BACK JUDGE

IN THE

5-MAN CREW

Mechanics Review CCFOA CLINIC

Aug, 2014

PASSING PLAYS

SCRIMMAGE

KICKS

MISC

PRE-GAME

DUTIES

GENERAL GAME

DUTIES

KICKOFFS

RUNNING PLAYS

PHASES OF THE GAME

ARE YOU EQUIPPED

PROPERLY??

PRE-GAME

• Normal equipment (whistle,

flags, etc)

• 25 sec device

• Game clock device

• Beanbags (2 contrasting

colors)

PRE-GAME

•Pre-game discussion w/crew

•Meet Coaches

• Instruct game clock (critical)

•Talk to QB/Coaches about play

clock (count at 5 seconds)

•Talk to Returners about

fair catch signal

GENERAL GAME DUTIES

•Count defensive team (confirm

w/flank) – NO ILP

•Check clock status (CRITICAL

– ALWAYS KNOW STATUS)

•Keep play clock

•Be vocal at all times so

defense knows you’re

there

•Time TO’s and intervals

between scores

•Assist with dead ball

•Think ahead on C.O.P.

(NEW BALL)

GENERAL GAME DUTIES

FREE KICKS

• Stay on Visitors sideline and come out with K (run up “happy” sideline after scores)

• Position w/kicker and instruct

• Count Team A (no go with < or > 11)

• Move to Visitor’s side (back of white), clear sideline & signal R (1 hand in air)

• Observe Team K restraining line (What is offside???)

PRESSBOX

BJ

U LJ

R

H BJ

Pre-Kick Position

FREE KICKS

•Once ball is kicked wait until K moves downfield about 10 yds then move to center of field

•Go downfield 10-15 at most (based on how far kick is)

•Keep cushion from action

•Watch blocking in your area

•Responsible for K’s GL

FREE KICKS

What to watch for:

•Formations by K (NEW RULE)

•Ball kicked into ground

•Fouls against kicker

•First touching by K (Bean Bag)

• Illegal Blocks by K (Flag)

•Kick Out of Bounds (Flag)

SHORT FREE KICKS

NOTHING CHANGES FOR BJ!

•U and H move up to R’s line

•L moves up to K’s line

PRESSBOX

U

BJ

BJ

R

H

SHORT FREE KICK

MECH’S

LJ

• Tighter call on Offside

• Bean Bag in hand

• Bounced off the turf?

• Ball Kicked away –

Watch blocking

• Ball Kicked to –

Watch ball

SHORT FREE KICKS

SCRIMMAGE PLAYS

•Basic position is 20- 25 yards

deep, but always behind

deepest DB

• Favor the strong side of the

field but stay between the

uprights

•Ball snapped inside 10 yd

line – Position on End Line

PRE-SNAP

•Check Clock

•Count Defense

•Play Clock

• Identify Key

PRE-SNAP KEYS

• Your key determines who you watch

closest at the snap

• Keys are temporary

• Keys determined by formation

Strength determined by eligible

receivers

• B, H and L to discuss in pregame

When to give up keys

Motion (stay on key until snap)

BJ Keys

• Generally, BJ has widest Receiver to

strong side

• Balanced Set (equal # of receivers) –

Widest Receiver to LJ side of field

and help to HL side as secondary

• Trips Set (3 receivers) - #2/#3

Receivers

• Motion – Key determined at snap

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

PRESS BOX

AT SNAP

• Watch Key initial, read tackle to

determine if run or pass

Tackle fires out – Run

Tackle steps back - Pass

RUNNING PLAYS

• When read run, stop and let action

come to you. (work inside-out)

• Box runner in and watch blocking in

front of ball carrier (use O-line to help

tell you where ball is going).

• Maintain the initial cushion as you go

down the field (work off ball)

• Lead to the GL (DON’T GET BEAT)

• For sideline TD plays, confirm

player stayed inbounds with flank

before giving TD signal.

RUNNING PLAYS

•Once ball is dead move towards

pile but maintain good distance

•Stay alert for dead ball fouls

•Keep head on a swivel

•Help relay ball after

colors separate

PASS PLAYS

If Read Pass at snap

• Watch key initially as they move

downfield

• Move to zone coverage as play

develops

• Use peripheral vision and watch all

receivers going downfield

• Backpedal to keep cushion

• After pass is caught, switch to

run play mechanics

PASSING PLAYS

The goal line is your

responsibility alone (except in

goal line mechanics and deep

passes into end zone)

If there is a pass threatening

it, you MUST be on it

PASSING PLAYS

•Passes down center of field

are your responsibility (with

potential help from U)

•Passes into sidezones

coordinate with the

appropriate flank official

(head nod, etc)

PASSING PLAYS

Passes into endzone:

• When you’re positioned on goal

line move into end zone as

receivers move into end

• If Receivers are deep into end

zone then be on the end line

• Only give up goal line if it

will no longer be threatened

PASSING PLAYS

If complete or incomplete in your

area

• Sound whistle

• Give good strong signal (only

incomplete or kill the clock,

not both)

PUNTS

Position: 2-3 yards behind and 10-12 yards outside of deepest punt returner on HL side (don’t position past goal line)

Work with bean bag ready!

PRESS BOX

PUNTS • Once ball is kicked, observe area

in front of returner AND returner

• Watch for fair catch signals (valid

and invalid) & kick catch

interference

• Keep cushion at all times, watch

receiver, move with him

• Have feel for ball location and be at

goal line before ball gets there

• Be aware of momentum rule

BEAN BAGS

• Bean bag any and all spots of

first touching by K (signal?)

• Once R gains possession, bean

bag that spot (with different

colored bean bag)

• Do not bean bag end of

kick on a fair catch

PUNTS

•Once ball is caught/received

by R, cover the advance

upfield

•As R advances upfield, let

flanks pick him and watch

backside blocks.

PUNTS

•Kicks out of bounds – Only

rely on Referee if need be,

pick a spot and SELL IT!!

•Ball dead when crosses GL

regardless of touching

by R!!

PUNTS

Difference between muffs and

fumbles??

FAIR CATCH SIGNAL

•VALID – 1 hand only, clearly

above head, waved side to

side more than once

• INVALID – Any arm

movement that does not

meet criteria for a valid

signal or any valid signal

after ball touches ground

FAIR CATCH SIGNAL

Flag?

WHISTLE?

What if there is an invalid

signal?

KCI

Receiver in position AND trying to

make a catch must be given an

“unimpeded opportunity”

• No contact required for a foul

• No halo

• Completing catch is

immaterial

When can you no longer

have KCI?

KCI

KCI does not cause ball to become dead! Continue to officiate

Always a live ball enforced at the spot of the foul or at the previous spot foul

NO TACK ON’S!!

FIELD GOALS AND TRYS

•Position just behind the

upright on opposite side of

field as fellow flank (know

which flank should be under)

•Responsible for your upright,

the crossbar and the

whistle

• If kick is good, take one step up,

confirm with partner and go up and

down together (coordinate during pre-

game)

• If kick fails, remember it is a

scrimmage kick and normal

scrimmage kick rules apply

(unless kick crosses GL or Try)

• Fake/Broken FG/Try – Stay on

endline at all times

FIELD GOALS AND TRYS

MEASUREMENTS

•Responsible for ball

•Hold the ball in place on the

ground until measurement

completed

•Position past front stake

with back to B’s

goal line

INTERVALS

You time:

• Timeouts (whistle at 45 secs)

• Intermissions between

quarters (whistle at 45 secs)

• Intermissions between

scores (whistle at 45 secs)

•Halftime (confirm during

pre-game and time)

PENALTY

Your job:

• Assist with holding spot of foul

if downfield

• Know status of ball, result of

play and penalty enforcement

• Help obtain ball

• Tell coach penalty (get #)

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS