High School Football Referee Guide

Hey, welcome back to the High School Referee Guide Blog!  A while back we talked about crew communication prior to the game. Let’s expand on that a little bit more today.  Some people think we just walk on the field and officiate the game, right?  Wrong!!    Today I will talk about the pregame routine and all the details we address as a high school football crew.

As a rule, we like to be on the field at least 35 minutes prior to kickoff time.  During this time members of the  crew should meet with each team’s head coach and follow these rules of communication: continue reading…

It’s been another busy football week here in Northern Colorado! I have done a Jr. High or Jr. Varsity game pretty much every day this week. Last Saturday I had the opportunity to white-hat for a local youth league. The team I officiated for was 4th graders – they were so excited about playing football! I just loved watching their energy and enthusiasm. Doing these type of things in your community can really keep an official jazzed about the sport.

Four guys from our varsity crew are going on the road this afternoon to the Eastern Plains to officiate an 8 man game. We’ll take sandwiches and other “road food”. It will be a long day (2 1/2 hour drive each way!) but these rural schools have just as much interest in the games as the big name local high schools.

Remember, as an official, it’s not about always working big games or playoff games….it’s about the kids and the athletic programs and the loyal fans at the schools no matter how big or small. Keep a good attitude and enjoy your officiating at EVERY game…

till next time…..

New high school football officials often ask for advice and I always tell them: Never stop learning from every experience. I believe that almost ALL games can be used as potential learning experiences. I try to learn something from key situations in games, from other officials (new or old), and from rule changes. Many officials will tell you that it is a good practice to write down your goals before the season starts regardless of how many years you’ve been officiating. continue reading…

As promised, here is the information detailing field mechanics for High School Football five-man crews for the following three positions:

Linesman

• Positioned on the receiving team’s 30 yard line
• On their  sideline (typically the visiting team side)- with the chain crew
• Out of bounds
• Counts all receiving team players
• Responsible for making certain that coaches, players and others are in their proper locations on their sideline
• Hold arm above head when ready to signal to the Referee – ready for the kickoff whistle
• Bean bag in hand ready for spot if last touched inbounds by the receivers
• Ready to throw flag if kick goes out of bounds and untouched by the receivers
• Watches players not the flight of the ball
• If touching by the receivers is in the area then gives clock start signal
• Provides player coverage, watching action and providing cleanup around and behind the runner
• Picks up action of the runner and follows as needed

Line Judge

• Positioned on the receivers’ free kick line – 50 yard line
• Opposite the linesman
• Out of bounds
• Counts all receiving team players
• Responsible for making certain that coaches, players and others are in their proper locations on their sideline
• Hold arm above head when ready to signal to the Referee – ready for the kickoff whistle
• Bean bag in hand ready for spot if last touched inbounds by the receivers
• Ready to throw flag if kick goes out of bounds and untouched by the receivers
• Observe infractions involving receivers free-kick line
• Watch for first touching by the kicking team
• Watch players not the flight of the ball
• Watch for illegal blocks
• If touching by the receivers is in the area then gives clock start signal
• Provides player coverage and watches action
• Picks up action of the runner and follows as needed
• If ball action becomes dead in area, blow whistle and kill clock

Back Judge

• Initially controls the ball
• Hands the ball to the kicker
• Communicates to the kicker each time for potential onsides kicks
• Counts all kicking team players
• Gives predefined signal to crew if onsides
• Moves to position on the kickers’ free kick line – 40 yard line
• Same side as the linesman
• Out of bounds
• Responsible for making certain that coaches, players and others are in their proper locations on their sideline
• Observes kicking line for infractions
• Hold arm above head when ready to signal to the Referee – ready for the kickoff whistle
• Bean bag in hand ready for spot if last touched inbounds by the receivers
• Ready to throw flag if kick goes out of bounds and untouched by the receivers
• Watch for first touching by the kicking team
• Watch players and  the flight of the ball – until ball is out of zone
• Watch for illegal blocks
• If touching by the receivers is in the area- gives clock start signal
• Provides player coverage and watches action
• Picks up action of the runner and follows as needed if on a long return
• If ball action becomes dead in area, sees the ball and then blows whistle and kills the clock

Hope you find this information useful and, as always, feel free to leave comments or questions for me.

Till next time – here’s a five yard delay-of-game penalty for ya!

Wow this is a  tough topic!   It’s unfortunate that we ever have to be “police” on the field – but it does happen.  A game with bad sportsmanship can sometimes make for the worst games to officiate.  I believe that sportsmanship should be a required class for parents, athletes, coaches and officials.   In my opinion playing  and/or winning with respect for yourself and the other team is really how sports should be played.  Behind player safety – sportsmanship is key for officials to monitor. continue reading…