UMPIRE SECTION
Table of
Contents
I....... BASIC
RESPONSIBILITIES.. 2
X..... FIELD GOALS / try for
point.. 5
XIII.. administering
PENALTIEs.. 6
XV... Bean Bag & fumble
mechanics.. 6
XVI.. miscellaneous
suggestions.. 7
A. UMPIRE has jurisdiction over player equipment.
B. UMPIRE is responsible (with REFEREE) for counting the offense.
C. UMPIRE is responsible for line play on both sides of the neutral zone, legality of lineman down field, and whether the ball crosses the neutral zone for passing plays.
D. UMPIRE is responsible for the legality of the snap and correctly enforcing penalties.
E. UMPIRE will remind the REFEREE of time remaining in each period, as the period comes to an end (<2 min.).
F. UMPIRE will remind the REFEREE of the clock status after every dead-ball.
A. Accompany the REFEREE for pre-game conference with both head coaches
B. Spot check player equipment, bandages, wraps and braces.
C. Record captains numbers
D. Make sure REFEREE covers all requirements of pre-game conference.
E. Examine the field.
F. Get the name of the defensive captain.
A. Stand with REFEREE in the center of the field. (REFEREE shall always face the clock)
B. Note the choice of the visiting team captain.
C. Record the results of the coin toss and team choices.
A. Start on R’s ten-yard line, on the side of the LINE JUDGE.
B. If the ball threatens the goal in your third of the field, retreat to your pylon to rule on position of the ball (touchback or out of bounds).
C. After the kick, if the kick is received between your sideline and your nearest hash mark, the UMPIRE picks up the ball carrier.
D. If the kick isn’t in your third of the field, move to the line of blockers in front of the receivers.
E. Watching for blocks below the waste, clips and cheap shots.
A. Start on R’s free kick line. Be prepared to rule on first touching and if the kick traveled the required 10 yards.
A. Spot the ball and remain over ball until REFEREE gives the ready for play signal
B. Note field location of ball (in relation to the hash marks)
C. Count A players upon break of huddle. Signal REFEREE.
D. Check for 5 players, numbered 50-79 on the offensive line.
E. Check for eligible/ineligible receivers.
F. Your final position should not interfere with movement or vision of defensive players.
G. Watch for legality of the snap and false starts.
H. Make certain that the defense does not use disconcerting words that interfere with the snap count.
A. On scrimmage plays, be 5-7 yards from the line of scrimmage, preferably opposite the tightend and just inside the offensive tackles shoulder. Try not to interfere with player movement.
B. Key on the action of the guards.
C. Watch for illegal action at or in front of the point of attack.
D. Don’t move around. (Happy feet)
E. Pivot with the flow of the play.
F. Hustle to the dead ball spot, be in position to retrieve the ball and vocalize that the play is over.
G. Always continue to dead ball officiate.
H. Take progress spot from wings, communicate (verbal or signal) to the wing that you have it, and spot the ball for the next down
A. On scrimmage plays, be five to seven yards from the line of scrimmage, preferably opposite the tightend and just inside the offensive tackles shoulder. Try not to interfere with player movement.
B. If the linemen show pass play (they hold in a blocking position), slowly move to the line of Scrimmage.
C. Watch for illegal line play, holding, blocks below the waist, and lineman illegally down field.
D. Help REFEREE on the quarterback going beyond the line of scrimmage.
E. Give tip signal when appropriate.
F. Pivot and assist wings/BJ on short passes.
G. Do not watch the quarterback.
A. On punts, be nine yards from the line of scrimmage on the LJ side of the filed and in position to view line play and the snapper.
B. Instruct the defense not to rough the snapper and kicker. Be in position to see if the snapper is afforded time to defend himself.
C. Watch for illegal line play. When kick is away, be sure line play has disintegrated before turning and drifting down field. Use inside/out coverage when assisting on the return
D. Watch for touching of a low kick at the line of scrimmage.
A. On scrimmage plays, be five to seven yards from the line of scrimmage, preferably opposite the tightend and just inside the offensive tackles shoulder. Try not to interfere with player movement.
B. Set up on the side of the LINE JUDGE. (He will probably be under the goal post, so the UMPIRE has goal line responsibility on that side in the event of a fake) Again, UMPIRE must view goal line play and action on the snapper.
C. Instruct defense not to rough the snapper, kicker and holder. Position yourself on the weak side (should be the LINE JUDGE side) but be able to see if the snapper is afforded time to defend himself.
D. Watch for illegal line play, watch for interlocked legs.
E. Be ready to help cover the LINE JUDGE side if the kick is faked. On a PAT, cover the goal line.
F. After the kick, move toward the line to vocalize the kick is over.
A. Position yourself normally from the line of scrimmage.
B. UMPIRE must help determine if the ball crosses the goal line on dive plays.
C. UMPIRE does not signal touchdowns. Only vocalize that you have the ball in the end zone.
A. Position as any other scrimmage play.
A. Be close enough to the REFEREE so you are able to hear what the foul was and the correct options are given to the captain.
B. Mark off penalty from the enforcement spot on spot fouls – the flag.
C. Know the enforcement spots and distances.
A. Start with whistle in mouth, let it drop after the snap.
B. Let wings blow the play dead. This doesn’t mean you can’t blow it dead, just give the wings the first chance.
A. Do not bean bag fumbles behind the line or by the QB. No need to bag fumbled snaps.
B. Beanbag spot of the fumble (spot where possession is lost, not where the ball hits the ground) only if you see the runner loose possession; Do not drop a bag simply because you see the ball loose.
C. If a pile forms on top of a fumble, the closest official becomes the “digger” and is responsible for unpiling the players and determining who has recovered the fumble. He will verbally relay this information to the REFEREE.
D. If Team A has recovered the ball the REFEREE will announce and signal the next down (start the clock if it was stopped for the unpiling).
E. If Team B has recovered the ball the REFEREE (only) will signal first down (stop the clock if it has not already been stopped).
A. Vocalizing
1. It is very important that the UMPIRE is vocal, to the players as well as fellow officials.
2. Vocalize to the players that the play is over and to unpile.
3. Vocalize to the wingman and BACK JUDGE, the next down and double stakes, if applicable.
4. Try to vocalize to the Crew, the next down, distance and yard line.
5. On a five-man crew, inside B’s fifty-yard line, vocalize to the BJ the current yard line.