Five Officials Linesman Position - Kickoff

1
Five OfficialsLinesman Position - Kickoff

• Before Kick
• Take charge of ball
• Position Ks free-kick line in side zone to
  monitor bench area and assist kicking team in
  getting into position.
• Move on field to kicker and after checking
  legality of kicking tee, hand kicker ball, point
  out referee and instruct kicker to wait for
  referees signal before kicking.
• Count K players.
• Obtain captains ready sign.
• Move to position just outside the sideline on Ks
  free-kick line on the line-to-gain equipment
  side.
• Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and
  other individuals are in proper locations.
• Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready.
• Watch for any infractions involving K,s free-kick
  line.
• If there is a dead-ball foul administer penalty
  and place ball ready.
• Four Officials Same

2
Five OfficialsLinesman Position - Kickoff

• After Kick
• Be alert for first touching by K - Mark spot with
  bean bag.
• Be alert for kick which does not cross Rs
  free-kick line.
• If there is a penalty for a foul before kick ends
  requiring rekick, administer penalty and place
  ball ready.
• Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of
  bounds in your area
• Bean bag spot if last touched inbounds by R.
• Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R.
• Watch initial blocks by players near Rs
  free-kick line and action against kicker and
  holder. Cover to opposite 45-yard line.
• After ball has gone downfield, move deliberately
  in that direction while watching for fouls away
  from ball.
• Maintain position enabling coverage of sidelines
  at all times.
• Be in position to take over coverage of runner in
  your area on long return.
• Four Officials Same

3
Five OfficialsLine Judge Position - Kickoff

• Before Kick
• Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and
  other individuals are in proper locations.
• Position Rs free-kick line, outside sideline
  opposite linesman.
• Count R players and identify the free-kick line
  for the receiving team.
• Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready.
• Watch for any infractions involving Rs free-kick
  line.
• If short free kick is anticipated
• Position on Rs free-kick line.
• Be alert for first touching by K or kick which
  does not cross Rs freekick line. Hold bean bag
  to mark spot of first touching by K.
• Four Officials Same

4
Five OfficialsLine Judge Position - Kickoff

• After Kick
• Be alert for first touching by K - Mark spot with
  bean bag.
• Watch initial blocks in your area.
• If ball becomes dead in your area, including
  prior to crossing Rs free-kick line, sound
  whistle and give time-out signal.
• Mark spot where kick goes out of bounds on your
  side of field
• Bean bag if touched inbounds by R.
• Penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R.
• After ball has gone downfield, move deliberately
  in that direction while watching for fouls away
  from ball. Cover 15 yards down sideline.
• Four Officials Same

5
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Running Play

• After ball is spotted
• Position Straddle line ball is on, no closer
  than 9 yards outside widest offensive player. On
  sideline if necessary.
• Check down-marker number. Signal number of down.
• Use extended-arm signal and hold until snap to
  indicate closest A player is off line of
  scrimmage.
• Count B players and identify eligible receivers
  on your side. Be alert for illegal
  substitutions.
• Check following
• Wingback, flankers, split ends and slot backs.
• First two players in from your end of offensive
  line, including backs, as eligible pass
  receivers.
• Player in motion away from you and maintain
  responsibility for him if he reveres direction.
• Minimum of seven offensive players on
  line-of-scrimmage.
• Encroachment or false start.
• Four Officials Same

6
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Running Play

• After snap
• Areas of Responsibility
• Key end and wide receiver if defende is covering
  him tightly. If end uncovered, look through to
  tackle to read run or pass.
• Be alert for quick plays into line and assist in
  marking forward progress with downfield foot.
• Watch initial charge of linemen.
• On an end run to opposite side, observe blocking
  near neutral zone to tackle.
• Check block on eligible receiver.
• When ball comes to your side of field
• Cover sideline and check for crackback block.
• Sound whistle when ball becomes dead and move to
  spot of ball.
• If ball becomes dead in side zone, toss to
  referee or umpire for spotting
• When ball goes to opposite side
• Move cautiously into general area until certain
  there will be no reverse or counter.
• Observe action on linebackers and backside
  pursuit.

7
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Running Play

• After snap Continued
• On down-the-line option plays toward you, observe
  pitchman, loose ball, and pitchman as he becomes
  runner.
• Observe late blocks and fouls away from runner.
• Responsible for entire sideline. If ball goes
  out of bounds
• Signal time-out immediately.
• Hold out-of-boinds spot while another official
  retrieves ball.
• If obvious first down, signal clock to stop.
• While moving downfield with runner, watch for
  illegal forward pass or fumble.
• If play continues following illegal forward pass,
  drop penalty marker at spot of pass to indicate
  where run ended and at spot of any subsequent
  foul.
• Four Officials Same

8
Five OfficialsLinesman - Running Play( Working
with line-to-gain equipment and crew )

• Echo referees signal verbally and with proper
  hand signal.
• Repeat referees time-out signal.
• Do not turn back on field of play when having
  equipment moved.
• Authorize down-box operator to be moved only
  after referees signal
• When necessary to move yardage chain
• Spot foremost point of ball with downfield foot.
• Have down-box operator mark spot, informing
  referee that yardage chain is ready.
• Have line-to-gain crew set the two rods.
• When line-to-gain is goal line
• Fasten clip to chain at intersection of goal
  line.
• Remove line-to-gain equipment from sideline.

9
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge - Forward
Pass

• After ball is spotted
• Linesman
• Check down-box number.
• Signal referee number of down.
• Position Same as for running play. End of line
  on side of line-to-gain equipment - assist with
  line-up.
• Line Judge
• Position Same as for running play. End of line
  opposite linesman.Assist with line-up.
• Be alert for illegal substitution.
• Count B players.
• Identify eligible receivers.
• Use extended-arm signal and hold until snap to
  indicate closest A player is off line of
  scrimmage stacked receivers - closest player is
  the end.
• Be alert for player in motion away from you and
  maintain responsibility for him if he reverses
  direction.
• Four Officials Same

10
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Forward Pass

• After snap
• Key through end to read initial block of tackle.
• Move to position to check blocking and contact of
  eligible receivers and linebackers.
• Be ready to rule on the direction of a quick
  quarterback pass.
• Move downfield cautiously 5 to 7 yards to cover
  short pass on your side of field.
• Watch for interference by either team.
• Be ready to rule on fumble or illegal pass after
  completion.
• If pass is incomplete in your area
• Sound whistle
• Give incomplete-pass signal.
• Retrieve ball and relay to official nearest
  previous spot.
• Be ready to adjust coverage if potential passer
  decides to run.

11
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Forward Pass

• After snap Continued
• Be alert for sideline action.
• Be alert for forward progress of runner.
• Responsible for entire sideline.
• Always be prepared to come back to rule on play
  near neutral zone in addition to sideline action.
• Four Officials Same

12
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After ball is spotted
• Position Same as for run or pass.
• Check down number and count R players
• Four Officials
• Linesman Same as Five man plus responsible for
  neutral zone after Ready whistle.
• Line Judge
• Position 7-10 yards wider than and in front of
  the deepest receiver, in position to cover
  sideline as well as kick.
• Count R players

13
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After snap
• Linesman Hold momentarily after snap. Know if
  ball crossed neutral zone, then move slowly
  downfield covering your side between neutral zone
  and deep receiver(s).
• Line Judge Release on snap, move downfield
  covering your side between neutral zone and deep
  receiver(s).
• Cover all kicks to your side.
• Ball out-of-bounds in flight
• Sound whistle and give time-out signal.
• Move farther downfield than where it went out.
• Walk upfield until referee spots you on sideline.
• Ball rolls out of bounds
• Sound shistle and give time-out signal.
• Hold spot and continue to observe action.
• Drop bean bag at spot if ball must be retrieved.
• Assist referee in covering ball on short or
  blocked kick
• Note if kick is touched beyond neutral zone.
• Note if recovered in or behind neutral zone.

14
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After snap Continued
• Routine Kick
• Unless kick comes close to your side delay move
  to sideline, cover clipping and other fouls in
  secondary.
• Move with runner if he comes to your side.
• Follow to goal line if run is broken.
• When ball becomes dead
• Sound whistle, give time-out signal and mark
  spot.
• Make sure of possession on fair catch.
• Line Judge Observe action of signaler when no
  fair catch is made.
• If there is a foul, have a free official cover
  ball while official who had foul reports
  information to referee.
• Linesman Watch referee for signal to move
  line-to-gain equipment.
• Four Officials
• Linesman Same as Five man plus
• If fair-catch signal is made, observe if
  signaler blocks.

15
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After snap Continued
• Four Officials
• Line Judge
• Carry bean bag in hand during down to mark first
  touching or fumble.
• Responsible for initial action on or by the end
  on you side.
• Cover all kick down the middle and to your side.
• Ball rolls out of bounds
• Sound shistle and give time-out signal.
• Hold spot and continue to observe action.
• Drop bean bag at spot if ball must be retrieved.
• Ball out-of-bounds in flight
• Sound whistle and give time-out signal.
• Move farther downfield than where it went out.
• Walk upfield until referee spots you on sideline.

16
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After snap Continued
• Four Officials
• Line Judge
• Ball stays inbounds
• Be ready to rule on whether kick is touched by
  either team.
• If ball is muffed, be prepared to rule on
  possession.
• Be alert for hand-off and reverse.
• If K is first to touch a kick which is moving,
  mark spot of first touching with bean bag and
  continue to cover play.
• If K is first to touch kick at rest beyond the
  neutral zone, sound whistle, give time-out signal
  and mark spot.
• Following fair catch
• Sound whistle, give time-out signal and mark
  spot.
• Observe action of signaler when no fair catch is
  made.
• Be prepared to rule on touchback or safety, or
  whether receivers momentum took him into end
  zone.

17
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Scrimmage Kick

• After snap Continued
• Four Officials
• Line Judge
• When kick is returned
• Move with runner if he runs up the middle or to
  your side until another official picks him up.
• When this is done, delay and observe action
  behind ball.
• When kick becomes dead
• Sound whistle immediately and give time-out
  signal.
• Inform referee of ball status before placing it
  for next play.
• If kick is caught inside 5-yard line and player
  is downed in his end zone or ball goes out of
  bounds there, be prepared to rule on whether his
  momentum took hime into end zone.
• Mark spot of catch inside 5-yard line with bean
  bag.

18
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge -
PositionField-Goal Attempt or Try

• After ball is spotted Linesman
• Position 5 to 7 yards outside offensive end.
• Observe neutral zone.
• Observe kicker, holder and opposite side tackle.
• Line Judge
• Position Beyond end zone and behind your upright
  where you feel most comfortable and have best
  coverage of upright.
• Count R players.

19
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionField-Goal Attempt or Try

• After snap
• Linesman
• If pass or run, move with play as on any other
  goal-line play.
• Quickly move to goal line if run develops to
  line-judge side of field.
• Line Judge
• Assume responsibility for end line and for
  determining if kick goes over or under crossbar
  and inside upright
• Back judge rules on crossbar and upright.
• Line judge rules on upright
• Sound whistle when successful kick passes upright
  or when it is apparently unsuccessful after
  breaking goal-line plane.
• Signal score or no score.
• Be prepared to move if kick is blocked, obviously
  short, or a fake
• Key tight end on your side.
• If run develops to your vacated side, quickly
  move along end line to back pylon to rule on
  sideline
• Next move is toward goal line to assist.
• Primary sideline responsibility when run develops
  to LJ side

20
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge -
PositionField-Goal Attempt or Try

• Four Officials
• Linesman Same as five man
• Line Judge
• Position 5 yards behind and directly between
  uprights.
• Rule whether kick is successful or unsuccessful.
• If unsuccessful, rule on a possible touchback.
• Give appropriate signal.
• Responsible for your sideline and end line on
  runs and passes.

21
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position -
Goal-Line Play

• Position and cover same as scrimmage play.
• On snap between 10 and 5-yard line, release
  slowly downfield and stay ahead of runner to goal
  line.
• On snap inside 5-yard line, release to goal line
  and officiate back to ball.
• Note farthest point to which ball is advanced.
• If short of goal line, move in quickly and help
  by marking point with downfield foot or by
  actually placing ball.
• If you see ball in possession of runner touch or
  cross goal-line plane, instantly give touchdown
  signal.
• If ball does not break goal-line plane, do not
  give any signal.
• Linesman
• Place clip on chain at intersection with goal
  line prior to removing chain.
• Remove line-to-gain equipment from sideline when
  line-to-gain is goal line.
• Four Officials Same

22
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionAfter a Touchback, Safety, Try or Field
Goal

• Linesman
• Take ball to center of field on proper yard line
  and place it with foremost point on center of
  line.
• Count proper team players. Be alert for
  substitutions.
• Hand ball to kicker if it is put in play by free
  kick
• Instruct kicker to wait for referees signal.
• Move to sideline where line-to-gain equipment is
  located.
• Line Judge
• Retrieve any kicked ball - if kickoff is to
  follow, the down-box operator should retrieve
  ball and relay to you.
• Relay ball to lineman.
• Count proper team players. Be alert for illegal
  substitutions.
• Four Officials Same

23
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionAdministering Penalties

• Linesman
• Be ready to have line-to-gain equipment moved
  after penalty administration.
• Be certain of down number.
• Give final signal for foul to be enforced on
  kickoff to press-box side of filed.
• Line Judge
• Return time-out signal to referee.
• Hold enforcement spot.
• Linesman Line Judge
• Check Enforcement
• Do not permit trainers, attendants, or coaches to
  come onto field.
• Relay penalty information to appropriate coach
  and to other officials if necessary.

24
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionMeasuring for First Down using
Traditional Rods and Chain

• Linesman
• When a measurement is signaled by referee
• Grasp chain and clip at back edge of back-yard
  line (dont just grasp clip since clip could
  detach)
• Instruct down-box operator to mark front rod spot
  and keep same down number
• Bring chain behind ball and place clipped part of
  chain at back edge of back-yard line.
• Hold firmly and call ready to umpire to stretch
  chain tight.
• Wait for referees decision and signal.
• If not first down
• While holding chain, accompany crew to sideline,
  reset in original position.
• Have down-box operator move indicator to next
  down.
• If new series, set inside edge of rear rod at
  foremost point of ball after spotted by referee.
  First down on marker

25
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionMeasuring for First Down using
Traditional Rods and Chain

• Linesman continued
• Mark foremost point of ball for down-marker
  operator on all first downs.
• Line Judge
• Position Behind yard line from which
  measurement will be made.
• Align linesman with ball so measurement is
  accurate.
• Do not permit team attendants to enter field
• Four Officials Same

26
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge Position
Time-Out Procedure

• Move to position halfway between ball and your
  sideline
• Be alert for signal from referee (pointing
  directly toward you) to give your team 15-second
  warning go to team huddle and say Coach, ball
  will be marked ready-for-play in 15 seconds.
• Be alert for substitutions by your sideline or
  attempts to use substitutes for purpose of
  deception, and maintain proper number of
  players/attendants in huddle.
• Inform captain and coach of time-outs remaining.
• Four Officials Same

27
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionBetween-Periods Procedure

• Linesman
• Record down, distance, yard line nearest foremost
  point of ball.
• Confirm information with referee.
• Clip chain at back edge of back-yard line.
• Call down and distance to assistants.
• Reverse ends of yardage chain and two chainmen.
• Set yardage chain after referee has spotted ball.
• Check number of down and distance to gain.
• Indicate to referee you are ready by signaling
  number of down with finger(s) or fist for fourth
  down.
• Assume responsibilities outlined for time-out
  including giving your team 15-second warning when
  directed

28
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionBetween-Periods Procedure

• Line Judge
• Observe teams while moving to corresponding spot
  on other end of field.
• Assume responsibilities as for time-out.
• Check team box and huddle areas for appropriate
  conference procedure as during charged time-out
• Give your team the 15-second warning when
  directed by referee
• Four Officials Same

29
Five OfficialsLinesman Line Judge
PositionBetween-Halves Procedure

• Linesman
• During intermission, discuss with line-to-gain
  crew aspects of their duties which may be
  improved to aid in game administration.
• Preparing for second half
• Station line-to-gain crew near team box and on
  receivers end of field.
• Secure game ball, hand it to kicker, instruct him
  to wait for referees signal before he kicks.
• Move to sideline on Ks free-kick line
• Line Judge
• Position Near sideline of Rs free-kick line.