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What A Football Official Does
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FOOTBALL OFFICIALS: WHO THEY ARE & WHAT THEY DO
With such a huge field of grass with twenty-two equipment-clad athletes running
around, a football official can only see a small area of the football
field at a time. That's why there are different kinds of football officials for
the best coverage possible.
The Officials
In the game of football, play is supervised by impartial officials. Although
they sometimes receive undue criticism, football officials are an integral part
of the sport. Without qualified officials, the game would be chaotic and less
fun for the players. Because they govern the rules of the sport, they are an
extension of the game itself, and therefore, should be respected for keeping the
game safe and fun to play for all parties involved.
Youth leagues and high schools use between two and five officials for football
games (professional and college football programs use seven): referee, umpire,
linesman, field judge, back judge, line judge, and side judge. Each set of
football officials must at least have a referee and an umpire, but most have a
linesman as well.
The two most important pieces of equipment for an official are a whistle and a
yellow penalty flag, which is weighted in the center by sand. Officials blow the
whistles or throw the flags to indicate that a rule has been broken.
Referee
The Football Referee has control over the entire football game. In addition to
supervising the other officials on the field, the Referee uses hand signals to
designate penalties, decides when a ball is in or out of play, and has the
primary responsibility of monitoring the offensive backfield (quarterback,
running backs, and blocking backs) including the snap and the hand-offs.
Roughing the passer, forward progress, and fumble versus incomplete pass are
three of the main calls that are made by the Referee. The Referee also monitors
the kicker during field goals and extra points to see if a foul was committed by
a defender during the play.
The Referee takes a position in the offensive backfield 10 to 12 yards behind
the line of scrimmage, favoring the right side if the quarterback is a
right-handed passer.
Umpire
The Football Umpire makes decisions on questions concerning the players'
equipment, their conduct, and their positioning. His main duties include
checking the offensive and defensive lines for any illegal blocking or tackling
or false-starts.
In addition, the Umpire watches the wide receivers and attempts to ensure they
are unimpeded in their routes. He also determines if the pass is caught or
trapped on incomplete passes.
Illegal player downfield, false-starts, and incomplete passes are some of the
most frequent calls an Umpire makes.
So as not to be confused with a Referee or other official, an Umpire wears a
white cap while the rest of the officials wear black caps with white piping.
The Umpire lines up approximately four to five yards downfield, varying position
from in front of the weak-side tackle to the strong-side guard.
Head Linesman
As the Head Linesman, this official's primary responsibility is ruling on
offside, encroachment, and actions pertaining to the line of scrimmage, prior to
or at the time of the snap.
The principle duty of the Linesman is to mark the position of the ball at the
end of each play. The Linesman has assistants who measure distances gained or
lost, using a device consisting of two vertical markers connected by a chain or
cord 10 yards long. Together with the Referee, the Linesman is responsible for
keeping track of the number of downs and is in charge of the mechanics of his
chain crew.
Linesman's secondary responsibility is to rule on any illegal action taken by
defenders on any delayed receiver moving downfield. He has full responsibility
for ruling on sideline plays on his side, e.g., pass receiver or runner in or
out of bounds.
In addition to assisting in the determination of a runner or receiver's forward
progress, the Linesman must be responsible for any and all activity in his side
of the field.
Some of the most frequently made calls for a Head Linesman are pass
interference, out of bounds, and illegal blocking downfield.
Line Judge
As the backup for the clock operator, the Line Judge keeps the time of the game.
As does the Head Linesman, the Line Judge is responsible for calling offside,
encroachment, and actions pertaining to the line of scrimmage, prior to or at
the time of the snap on his side of the field.
The Line Judge is to observe his receiver until he moves at least seven yards
downfield. He then moves toward the backfield side, being especially alert to
rule on any back in motion and on flight of ball when a pass is made (he must
rule whether forward or backward).
The Line Judge's primary responsibility is to rule whether or not the passer is
behind or beyond line of scrimmage when a pass is made. He assists in observing
actions by blockers and defenders on his side of the field. After a pass is
thrown, the Line Judge directs attention toward activities that occur in behind
the Umpire.
During punting situations, the Line Judge remains at the line of scrimmage to be
sure that only the end men move downfield until the kick has been made. He also
rules whether or not the kick crossed the line and then observes action by
members of the kicking team who are moving downfield to cover the kick.
The Line Judge also advises the Referee when time has expired at the end of each
period.
The Line Judge straddles the line of scrimmage on the side of the field opposite
the Linesman.
Back Judge
The Back Judge keys on the wide receiver on his side of the field. He focuses on
the path of running backs and receivers to observe the legality of their blocks
and action made by a defender against them.
He sometimes rules on holding or illegal use of hands by an end or back or on
illegal motions by a defensive back on them. The Back Judge makes decisions
involving catching, recovery, or illegal touching of a loose ball beyond line of
scrimmage. In addition, he rules on pass interference and assists in covering
the actions of the runner as well.
He calls clipping on punt returns, and, together with the Field Judge, rules on
success of attempted field goals and extra points.
The Back Judge operates on the same side of the field as the Line Judge, 20
yards deep.
Side Judge
Specifically, the Side Judge rules on all infractions made by players on his
side of the field relating to passing, catching, or kicking. He also keys on his
receivers and backs on his side of the field.
The Side Judge rules on legality of the path of ends and backs and the
defenders' actions against them. In addition, the Side Judge is in a position to
rule on holding or illegal use of hands by offensive or defensive backs.
The Side Judge rules on the same side as the Linesman, only 20 yards downfield.
Field Judge
The Field Judge keys on the tight end and observes the legality of his blocks.
In addition the Field Judge calls pass interference, fair catch infractions, and
clipping on kick returns; and, together with Back Judge, rules whether or not
field goals and conversions are successful.
The Field Judge takes a position 25 yards downfield. In general, he favors the
tight end's side of the field.
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