NIRSA FLAG FOOTBALL 4 PERSON OFFICIATING MECHANICS

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NIRSA FLAG FOOTBALL 4 PERSON OFFICIATING
MECHANICS
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PASS / RUN PLAYS
1
LJ
BJ
R
FJ
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REFEREE MECHANICS
Before Snap
Set ball spotters (Orange Offense, Gold
Defense)
Confirm down number with partners and down box
Sound whistle sharply (ready for play whistle)
and begin the 25 second play clock NOTE if the
offense is ready to snap the ball, do not blow
the ready for play until you are in position
Positioning
Opposite side from LJ and BJ, same side as FJ
7 yards behind and 7 yards outside the deepest
offensive back
STAY WIDE !
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REFEREE MECHANICS (cont.)
After Snap
Mental Checklist Snap, Ball, QB, Rush, Pass
Follow ball carrier towards either sideline,
maintaining an inside looking out angle
Stay wide to avoid becoming a part of the play
Primary responsibility is the QB
After a pass is thrown, do NOT watch the ball,
keep your eyes on the passer until there is no
threat of a foul
Rule on illegal contact by rushers and blockers
Rule on all pitches behind the neutral zone
Rule on legal or illegal forward passes where
passers feet are close to the orange ball
spotter
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R POSITION RUN / PASS PLAYS
7 yards behind
7 yards outside
R
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LINE JUDGE MECHANICS
Before Snap
Use backfield foot to line up offensive players
Inform Team A if they do not have enough players
on the line (Raised arm until line requirement is
met)
Count offensive players
Confirm down number with partners and down box
Positioning
Opposite FJ and R same side as the BJ
Stand in neutral zone, on the sideline
If a receiver lines up near the sideline, take a
step or two out of bounds
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LINE JUDGE MECHANICS (cont.)
After Snap
Mental Checklist Snap, Players, Zone, Ball
Observe initial charge of line players
Slide downfield 3-5 yards initially, watch for
illegal contact by receivers and defensive backs
When pass is released, move to the most
advantageous position to see between the receiver
and defender
Stay wide and parallel to runner as you have the
primary call on downfield pitches
Primary responsibilities are marking forward
progress and ruling on plays near zone lines and
goal lines
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LJ POSITION RUN / PASS PLAYS
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LJ
1
2
4
3
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BACK JUDGE MECHANICS
Before Snap
Confirm down number with partners and down box
Count defensive players
Periodically inform players, coaches, and
officials of the remaining time
Positioning
Opposite FJ, same side as LJ
15 17 yards downfield, 12 14 from sideline
Stay behind the deepest defensive player and
wider than the widest offensive player
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BACK JUDGE MECHANICS (cont.)
After Snap
Mental Checklist Snap, Players, Zone, Ball
First step is ALWAYS backwards
Do not let a player behind you running downfield
Keep players boxed in, do not get caught inside
Do not overcommit to the other side of the field
too quickly
Primary responsibility is the end line
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BJ POSITION RUN / PASS PLAYS
1
BJ
12 14 yds
15 17 yds
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Field Judge Mechanics

• Before Snap
• Confirm down number with partners and down box
• Count defensive players
• Periodically inform players, coaches, and
  officials of the remaining time
• Positioning
• Opposite BJ, same side as R
• 10-12 yards downfield, on the sideline
• Always be aware of the zone-line-to-gain

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Field Judge Mechanic Cont.

• After Snap
• Stay Wide the sideline is your responsibility
• Take responsibility for the runner on your side
  of the field.
• Always communicate with LJ on all spots and
  backward passes
• Keep players boxed in

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FJ POSITION RUN / PASS PLAYS
1
FJ
1 3 yds
10 12 yds
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GOAL LINE PLAYS
FJ
R
BJ
LJ
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REFEREE MECHANICS
Positioning is the same as run / pass plays
Responsibilities
Same as pass / run plays except
After touchdown, check for penalties, then speak
only to captain to obtain the Try choice
Announce the choice to players and officials
Do not signal touchdown from the R position
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LINE JUDGE MECHANICS
Positioning is the same as run / pass plays
Responsibilities
Same as pass / run plays except
After the snap, hustle to the goal line if the
ball is snapped inside of the 5 yard line and
rule on either a touchdown or spot forward
progress
ALWAYS know where the goal line is
Do not mirror TD signal by the BJ and FJ
Communicate with BJ and FJ on corner plays
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FIELD JUDGE MECHANICS
Positioning is the same as run / pass plays
Responsibilities
Same as pass / run plays except
Objective is to be straddling the goal line
BEFORE the ball breaks the plane
ALWAYS know where the goal line is
FJ has ALL calls regarding the goal line!
Do not mirror TD signal by the BJ or LJ
Communicate with BJ and LJ on corner plays
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BACK JUDGE MECHANICS
Positioning
Any time the ball is snapped inside the 15 yard
line, stand on the end line, still 3-5 yards from
the sideline
Responsibilities
BJ has all calls regarding the Endline!
Do not mirror TD signals by the FJ and LJ
Stay on the end line and let the play come to
you.
Communicate with FJ and LJ on corner plays
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KICKING PLAYS
1
LJ
BJ
R
FJ
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REFEREE MECHANICS
Positioning is the same as run / pass plays
Responsibilities
Watch for snap hitting the ground
If punt goes out of bounds in flight, line up
covering official by chopping your arm as they
reach the out-of-bounds spot
After the punt move downfield, focusing on screen
blocking ahead of the runner
Be alert for a long return responsible for goal
line
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LINE JUDGE MECHANICS
Rule on any scrimmage line fouls
Hold initial position after the punt ruling on
any infractions on the line of scrimmage
If kick goes out of bounds in the air, go beyond
where you believe the spot is, turn and walk back
upfield, watching for the R to drop their arm and
stop
If kick goes out of bounds on the ground, mark
the spot
LJ has responsibility for their sideline
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FIELD JUDGE MECHANICS
Rule on any scrimmage line fouls
Move down the field 25-30 yards near the sideline
on the opposite side of the LJ and BJ
If kick goes out of bounds in the air, go beyond
where you believe the spot is, turn and walk back
upfield, watching for the R to drop their arm and
stop
If kick goes out of bounds on the ground, mark
the spot
FJ has responsibility for their sideline
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BACK JUDGE MECHANICS
Parallel to deepest receiver at least 8 10 yds
wide
After ball is caught, move with flow
Responsible for Team B goal line and endline
If kick goes out of bounds in the air, go beyond
where you believe the spot is, turn and walk back
upfield, watching for the R to drop their arm and
stop
If kick goes out of bounds on the ground, mark
the spot
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Images
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BJ
LJ
R