REFEREE
As the Game Administrator,
you must have the crew ready to work the game. A solid
pre-game conference is essential to a smooth flow of
the game. It is essential that the crew have confidence
in you and you have confidence in the crew. Go over
the basics, basics and more basics. Ninety-nine per-cent
of what will happen on the field today will be just
that - BASIC. As the season progresses you can cover
additional items that might have occurred the previous
week either with your crew or with someone else’s
crew.
Leadership
and control are critical to the successful administration
of the game. This begins when you and the umpire visit
with the opposing coaches before the game. Some coaches
may ask you about a specific situation with regard
to this game or will question something that happened
to them last week. Answer the question that pertains
to this game. If you were not officiating for that
coach the previous week politely tell him that you
had no knowledge of what happened and it would be
unfair to comment unless you observed the specific
play in question.
Once
on the field remember one thing – "No one
has a better job on this particular day then you –and-
the crew that will be working this game with you today."
Enjoy the next 2.0 to 2.5 hours.
Scrimmage
Plays
Make sure your initial position is 12-14 yards deep,
deeper than the deepest back and on the QB’s
throwing arm. Be on the outside shoulder of and as
much as one yard wider than the tackle position on
your side. This position should allow you an excellent
peripheral view of the action.
Count
the offensive formation and count the offensive players.
Using
a demonstrative signal, blow your whistle forcefully
and declare the ball ready for play while standing
still in the vicinity of the ball. Kill plays that
end deep in the offensive backfield. Look to your
wingmen to assist you with forward progress on sacks.
Kicks
Protect
the kicker (and holder) on all scrimmage kick plays.
The HL and LJ will assist with their respective duties
if a kick is blocked and doesn’t cross the LOS.
Punts
Stand on the kicking foot side, 5-6 yards in
front and 7-8 yards wide or wider than tight end.
This position will give you a good look at the infraction
if there is one. Once the ball is kicked watch flight
of kick if kicked toward sideline. Be ready to line
up covering official to OOB spot. Move slowly downfield
watching for illegal action.
Field
Goal & Try Plays
Position yourself on a 45 degree at least 5-6
yards to the side of the potential kicker facing the
holder (or wider then the widest offensive player
on you side).
Runs
Between the ends, be aware of blocking at the
POA and officiate around the area of the ball carrier.
You are responsible for the tackle on your side immediately
following the snap. Be the opposite bookend of the
umpire. Keep the play boxed in between the U and you.
The HL and LJ will kill most runs and give forward
progress. Assist in ball retrieval and spotting as
required. On wide runs, move toward the side zone
behind the action, continuing to observe action around
the ball carrier and be ready to assist if any OOB
activity occurs.
Passes
The QB is your #1 priority, and must be protected
from all illegal actions by defensive players. Stay
with him as long as he is in any danger. Do not allow
the defender more than one step after the QB releases
the ball prior to the defender contacting the QB.
Back pedal at an angle-not-straight back. While you
are primarily responsible for the offensive tackle
on your side, you may also help with the opposite
side tackle. On both running and passing plays, look
for fouls that have a large effect on the play, (e.g.,
the little pull that makes the play, the takedown
or pull back (snatch) by the blocker for the QB).
Officiate by the feet; if the defender is still able
to move (he still has his feet) it is not a foul.
Do not call the "rip" effect which causes
the blockers arm to go around the defenders neck-does
the defender still have his feet?
Penalty
Enforcement
Give preliminary signal to press box on fouls as soon
as it is reported. DO NOT LET ANY PLAYER DISTRACT
YOU WHILE YOU ARE DOING THIS. Do not move any distance
before doing this, but step out in the open and give
it. Maintain a stationary base, be firm on signals-no
loose signals. Gather information and direct U to
proceed with enforcement once option is obvious or
after consulting with offended team. If there is a
disagreement or uncertainty on a call or penalty enforcement,
do not hesitate to conference with specific officials
involved in the call. It is not how we look that is
important; it is of utmost importance to GET THE CALL
RIGHT.
UMPIRE
As the Referee is the Game Administrator, you
are in control of the lion’s den. You live in
the hub of all scrimmage action and everything revolves
around you. Your judgement regarding blocking/holding
has a major impact on every game. Always take the lead
position in crew discussions regarding these areas,
sharing philosophy thus contributing to the consistency
we all strive for. Free
Kicks
Position yourself on the 30 yard line, in the
case of a penalty then adjust accordingly, and watch
for a free kick out of bounds, the first touching
of the kick by the receivers and then staring the
clock, any illegal blockes by the offense. Also be
alert for any illegal blockes below the waist by the
kickers (wedge busters). When the runner is in your
zone watch for any illegal acts and spot forward progress.
If the ball is on the other side watch for illegal
acts away from the ball.
Scrimmage
Plays
Observation of blockers on both runs and passes
is your #1 priority. While your position will vary
according to formations you should avoid a position
that will interfere with linebackers. Don’t
worry about blowing your whistle as the HL and LJ
will kill the majority of runs in the vicinity of
the LOS and also establish the point of progress.
Count offensive team players.
Runs
Between the ends, the POA is your main focus,
not the ball carrier. Continue to officiate that area
throughout the play. The R will be your opposite bookend,
observing the POA from the other side. The majority
of ball retrieval and spotting is your responsibility.
On wide runs, move toward the side zone and observe
action around the ball carrier. Be ready to assist
if any OOB activity occurs.
Passes
Move towards LOS, staying behind the defensive linemen,
and observe the actions of the interior linemen, offense
and defense. Spin quickly to assist on low trajectory
passes. If you do not know whether the pass is incomplete,
hold your position. If complete, move toward dead
ball spot; if incomplete, signal incomplete quickly.
You are responsible for holding by the center and
both guards. On passing and kicking plays, be alert
for defensive player pulling offensive lineman and
shooting that gap by another defender.
Penalty
Enforcement
Be sure you completely understand what was reported.
Repeat the enforcement option to the Referee. Line
yourself up the LJ at the enforcement spot and then
walk off the yardage. Communicate with the HL verbally
the yardage to be assessed when you are at the enforcement
spot. Make sure the HL is standing at succeeding spot
confirming the proper walk-off before you spot the
ball.
HEAD
LINESMAN & LINE JUDGE
You are primarily responsible for dealing
with the coaching staffs on your side of the field.
During the game the action can get quite heated and
it is important that you maintain a professional approach.
Remember the game is emotional and you are there to
arbitrate and not to root for or root against. Let
the coach have his say and NEVER meet emotion with
emotion.
Free
Kicks
HL assumes your basic position on kick off. Of
the five receiving team players on team B’s
restraining line (#1 closest to HL) you are responsible
for illegal action by #1. Observe any player who is
OOB before or during the kick.
LJ
assume your basic position on kick off. Of the five
receiving team players on team B’s restraining
line (#1 closest to HL) you are responsible for illegal
action by #4 and #5. Observe any player who is OOB
before or during the kick.
Scrimmage Plays
Read
the offensive formation and know your keys. Look for
multiple things as each play develops. Communicate
with one another visually the down before each play.
LJ know the approximate distance to go before each
play. Indicate the offensive LOS by extended foot,
and then take final position straddling the neutral
zone, on the sideline.
Concentrate
on the ball and the offensive linemen between you
and the ball. See the ball snapped. Cover man in motion
going away from you for illegal motion. He remains
your responsibility even though he changes direction
(does not relieve opposite official from making obvious
call).
Runs
Your
are responsible for your half of the field. Take the
runner as far as possible then release to respective
downfield official.
Give
forward progress with sharp 90-degree turns. Assist
R with forward progress on sacks behind LOS. Ask for
the ball and place at your feet on plays when a measurement
may be required. Under no circumstances should the
ball be marked without your progress spot!
Keep
the whistle out of your mouth. Don’t anticipate.
If you don’t see the ball in player possession
don’t blow your whistle.
If
the ball goes OOB, stop at the OOB and observe any
OOB action. Your respective downfield official should
be moving in to clean up and clear out the OOB players.
The R should also be helping with this action.
Observe
action away from you and behind the R & U. Move
downfield so that you are at the approximate dead
ball spot on your side of the field. This spot should
only be utilized in the event the opposite official
is temporally out of position and did not have the
spot.
Pass Plays
Observe
action of the nearest ineligible lineman and pass
protection until the ball is thrown or until your
eligible receiver is a possible pass receiver.
Surrender
the call to the official facing the receiver. Be in
position to determine whether a quick pass or pitchout
thrown toward you is forward or backward.
Punt Plays
HL
will hold position until the ball crosses the neutral
zone. Assist R in knowing if kick if tipped by a blocker.
Move downfield slowly observing wide areas and multiple
players in front of the SJ.
LJ
will hold position until the ball crosses the neutral
zone. Move downfield slowly observing wide areas and
multiple players in front of the FJ.
Be
aware of players going OOB and returning.
Field Goal & Try Plays
After
ball has crossed LOS move in to clean up and clear
out players.
Penalty
Enforcement
Obtain
all details of the foul before you approach the Head
Coach on your side. Communicate to the Head Coach
the foul and other pertinent information in a slow,
concise and professional manner. Be sure to answer
any questions he has if you know the answer to them.
If you do not tell him you will get back to him.
LJ
be at the proper enforcement spot to line up the U.
HL
communicates with the U verbally the yardage to be
assessed and proceed to the succeeding spot. Make
sure the U is standing at the proper spot before he
spots the ball.
BACK
JUDGE
Free
Kicks
Take
appropriate position. BJ will watch for clips and
blocks below waist away from ball carrier.
Deep
Pass Plays and Long Runs
Observe
contact on your eligible receiver and the defensive
back. BJ/HL & BJ/LJ should box all calls between
them.
BJ
should not pass on sideline call because HL or LJ
is closer. Many times you will have a better look
at it and if the foul is there you are expected to
throw the flag.
BJ
don’t be a toadstool. Move toward the HL or
LJ as required when the ball is in the air, or the
runner is in the area. If the play ends OOB, move
closer to the sideline and observe dead ball activity.
Do
not run to ball carrier. Keep all players in front
of you and be no closer then 10 yards to HL or LJ.
Under no circumstances should you turn your back on
the play to obtain a new ball until all activity ceases.
When
the ball is dead BJ will assist in backdooring ball
to U.
Short Passes and Short Runs Beyond LOS
Always
be ready to rule on complete/incomplete as will HL
& LJ. The U will spin quickly and assist on traps.
Always give call to the official looking into the
play. When play starts in the red zone HL-LJ-BJ should
be alert for pick plays and make the call if it is
there! HL & LJ will establish progress point in
most cases.
Be
aware of blocking action in front of the runner. If
HL or LJ are covering OOB spot R or BJ will clean
up OOB action. If R or BJ are covering OOB spot HL
or LJ will clean up OOB action. HL & LJ will establish
progress point in most cases.
Punt Plays
Take
basic position on your sideline 5 yards in front of
deepest receiver. Have bean bag in your hand to mark
spot if ball is illegally touched in your area or
the ball goes OOB on your sideline.
Be
alert for muffs and fumbles.
After
play becomes dead appropriate official will result
of play (i.e., illegal touch and signal direction,
direction, etc.). This will alert all others and give
R chance to digest play.
Out of Bounds Plays
BJ
will go OOB with players to clean up and clear out
(keep eyes wandering looking for illegal action).
Off official (U) will rotate toward hash mark to back
up BJ.
Penalty
Enforcement
HL,
LJ & BJ will assist in getting ball to dead ball
spot when foul is called by another official. Cover
and hold dead ball spot, if appropriate. Cover and
hold flag(s), if appropriate. If spots and flag(s)
are covered observes players and assist where needed.
GENERAL
Do
not converse with crowds at any time before, during
or after game intermissions.
Be
in top physical condition. The players work hard,
the coaches work hard and they deserve our best.
Don’t
be over officious. Fans come to watch the players
play and not to see officials officiate!
Don’t’
ever criticize or attempt to explain another official’s
judgement on decisions to a coach, team or fans. Never
argue with players. If a player asks a question, give
him the courtesy of listening to it, then give a definite
and decisive answer. Never quibble about any situation.
Do
not discuss with any coach the play or players of
his opponents in a game which you will officiate or
are officiating.
If
a ruling is puzzling, relay an explanation to the
press box.
Assist
players in the interpretations of rules when such
request is made at the proper time.
Wear
your best and look best at every game.
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