Ball Person Instructions

A good ball person is essential to keeping the game in a good rhythm or flow.

Introduce yourself and write down the ball person(s) name(s). Tell the ball person(s) they are an essential part of the crew. Make them feel valued.

Use their names often. Praise them when they follow your directions. Gently correct when they lose focus (which will happen a few times with most helpers).

Tell the ball person to always have two game balls in hand.

Tell them to hand or toss the ball to you. No long passes! (I’m not athletic enough to prevent a broken finger while trying to catch a long pass.)

Tell the ball persons there is an imaginary 2-yard-long chain attaching them to you. Tell them to stay 2 yards behind you on the wing. If you move down the field, they move with you. They must move the entire length of the field with you, always staying behind you and out of the way. They must always be behind the coaches’ area/restricted area unless they are handing you a ball.

Tell them they can’t hang out with their friends in the team box and then bring a ball to you when you call for the ball. They should always be 2 yards away.

When the ball is near the goal line, the ball person cannot be on the goal line (the same is valid for chain crew members who have dropped their stakes). This is an enticing “money line” to observe but they can’t be on the goal line. You need to have plenty of room to back up at the pylon.

(Colorado mechanic): Our ball runners should never go onto the field. (I know other states allow the ball runner to enter the field.)

The ball person is responsible for fetching the ball when it is out of bounds, on the opposite sideline, or beyond the end line. The officials should never chase a ball.

The ball person should always be ready to hand you a ball, even if the opposing team is on offense. If an opposing team runner goes out of bounds, the ball person can hand you a “dirty” ball to spot; then you can work on relaying the clean ball onto the field.

The ball person should not cheer for his/her team or speak to players (on the same team or the opposing team).

Prior to a fourth down punt, if your sideline is on defense, remind the ball person you will ask for a “clean” ball after the play concludes. “James, you’re with me; I’ll be looking for a clean ball after this play ends.”

If the umpire is on your sideline for a free kick and your sideline is receiving the kick, tell the ball person to bring the ball directly to the umpire when the kick play ends.

Does the team use a kicking ball? Will the kicker bring it onto the field?

For higher level: Prior to a field goal attempt or kick try, the ball person should place a “clean” ball behind the goal post. (The ball person can also toss a ball to the BJ following the attempt.)


Quiz

Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.

A20 scores a touchdown as time expires in the fourth quarter. During the run, B22 grasps and twists A20’s facemask at the B-5. The score is now Team A – 21, Team B – 22.

  1. Team A can attempt a game-tying kick try and enforce B22’s foul in overtime
  2. B22’s foul must be enforced on the try

Review Rules 8-2-2, 9-4-3h

Click below to reveal the Quiz answer and accompanying explanations.