1
Date of Observation
Game Location
Crew Chief
Referee
Umpire
Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
Home Team
Score
Visiting Team
Score
Weather Conditions
Hot
Windy
Comments
Warm
Breezy
Chilly
Calm
Cold
Rain
Grass
Field marked Correctly
Drizzle
Snow
Field Conditions
Field Turf Comments
Quality of Game / Unusual Circumstances
Physical Appearance of Crew
Clean matching uniforms
Stand tall, professional demeanor
Comments
All black shoes (NO WHITE)
No flags showing
No crossed arms, hands on hips, hands in pockets
Pre‐Game Responsibilites
On field 30 minutes prior to kick‐off
Meet with line crew R & LJ on 40s (Press box side)
Comments
1st ‐ Meet home coach then visitor coach
Inspect the field Meet with clock operator (In locker room or on field)
U on 50, L & BJ on 40s (Chain Side)
Coin Toss
20 Minutes prior to kick‐off
Crew stand behind Umpire
Comments
Press box side of field (Near sideline)
Introduce the entire crew
Captains' backs to sideline
R ‐ Face the press box to signal
Measuring for First Down
Referee
Umpre
Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
Comments
Signal Linesman to bring the chains. Rotate ball so long axis is parallel to the sideline. Take forward indicator from crewman at spot. Pull tight when Linesman says "Ready".
Bring line‐to‐gain indicator to spot. Hold firmly, communicate to Umpire when "Ready".
Place foot behind clip to align Linesman and keep chains parallel.
Clear players from measurement area. Tend ball at time of measurement.
2
Pre‐Snap Alignment (Scrimmage Plays)
Referee
Umpire
Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
Comments
Step up to signal RFP, back out
Stay on ball until RFP, back out
Start out of bounds
Start out of bounds
No deeper than 20 yards off LOS
5 yds / 5 yds from deepest back
1 yd deeper than linebackers
Move in based on formation
Move in based on formation
Position to formation strength
Passing arm side of QB
Vary position between tackles
Establish LOS with upfield foot
Establish LOS with upfield foot
Don’t step back on snap
Scrimmage Plays
Referee
Run Play
Clean up behind play
Comments
Cover wide plays to the sideline
Help Umpire on short plays
Pass Play
Stay with passer
Comments
Observe blocks behind neutral zone
Communicate "Balls Away"
Run Play
Slide/Pivot to avoid contact
Comments
Follow play inside out
Move with play (Hash to hash)
Pass Play
Step up to the expanded neutral zone
Comments
Stay with blockers after pass
Cover short passes over middle
Run Play
Stay parallel to the runner
Comments
Squeeze & clean up backside (To hash)
Move in for spot (Square off)
Pass Play
Move down the sideline as required
Comments
Squeeze & clean up backside (To hash)
Move in for spot (Square off)
Run Play
Stay parallel to the runner
Comments
Squeeze & clean up backside (To hash)
Move in for spot (Square off)
Pass Play
Move down the sideline as required
Comments
Squeeze & clean up backside (To hash)
Move in for spot (Square off)
Run Play
Inside out Coverage
Comments
Sideline to sideline coverage
Assist with ball relay
Pass Play
Stay deeper than all receivers
Comments
Move quickly to ball
Assist with ball relay
Umpire
Linesman
Line Judge
Back Judge
3
Kick‐Off
Referee
R's GL ‐ L's side ‐ Outside of hash
Watch players not ball
Proper coverage
Watch players not ball
Proper coverage
Watch players not ball
Proper coverage
Watch players not ball
Move along the sideline / 15 yards
Watch players not ball
Move along sideline to opposite 45
Umpire
R's 20 yd line opposite side of L
Linesman
R's 30 yd line chain side
Line Judge
R's free kick Line
Back Judge
K's free kick Line
One minute after PAT and successful field goal.
Only covering official(s) start / stop clock.
All officials have bag in hand.
All officials hand over head to signal ready.
Comments
BJ move through team box prior to kick.
L J move through team box prior to kick.
LJ & BJ work to mid field and out together.
Punt
Referee
3‐5 yds outside TE, 2‐3 yds behind kicker, kicking leg side
Signal to protect snapper
Protect kicker
Umpire
4‐7 yards deep on L J side
Step to neutral zone, Protect snapper
Pivot to view L J side then cover
Linesman
Align on LOS
Move downfield after ball crosses the neutral zone
Move chains after R signals
Line Judge
Align on LOS
Release aggressively downfield on the snap
Help BJ with fair catch signal
Back Judge
10‐12 yds wide, 2‐3 yds deeper than returner, L side
Communicate with returner
Comments
PAT / FG
Scrimmage play alignment vs Swinging Gate.
Proper rotation for PAT / FG.
Officials under goal posts step out and signal simultaneously.
Referee whistle immediately on PAT kicks.
Umpire widen over TE to open side.
Comments
Goal‐Line Play
Ball placed between 10 & 5 yd line ‐ L J and L release slowly, stay ahead of runner.
Ball placed inside 5 yd line ‐ L J and L release to goal line officiate back.
Only officials who actually see touchdown give touchdown signal.
Comments
Bag all punts
4
GAME MANAGEMENT / COMMUNICATION
Administering Penalties
Referee
Give preliminary signal & final signal. [Dead ball penalty (encroachment, false start, delay of game) ‐ 1 signal]
Umpire
Secure ball, briskly step off penalty yards.
Linesman
Proceed to succeeding spot
Line Judge
Hold enforcement spot.
Back Judge
Assist in holding spot of foul or recovering penalty marker.
Comments
Time‐Out Procedure
Referee
Take position away from other officials, observe teams.
Umpire
Maintain position over ball, observe teams.
Linesman
Position halfway between ball and sideline, observe your team.
Line Judge
Position halfway between ball and sideline, observe your team.
Back Judge
g
Take position away from other officials, keep time and notify other officials.
Comments
Between‐Periods Procedure
Referee
Communicate with Umpire and Linesman. (Record down, distance, yard line)
Umpire
Quickly take ball to corresponding point on other half of field and reverse directions.
Linesman
Reset chain crew, then observe team on your sideline.
Line Judge
Observe team on your sideline.
Back Judge
Observe team for Linesman until he returns, resume position away from officials. Notify officials of time.
Comments
Between‐Halves Procedure
Referee signal to start clock Resume pregame alignments
Comments
Leave field together
Get captains at 3 Minute mark
Controlling the Sideline and Team Box
3 Coaches in box between Plays
Comments
Clear box prior to snap
Return to field together ‐ 5 Minutes
Kick of when 3 minutes expires
5
GAME TEMPO
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
COMMENTS FOR NSAA
POST SEASON
YES
NO
LEVEL
A
B
C
D