Lancaster Chapter Of PIAA Football Officials

1. Lancaster Chapter Of PIAA Football Officials Back Judge Instructional Presentation By: Terry Farrell Back Judge Discussion

2. Back Judge Mechanics & Teamwork Within The Crew • Equipment • Pregame Duties. • Timing Responsibilities. • Free Kicks. • Scrimmage Plays. • Running Plays. • Passing Plays. • Punts. • Field Goals & Try Attempts. • End Of Quarter. • Time Outs. • Fouls & Enforcements. • Measurements. • General Back Judge Discussion

3. Equipment • Wrist watch • 25 second timer. • 2 bean bags. (1 – blue, 1 – white) • Flag • Down indicator. • Complete uniform.

4. Pregame Duties • Official time. • Know Start Time. • Responsible For Visiting Team. • Know location and travel time. • Have Teams On Field On Time. • Notify Head Coach only when communicating time to leave. • Check End Line & Pylon Positions. • Nice to have center pylons 1 yard back from end line. • Instruct Ball Boys On Getting Balls In. • Retrieve Ball From Kicking Team. • Judges Are Opposite Press Box Side. Back Judge Discussion

5. Timing Responsibilities • NEVER LOOK AT YOUR WATCH WHILE TIMER RUNNING! • Time 25 Second Delay Of Game. • Raise Your Hand At 20 Seconds, Use Watch With Audible Ring. • Late In A Close Game, You Are Key, Stay In The Game. • Help Referee maintain a consistent Ready For Play signal. • Be Generous When Team Is Being Slaughtered. Common Sense Prevails. • After Scores – Normally Pretty Generous. • Know status of clock at all times. • Know status of ball at all times. Back Judge Discussion

6. Free Kicks • Secure Ball. • Make sure it is an approved ball and properly inflated. • Never Give Kicker The Ball Unless You Have Eleven Players. • Instruct Kickers & Depart On HL Sideline. • Remind kicker to raise hand and wait for Referee’s whistle • Remind kicker he has 25 seconds to kick ball. • Stay 1 yard on field and in sight of referee. • Raise Hand With Kicker For Referee. • When Referee blows ready for play move off field. • After Kick, stay on sideline and work back towards goal line. • Watch for encroachment, make obvious, kill play. • Watch kicker – kicker is protected for 5 yards or until ball has touched ground. • Watch for first touching by K, clock does not start. • Watch blocking. • Primary Responsibility-Goal Line. • Do not get beat. Back Judge Discussion

7. Scrimmage Plays • Primary Responsibilities • Start 25 Second Clock When Referee Signals Ready for Play. • ALWAYS Count Defense, Signal Line judge. • Line Up 18 To 20 Yards Deep. • Never Have Illegal Participation Foul. • Know your keys. • Outside man on LOS strong side of formation, usually tight end. • Stay In The Game. • Keep Whistle Out Of Your Mouth. • Raise Hand At 20 Seconds. Back Judge Discussion

8. Running Plays • Primary Responsibilities. • Know keys. • Maintain runner between you and wing officials. • Maintain inside-out coverage. • Out of bounds runs, move to dead ball spot and assist other officials. • Goal Line Coverage On Long Plays, Wait For Wing Man If He Is Hustling. • Signal Together With Wing Man After Eye Contact. • Keep Everyone In Front Of You. • Work Off Ball! • If fumble occurs. • Mark spot with bean bag • Rule on possession. Back Judge Discussion

9. Passing Plays • Primary Responsibilities. • Read keys, retreat in order to be behind deepest receiver at all times. • When pass is thrown, move quickly to ball. • Watch for interference by either team. • If incomplete in your area. • Sound whistle. • Stop and give incomplete pass signal. • If complete in your area. • Sound whistle when play becomes dead. • Move to spot of forward progress, if LTG is reached stop clock. • End Line Coverage Inside The 20 Yard Line. • Communicate With Wing Men & Signal Together. • Play Coverage After Interception or Turnover. • Momentum Exception. Back Judge Discussion

10. Punts • Primary Responsibilities • Linesman’s Side Of Field. • Bean Bag In Hand, Whistle OUT OF YOUR MOUTH! • Explain What You Want For Fair Catch Signal • Line Up Slightly In Front and Outside of Deepest Receiver. • DO NOT WATCH BALL!!! • Watch for: • Valid, Invalid or Illegal fair catch signals. • Kick Catching Interference. • Illegal blocks. • First Touching – mark with bean bag. • Bag end of Kick. • Know the difference between muffs and fumbles. • Muffs may not br advanced by K • Know Momentum Exception. • Kicks out of bounds. • In air, move down field past OOB spot, raise hand and walk back towards LOS looking for Referee’s chop. • Grounded, you have the spot. • Clean Up Behind The Play. • Inside 40 Yard Line, Position At Goal Line & OUT OF BOUNDS! Back Judge Discussion

11. Field Goals & Try Attempts • Primary Responsibilities • Cross Bar & Post. • Eleven Men On Defense. • Communicate With Correct Wing Man To Come Back. • Field Goals Outside The 15 Yard Line, Both Judges Are Back. • Check With Referee For Whistle On Tries. • Back Judge Has Whistle On Field Goals. • Field Goals Are Scrimmage Kicks. Understand What Could Happen. Treat Like A Punt If FG Is Missed. • End Line Coverage On Any Fake. • Reverse Mechanics If Defense Gains Possession. Back Judge Discussion

12. End Of Quarter • Primary Responsibilities • Time 60 seconds, notify Referee at 45 and 60 • Observe team on linesman’s sideline until linesman becomes available. • Check teams for appropriate conference procedure. Back Judge Discussion

13. Time Outs • Primary Responsibilities. • Time 60 seconds, notify Referee at 45 and 60 • Stay behind B/R and in sight of Referee. • Record time-out. • Confirm remaining time-outs with crew. • Parade Rest. Back Judge Discussion

14. Fouls & Enforcement • Primary Responsibilities. • Assist with holding spot of foul or recovering flags. • Deep Passing Plays With Double Flags, Yield Reporting Duties To Wing Man To Relay To Referee, He Has Enforcement Duties. • Know Status Of Ball, Result Of Play & Penalty Enforcement. • Help obtain ball. Back Judge Discussion

15. Measurements • Primary Responsibilities. • Do not permit team attendants to enter field. • Move to chains and Place Down Indicator At Front Stake. • Keep Down Indicator At Previous Down. • After Measurement. • If LTG is not reached stay with box until HL returns. • If LTG is reached, set box to first down and wait for HL to return. • Maintain a clear sideline. Back Judge Discussion

16. General • Read Officials Manual. • Communicate with crew.