Official Site of the Southeastern Conference

The Southeastern Conference, following approval by the NCAA Football Rules Committee, will implement the use of video reply on an experimental basis beginning with the 2005 football season.

THE OBJECTIVE
To allow for specific types of officiating calls to be immediately reviewed during all games hosted by SEC teams.

THE STANDARD
There must be indisputable video evidence for an officiating call to be changed by the Replay Official working from the press box. The play must have a direct competitive impact (ball possession, first down or score in question) on the game to warrant game stoppage for review. The Replay Official has the sole authority to review a play to stop game action and render a decision on any replay. Coaches and on-field officials have no authority to request a review.

THE SOURCE
All reviewable video will come direct from either the television network broadcasting the game (CBS Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, Jefferson-Pilot) or other TV production facilities that meet established conference standards.

THE PLAYS
Reviewable
The following plays are subject to review under the SEC instant replay:

1. Plays governed by Sideline, Goal Line, End Zone, and End Line:
   1. Scoring Plays, including a runner breaking the plane of the goal line.
   2. Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted at sideline, goal line and end line.
   3. Runner/receiver in or out of bounds.
   4. Recovery of loose ball in and out of bounds.
2. Passing Plays:
   1. Pass ruled complete/incomplete/intercepted in the field of play and end zones.
   2. Touching of a forward pass by an ineligible receiver.
   3. Touching of a forward pass by a defensive player.
   4. Quarterback (Passer) forward pass or fumble (if ruled incomplete, play is finalized).
   5. Illegal forward pass or illegal handing off beyond the line of scrimmage.
   6. Illegal forward pass or illegal handing off after change of possession.
   7. Forward or backward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Other Detectable Infractions:
   1. Runner ruled not down.
   2. Forward progress with respect to first down.
   3. Touching of a kick.
   4. Number of players on field.
   5. Clock adjustments (in conjunction with overturned plays).
   6. Fourth-down/try fumble plays.

Not Reviewable
The following are plays may not be reviewed with the use of video replay:

1. Holding.
2. Off-sides/Encroachment.
3. Pass interference.
4. Personal fouls (e.g., late hits).
5. Illegal blocks.
6. Illegal formations.
7. Face mask.
8. Taunting/excessive celebration.
9. False starts.
10. Roughing passer/kicker.
11. Fighting participants.

THE PROCESS
Each SEC football stadium will have a secured replay booth equipped with DVSport Digital Replay system. Three individuals will be in the booth for the duration of the football game: 1) Replay Official; 2) Communicator, and 3) Technician. The Replay Official will be selected and assigned by the Conference Office.

A live video and audio feed (without any delay) will come directly into the replay booth. The Technician will watch the feed on an input monitor while capturing/digitizing it into the DVSport Digital Replay system. The Technician will also mark the beginning of each play as well as any replays as they occur in real time.

Each play and subsequent replay will appear on the touch screen in front of the Communicator. As the Technician marks the incoming video, each one will appear as a small picture on the computer touch screen. At any time, the Communicator can touch/click on a thumbnail and immediately playback the play or replay.

The Replay Official can quickly jump between replays while playing back the video. All replay video navigation will be done via a remote device controlled by the Replay Official.

All replays/video will be viewed on an output monitor. The touch screen is only used to select the replay. In the event of a malfunction, one button will switch over to the backup system and allow the Replay Official to continue the review.

While most plays can be reviewed between the whistle and the beginning of the next play, the Replay Official can stop play on the field by using a pager system. Five on-field officials will wear pagers. If play is stopped, the Referee will announce on the stadium PA microphone that play has been stopped so the previous play can be reviewed. The Referee will then proceed to the sideline headset, which will provide direct communication to the Replay Official in the booth.

Once the replay has been reviewed, the Replay Official will notify the Referee, who in turn will announce the decision on the stadium PA system.

It is important to note that because of the digital, touch-screen technology, that every play can be reviewed without stopping play on the field. Just because play is not halted does NOT mean that the play was not reviewed.

THE EQUIPMENT
The SEC will use the Digital Replay System developed by DVSport of Pittsburgh, Pa., to implement its Instant Replay System. This digital system will be supplied to each member institution by the SEC and will be maintained by the home institution with the assistance of DVSport. DVSport will provide technical support throughout the 2005 football season. Additionally, a TIVO machine will be available as a backup system.

PROCESS SPECIFICS
Normal Booth Process (No Game Stoppage):
The Instant Replay Official will review every potentially-reviewable play to either confirm the call on the field was correct or to look for evidence that the play may need to be reviewed. When this type of review occurs there is no interruption to the game between plays. Note: As soon as the next play begins, it is too late to stop the game for a replay.

1. Each play and subsequent replay will appear on the touch screen in front of the Communicator. As the Technician marks the incoming video, each one will appear as a small picture on the computer touch screen. At any time, the Communicator can touch on a thumbnail and immediately play back the play or replay.
2. Replay Official will notify Communicator when to send play to his replay monitor. All replays/video will be viewed on an output monitor and the Replay Official can quickly jump between replays while playing back the video. All replay video navigation, including Play/Pause, Slow-Motion, Frame-by-Frame, and Fast Forward/Rewind, will be done via a remote device in the Replay Official's hand.
3. Communicator will notify Replay Official when team breaks huddle or snap is imminent.
4. Replay Official will direct Communicator when to clear his monitor.
5. Communicator then clears the Replay Official's screen to prepare for the next play.

Replay Review Process (Game Stoppage Review):
While most plays can be reviewed between the dead ball and the beginning of the next play, the Replay Official can stop play on the field by using a pager system:

1. Replay Official communicates via vibrating pager to field officials (Referee, Umpire, Side Judge, Alternate Official and TV "Red Hat" [when applicable]) that a play is under review. In the event of a pager system failure, the Communicator shall immediately notify the Alternate Official by walkie-talkie. The Alternate Official shall then notify the nearest official, who willstop play.
2. Referee announces via Stadium PA, "The previous play is under review."
3. Communicator begins timing the replay. When play is stopped, a minimum of 45-seconds will be used. Replays should not exceed two-minutes.
4. Referee proceeds to sideline, where Replay Sideline Assistant provides him with the headset for communications to the booth.
5. Technician notifies TV production truck by ring-down what is being reviewed and requests additional views from the truck.
6. Communicator notifies Replay Official additional views have been received.
7. Replay Official completes review and informs Referee via headset of his decision.
   1. Play stands as called on the field.
   2. Indisputable video evidence to overturn/modify the play, along with description and the resulting modification of game situation.
8. Referee PA announcement:
   1. After review, the play stands as called on the field.
   2. After review, there is indisputable video evidence that (description of video evidence e.g. "runner did not make the line to gain"), there fore (description of result of overturn/ modification e.g. "the ball will be placed at the 39 yardline 3rd down").
9. Communicator will log replay report information on SEC Replay Form (i.e. Teams, Qtr. Time, play reviewed, overturned or correct call, replay time).
10. During game stoppage for a review, the stadium video system may NOT show any replays of the play in question. Once the referee announces the outcome, ONE replay of the play may be shown.