officials notify the team on their respective sidelines when there are 4 minutes remaining on the game clock prior to kickoff and at the halftime intermission. The wings will accompany their respective teams out to the field.
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