New Officials - 2011
Lesson 5 –
Kicking Downs – Both
Free and Scrimmage Kicks
Ordinary Kickoffs
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For an ordinary kickoff with no penalties involved, the kickers must place the ball
anywhere between the hash marks on their own 40 yard line. The receivers are
restrained behind the 50-yard line.
Each of the wing officials comes out toward the center of the field to brief their
respective teams (“don’t cross the line until the ball has been kicked”, “mouthpieces in”,
etc.) and to make sure neither team is about to kick off with other than 11 players
(“count your players”).
In a 4-Man the wing officials are responsible for the two teams restraining lines marking
the 10 yard neutral zone. The Linesman is responsible for the kickers; the Line Judge is
responsible for the receivers. Once the count is good, each wing turns to the other,
gives a “thumbs up” indication, then turns and runs to his sideline & turns toward field.
The Umpire lines up opposite the Line Judge (on the same side as the Linesman, that is
opposite the press box) at about the receivers’ 20 yard line. His position can vary back
towards the spot of the kick; remember the idea is to keep the play surrounded; be
aware of the strength of the kicker.
The Referee will line up at about the 5-10 yard line toward the center of the field but
shaded to the press box (Line Judge’s) side of the field. Both U and R count receivers.
The Referee checks off with all other officials, then blows the play ready.
Chains Side
Ordinary Kickoff Lineup
Press Box Side
Free Kick after a Safety
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The primary difference between an ordinary kickoff and a kickoff after a safety is
that the kickers will be kicking from their own 20 yard line and receivers are
retrained at the kicker’s 30 yard line. In addition, the kickers have the option of
using a punt instead of a kick from placement. If they use the punt option they
must actually kick the ball from within 1 yard behind their 20 yard line.
The wing officials have essentially the same responsibilities as in an ordinary
kickoff.
The Umpire is positioned approximately at the receivers’ 40 yard line; as in an
ordinary kickoff, this can vary back toward the spot of the kick.
The Referee moves up from the Goal Line approximately 15 yards to the vicinity of
the 20-25 yard line, but must be able to cover the Goal Line in the unlikely event
that the kick gets that deep.
Chains Side
Kickoff after a Safety
Press Box Side
Free Kick after a Fair Catch
or an Awarded Fair Catch
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A rarely used option is open to the receiving team in the case of a completed Fair
Catch or an Awarded Fair Catch. That option is to select a free kick. Although this is
rarely used, it can be a great opportunity since among the free kicks, this one
alone allows the kickers to score a field goal (3 points!).
The Referee will line up under the receivers’ goal post and will be responsible to
make the call on the field goal attempt.
The wings will perform their usual roles. There will be a 10-yard wide neutral zone
between kickers and receivers. However, the kickers’ line will be through the point
of the ball at the time of the Fair Catch or Awarded Fair Catch.
The Umpire will still line up on the Linesman’s side of the field, but his position will
be closer to the Goal Line but approximately half way between the receivers’
restraining line and the Goal Line.
Chains Side
Free Kick after a Fair Catch
Press Box Side
Punts
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In a 4-Man crew, the Line Judge is the official designated to move from his
ordinary position and go downfield with the receiving team’s receivers. He must
brief them before the play on how to legally call a Fair Catch if the receiver’s so
choose.
During the kick, itself, the Line Judge must observe action around the receiver and
be ever aware of whether a Fair Catch has been signaled. He must monitor the
catch or failure to catch and be aware of when the ball becomes dead. If the punt
is deep enough, he must be the official to judge whether the kick crosses the
receivers’ Goal Line for a touchback. He also has to be aware of instances of first
touching (and beanbag them) as well as a separate beanbag to mark possession
for possible use in post-scrimmage-kick (PSK) enforcements.
The Linesman is responsible to make judgments at the entire LOS and holds his
position after the kick long enough to know that the kick has crossed the neutral
zone and will not return.
The Umpire lines up toward the vacated space left by the Line Judge and covers
action in the Line Judge’s normal area of responsibility along with his own area. He
also echoes the Referee’s center protection signal when given.
Chains Side
Punt
Press Box Side
Field Goals, LOS from 15 yard line in
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The Linesman is responsible for protection of the kicker/holder during the play.
The Line Judge maintains his position on his end of the line, but during the kick he
observes the cross bar on the goal post. If the kick is BELOW the crossbar, he will
signal no good. He will NOT make any judgment as to whether the ball went
between the uprights; this is the Referee’s job, instead.
The Umpire provides normal coverage for a scrimmage play, concentrating on
action against the snapper. Prior to the play, he will echo the Referee’s center
protection signal.
The Referee lines up behind where the kick will be made. He judges whether the
ball passed between the uprights. If he judges that it did AND there is not a “no
good” signal from the Line Judge, he will signal the successful try. If the try is
unsuccessful, he will indicate “no good”.
Chains Side
Field Goal/Try LOS at or inside 15
Press Box Side
Field Goals, LOS outside 15 yard line
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The Linesman is responsible for the line of scrimmage the same as for a punt.
The Line Judge releases from his normal position prior to the play and goes
underneath the goal post. He is responsible, alone, for whether the kick is good or
no good.
The Umpire provides normal coverage for a scrimmage play, concentrating on
action against the snapper. Prior to the play, he will echo the Referee’s center
protection signal.
The Referee is responsible for action on the kicker/holder and for potential fake
kicks makes the judgment as to the legality or illegality of the play. His position and
coverage is similar to that of the Referee in a 6-Man crew.
Chains Side
Field Goal/Try LOS outside 15
Press Box Side
Kick Tries
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Kick tries are handled the same as field goal attempts with one major exception.
That exception is that once it is “apparent” that the try will fail, the ball
immediately becomes dead.
Tries with the LOS at or inside the 15 yard line use the same line up and coverage
for the officials as a field goal from that same location.
Tries outside the 15 (for instance after the imposition of a 15 yard penalty for
unsportsmanlike conduct during the touchdown) sue the same line up and
coverage as a field goal from that same location.
Chains Side
Field Goal/Try LOS at or inside 15
Press Box Side
Chains Side
Field Goal/Try LOS outside 15
Press Box Side