Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from September 7, 2009 (Edited for clarity and amplified)
Bracketing is an essential concept for officials to understand and discuss within the crew. It refers to which official is responsible for the runner as the play begins while the other officials look off-ball. It also refers to when other officials accept the responsibility for the runner.
Every play begins with the referee being responsible for the runner. The referee continues with this responsibility until the runner passes the line of scrimmage. Until this point, the runner is “bracketed” between the wing officials and the referee. This means the wings look at key blocks in front of the runner and continue to do so as they “accept” the runner. They will continue to look at blocks ahead of the runner until the tackle is imminent.
The umpire is a key bracket “component,” but he will never “accept” the runner. During running plays, the umpire should not watch the runner but focus on blocks ahead of him.
The concept is simple. We don’t want multiple sets of eyes on the runner, with none on the critical blocks ahead of him. We see this happen on video all the time. We see wing officials immediately back into the backfield on sweeps while watching the runner and miss the blindside block the wide receiver delivered to the linebacker. We see wings focusing on the passer and never seeing what happens to their key receivers on their routes. We see the linebacker being illegally “cut” right under the umpire’s nose as he watches the tailback.
Once the referee gives up the runner, he enters “clean up” mode. This concept doesn’t mean that the responsible official can’t “look off” the runner when he is not threatened to see important blocks as well. It also doesn’t mean that officials officiate in a vacuum. As a wing, if while observing blocks I sense that that closure is about to occur on the runner, I can and I want to observe the tackle. We want more than one set of eyes on the tackle if possible.
The back judge will “accept” the runner if he breaks free toward the goal line outside Team B’s 10-yard line. The wings, umpire, and referee will look for illegal blocks behind the ball.
The wings don’t “accept” the runner when the quarterback is sacked behind the line of scrimmage. The wings do not have to race back to a spot. The referee will mark forward progress, and the wings will dead-ball officiate.
“Bracketing” is easier talked about than put in practice. But it is one of the important officiating skills that takes us from being a fan on the field to a football official.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
4/5 from the R-30. R55 blocks the field goal attempt in the neutral zone. K77 muffs the ball at the R-26. R33 recovers the ball on the R-25, runs, and fumbles on the R-40. K12 recovers on the R-45.
- 1/10 for Team K on the R-45
- 1/10 for Team R on the R-26
Review Rules 6-2-5, 6-2-6