PRE-GAME OUTLINE
I.DUTIES
A.Review Memos (letters) from IHSAA & past games
B.Coordinate watches with BJ
C.BJ have stop watch available to time games.
D.Referee inspect game balls.
II.PRE-GAME DUTIES AT STADIUM
A.Referee to dressing room 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to game time.
i.Referee give and get information from head coach.
ii.Umpire check taping and pads in the locker rooms prior to game time.
B.Referee instruction to the timer. (BJ do if R is unavailable)
C.Line Judge give instruction to the ball boys. (they can really help you)
D.Linesman – locate chain & instruct chain crew. Boxman on point of ball. *Back chain crew 2 yards off the field
E.All Officials –
i.Arrive on the field at least 30 minutes prior to game time
ii.Locate ball boys
iii.Locate electric clock operator. BJ have your stopwatch available.
iv.Check field markings.
v.Linesman, Umpire, Back Judge – opposite press box side of field
Referee & Line Judge – to the press box side. About the 30-yard line.
vi.Do not warm-up on the field.
III.PRE-GAME CONFERENCE WITH COACHES/REFEREE
A.60-75 minutes before game time – coin toss will take place in any indoor game(s). If playoff game is outside and both coaches agree, the same applies. If both coaches cannot agree, a coin toss will take place either on the field (end zone of visiting team) or 3 minutes prior to kick-off on the field.
IV.TOSS OF THE COIN
A.Mock or regular toss 3 minutes prior to kick-off on the playing field, regardless if we flipped earlier.
B.Captains should be on sideline and ready 5 minutes before game starts.
C.L,U, BJ visiting captains – R, LJ home team captains.
D.Keep all players other than the four captains in their team box or in the end zone.
E.Visiting team captain will call the choice prior to the toss of the coin, umpire echo call.
F.Referee will explain options to the respective captains.
G.Put your hand on the shoulder of the player of the team winning the toss.
H.Should the winner of the toss defer his choice to the 2nd half, indicate by signaling decline, then get the opponents choice. Ask captains to stand with their backs to the goal they will defend and give the proper signals. If the toss winner elects to make his choice for the 1st half, ask captains to stand with their backs to the goal they will defend.
I.Meet with the other officials and record the winner of the toss and options.
J.Break briskly to your position for the kick-off. Be ready to kick-off when game clock runs down.
K.Responsible officials’, be sure your sidelines are clear and each team has 11 players (clean-up the restricted area and keep it clean).
L.Of course, above all, start the game on time.
V.HALF-TIME 15 or 20 MINUTES
Football Play-off Manual, (access at www. Iahsaa.org, under football)
A.Notify both teams 5 minutes before half-time is to run out. Be sure the head coach is the one you tell.
B.Communicate with the head coaches on second half choices. Captains are no longer brought to the center of the field.
VI.GENERAL DISCUSSION TOPICS
A. KICK-OFFS:
i. Positions:
a.Referee- On the goal line on Linesman’s side near inbounds line. Count R players.
b.Linesman – On the chain side at the 50-yard line. Count R players.
c.. Line Judge- Take position on receiving team’s 10-yard line. Count K players.
d.BJ – On restraining line of the kicking team. Count K players.
e.Umpire – Take position at the 50-yard line opposite chain. Count R players.
f.Sideline Officials – Prior to taking above positions, establish eye contact with official on your side from the 6 ft. restraining lines. Give referee ready signal from this position, and then assume your position as above.
ii.Anticipate possible on-side kick – have bean bag in hand all officials.
iii.Positions after a safety.
iv.Starting clock.
v.Fouls:
a. Before possession is gained.
b. After possession is gained.
vi.Free KickOut-of-bounds:
a. Untouched or last touched by K-flag foul. (Drop flag on spot where ball went out)
b. No foul if last touched by the receivers.
vii.Coverage on a long run.
viii.Handoff on a reverse.
ix.Fair Catch – Valid or invalid signals and when and where is it legal. Remember, kicking team can not catch the ball in the air or a free kick
x.All kicks which break the plane of the end zone – touchback and dead.
xi.No blocking below the waist.
SCRIMMAGE KICK FORMATIONS AND COVERAGES:
- Kicks
a.Touched or untouched by K or R after crossing the neutral zone.
b.Kick that doesn’t cross the neutral zone.
c.Batting: (Legal/Illegal)
- Long and short kicks going out-of-bounds – coverage responsibilities.
- Catch or recovery by the receivers or the kicking team.
- Opportunity to catch the kick.
- Fair catch signal, cover valid vs. invalid.
- Linesman responsibility to know if kick crosses neutral zone. Line Judge holds until the ball has been snapped, then release and go down field. Be alert to a possible fake.
- Coverage on runbacks sideline to goal line.
- Player who signals fair catch shall NOT Block on the play.
- Scrimmage kick, breaking the plane of the goal line, is a touchback.
- RU count K players. L, LJ, BJ count R players.
- Off ball coverage.
- Blocked kick.
- Momentum Rule.
- Post-scrimmage kick coverage.
- LJ – Release on snap. Umpire & Linesman will cover ball regarding ball going beyond Line of Scrimmage and ball coming back behind the Line of Scrimmage.
- FIELD GOAL AND TRY-FOR-POINT
i.Field Goal
- Positioning, LJ or L & R responsible for all sideline coverage.
- BJ and LJ or L responsible if kick is good or no good.
- R is responsible for kicker and holder
- Return unsuccessful kicks to the 20-yard line if the ball breaks the plane of the goal line.
- Ball must go between and through the uprights to be good.
- Fake- R, LJ or L sideline, BJ endline, officials W/BJ only person, help cover R sideline.
- Blocked (live ball)
- Ball snapped from 25 yards and out, BJ only person, responsible for kick.
ii.Try-For-Point
- BJ and LJ or L rule on all field goal and try attempts.
- Referee should rule on all action by the kicker and holder.
- Options by A if on a successful try B fouls.
- Offensive pass interference and ineligible receiver down field or other fouls by A on a successful try.
- Fake – LJ or L sideline, BJ endline
- Review when try ends.
iii.R & U, Count K Players. BJ Count R Players.
4. RUNNING PLAYS:
A.Positions and responsibilities before and after the snap. RU count R players and use fist at shoulder to indicate 11 players. L, LJ, and BJ, count B players.
B.Line play:
a.Referee to take runner initially behind line of scrimmage.
C. Sweeps and Wide running plays:
a.L and LJ take runner in your zone and beyond.
b.On option plays, R to stay with QB. Wingmen are responsible for the ball and the pitchman.
D.Spread Formations:
E.L and LJ rule on forward point of ball. Stay parallel with runner.
F. Loose official take ball when runner is driven back. Covering official spot and hold. All officials observe players until everyone is back on their feet.
G. Caution on close measurements. Get ball to wing official who has the best spot.
HLeave ball on ground when deep inside zone and bring in new ball and replace ball before moving original ball.
I.R check formations – double stakes/unbalanced line.
J.L and LJ position at least 9-yards outside of widest man on offense, watch crack back.
K.L and LJ check for 7 men on the line, man in motion away.
L.See leather before we have a whistle.
M.Team A first down, LJ stop clock, nearest official hold spot, L – Do not look back at the
chains to see if first down has been made or not, let line-judge stop clock for possible
measurement.
N.Check mandatory numbering.
O.Know the spot of enforcement in field of play or end zone, behind or beyond the previous spot. Know all enforcements – EVERYONE.
P.Ball is dead if contact on an illegal snap occurs, enforce penalty.
Q.BJ key TE or end on strong side. Count B players. On out-of-bounds move into area of dead ball.
5. GOAL LINE OR SHORT YARDAGE PLAYS:
1.Position and Responsibilities.
2.L and LJ forward progress. BJ must cover the end line.
3.See leather – Be very careful to see the ball.
4.If you see the ball break the plane of the goal-line in possession of the offensive player, signal
touchdown. (L/LJ)
5.R watch for aiding the runner.
6.Close play with no signal – closest official dig out the ball to rule.
7.TOUCHDOWN – SAFETY
8.L, LJ after ball is snapped inside 5-yard line, move to goal line then work back square up and mark forward progress.
9.L, LJ after ball is snapped inside 15-yard line, stay ahead of the play.
6. FORWARD PASS PLAYS:
1. Position and responsibilities before ball is snapped. L and LJ know eligible receivers. BJ know your key on this play.
2.U know eligible lineman. Know if pass crosses neutral zone.
3.R – know eligible backs.
4.ALL be aware of tight or spread formations.
5.Interception in end zone, ball remains live.
6.Run-pass option, R take passer to line of scrimmage.
7.Hook Pass – L, LJ, BJ and Umpire be ready to help each other.
8.Short pass in the flat.
9.Referee is responsible for the welfare of the QB.
10.L and LJ have one step drop and throw to flat area. Rule forward or backward pass.
11.Forward or backward pass to consume time.
12.Sideline pass signals.
13.Laterals, blocking downfield before ball is touched downfield by A.
14.BJ be sure all passes are in front of you. Don’t get beat deep.
15.Discuss automatic first down fouls.
16.Screen Passes – Positions and responsibilities.
17.Discuss “catch” and forward progress.
18.Momentum Rule – inside the 5-yard line.
19.Penalty enforcements on plays not involving pass interference.
20.Roughing the passer – enforcement.
21.Sideline and endline coverage – midfield and goal line situations.
7. MEASUREMENTS:
1. Duties of Officials:
a. Place ball parallel to the sideline
b. LJ give spot for L to put chain down when bringing it in.
c. U stretches chain. (we’ll only measure once)
d. R will relay what result is.
e. When measurement is outside the inbounds lines, leave ball and bring in a new football.
f. BJ tend ball at time of measurement & provide referee w/replacement ball.
8. FOULS
1.Know the status of the ball when foul occurred.
2.R give foul verbally to the captain.
3.Free officials hold dead ball spot and spot of foul. (cover flag)
4.If dead ball foul signal dead ball, then signal the foul.
5.Foul after signaling a score.
6.L and LJ relay foul information to head coach.
7.Discuss basic spots.
8.U and Wings check for accuracy of penalty yardage enforced.
9.Review live ball vs. dead ball enforcements.
10.Review fouls that extend the period. (loss of down)
11.Post scrimmage enforcement.
9. TIMING AND TIME-OUTS:
1.BJ times length of all time outs.
2.Signal time-out clearly and repeatedly. (3 times)
3.Position of officials during time-out.
4.Umpire assist referee in starting and stopping clock
5.All officials record time-outs. Wings notify coaches after 3rd time-out in each half.
6.R, U, and BJ observe clock and near end of the period.
7.Procedure at the end of a period.
a.Referee raise ball above his head.
b.End of first and third period record position of ball and down.
8.Eleven players at a time with up to three (3) team attendants if in middle of field. Unlimited
for both inside 9-yard marks.
9.Procedure during injury T.O.
10.Linesman & LJ – Inform the head coach (if the team went to the sideline for the timeout) on
your side of the field when the BJ notifies you, the ball will be marked ready for play in 15 seconds.
10. SUBSTITUTIONS
1.LJ, L and BJ be alert for replaced players leaving on the wrong side.
2.Unlimited substitutions – exceptions to when player must be in or out of the game for one
play.
- All officials should be alert for substitution situations.
- R delay after change of possession to get subs in the game.
- Know all substitution rules.
11. OTHER TOPICS
1.Overtime procedures.
2.Injury Rule/Unconscious Players
3.Blood Rule
4.Handling Unsportsmanlike Conduct (taunting/baiting)
5.Handling Sidelines
6.Be good dead ball officials.
7.Referee blow whistle and give arm signal to declare ball ready for play.
8.Deal with coaches PROFESSIONALLY!!!!!
9.BJ cover huddle on L’s side between periods.
10.Emphasis:
a.Signals on sideline passes
b.Piling on and spearing – flag it if it’s there
c.Clipping
d.Crack back blocks
e.Illegal blocking techniques
f.Forward progress on field
g.See the ball before blowing the whistle
11.Goal line situation review
12.Fouls and extended periods
13.Everyone should be counting players on every play
14.Wet weather mechanics
15.CALL WHAT YOU SEE – SEE WHAT YOU CALL!!!!!
16.Don’t turn our back on tough calls!
17.A mistake by one is a mistake by all. Let’s get it right!
18.Be in position to make all calls HUSTLE – BE ALERT!!!!
19.Anticipate the play, not the call
20.Make all your calls 100% calls
21.Use good preventive officiating and the game will go smooth.
REMEMBER: REFEREE ONE PLAY AT A TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!