Here are a few suggestions for referees when announcing and signaling penalties:
Think of all components of the announcement before you start (especially the down). You don’t want to be in the middle of the announcement and realize you don’t know the proper down.
Whenever possible, give a preliminary signal to the press box. Then when the umpire is walking the penalty yardage, give the announcement.
Find an open spot. Don’t announce the foul(s) if you are obscured by players.
Be stationary when you begin the announcement.
Remain upright; don’t lean when you point in a team’s direction.
If a TD will stand, give the TD signal first before reporting on the foul. “The result of the play is a touchdown,” then report the foul.
With many signals (holding, personal foul, false start, illegal blindside block, etc), keep your arms at chest level and signal within a “box.”
Images courtesy of Colorado Mechanics Manual PlayPics
Don’t reach out of the “box” with your arm when showing the down.
Don’t bounce your hands when signaling (i.e., encroachment, ineligible downfield, blocking below the waist, illegal participation, etc). Put your hands on the hips, hand on the head, hands to the thighs, hands on the head…without bouncing the hand(s).
Recommend you provide the announcement in the same order each time: Status of the Ball (if required), Foul, Team, Number (if your state authorizes), Enforcement, Down
Do not raise your voice at the end (as if you are asking a question). Speak in a normal tempo; don’t slow down or speak in a staccato voice.
Do not say “We” when reporting (i.e., “We have two fouls on the play). Instead, say, “There are two fouls on the play.”
Instead of saying “Dead-ball,” say, “Before the snap” or “Following the play”
If a team fouls during a down, say, “Replay X down.” Example: Holding, Offense Number 55, 10-yard penalty from the previous spot, Replay second down.”
If the team fouls during the dead-ball interval, say, “Remains X down.” Example: “False start, Offense Number 55, 5-yard penalty, remains second down.”
If the penalty includes an automatic first down, say “Automatic first down.” Example: “Roughing the passer, Defense Number 33, 15-yard penalty from the previous spot, automatic first down.”
If yardage results in a first down, say, “Yardage results in a first down.” Example: Personal foul, facemask, Defense Number 33, 15-yard penalty from the end of the run, yardage results in a first down.”
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)
3/5 from the A-29. Under duress, A12 lofts a backward pass toward A88. B17 bats the pass forward and high in the air. A77 catches the ball at the A-28 and runs to the A-46.
- Foul for illegal batting
- Foul for illegal touching
- Legal play
Review Rules 7-5-13, 9-7-3