Over the past few months, I’ve watched hundreds of Hudl clips, and certain mechanics errors keep showing up. None of these are major rule misapplications or judgment issues; they’re the small, routine habits that separate good officials from great ones.
This isn’t about nitpicking or calling anyone out. We all develop habits, and sometimes we don’t realize what we’re doing until we see it on film. My goal here isn’t to criticize. It’s to highlight a few recurring tendencies that, if corrected, can make all of us sharper, more consistent, and more accurate on the field.
Wings:
Track your passing play initial responsibilities when you read pass. Don’t stare into the backfield at the quarterback and only look downfield after the pass is released.
During a passing play, remain on the line of scrimmage until you have to move to stay connected to your key(s). This is typically after your key(s) move 10+ yards downfield.
Know the location of the line to gain before the ball is snapped.
When the ball is snapped 3 or fewer yards from the line to gain, move immediately to the front stake and be stationary when the ball arrives. When the ball is snapped inside the B-10 (when wings are responsible for the goal line), get to the goal line ahead of the runner. Don’t stay even with the ball carrier as he advances to the goal line.
When the ball is downed close to the line to gain, pinch and spot the ball. Give the stop the clock signal.
Ensure the coaches’ area is clear before the snap, especially before a fourth-down scrimmage kick.
Don’t be a ball-watcher. When the play goes away from you, focus on the players behind the ball. During free and scrimmage kicks, don’t track the ball in flight.
Sky your flag if you have a foul at the line of scrimmage (dead-ball, or foul at the snap). Let the coaches, players, fans, and your teammates see the flag.
Umpires:
Don’t turn your back to the ball when you move to your presnap position. Always face the ball as you back out. If the referee will blow the ready for play, wait until he pushes you to back out.
Officiate to the end of the play after a flag is thrown. Hustle to the nose of the ball to help players separate, then turn and report the foul to the referee.
Don’t walk on the field. If the runner advances toward a sideline, move to stay connected while watching the blockers ahead of the runner.
Holding fouls need to scream. If you have a 50/50 decision, leave your flag in your pocket.
Make sure you see the beginning, middle, and end of the play. Because you are in the middle of the field, you often see the end of the play. Don’t assume there was a foul.
Back Judges:
Hustle to stay connected to the players. You are a primary dead-ball official, but you can’t just stand in the middle of the field 25-yards away from the end of the action. If the ball goes out of bounds, get on your horse and hustle to the sideline to help players separate.
Don’t throw your flag 20+ yards unless you are absolutely convinced you observed a foul. If you THINK you saw a foul, keep your flag in your pocket. Don’t throw your flag in front of a wing official who has a good look at the play.
If the ball is snapped outside the B-10, you are responsible for the goal line. Don’t drift into the end zone as players approach. You can move to the end line when receivers enter the end zone.
Referees:
Wait until the entire crew is set and ready to officiate before blowing the ready for play whistle. Don’t be in a hurry.
When you wind or chop, start high with your arm. It may be difficult to see your arm movement from the press box, so make it “big.”
When the runner goes away, hustle to stay connected. Don’t walk (and end up 30+ yards away when the play is over). The backside wing will clean up the players behind the ball.
As with the back judge, hustle to the sideline if players go out of bounds, especially inside the 25-yard lines.
Quiz
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer. (Choose all that apply.)
3/5 from the B-40. As the game clock expires during the final play of the first half, the linesman collides with a coach in the restricted area. A35 is downed on the B-20.
- Team A is entitled to an untimed down
- Enforce the penalty for the illegal personal contact from the B-40
- Enforce the penalty for the illegal personal contact from the B-20
- Enforce the penalty for the illegal personal contact from the K-40
Review Rules 3-3-4b(2), 9-4-8, and 9-4-8 PENALTY, 10-4-5c