Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from August 13, 2008 (Edited and amplified for clarity)
The referee is the game administration guy, he is the safety guy, he is a primary deadball officiating guy and he controls the pace and flow of the game.
The referee can help relay the ball on and off the field, but we do not want our referee handling the ball between downs any more than is absolutely necessary. We want him to observe dead-ball action, look at players, and identify anyone who is getting frustrated or talking to someone he shouldn’t be talking to.
We have talked often about the R aligning himself 12 to 15 yards deep and on the QB’s throwing arm. We have also emphasized the importance of the R not giving up this cushion once the ball is snapped. If he reads pass, he must immediately back out on the diagonal the same number of steps the QB drops. Keep the cushion! It is the only way to officiate holding and to cover the passer at the same time. Plus, it keeps you from getting “hooked” on a scramble and losing “contain” on a roll.
Also, it is very important that our referees align themselves with a wide pre-snap position. Align wider than the tight end. Get the big picture. Be canted toward the opposite side of the line. Your initial key is the opposite tackle.
We have stressed the importance of not losing contain on the QB’s throwing arm if the QB rolls toward the referee. If the QB were to run out of bounds, the referee should get to the sideline before the QB. Don’t lose contain. There is not much sense lining up on the throwing arm side if the referee is going to lose that arm on a simple roll.
The reason for not wanting to lose contain on the passer’s arm is so the referee will have the best possible look if he must rule on the infamous “pass – fumble” play. Was the QB passing when he got hit or did he fumble the ball? Should the play be ruled an incomplete pass or a fumble that will usually be recovered by the defense and often returned for a score? This play is one of the “Big 3” that can turn a game around instantaneously. The other two are “fumble or down” and “complete pass and a fumble or an incomplete pass.” All three are tough plays to adjudicate, and all three require the best possible look that we can get.
We don’t want the R getting too close to the end of the play. He is a primary dead-ball guy. He should follow the play, but never closer than 5 to 7 yards from the dead-ball spot. We want him to have the big picture and be looking for players who are moving faster than they should be or against the grain after the whistle has sounded. These actions are better observed from a wider angle.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
In the first half, the line judge contacts an assistant coach in the restricted area while the ball is live. In the second half, the head coach is charged with unsportsmanlike conduct for berating an official.
- The head coach is ejected
- The head coach is not ejected
Review Rules 9-4-8 PENALTY and 9-8-1 PENALTY