SITUATION PRIOR TO FREE KICK PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Lineup on goal line Clear sideline Clear sideline Clear sideline Clear sideline Position: 10 ydl Position: 10 ydl Position: R s Position: K s pressbox side opposite PB restraining line pbs restraining line pbs 2. Count Team R Arm to U and Linesman Count Team R Arm to R & indicate readiness Count Team R Arm to R & indicate readiness Count Team K Arm to BJ and FJ & indicate readiness Count Team K Arm to LJ and BJ & indicate readiness SIDE Clear sideline Position: R s restraining line opb Count Team K Arm to BJ and LJ & indicate readiness Clear sideline Position:K s restraining line opb Count Team K Arm to FJ and SJ & indicate readiness 3. Check ready from U & L, give RFP 9 yd marks, know your keys 9 yd marks, know your keys 9 yd marks, know your keys 9 yd marks, know your keys 9 yd marks, know your keys 9 yd marks, know your keys 4. Wind clock when kick is legally touched in FOP Wind clock if kick is legally touched in your area Wind clock if kick is legally touched in your area Think Fair Catch, Short kicks-bean Bag if touched by K Move into hash on deep kick Think Fair Catch, Short kicks-bean Bag if touched by K Protect the kicker/holder, move into hash on deep kick 5. Whistle play dead if kick breaks the plane of goal line Fair Catch, illegal blocks, clips Fair Catch, illegal blocks, clips Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot Think Fair Catch, Short kicks-bean Bag if touched by K Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot Think Fair Catch, Short kicks-bean Bag if touched by K 6. Fumble, Backward/Forward ball exchange Take the runner if he enters your area of responsibility Take the runner if he enters your area of responsibility Fumble, Backward/Forward exchange Pooch kick must ground or touched by R, for K to legally touch Fumble, Backward/Forward exchange Pooch kick must ground or touched by R, for K to legally touch
SITUATION PRIOR TO FREE KICK CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Fair catch, illegal blocks, clips 8. Clean up if ball is kicked away from you Clean up if ball is kicked away from you Anticipated short kick: Position R s 30 ydl Clean up if ball is kicked away from you Anticipated short kick: Position R s 30 ydl Sideline responsibility from 40 ydl to goal line Clean up if ball is kicked away from you Wind clock if kick is legally touched up front Stay on side if K s kick is short SIDE Sideline responsibility from 40 ydl to goal line Clean up if ball is kicked away from you Wind clock if kick is legally touched up front Stay on side if K s kick is short 9. Game Clock, Stoppage Game Clock, Stoppage Game Clock, Stoppage Game Clock, Stoppage Goal line is your responsibility, don t get beat Game Clock, Stoppage Goal line is your responsibility don t get beat 10. DEAD BALL DEAD BALL DEAD BALL DEAD BALL Game Clock, Stoppage DEAD BALL Game Clock, Stoppage 11. DEAD BALL DEAD BALL
SITUATION FREE KICK PLAY PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Wind clock when Position: 10 ydl Position: 10 ydl Position: R s Position: K s ball is legally press box side, opposite PB restraining line pbs restraining line pbs touched in FOP clear sideline clear sideline clear sideline clear sideline 2. Adjust position to observe ball & deep receivers Watch your keys Watch your keys Watch your keys, move with 1 st wave 10-15 yds, pick up action at POA Move slowly downfield, on LJ hash, 10-15 yds working inside out SIDE Position: R s restraining line opb clear sideline Watch your keys, move with 1 st wave 10-15 yds, pick up action at POA Position:K s restraining line opb clear sideline Legality of tee, legality of kick, protect kicker & holder 3. FC, kick breaking plane of EZ, TB if ball breaks plane Wind clock when ball is legally touched in your area Wind clock when ball is legally touched in your area Think short kick, Fair Catch, bean bag 1 st touching, kick OB untouched by R, Watch your keys Think short kick, Fair Catch, bean bag 1 st touching, kick OB untouched by R, Move slowly downfield, on L hash, 10-15 yds working inside out 4. Deep kick responsibility number to number Observe action around ball Observe action around ball Observe action around ball, move onto field if ball away from you Think short kick, Fair Catch, bean bag 1 st touching, kick OB untouched by R, Observe action around ball, move onto field if ball away from you Watch your keys 5. Fumble, backward/forward ball exchange Take ball if it is in your area, hash to your sideline Take ball if it is in your area, hash to your sideline Ball responsibility in your area Observe action around ball Ball responsibility in your area Think short kick, Fair Catch, bean bag 1 st touching, kick OB untouched by R, 6. Observe action around ball Long return - dead ball spot to K s 2 ydl. Long return - dead ball spot to K s 2 ydl. Long return - sideline responsibility to K s goal line Long return - Goal line coverage, do not get beat Long return - sideline responsibility to K s goal line Observe action around ball
SITUATION FREE KICK PLAY CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Clean up if ball is See ball prior to outside your area whistle 8. See ball prior to whistle Reposition on anticipated short kicks Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot Reposition on anticipated short kicks Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot See ball prior to whistle Stop Game Clock SIDE Kick OOB untouched by R, flag the spot See ball prior to whistle Long return - Goal line coverage See ball prior to whistle 9. Stop Game Clock See ball prior to whistle See ball prior to whistle Stop Game Clock DEAD BALL Stop Game Clock Stop Game Clock 10. DEAD BALL Stop Game Clock Stop Game Clock DEAD BALL DEAD BALL DEAD BALL 11. DEAD BALL DEAD BALL
SITUATION SHORT FREE KICK (During and prior to) PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE 1. Alignment: 5 yds Clear Sideline Clear Sideline Clear Sideline Clear Sideline Clear Sideline Clear Sideline deeper than deepest receiver 2. Count R, Think Fair Catch, TB, officials & players ready, give RFP Alignment: R s 30 ydl press box side Alignment: R s 30 ydl opposite press box Position: R s restraining line pbs, bean bag in hand Position: K s restraining line pbs, bean bag in hand Position: R s restraining line opb, bean bag in hand Position:K s restraining line opb, bean bag in hand, protect kicker 3. Wind clock when ball is legally touched Count R, Think Fair Catch, TB, officials & players ready Count R, Think Fair Catch, TB, officials & players ready Count K, Think Fair Catch, 1 st touching, illegal block Count K, Think Fair Catch, 1 st touching, illegal block Count K, Think Fair Catch, 1 st touching, illegal block Count K, Think Fair Catch, 1 st touching, illegal block 4. Be ready to retreat on ball kicked deep Be ready to retreat on ball kicked deep Be ready to retreat on ball kicked deep Encroachment (Plane), be vigilant ball must be kicked before any one breaks plane Encroachment (Plane), be vigilant ball must be kicked before any one breaks plane Encroachment (Plane), be vigilant ball must be kicked before any one breaks plane Encroachment (Plane) observe if kicked ball 1 st strikes ground 5. Be ready to move up and rule on short kick OB &, possible foul OB &, possible foul Bean bag 1 st touching on yardline Stay outside, do not go to hash Bean bag 1 st touching on yardline Stay outside, do not go to hash 6. Clean Up Clean Up Clean Up Be ready to retreat on ball kicked deep Bean bag 1 st touching on yardline Be ready to retreat on ball kicked deep Bean bag 1 st touching on yardline
SITUATION SHORT FREE KICK (During and prior to) CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Stop Clock Stop Clock Stop Clock Wind clock when ball is legally touched Wind clock when ball is legally touched SIDE Wind clock when ball is legally touched Wind clock when ball is legally touched 8. Dead Ball Awareness Dead Ball Awareness Dead Ball Awareness Be ready to rule on possession-give direction & TO Be ready to rule on possession-give direction & TO Be ready to rule on possession-give direction & TO Be ready to rule on possession-give direction & TO 9. OB &, possible foul OB &, possible foul OB &, possible foul OB &, possible foul 10. Clean Up Clean Up Clean Up Clean Up 11. Stop Clock Stop Clock Stop Clock Stop Clock 12. Dead Ball Awareness Dead Ball Awareness Dead Ball Awareness Dead Ball Awareness
SITUATION TEAM IS IN HUDDLE PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Count offense Down Distance- Down Distance- Count defense Down Distance give Yards Yards give 2. Count offense give Down-Distance Yards Aware of substitutions in and out Aware of substitutions in and out Down-distance- situation- SIDE Game Clock Count defense give Play Clock-visible at 5 sec mark Count defense give 3. Down-distancesituation- listen for play in huddle Note ball placement and field positions Down box & chains Check uniforms & equipment Be aware of hurryup, substitutions & lingering Down-distance- situation- Down-distance- situation- 4. Look for illegal equipment Position: 7 yds Max from LOS Players inside 9 yd marks or numbers clocks Be aware of hurryup, substitutions & lingering Be aware of hurry-up, substitutions & lingering 5. Check down box Check uniforms and equipment Clear sideline area/restricted area Players inside 9 yd marks or numbers Clear sideline area/restricted area Clear sideline area/restricted area Dead Ball Official 6. Check for substitutions Scrimmage kick formation/ when appropriate Dead Ball Official Clear sideline area/restricted area Dead Ball Official Dead Ball Official
SITUATION TEAM IS IN HUDDLE CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Dead Ball Official Dead Ball Official Dead Ball Official SIDE 8. Play and Game
SITUATION TEAM AT LOS- PRIOR TO SNAP PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Count offense- Know your key & Know your key & Count defense & give number number 2. Count offensegive 50-79 numbers Count 7 on line & Count 7 on line & Know your key & number SIDE Game clock Count defense & Play clock/visible at 5 second mark Count defense & 3. Think-False start, illegal shifts, QB headbob False start- Center/2 guards-2 or 3 point stance, fouls POA Check formation legality & identify eligible receivers Check formation legality & identify eligible receivers Think substitutions, 3- second rule Know your key & number Know your key & number 4. Illegal motion Watch ball, think clean snap Watch ball & use peripheral vision to observe false start, encroachment Watch ball & use peripheral vision to observe false start, encroachment Think crackback Think substitutions, 3- second rule Think substitutions, 3- second rule 5. Clean snap Never backup Motion man away from you Motion man away from you Confirm GL coverage with LJ, & BJ inside 15 & inside 5 Think crackback Think crackback 6. Think-substitutions 3-second rule Think draw: get to ENZ behind defensive lineman Legal snap, Tackle then Back Legal snap, Tackle then Back Confirm GL coverage with L & BJ inside 15 & inside 5 Confirm GL coverage with SJ & FJ inside 15 & inside 5
SITUATION TEAM AT LOS- PRIOR TO SNAP CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. clocks Pivot slowly Think Think substitutions, 3- substitutions, 3- second rule second rule 8. Think chop block, leg whip/trip 9. Confirm GL coverage with LJ, SJ & BJ inside 15 & inside 5 Confirm GL coverage with LJ, SJ & BJ inside 15 & inside 5 Trips, twins & stacks: Think key 1 st then switch to zone as play evolves SIDE Trips, twins & stacks: Think key 1 st then switch to zone as play evolves Trips, twins & stacks: Think key 1 st then switch to zone as play evolves 10.
SITUATION RUNNING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Clean snap, read Clean snap Clean snap Clean snap Read key & move play & then move accordingly SIDE Read key & move accordingly Read key & move accordingly 2. Stay with QB Pivot/POA Tackle or wide player on LOS, crackback Crackback, clipsblocks by your key Crackback, clips, blocks by your key Crackback, clips, blocks by your key Crackback, clips, blocks by your key 3. Holding POA, illegal blocks Clips, illegal blocks, holding at POA Lead blocker(s)- see multiple things. Don t look at ball carrier, watch action ahead of BC Lead blocker(s)- see multiple things. Don t look at ball carrier, watch action ahead of BC Lead blocker(s) Lead blocker(s) Lead blocker(s) 4. Loose ball-bean bag, change of possession Loose ball-bean bag, change of possession If run is away, clean up on QB and be prepared to provide soft spot for LJ If run is away, clean up on QB and be prepared to provide soft spot for L Runner clears LOS, continue backpedaling Runner clears LOS, continue backpedaling Runner clears LOS, continue backpedaling 5. Shovel pass Follow plays toward side zone, clean up Loose ball-bean bag, change of possession Loose ball-bean bag, change of possession Long run responsibility, goal line Long run responsibility, goal line Goal line DON T GET BEAT 6. Follow play into side zone Slow or no whistle Indicate forward progress with downfield foot Indicate forward progress with downfield foot Loose ball-bean bag Change of possession Loose ball-bean bag Change of possession Loose ball-bean bag Change of possession
SITUATION RUNNING PLAYS CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Help with dead Clean up Provide spot after Provide spot after See ball before ball cleanup, out of sack on QB sack on QB whistle bounds 8. Clean up Ball responsibility in your area Ball responsibility in your area OB procedure cleanup SIDE See ball before whistle OB procedure cleanup See ball before whistle OB procedure cleanup 9. See ball before whistle See ball before whistle Accordion action Accordion action Accordion action 10. OB procedure, clean up OB procedure, clean up Signal next down, dead ball Signal next down, dead ball
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE 1. Move to ENZ behind defensive lineman Watch your key Watch your key Watch your key, release of receiver Watch your key, release of receiver Watch your key, release of receiver 2. Protect QB Holding, chop blocks, clips Slide downfield 5 yds, look for action in 5 yd belt from LOS Stay on LOS, look to L for progress spot, if needed Read pass, drop continually, let action take you to the ball Read pass, drop continually, let action take you to the ball Read pass, drop continually, let action take you to the ball 3. Tackle on opposite side 4. Qb intentional grounding Touched by defense (tip ) illegal touching offense L should have progress on most pass plays, screen pass, shovel pass, short pass Screen pass, shovel pass-qb or pass crossing NZ-except inside 5 ydl. Overlapping zone coverage, tandem calls Overlapping zone coverage, tandem calls Overlapping zone coverage, tandem calls Ineligible receivers OPI-DPI OPI-DPI OPI-DPI OPI-DPI OPI-DPI 5. Pass-forward, backward, fumble Complete/incomplete Complete/incomplete Complete/incomplete Complete/incomplete Complete/incomplete Complete/incomplete 6. Touched by defense (tip ) illegal touching offense Pivot on short pass beyond neutral zone SIDELINE PLAYS SLOW DOWN SIDELINE PLAYS SLOW DOWN SIDELINE PLAYS SLOW DOWN SIDELINE PLAYS SLOW DOWN Goal line-ez Stay deep Don t get beat
GAME OFFICIALS PRIORITY SITUATION PASSING PLAYS CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE 7. Qb- contact by Tandem calls, Observe, eye Observe, eye defense, could eye contact contact with SJrule contact with D have avoided with L, LJ, FJ, on play if FJ-rule on contact? SJ & BJ receiver s back is play if to SJ receiver s 8. Sacks Sacks Make eye contact with SJ-U or BJthen rule on play 9. Clean up Clean up Sacks Mirror LJ back is to FJ Make eye contact with FJ-U or BJthen rule on play Sacks Mirror L FIELD SIDE OB-tandem calls Eye contact with LJ-U- BJ Personal fouls Overthrown pass Interception/momentum OB-tandem calls Eye contact with L-U- BJ Personal fouls Overthrown pass OB-tandem calls Eye contact with FJ-U- SJ Personal fouls Overthrown pass Interception/momentum Interception/momentum 10. If play starts inside the 5 ydl, rule on pass or QB crossing NZ. 11. Clean up Clean up Help on catch/no catch Help on catch/no catch Help on catch/no catch Pick plays Pick plays Pick plays 12. Signal next down Signal next down Progress spot if needed Wind as required Clean up Progress spot if needed Wind as required Clean up Progress spot if needed Wind as required Clean up
SITUATION PUNT PLAYS- PRIOR TO SNAP PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Position: 2 yds Position: opposite Down-distance Down-distance Position: 10 yds in behind & 10-12 R maximum of 10 Formation legality Formation legality front of deepest yds wide of kicker, yds deep Identify eligible Identify eligible receiver kicking foot side receivers receivers 2. clocks Count K give Note: substitution legality-3 second rule Note: substitution legality-3 second rule Count R give SIDE Position: 10 yds in front of deepest receiver Count R give Position: 5 yds behind deepest receiver & 8-10 yds to the side Count R give 3. Count K give Think: leverage Slowly proceed up nearest hash False start Encroachment Shifts False start Encroachment Shifts Note: substitution legality-3 second rule Note: substitution legality-3 second rule Play clock 4. Note: substitution legality-3 second rule Numbering know inelgibles- repeat center protection Motion man away from you Motion man away from you Locate players Watch key Game clock Note: substitution legality-3 second rule 5. Think passblocked kick Ball adjustment by snapper Think passblocked kick Think passblocked kick Think passblocked kick Locate players Watch key Think passblocked kick Watch key 6. Shifts False start Think passblocked kick
SITUATION PUNT PLAYS- PRIOR TO SNAP CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Illegal motion Think: passblocked kick SIDE 8. False start 9. End line if necessary 10. Signal: center protected in kick formation 1.
SITUATION PUNT PLAYS- AFTER SNAP PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Clear ball to the protect snapper Clean snap Clean snap Initially cover punter (1 second Clear eligibles Clear eligibles action on outside 2. Think fake Blocked kick minimum) Holding-defense Pull & shoot On LOS until ball crosses LOS On LOS until ball crosses LOS man K team OOB, un blocked by R SIDE Initially cover action on outside man K team OOB, un blocked by R Locate and stay with ball 1 st touching 3. Watch for holding by upbacks, defender blocked into kicker 4. Watch for action on punterroughing or running into Think fake Blocked kick On blocked kick, move to LOS & rule on kick crossing NZ Think fake, blocked kick. Move to help R on block if you are opposite him at snap K team OOB, un blocked by R Think fake, blocked kick. Move to help R on block if you are opposite him at snap K team OOB, un blocked by R Locate football 1 st touching Move up or back in tandem with BJ Locate football 1 st touching Move up or back in tandem with BJ Stay 5 yds behind receiver and some distance from him for better angles Fair catch, interference, blocking by er 5. Give tip if kick is touched by defense near LOS 6. Clear player action on your side of center Give tip if kick is touched by defense near LOS Clear player action on your side of center as players go downfield Give tip if kick is touched by defense near LOS Fair catch, interference, blocking by er Give tip if kick is touched by defense near LOS Fair catch, interference, blocking by er FC, interference with opportunity, any waving above shoulder causes dead ball on possession Watch low blocks & BIB, holding etc. officiate as usual during return FC, interference with opportunity, any waving above shoulder causes dead ball on possession Watch low blocks & BIB, holding etc. officiate as usual during return FC, interference with opportunity, any waving above shoulder causes dead ball on possession Bean bag end of kick sideline to sideline
SITUATION PUNT PLAYS- AFTER SNAP CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Spot punt OOB in 1 st touching 1 st touching air if needed beyond LOS beyond LOS 8. Goal line responsibility, work to stay in the middle of field 9. move slowly downfield on your hash move slowly downfield on your hash, after all players have left long run watch low blocks & blocks in back Clean up Keep cushion, keep runner between you & SJ Watch low blocks & BIB Keep cushion, keep runner between you & FJ Watch low blocks & BIB SIDE PSK Foul PSK Foul Stay with ball if kicked over receivers head Touchback/ goal line Move onto field if ball is away from you Touchback/ goal line Move onto field if ball is away from you Watch low blocks & BIB, holding etc. officiate as usual during return PSK FOUL 10. If kick is blocked be prepared to rule on endline Signal chain crew after confirming with R Long run Long run Forward progress spot at completion of down Forward progress spot at completion of down Cover goal line/touchback 11. watch low blocks & blocks in back long run goal line Clean up Clean up Clean up Clean up Momentum rule, 5 yard line & in 12. Clean up Clean up
SITUATION FIELD GOALS-PAT KICK PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 1. Line up on same Position: 8 yds Formation legality Formation legality Position: under ydl as the kicker, max from LOS, upright in position 10-12 yds wide count offense to make the call 2., count offense give Clean snap Clean snap Clean snap Faked kick or blocked kick SIDE Position: twin umpire, 8 yds max from LOS Tripping leverage-pull and shoot Position: under upright in position to make the call Play clock 3. Clean snap Protect snapperstay with muddle huddle on PAT Wingback action Wingback action If run or pass move to sideline Faked or blocked kick Faked kick or blocked kick 4. Protect kicker and holder Tripping leverage-pull and shoot Illegal blocks, clips, blocks below waist Illegal blocks, clips, blocks below waist 1 st touching beyond NZ Illegal blocks, clips, blocks below waist If run or pass move to sideline 5. Faked or blocked kick Faked or blocked kick Faked or blocked kick Faked or blocked kick Good-no good Touchback if needed, only outside 20 ydl Get to goal line on a blocked or short field goal attempt 1 st touching beyond NZ 6. Touched by defense tip Touched by defense tip Ball crossing NZ on PAT-move in after ball crosses Ball crossing NZ on PAT-move in after ball crosses Do not indicate if kick is wide, only incomplete, if no good Good-no good Touchback if needed, only outside 20 ydl
SITUATION FIELD GOALS-PAT KICK CONTINUED PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD 7. Illegal blocks, Illegal blocks, Eligible receiver s Eligible receiver s Illegal blocks, clips, blocks below clips, blocks below K & possible K K & possible K clips, blocks below waist waist OB OB waist 8. Responsible for k s goal line Know previous spot Know previous spot Know previous spot SIDE Do not indicate if kick is wide, only incomplete, if no good Illegal blocks, clips, blocks below waist 9. Clean up Clean up 1 st touching beyond NZ 1 st touching beyond NZ 10. Clean up Clean up Clean up Clean up Clean up
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE
SITUATION PASSING PLAYS PRIORITY REFEREE UMPIRE LINESMAN LINE FIELD SIDE