BACK JUDGE
IN THE
5-MAN CREW
Mechanics Review
CCFOA CLINIC
Aug, 2014
PHASES OF THE GAME
PASSING PLAYS
PRE-GAME
SCRIMMAGE
DUTIES
KICKS
GENERAL GAME
MISC
DUTIES
KICKOFFS
RUNNING PLAYS
PRE-GAME
ARE YOU EQUIPPED
PROPERLY??
• 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
GENERAL GAME DUTIES
•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)
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???)
Pre-Kick Position
H
BJ
R
BJ
U
LJ
PRESSBOX
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
SHORT FREE KICK
MECH’S
BJ
H
R
BJ
U
LJ
PRESSBOX
SHORT FREE KICKS
• Tighter call on Offside
• Bean Bag in hand
• Bounced off the turf?
• Ball Kicked away –
Watch blocking
• Ball Kicked to –
Watch ball
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
What if there is an invalid
signal?
Flag?
WHISTLE?
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
FIELD GOALS AND TRYS
• If kick is good, take one step up,
confirm with partner and go up and
down together (coordinate during pregame)
• 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
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