1. Initial Position Field Judge & Side Judge 20 yards deep on sideline
F & S B
Field Judge & Side Judge
20 yards deep on sideline
25-8 yard line going in, be on the goal line
7 yard line and in, be on the end line
Back Judge
25 yards deep, favor strong side
30-25 yard line going in, be on the goal line
Go to end line anytime F and S are on goal line
20 yards
On goal line
On end line

2. Basic Zones of Coverage
Man, Zone, Ball
Basic Zones of Coverage
Initial key
Press coverage – stay with key longer
No press – progress to next threat
Don’t bail out too quickly, let play develop (read then react)
Watch
Block by initial key
Blocks in front of runner to your side & at POA
Backside behind U if play is away
Look for
Threats (swimming upstream)
Late hits and roughness on sidelines
Players on opposite color’s sideline
Players on ground using leg to trip or whip
Preventive Officiating
Accordion in after play
Talk to players B S F

3. Blocking Below the Waist
Know if players are restricted or not
Intent of the rule is that TE is always restricted even if in tackle box
10 – 2 block is in the area of a player’s arms extended with left hand at “10 o’clock” and right hand at “2 o’clock”
“Crackback” – BBW directed towards the original position of the ball
“Peelback” – BBW directed back towards the offensive team’s end line
Team B may legally BBW only inside zone 5 yards beyond and behind NZ – legal outside if against ball carrier or if attempting to get to ball or ball carrier
Foul if BBW is against opponent in position to receive a backward pass
Foul if BBW is eligible receiver beyond the NZ (no foul if legal forward pass is no longer possible)
BBW is always a foul
during a kick down (free or scrimmage)
after change of possession
Team B low blocking zone
5 yds.
5 yds.
Tackle Box
Restricted Player
Unrestricted Player

4. Blocking Below the Waist
Ball still in tackle box
Ball leaves tackle box X X X X X X X X X
Tackle Box
Restricted Player
Legal if 10-2
Foul
Legal if blocker has not left tackle box
Restricted Player
Legal if 10-2
Foul
Legal only if 10-2 and ball carrier is clearly beyond NZ
Unrestricted Player
Unrestricted Player

5. Basic Keys Field Judge & Side Judge Widest player to your side (#1)
Back Judge
Determine strong side based on number of eligible receivers outside tackles
Take second receiver on strong side (#2) B S F
Pressbox

6. Balanced Formations - Strength is declared to Line Judge’s side
No initial key, let play develop and watch zone S F S F
Initial position
Position snap
Motion
Preliminary key
Key at snap

7. Twins B B S F S F B B S F S F Initial position Position at snap Motion
Preliminary key
Key at snap

8. Trips B B S S F F B B S F S F Initial position Position at snap Motion
Preliminary key
Key at snap

9. Quads B B S F S F B B S F S F Initial position Position at snap Motion
Preliminary key
Key at snap

10. Make it big! Holding Categories Takedown Hook and restrict
Must have material restriction AND effect on play
Take your time
Pause – see the act
Read – digest the results
React – make a decision
Questions to ask
Was movement of player restricted?
Was player beat and trying to regain advantage?
Was player able to make penetration up field?
Was player still able to participate in play?
Was runner already past the point where supposed hold took place?
If hold is away from POA, could defender potentially make tackle?
Player must be trying to disengage
Categories
Takedown
Hook and restrict
Jersey stretch (not always a foul!)
Twist and turn
Make it big!

11. Pass Interference
Defensive
Offensive
Contact not playing the ball
Playing through the receiver’s back
Grab and restrict
Arm bar
Cutoff
Hook and turn
Blocking downfield
Initiating contact and creating separation
Driving through the defender who has established position on the field
Not Pass Interference:
Incidental contact
Inadvertent tangling of the feet
Ball is clearly not catchable (be very careful here)

12. Targeting Indicators – must have! Launch
Forcible contact to head or neck area with the crown of the helmet
“Crown” is area above facemask to the dome of the helmet
Forcible contact to head or neck area of a defenseless opponent that goes beyond making a legal tackle, block, or playing the ball
Defenseless players
Player in the act or just after throwing a pass
Receiver attempting or in position to catch a pass or one who has completed a catch but not had time to protect himself or clearly become a ball carrier
Kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball or during the kick or the return
Kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick or one who has completed a catch or recovery but not had time to protect himself or clearly become a ball carrier
Player on the ground
Player obviously out of the play
Player who receives a blind-side block
Ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped
Quarterback any time after a change of possession
Ball carrier who has given himself up and is sliding feet first
Indicators – must have!
Launch
Crouch followed by upward & forward thrust
Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, hand, fist, or elbow to head or neck area
Lowering the head
Take your time
Pause – see the act
Read – digest the results
React – make a decision