12. BACK JUDGE (CREW OF 5/6C)
12.1 – Free kicks
12.1.a –
Priorities
Prior to the kick:
-
Being aware of whether the Referee has instructed the crew to switch to
onside-kick positions, and moving position (if appropriate) if they
have.
-
Counting Team A players and signalling the count [one of Sup3, Sup4 or
Sup24] to colleagues. Noting count signals from colleagues.
Recounting if your count differs from that of colleagues.
-
Reminding the players to count their number if the team you are
responsible for counting does not have precisely 11 players on the
field.
-
Checking readiness for play:
-
Checking
side
areas to ensure that all non-players are out of the restricted
areas, that non-participants are off the field of play, and that all
team personnel are within the team area.
-
Ensuring that the chain crew
(and the alternate down box and line-to-gain marker operators, where
provided)
have moved themselves and their equipment well out of the way and that
the equipment has been placed on the ground outside the team areas and
behind the limit lines
at the receiving team's end of the field.
§
Checking that the ball persons are in position.
-
Ensuring
that all Team A players are within the nine-yard marks
prior to the kick
(Rule 6-1-2-c-5)
and that nobody other than the kicker is more than five
yards behind the ball.
-
Facing the field of play to signal that you are ready.
Turning away if something on your sideline becomes no longer clear or
you can see that a colleague is clearly not ready.
Sounding your whistle, if your area becomes dangerously unclear after
the ready for play.
-
Being alert always for short kicks.
During the kick play:
-
Observing whether a free kick goes out of bounds nearest
to
you
without being touched by the receiving team.
Ruling whether a Team B player near the sideline touches the ball while
out of bounds.
-
Watching players for a fair catch signal, and being prepared to rule on any
interference with the opportunity to catch the kick.
-
If you are on a restraining line and the kick is short:
-
Knowing where and by whom the ball was first touched.
-
Observing illegal blocks by Team A (Rule 6-1-12).
-
Marking any spot of illegal touching with a bean bag.
-
Marking the dead-ball spot if you are the nearest official and there is
little or no return run.
-
Giving the start the clock signal [S2] only if the ball is first legally
touched in the field of play in your area of responsibility.
-
Observing
fouls/violations
§
by all players generally in your area,
but particularly:
-
illegal touching of a short kick
-
infractions of your restraining line
-
kicking team players (other than the kicker) more than 5 yards behind
their restraining line after the ready for play
-
illegal blocks in the back
and holding fouls at the point of attack
-
illegal
blocks below the waist
×
-
contacting an opponent with the crown of the helmet or targeting a
defenseless opponent above the shoulders
-
safety-related fouls such as face masking, tripping,
chop blocks, illegal wedges or illegal blind-side blocks
-
late hits by any player after the ball is dead
-
any player of the kicking team who enters the field of play after the
kick or who voluntarily goes out of bounds during the kick
and returns inbounds
§
12.1.b –
Initial positioning
Normal kicks:
-
Be in position F (see 26.1) outside the press box sideline
on Team A's restraining line.
Onside-kicks:
-
Remain in the normal position.
Free kicks after a penalty or safety:
-
When a free kick is taken following a penalty or a safety, the same
relative positions should be taken, moving up or down the field as
appropriate.
12.1.c –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
Prior to the kick:
-
If anything happens that should prevent the kick taking place (e.g. a
non-player
enters or approaches the field of play), toot your whistle, give the
timeout signal [S3] and deal with the problem.
During any kick play:
-
If you see any player of the kicking team voluntarily go out of bounds
during the kick, drop your bean bag or hat to mark their exit, and your
flag if they
return.
-
If the clock should start when the ball is first legally touched in the
field of play, give the start
the
clock signal [S2] if you are the nearest official or the one with the
best view.
During a kick play that goes deep:
-
After the ball is kicked, observe the players in your area of
responsibility (see 26.1).
After checking its initial trajectory, do not watch the flight of
the ball.
Move
downfield along the sideline while the kick is in the air.
During the return, stay ahead of the ball carrier, keeping them bracketed
between you and the downfield
official.
On a long run, be at Team A's goal line before the ball carrier.
Mark the dead-ball spot if you are the nearest official when the ball
carrier is tackled or is out of bounds.
-
If the ball goes out of bounds in your area go to and hold the spot,
dropping your flag if appropriate.
×
During a kick play where the kick is short:
-
Maintain a position where you can see the ball and the blocks by Team A
players.
-
Particularly watch the blocks made by Team A players before they are
eligible to touch the ball
(Rule 6-1-12).
-
Know where and by whom the ball was first touched.
Mark any spot of illegal touching with your bean bag
(Rule 6-1-3).
-
If you are the nearest official when the ball becomes dead, signal
timeout [S3] and mark the dead-ball spot.
12.1.d –
Advanced techniques
-
If an expected onside kick is instead kicked deep, move into the field
of play.
You and the Umpire each take responsibility for half of the middle of
the field (Figure
26.1.E).
Leave
§
sideline responsibility in your area to the Line Judge.
12.2 – Basic scrimmage plays
12.2.a –
Priorities
-
Knowing the down and distance, and signalling the down to your colleagues.
Noting the down signals given by colleagues.
Checking that the down box displays the correct number.
Not allowing play to start if there is a dispute about the down number.
-
Counting Team B players and signalling the count [one of Sup3,
Sup4 or Sup24] to your colleagues.
Noting count signals from colleagues.
Recounting if your count differs from that of colleagues.
-
Identifying your key player(s)
(see section 16.4).
If the formation is new or unusual, verbally or visually confirming
this with the other officials.
-
Noting eligible receivers and those players who would normally be
eligible by position but who are ineligible by number.
In addition, noting players (usually
tight ends)
who would normally be eligible by number but who are not eligible because
a player is lined up outside them on the line of scrimmage.
-
Being aware of where the line to gain is in relation to the line of
scrimmage so that you don't have to look at the chain to know if the
dead-ball spot is close to the line to gain.
×
-
Observing substitution infractions by
both teams.
For example:
-
replaced players not leaving the huddle within 3 seconds of an incoming
substitute entering it
-
substitutes coming on to the field, communicating, and then leaving the
field
12.2.b –
Initial positioning
-
Normally be
15-20 yards or more
from the line of scrimmage, inside the hash marks
.
-
Be deep and clear of players, but able to see all receivers, especially
your key player.
-
Normally, you will be deeper than the deepest back, but be sure to keep
out of their way.
-
Favour
the strong side of the formation, or, if it is balanced, the side of
the player who is your key.
12.2.c –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Always be in position to cover play from the inside looking out.
-
Be aware of a backfield player
in motion at the snap.
Adjust your position if necessary to ensure that you always have them
in sight.
They
become
your responsibility after the snap
if they
cross
the neutral zone on a pass play or if they
block
outside
the tackle on a running play.
-
If there is a pre-snap foul, maintain a position where you can see all
players (especially on the fringes) who may commit a late hit.
12.2.d –
Advanced techniques
Reasons for varying (or not) your initial position:
-
On "take a knee" plays, come up into a double umpire
position.
Tell other officials that you are doing this.
Use your presence to deter unsportsmanlike acts.
-
On obvious "hail mary" plays, start deeper than normal and make
sure
you can get to Team B's
goal line or end line before any Team A player.
Signalling the player count:
-
The latest time to make the player count signal is when the offensive team
breaks its huddle (but it can and should be done earlier if possible).
-
Normally the player count signal is shared between the Linesman, Line
Judge and
the Back Judge.
12.3 – Running plays
12.3.a –
Priorities
-
Observing action ahead of the ball carrier.
-
Observing any fumble where you are the nearest official or have the best
view, and marking the spot with a bean bag if possible.
-
Ruling whether a touchdown is scored or not on a breakaway run.
-
Observing fouls by all players generally in your area, but particularly:
-
illegal block in the back
and holding fouls at the point of attack,
especially those made by your key player or any wide receiver, tight end,
lead back or pulling lineman
-
illegal block below the waist fouls by your key player and other players
in your area
-
contacting an opponent with the crown of the helmet or targeting a
defenseless opponent above the shoulders
-
safety-related fouls such as face masking, tripping,
chop blocks or illegal blind-side blocks
-
late hits by any player after the ball is dead
-
Getting to the goal line ahead of any ball carrier in order to be able to
rule on a touchdown.
12.3.b –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Move to observe actions by players behind the Umpire and ahead of the
ball carrier.
Your first step should normally
be backwards, even on a running play.
Don't move forwards until you know where the ball is likely
to become dead.
-
On line plunges up the middle, do not move too fast.
Let the play come to you.
-
When a running play develops toward a sideline, move
towards that sideline, keeping the ball carrier between you, the
sideline
official and the sideline.
Stay ahead of the play and keep out of the way of the safeties.
-
Observe action ahead of the ball carrier and point of attack.
There is no need to observe receivers ahead of the point of attack who
are not blocking.
§
-
On long runs, try to stay ahead of the ball carrier and keep them
boxed in between you and the
wing official.
Keep out of the players' way.
-
If you are the nearest official when the ball becomes dead, blow your
whistle and move to deal with the pile.
Only if the wing officials are delayed (or obviously missed a knee down
or similar event) do you need to mark the dead-ball spot.
-
Be on Team B's goal line before a touchdown is scored.
-
If you are not the nearest official to the dead-ball spot, nevertheless
move towards it and observe the continuing action after the ball
becomes dead.
On plays when the ball carrier goes near the sideline or out of bounds, cover
the area around them for extra-curricular activity.
If you are the second official to the area, go out of bounds after the
ball carrier and watch for and prevent fouls on them
(Mechanic
5.9).
-
Maintain a position where you can observe player activity in fringe areas,
particularly on wide-open plays.
12.3.c –
Advanced techniques
-
Don't blow your whistle when the ball carrier's back is toward you or you are
obscured by other players (or officials) - they may have fumbled the
ball without you seeing it.
See leather!
Be certain that the ball is dead.
-
If a pile-up of players forms, give the timeout signal [S3], converge
on the
pile, determine who has possession
(Mechanic
5.11)
and encourage players to unpile safely.
-
If you're not the nearest official to the dead-ball spot, observe for
late hits and other illegal acts.
It is particularly your responsibility to observe action close to the
wing officials as they are concentrating on the forward progress spot.
-
Because the Back Judge is not very often directly involved in running
plays, it is important to maintain concentration throughout the game.
You may be the only official to observe some action away from the ball
or behind another official's back.
12.4 – Pass plays
12.4.a –
Priorities
-
Ruling whether the pass is complete or incomplete.
While primarily this will be for passes to
the middle
of the field, in practice you may need to rule on any pass where the
receiver is facing or at right angles to you, regardless of their position.
Similarly, if the receiver has their back to you, you may need to defer
to another official with a better view than you.
-
Ruling on touchdowns on passes into the end zone.
-
Observing the initial contact by and against your key player(s).
-
Observing fouls by all players generally in your area, but particularly:
-
defensive and offensive pass interference
-
defensive holding and illegal use of hands against eligible receivers
-
illegal block below the waist fouls
by any motion man and all
players
in the middle of the field
-
illegal touching of a forward pass by a player who went out of bounds
voluntarily
(this may require consultation with a sideline colleague)
-
contacting an opponent with the crown of the helmet or targeting a
defenseless opponent above the shoulders
-
safety-related fouls such as face masking, tripping,
chop blocks or illegal blind-side blocks
-
late hits by any player after the ball is dead
-
Advising the Referee if the pass was thrown into an area not occupied by
an eligible
receiver.
-
Watching for players who go out of bounds beyond the end line.
Once the pass is complete, apply the same priorities as on a running
play (above).
12.4.b –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Your progression on a pass play is: (phase A) your key player; (phase B)
your zone; (phase C) the destination of the pass.
See also Chapter
16.
-
Backpedal to keep all receivers in front of you.
After the snap, your first step should normally be backwards (unless
you are on the goal line or end line).
Don't move forwards until you know where the ball is likely to become
dead.
Ensure that you can see blocking and contact by and against any eligible
receivers in the middle of the field.
Never get beaten deep.
-
On long pass receptions, be prepared to rule on the goal line and the
end line.
-
Only watch your key player during the initial action after the snap when
there is a threat of illegal contact between receiver and defender.
Switch
to zone coverage as soon as that threat no longer exists.
-
If receivers run routes into the end zone, move into position on the
end line.
-
If a potential
Team A receiver voluntarily goes out of bounds in your area, drop
your bean bag or hat to indicate this, and observe them to see whether
they
touch
a forward pass while still ineligible.
-
Once you are aware that the pass has been thrown, move into position
to best be able to rule on whether the pass is complete or incomplete,
and whether there is interference.
While the ball is in flight, watch opposing players who are contesting
for the ball, not the ball itself.
Be alert to both offensive and defensive pass interference.
-
If the player who attempts to catch the ball has their back to you,
before making the call look for help from any official in a better
position than you.
-
If you are not the nearest official,
don't just watch the receiver, but
particularly watch for defenders slightly away from the ball who come
in and target the receiver with the crown of their helmet or above
the shoulders.
This is
often
missed
by the nearest official.
-
If the pass is overthrown, bounces off a player or is otherwise
uncatchable, continue to watch the player(s) for personal fouls (hitting
a defenseless receiver).
Do not ball-watch.
-
Blow your whistle if you see the ball become dead in your area.
-
If you rule that the pass is incomplete,
give the incomplete pass signal [S10].
-
When contact that would have been pass interference occurs on a pass
that is uncatchable, give the uncatchable pass signal [S17].
-
After an incompletion,
ensure
that the thrown ball is removed from the field.
Repeat the incomplete pass signal [S10] to the Referee (and Umpire,
if necessary) in case they did not see the original signal.
-
If there is a run after the catch, respond
as you would on a running play (above).
-
On plays when the receiver goes near the sideline or out of bounds, cover
the area around them for extra-curricular activity.
If you are the second official to the area, go out of bounds after the
ball carrier and watch for and prevent fouls on them
(Mechanic
5.9).
-
Maintain a position where you can see player activity in fringe areas,
particularly on wide-open plays.
12.4.c –
Advanced techniques
-
When an airborne player attempts to catch a pass near the sideline or
end line, watch their feet first to see whether they
come
down in bounds.
If they
do,
then look to their hands to see whether they
have
control of the ball.
If you look at their hands first, you may miss the instant when their foot
touches the ground
(Mechanic
5.17.8).
-
If the pass is incomplete
in your area:
-
If there is no eligible receiver in the area,
move quickly towards the Referee to inform them of this.
If
the ball crossed the neutral zone, give signal [Sup42] by pointing to
the ground beyond the neutral zone.
If the ball did not cross the neutral zone, move towards the Referee
while pointing to the ground behind the neutral zone.
§
-
If there
is
a receiver in the area, and you believe the Referee may not be aware of
that fact, move towards the Referee while pointing towards the eligible
receiver.
Calling out "Number
34 was in the area of the pass" (for example) is also permissible.
-
[USING CREW RADIO]
Transmitting this information is also an option
@.
12.5 – Goal line plays
12.5.a –
Priorities
Same priorities as on other scrimmage plays, plus:
-
Ruling whether a touchdown is scored or not.
This includes all passes into the end zone,
and
running plays if the ball is snapped outside Team B's
7-yard
line.
-
Observing players' celebrations after a score.
12.5.b –
Initial positioning
-
[SNAP FROM BETWEEN TEAM B'S 15 AND 7-YARD LINES]
Start
in the end zone and move to cover the goal line, unless a
pass into the end zone is likely in which case move to cover the
end of the pass or whichever line (goal line or end line) it is near.
-
[SNAP FROM ON OR INSIDE TEAM B'S 7-YARD LINE]
Start on the end line.
12.5.c –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Move to observe all players in your area of responsibility.
If a pass is thrown into the end zone, move to the best position to rule
on the end of the pass.
If the pass is thrown into a
deep
corner of the end zone, this will normally
be somewhere
on the end line
between the hash marks
and the nine-yard marks.
-
Indicate a score by blowing your whistle and giving the touchdown signal
[S5] only
when you clearly see the ball break the plane of the goal line in player
possession or
if you see a pass completed in the end zone.
-
If a pile-up forms at the goal line, come into the field of play
until you can see the ball.
If you are the nearest official, you may need to dig for it.
Check with other officials that they did not see the ball carrier down (or
fumble the ball) before they reached the goal line.
-
Do not give a score signal if you have thrown a penalty flag for a foul
by the scoring team.
Do not blow your whistle or give any signal if you are not sure about
the outcome of the play.
-
If you have goal line responsibility, straddle the goal line - don't
run after the player into the end zone unless there is a threat of
trouble by or against them, but do turn to keep your eyes on them to
observe late hits or unsportsmanlike conduct.
-
If another official has sideline responsibility,
do not signal touchdown until you have confirmed with them that the ball
carrier was not out of bounds.
-
Maintain the touchdown
signal until you know the Referee has seen it, but keep your eyes on
the players
- don't look to the Referee until all action has ceased.
Don't run and signal at the same time.
You should not echo the signals of other officials unless the Referee
cannot see their signal.
-
It is especially important on goal line plays that all covering officials
indicate the same point of forward progress.
Communicate if in doubt.
Signal only if sure.
-
If the end of the play is not in your area of responsibility, move into
position to assist in the clean-up of continuing action around or away
from the ball.
12.6 – Returns
12.6.a –
Priorities
-
Observing the ball carrier and action around them while you are the nearest
official.
-
Observing any fumble where you are the nearest official or have the best
view, and marking the spot with a bean bag.
×
-
Observing blocks by players in your area of responsibility ahead of and
around the ball carrier, particularly:
-
illegal block in the back and holding fouls at the point of attack
-
illegal block below the waist fouls anywhere
-
safety-related fouls such as face masking, tripping,
chop blocks or illegal blind-side blocks
-
assisting the runner
§
-
contacting an opponent with the crown of the helmet or targeting a
defenseless
opponent above the shoulders
-
late hits by any player after the ball is dead
-
Observing any hand-off or pass where
you are the nearest official or have the best view, and marking the spot
with a bean bag.
-
Observing any
illegal
forward pass or forward handing, especially if you have a view that is
level or nearly level with the ball carrier.
12.6.b –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Keep out of the players' way.
-
Move
towards Team A's goal line
following
the play.
-
Observe the ball carrier while they
remain
in the middle of the field or until they
pass
the nearest wing official.
-
If you are watching a block develop, stay with it before switching to
the ball carrier or another block.
Even if you expect another official to take responsibility for it,
stay with the block until you are confident it is legal.
-
If the ball becomes dead in your area of responsibility, blow your
whistle, give the timeout signal [S3], and then signal first down [S8]
to show which team is in possession.
Hold the signal until you know the Referee has seen it.
-
If you are not the nearest official to the dead-ball spot, nevertheless
move towards it and observe the continuing action after the ball
becomes dead.
On plays when the ball carrier goes near the sideline or out of bounds, move
laterally to cover the area around them for extra-curricular activity.
If you are the second official to the area, go out of bounds after the
ball carrier and watch for and prevent fouls on them
(Mechanic
5.9).
12.7 – Punts
12.7.a –
Priorities
Before and during the kick, applying the same priorities as on basic
scrimmage plays (above), plus:
-
Marking the end of the kick (if inbounds) with a bean bag.
-
Ruling whether players touched the ball or not.
-
Observing any fair catch signals by players in your area.
-
Observing
kick-catch
interference against a player in position to catch
the kick, if the kick comes down in your area.
-
If the kick does not come down in your area, observing players who have
not
committed
kick-catch
interference because they were blocked by an opponent
into the returner.
-
Marking all spots of illegal touching with a bean bag.
-
Ruling whether a momentum exception applies or not near the goal line.
-
Observing fouls by all players generally in your area, but particularly:
-
illegal blocks
below the waist, especially by players
in the middle
of the field
-
during the kick, illegal block in the back
and holding fouls against Team A players trying to get down the field
-
a Team A player
returning inbounds after voluntarily going out of bounds during the down
(drop your bean bag or hat to mark their exit, and your flag if they
return)
-
kick catch interference when the kicked ball will land in your area
§
-
illegal blocks made by players who have signalled for a fair catch
-
contacting an opponent with the crown of the helmet or targeting a
defenseless opponent above the shoulders
-
safety-related fouls such as face masking, tripping,
chop blocks or illegal blind-side blocks
-
unnecessary roughness fouls away from the ball
-
late hits by any player after the ball is dead
-
Responding to bad snaps or blocked kicks by adopting run, pass or
return priorities, as appropriate.
During a punt return, applying the same priorities as on returns
(above).
12.7.b –
Initial positioning
-
Be behind and to the side of the deepest returner.
Behind so that you can look through them and see the ball kicked.
To the side so that you are out of their way, but still close
enough to observe whether they
touch
the ball or not, or whether any opponent interferes with their
opportunity to catch the kick.
About 5-8 yards behind and 5-8 yards to the side
is an appropriate distance, allowing for the speed of the returner and
weather conditions.
If there is more than one returner
deep, take position
where you can see all of them.
-
[SNAP FROM INSIDE TEAM B'S 40-YARD LINE OR THE PUNT RETURNER IS INSIDE TEAM B'S 10-YARD LINE]
Be in an initial position on the goal line in the middle of the field.
-
Be prepared to adjust your position according to the strength and
direction of the wind, and the ability of the kicker.
Move closer to the sideline where the wind is likely to carry the kicked
ball.
-
Have a bean bag readily available and a second one to hand.
-
The Back Judge will have responsibility for the end of the kick, unless
it ends very close to a sideline, in which case it is the responsibility
of the nearest sideline official.
12.7.c –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
When the ball is kicked, observe its initial trajectory, but
do not watch the flight of the ball.
Observe players in your area of responsibility (defined by the diagrams
in section 26.4) - their eyes will
tell you where the ball is going.
However, if the returner moves as a decoy, do not follow them - observe
the area where the ball will come down.
-
When it appears obvious that the kicked ball will
not
land in your area:
-
If the kick is short and to either sideline, the sideline official will
assume responsibility for the ball.
They will give the punch signal [Sup28] to indicate this.
-
Maintain a position where you can cover action
in front of and around the returner.
If you are the nearest official
other than
the official covering the punt returner, move to where you can observe
players blocking in the vicinity of any returner who is in position to
catch the kick.
In particular, observe those
blocked by an opponent
into interfering and therefore immune to penalty (Rule 6-4-1-d).
-
If a player in your area signals for a fair catch, watch that they
do
not block before they
touch
the ball
(Rule 6-5-4).
-
Do not hesitate to call a foul if you clearly see one occur in the area
where you are the cleanup official
even though you may be a considerable
distance away from the action.
Communicate with your colleagues to find out their view of the action.
-
When it appears obvious that the kicked ball
will
land in your area:
-
Move into position wide of
(at least 10 yards unless they
are
near the sideline)
and
behind the returner
aiming to be at a 45 degree angle
to rule on the validity of the catch.
-
If the kick is first muffed (but not possessed) by a member of
Team B
beyond the neutral zone, you may give the
ball touched
signal [S11] to signify
that Team A is now eligible to touch it.
-
Use bean bags to mark any spots of illegal touching and/or the spot
where the kick ends.
Only one official, the Coverer
in each case, should mark each spot and give each signal.
If you have more
spots than bean bags,
prioritise the spot
most advantageous to Team B.
-
If the ball becomes dead because it is caught or recovered by Team B
after a fair catch signal, or caught or recovered by
Team A after being touched by Team B,
§
blow your whistle and give the timeout signal [S3].
Give the first down signal [S8] in the appropriate direction.
§
-
If the ball is not caught and goes deeper than the returner,
follow the ball and be prepared to rule on its status.
Stay far enough away from it that there is no danger of it touching you.
-
If the ball approaches the goal line, be on the goal line to rule on
whether it enters the end zone.
Other officials will cover the players.
-
If the ball does enter the end zone (untouched by Team B
beyond the neutral zone)
and touches the ground
or is downed by Team B in the end zone, blow your whistle and signal
touchback [S7], repeating the signal until you know the Referee has
seen it.
-
If the kick is recovered by Team A
without it being touched by Team B,
§
blow your whistle, signal timeout [S3] and give the illegal touching
signal [S16] and the first down signal [S8].
Momentary touching of the ball by a player of the kicking team should
not be interpreted as control of the ball.
-
If the ball rolls to a stop in your area, ensure no player is attempting
to recover it before blowing your whistle and signalling timeout [S3].
During
the punt return,
respond as in the section "Returns" (above).
12.7.d –
Advanced techniques
-
If Team B does not line up in a punt return formation (i.e. no deep
returner), adopt your normal scrimmage down position.
This is justified because if Team A does kick the ball deep, there will
be no players there for you to have to cover.
If the ball is kicked deep, adjust your position accordingly,
but only the nearest official to the ball should need to observe it.
The other officials should observe the players.
-
Be alert for cases where the kick is blocked or where there is a bad
snap.
This also applies if Team A switches to a run or pass formation.
-
If the play turns into a run or pass, respond
as you would do normally for that type of play.
-
Cover the goal line and end line as appropriate.
-
Be aware of the jersey numbers of the eligible receivers.
12.8 – Field goal & try attempts
12.8.a –
Priorities
Before and during the kick, applying the same priorities as on basic
scrimmage plays (above), plus:
-
Ruling the success or failure of the field goal attempt.
You share this responsibility with
[IN 3x1 FORMATION (CREW OF 6C)]
the Centre Judge
[IN 2x1 FORMATION (CREW OF 5)]
the Line Judge
(unless they
remain
in the offensive backfield or
on the line of scrimmage,
in which case you have sole responsibility).
-
Observing illegal touching or batting of the ball.
-
Observing players' celebrations after a score.
-
Noting the numbers of players in eligible receiver positions
and observing whether anyone else is the first to touch the ball or is
ineligibly downfield if the play develops into a
pass
play.
-
Responding to bad snaps or blocked kicks by adopting run, pass or
return priorities, as appropriate.
During a field goal return,
applying the same priorities as on returns (above).
12.8.b –
Initial positioning
-
Be in position about one yard behind the goal post furthest from the
press box.
You are responsible for ruling whether the ball passes inside your
upright.
In addition you are responsible for ruling whether the ball passes
above the crossbar.
[IN 3x1 FORMATION (CREW OF 6C)]
The Centre Judge has responsibility for the other upright.
[IN 2x1 FORMATION (CREW OF 5)]
The Line Judge has responsibility for the other upright.
12.8.c –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
Observe the ball from kick to when it becomes obvious whether the
attempt will be successful or not.
-
If you consider the kick to be successful, communicate ("good", nod)
with your colleague
(if you have one)
behind the posts
and together come out between the uprights (approximately one yard into
the end zone) giving the score signal [S5] as you come to a stop.
-
If you consider the kick to have failed, give the no score signal [S10].
If the kick is wide to your side, you may also give
the kick wide signal [Sup15].
Do
not
signal a touchback.
-
Hold either signal for at least five seconds and until you know the
Referee has seen it.
-
Blow your whistle when the result of the kick is obvious.
There is no need to wait until the ball touches the ground (or something
else) provided it is clear what the result of the kick is/will be.
-
If the kick is short or blocked and the ball is possessed by Team B,
move into position to officiate the kick play as a punt.
12.8.d –
Advanced techniques
-
On long field goal attempts (i.e. if the ball is snapped from outside
Team B's 20-yard line), it is permissible for only the Back Judge to
go behind the goal posts and for the
Line Judge (and Centre Judge) to initially be in their
normal position.
This is known as the "One Judge" mechanic.
If so, be 3-5 yards behind the goal posts, in a position where you can
comfortably see both goal posts without straining your neck.
-
Be alert for cases where the kick is blocked or where there is a bad snap.
This also applies if Team A
switches
to a run or pass formation.
-
Stay in position as long as there is the possibility of a drop kick
attempt.
If a run or pass develops, read the play and respond
as appropriate.
-
On an obvious running play or
pass
play short of the goal line,
you may need to come infield and cover the goal line.
-
Stay on the end line if a pass into the end zone is possible.
-
Be aware of the jersey numbers of the eligible receivers.
12.9 – After each down
12.9.a –
Priorities
-
Observing dead-ball action by players of both teams.
-
Encouraging the players to unpile safely, and either return the ball to an
official or leave it near the dead-ball spot, as appropriate.
-
Checking whether the line to gain has been reached or is close, and
signalling appropriately.
-
Checking whether any penalty flags have been thrown, and, if so:
-
Giving the timeout signal [S3].
-
Reporting any fouls you have called to the Referee and Umpire.
-
Covering penalty flags (and bean bags, if appropriate) thrown by
colleagues.
-
Ensuring that all penalties are enforced correctly.
-
Checking for injured players or other occurrences
that may delay play.
-
[ON-FIELD PLAY CLOCK OPERATOR]
Starting the play clock when necessary, giving a 10-second warning, and
throwing a delay of game flag if the clock reaches 0 before the ball is
put in play.
-
Allowing legitimate
requests for timeouts.
Checking that a request coming from the coaching box or team area was
made by the Head Coach.
-
Echoing all
timeout signals [S3] of your colleagues.
-
Assisting in relaying the dead
ball or a new ball to the succeeding spot.
-
If you are not covering the play, assisting in maintaining order on the
field by moving towards
where the play ended.
12.9.b –
Response to what happens (movement and signals)
-
If you are the Coverer,
check whether the line to gain has been reached.
-
If it has, give the timeout signal [S3].
After all action has ceased,
signal first down [S8 or Sup35]
.
Hold the signal until
you know the Referee is aware of it.
-
If you are not sure whether the line to gain has been reached or not,
signal timeout [S3] and yell "close".
Encourage the Referee to come and look for
themself.
-
Only place a ball on the ground at the
actual
dead-ball spot - never at a spot level with it.
-
If the play ended inbounds, inform the Referee that the clock should
start on the ready by giving them the clock running signal [Sup12].
-
×
If you are the Coverer, signal that the ball is dead.
This will be using the dead-ball signal [S7] unless the
timeout signal
[S3], touchdown/field-goal signal [S5], safety signal [S6],
wind the clock signal [S2]
or incomplete pass/unsuccessful
field-goal signal [S10] is appropriate instead.
Give only
one
signal.
-
If a penalty flag has been thrown, follow the procedure
in chapter 19.
If a team or injury timeout has been called, follow the procedure in
chapter 17.
If a period has ended, follow the procedure in chapter 20.
-
[ON-FIELD PLAY CLOCK OPERATOR]
If a 40-second clock should start by rule:
-
If there is a stadium play clock, check that it started shortly after
the end of the play.
-
If there is no stadium play clock, start a 40-second count shortly after
the end of the play.
Relaying the ball:
-
If you have the ball, but another official has the dead-ball spot and
it is close to the line to gain, hand the ball to that official and
allow them to spot it at the precise location (yard line
and
lateral position) where the ball became dead.
-
Unless you are the Coverer,
assist in relaying a ball to the official who will place it at the
succeeding spot
(Mechanic
5.8).
-
If a ball has been placed at the dead-ball spot in a side zone, and
another ball is being relayed in to the succeeding spot, do not move the
ball at the dead-ball spot until the replacement ball has been positioned
at the correct location on the inbounds line.
Getting ready for the next down:
-
Move into position for the next down.
If the
ball is ready for play (or will be imminently),
backpedal to keep your eyes on the ball.
Do not take your eyes off it for long
in case the play starts while you are not
looking.
-
If the ball is not ready for play 20 seconds into the play count
(Rule 3-2-4-b-3),
signal to the Referee [Sup29] that the play clock should be reset
to 25 seconds.
-
If there is no visible play clock,
when approximately 10 seconds remain on the play clock, raise a hand
high in the air [signal S7] until either the ball is snapped or a delay
of game flag is thrown.
Do not give any additional signal (e.g. a countdown).
-
When the play clock reaches 0, look at the snapper.
If the ball is already moving, there is no foul.
Otherwise, blow your whistle and throw your flag for delay of game.
§
12.9.c –
Advanced techniques
-
The priority at the end of a play is to get into position ready for the
next one.
Only if a serious incident occurs (such as a foul or misconduct, an
injury, or a breakage of the chain) should your routine be interrupted.
-
If Team A makes substitutions
while the snapper is at, near or moving towards
their
position at the line of scrimmage:
-
Any official should be prepared to step in and shut down a play that
violates the substitution rule.
-
Give the matching substitutes signal [Sup36] to
the Referee and shout "subs on".
-
Hold the
signal
until
the Referee has taken control of the process.
-
If you want to speak to a player on the field (e.g. to warn
them
that
they are
close to fouling), it often saves time to relay the message via
the Referee
or Centre Judge
§
(for a Team A
player).
Don't delay the game unnecessarily by entering either team's huddle,
unless a timeout is still in progress.
Never attempt to speak to a player during a hurry-up or no-huddle
offense.
§
-
Maintain your concentration, and think about the next play.
Next chapter (wing67)
Back to index
Editor: Jim Briggs, Editor, IAFOA Manual of Football Officiating
jim.briggs@acm.org
Generated: 5/3/2023, 1800