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!
