Thanks to Dan Munroe who shared notes from a football officiating clinic he attended.
Superbowl line of scrimmage official Pat Holt and NFL line of scrimmage official Robin DeLorenzo provided this information regarding wing official movement (in italics and edited for clarity):
NFL officials are downgraded for bouncing while they sidestep or shuffle while tracking the play. They must run or shuffle without moving their heads up and down. Officials should practice moving down the sideline without bouncing. Neuroscientists have stated if your head moves, the signals from your eyes to your brain become distorted.
If you’ve played the outfield in baseball or softball, you are familiar with this concept. When an outfielder’s eyes and body bounce while tracking a baseball, it can create the illusion that the ball is also bouncing.
Wing officials need to be as still as possible when observing a play. You can shuffle, sidestep, walk, or run while moving downfield with the ball—just don’t bounce. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts you won’t see an NCAA or NFL sideline official bounce.
If you can find game film, watch yourself move. Are you bouncing? If you’re working a sub-varsity game, ask someone to record your movement.
The bottom line is to vertically move your head as little as possible when watching a play.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
4/5 from the K-40. K23’s punt is high and deep. K30 runs downfield and stops at the R-25. The ball descends behind K30 who is stationary. R35 collides with K30 at the R-25 while moving forward to catch the ball. The ball bounces on the R-28 and R35 recovers.
- No foul
- K30 is guilty of kick-catching interference
Review Rule 6-5-6b