They are placed at the opponents two-yard line, returned to the Officials Locker Room, and finally delivered by coaches. High school football played under the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules typically use five officials for varsity and 3, 4, or 5 for non-varsity games. In 2021, line judge Maia Chaka became the NFL's second full-time female on-field official. Defensive players are no longer allowed to hit the quarterback in the head or below the knees. Top 7 Referee Tips for Managing Conflict on the Field. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. The back judge is the official who sets up 20 yards deep in the defensive backfield on the wide receiver side of the field. Historically, American football officials have been men. However, this doesnt mean that officials from other sports are interchangeable. In other leagues, the responsibility is assigned to the field judge or the back judge. However, the NFL has not ruled on the Patriots yet. Also, if a play goes out of bounds on the tight end side of the field, the field judge marks the spot. Rules on pass interference of holding downfield in the area between the side and field judges. In 2004, the rules were changed throughout college football to permit the fouling player's number to be announced. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The back judge (B or BJ) stands deep behind the defensive secondary in the middle of the field, judging the action of nearby running backs, receivers (primarily the tight ends) and nearby defenders. Each of the officials roles works hand in hand with each other which means the Head Referee doesnt have to worry about being in a dozen places at once. Over the next 40 years, the system would change into what is more-or-less equal to what most American football leagues use today, a seven-official system. In its single aborted season in 2019, The Alliance of American Football's officials wore shirts that are black and white on top with stripes from the middle down, white stars on the sleeves and the number on the back and on the left front pocket. They also call a penalty when a rule is broken, record all rule infractions and make sure the athletes do not unnecessarily hurt each other. A letter indicating the role of each official appears on the back of the shirt at some levels, while NFL officials have numbers with a small letter or letters above. In college football, the side judge is responsible for either the game clock or the play clock, which are operated by an assistant that the side judge directs. The teams coaches were also able to discuss the officiating crew with players. NFL referees are paid more than many other professionals in the country, but the amount they earn is still quite high compared to the average wage for Americans. In another example, a player whod just learned of Vogels firing walked out of the arena clutching the game ball. Soccer matches can get quite heated, sometimes resulting in an argument or even a fight. The referee, two linesmen (aka Assistant Referees) responsible for offsides and out of bounds calls, and the fourth official responsible for substitutions, the time added on, and getting yelled at by managers. FOA is already making important contributions to officiating development. For the NFL, this was the fifth official, added in 1947. Each NFL game averages around 154 plays. Here are the rules for roughing the passer, Position of side judges, and Average salaries of NFL referees. You can find the Assistant Referees on either side of the touchline. The third official is a linesman, who has responsibility for certain important decisions involving offside and goalscoring opportunities. [16][17] The side judge was added for 1978, when the NFL implemented new rules to open up the passing game. There are 17 laws of the game that officials . The side judge is responsible for monitoring the area between the umpire and the field judge, assists on calling the legality of kicks during kickoffs and rules on the legalityof catches andpassinterference penalties. While a defensive player may legally hit the quarterback when they are holding the ball, they are subject to a 15-yard personal foul for roughing the passer. The NFL adopted the gender-neutral term down judge in 1997, and the CFL followed suit in 2017. The latest report suggests that 10 of the balls were below the regulation range, while the 11th football may have been two pounds under that limit. [25] In the professional level, the center judge has yet to be used in either the NFL or CFL; however, two leagues, the AAF and the 2020 version of the XFL utilized the center judge. The referee determines any fouls for roughing the passer and, if the quarterback loses the ball, determines whether the ball was fumbled or if an incomplete pass had been thrown. The game balls are then numbered one through twelve. [37] She is also doing replay officiating for the XFL. The pressure of a football is checked by officials before each game to ensure its safety. Before every game, the NFL requires that its game balls be tested for inflation. A side judge also plays an integral role during field goal attempts, judging whether a kicker made a successful field goal. Generally four, sometimes six. During the game, the officials gathered the 11 Patriots balls, which were presumably at 12.5 PSI when they were first inflated. Referees enforce FIFA Laws of the Game in connection with each match. Usually, officials put the loop around their index finger when it is first down, the middle finger when it is second down, and so on. The referees wore red hats, the others white, each with the AFL logo; the league switched to the standard black and white stripes emulating the elder league for their last two seasons before their merger with the NFL was completed (1968 and 1969). Afterwards, the line judge moves back towards the line of scrimmage, ruling if a pass is forward, a lateral, or if it is illegally thrown beyond the line of scrimmage. [8] Although all officials on the crew may be responsible for any decision involving the application or interpretation of the rules, the referee has the final decision. They help the Head Referee make any decisions by giving their input based on what theyve seen, but ultimately, the Head Referee has the final say. On passing plays, the referee primarily focuses on the quarterback and approaching defenders. NFL games feature eight-person crews of referees. [21] In 2017, the NFL renamed the head linesman to down judge. The umpire is the official that lines up approximately five yards off the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball. The umpire (U) traditionally stands behind the defensive line and linebackers, observing the blocks by the offensive line and defenders trying to ward off those blocks, looking for holding or illegal blocks. In addition to their regular work, NFL referees also take part in functions, attend training courses, and attend functions to keep their skills up. The goal itself consists of a frame measuring 8 feet high and 8 yards wide. In four games in the 2010 preseason, the NFL experimented with an eighth official, a deep judge (DJ), in the defensive backfield opposite the back judge. [41][42], In 2012, Shannon Eastin became the first female official of an NFL game. Game officials are typically accurate on 98.9% of calls. Since 2015, Division I college football conferences have used eight game officials, the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in its only season in 2019 and the 2020 version of the XFL have used eight game officials. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. However, if a defensive player hits the quarterback too hard, he or she may be flagged as a roughing the passer. In high school football there are generally five officials, while youth leagues and middle school will typically use three officials at a game. In college football, the NFL, and other professional leagues, and in some high school games, the referee announces penalties and the numbers of the players committing them (required for college and professional games; high school referees are no longer prohibited from announcing the number of a player committing a foul), and clarifies complex and/or unusual rulings over a wireless microphone to both fans and the media. The playing field is 80 yards by 40 yards. Some conferences and high school associations discourage the use of the hat in these situations; the bean bag will be used instead. That process began in earnest in the late 1930s. On a punt out of bounds, referees use their vantage point behind the punter to direct the nearest sideline official to the spot where the ball went out of bounds. There are seven officials in football and they each havevery important roles. They usually are closer to the side the tight end is on. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Brent Grimes, for example, left his game-used ball on the field after an end-zone interception. How Long Does An American Football Game Last? The red and orange look was recreated in 2009 during AFL Legacy Weekends to mark the 50th anniversary of the AFL's founding. For several decades, all NFL officials wore white hats. Soccer can be quite intense and tempers can flare up really easily, especially when the game is getting heated. Roles of The Match Officials. Soccer Kick-Off Rules: Everything You Need To Know, 11 Soccer Throw-In Rules: All You Need To Know, Assessing and judging fouls and penalty appeals. Rules on pass interference or holding downfield. The Pac-12 is a strong opponent of this move. Watches the line of scrimmage for holding, illegal blocks, or other penalties. LIFE IN THE WAR ZONE - For His Own Protection, This Official Must Read Defenses and Offenses; Draw Plays Are Murder", "Fashion statement: NFL refs to sport new uniforms", "NFL experimenting with putting umpire in offensive backfield", "NFL has a new name for the head linesman position: down judge", "Football so fast, complex: NFL adding sixth official", "Sixth N.F.L. Prior to the snap and during the play, each official, by position, has a specific area of responsibility on the field to watch specific player positions and watch for specific fouls. The position was traditionally known as head linesman. Regulations also stipulate the dimensions of the goal post and field markings. They also need to know the strategic tendencies of both teams, as well as the habits of star players. Watches the running back during running plays. The NFL recently changed the way game balls are handled during games. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. Originally Answered: How many referees handle football matches? However, players may be able to hit harder kicks. The opponents two-yard line is the first stop in a football game. Start between the hash marks, Keeps track of 40- or 25-second game clock and manages all television breaks, Starts in the middle and reads the initial action by the Left Guard, Center and Right Guard, Once a BJ reads run, they focus on the 1st level action looking for holding by the Defense, As the play progresses, they go to the 2nd level looking for holding by the Offense, Finally, they go to the primary threat of foul, Once a BJ reads pass, they go to the #2 or #3 receiver based on the formation, Once the ball is released the BJ immediately goes to the where the pass is thrown, Kickoffs Lines up on the Kickers restraining line and ensures KO team is lined up correctly, Responsible for Kicking team not being offside prior to the kick, Punts Position 7-10 yards behind the receiver between the hash marks, Rules on fair catch and fair catch infractions and all other rules that pertain to scrimmage kicks, Lines up under goal posts to rule whether field goals and extra points are good, Defensive backfield, 20 yards behind the LOS toward the same side of the field as the line judge, Watches receiver split widest on nearest side of the field for illegal use of hands and blocking fouls, and for penalties on defensive back covering him, Watches widest receiver block, looking for illegal use of hands or holding, If play goes to nearest side of field, determines if runner goes out of bounds, Focuses on widest receiver on nearest side of the field to make sure the player is able to run his route without defensive interference, If play goes to nearest side, rules on whether pass is complete, On opposite sideline from down judge, looking directly down the LOS, Rules on plays near the sideline on nearest half of the field, Primarily in the Offensive backfield, opposite the referee, 15 yards deep and just outside the normal Tight End position, Maintains control of the game by directly engaging and advising the players throughout the game, Counts the number of offensive players on the field, Marks off penalty yardage and ensures its accuracy, Digs in piles after fumbles to determine which Player/Team has possession, Before the snap, watches for false starts by the Center, Left or Right Guard, Watches the Center, Left Guard, Left Tackle, monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them, Assists the Referee with ruling on action around or to the QB/Passer, Punts - Positions a s few yards behind the Punter, as wide as the Left Tackle, Watches for infractions by the Center and two Guards, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown Positions a few yards behind the Holder, to his right side, Watches for infractions in and around the strong side of the defensive rush. We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Unlike regular footballs, which are inflated to a range between 13.5 and 12.5 psi, the game balls provided to teams are deflated to a lower pressure. In 2007, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate a major college football game, working a game between Memphis and Jacksonville State. When a review is underway, the referee speaks to the replay official via headset at the sideline. He also helps with offside, encroachment, false start, and other line of scrimmage calls. The pressure difference is so small that it is difficult to account for it through environmental factors alone. Once the score is over, a team has four consecutive downs to advance to the next down. The penalties for roughing the passer in an NFL football game are complex and are often hard to interpret. The NFL has implemented new procedures in the handling of game balls, including checking the air pressure at halftime. How to Deal With Spectator Abuse: Advice for Referees, What Makes A Great Soccer Referee? The down judge (DJ) in the NFL, CFL, and the 2022 version of the USFL; head line-judge (H or HL) in college and some states for high school football; or head linesman (H or HL) stands at one end of the line of scrimmage (usually the side opposite the press box, always with the chain crew), looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap. Fourth official. The NFL switched the umpire in 2010 and a year later, experimented with eight-person crews. To become an NFL referee, you have to have at least 10 years of experience as a lineman. The NFL has made a few changes to its rules that have affected the game. Three years ago, Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals said that he and his team would scout the officiating crew each week. In addition to the general equipment listed above, the referee also carries a coin to conduct the pregame (and if necessary, overtime) coin toss.