1. Five Officials Linesman Position - Kickoff
Before Kick:
Take charge of ball
Position: K’s free-kick line in side zone to monitor bench area and assist kicking team in getting into position.
Move on field to kicker and after checking legality of kicking tee, hand kicker ball, point out referee and instruct kicker to wait for referee’s signal before kicking.
Count K players.
Obtain captain’s ready sign.
Move to position just outside the sideline on K’s free-kick line on the line-to-gain equipment side.
Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and other individuals are in proper locations.
Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready.
Watch for any infractions involving K,s free-kick line.
If there is a dead-ball foul administer penalty and place ball ready.
Four Officials: Same

2. Five Officials Linesman Position - Kickoff
After Kick:
Be alert for first touching by K - Mark spot with bean bag.
Be alert for kick which does not cross R’s free-kick line.
If there is a penalty for a foul before kick ends requiring rekick, administer penalty and place ball ready.
Mark out-of-bounds spot if kick goes out of bounds in your area:
Bean bag spot if last touched inbounds by R.
Drop penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R.
Watch initial blocks by players near R’s free-kick line and action against kicker and holder. Cover to opposite 45-yard line.
After ball has gone downfield, move deliberately in that direction while watching for fouls away from ball.
Maintain position enabling coverage of sidelines at all times.
Be in position to take over coverage of runner in your area on long return.
Four Officials: Same

3. Five Officials Line Judge Position - Kickoff
Before Kick:
Be certain coaches, players, substitutes and other individuals are in proper locations.
Position: R’s free-kick line, outside sideline opposite linesman.
Count R players and identify the free-kick line for the receiving team.
Hold arm above head to indicate you are ready.
Watch for any infractions involving R’s free-kick line.
If short free kick is anticipated:
Position on R’s free-kick line.
Be alert for first touching by K or kick which does not cross R’s freekick line. Hold bean bag to mark spot of first touching by K.
Four Officials: Same

4. Five Officials Line Judge Position - Kickoff
After Kick:
Be alert for first touching by K - Mark spot with bean bag.
Watch initial blocks in your area.
If ball becomes dead in your area, including prior to crossing R’s free-kick line, sound whistle and give time-out signal.
Mark spot where kick goes out of bounds on your side of field:
Bean bag if touched inbounds by R.
Penalty marker if untouched inbounds by R.
After ball has gone downfield, move deliberately in that direction while watching for fouls away from ball. Cover 15 yards down sideline.
Four Officials: Same

5. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Running Play
After ball is spotted:
Position: Straddle line ball is on, no closer than 9 yards outside widest offensive player. On sideline if necessary.
Check down-marker number. Signal number of down.
Use extended-arm signal and hold until snap to indicate closest A player is off line of scrimmage.
Count B players and identify eligible receivers on your side. Be alert for illegal substitutions.
Check following:
Wingback, flankers, split ends and slot backs.
First two players in from your end of offensive line, including backs, as eligible pass receivers.
Player in motion away from you and maintain responsibility for him if he reveres direction.
Minimum of seven offensive players on line-of-scrimmage.
Encroachment or false start.
Four Officials: Same

6. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Running Play
After snap:
Areas of Responsibility:
Key end and wide receiver if defende is covering him tightly. If end uncovered, look through to tackle to read run or pass.
Be alert for quick plays into line and assist in marking forward progress with downfield foot.
Watch initial charge of linemen.
On an end run to opposite side, observe blocking near neutral zone to tackle.
Check block on eligible receiver.
When ball comes to your side of field:
Cover sideline and check for crackback block.
Sound whistle when ball becomes dead and move to spot of ball.
If ball becomes dead in side zone, toss to referee or umpire for spotting
When ball goes to opposite side:
Move cautiously into general area until certain there will be no reverse or counter.
Observe action on linebackers and backside pursuit.

7. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Running Play
After snap: Continued
On down-the-line option plays toward you, observe pitchman, loose ball, and pitchman as he becomes runner.
Observe late blocks and fouls away from runner.
Responsible for entire sideline. If ball goes out of bounds
Signal time-out immediately.
Hold out-of-boinds spot while another official retrieves ball.
If obvious first down, signal clock to stop.
While moving downfield with runner, watch for illegal forward pass or fumble.
If play continues following illegal forward pass, drop penalty marker at spot of pass to indicate where run ended and at spot of any subsequent foul.
Four Officials: Same

8. Five Officials Linesman - Running Play ( Working with line-to-gain equipment and crew )
Echo referee’s signal verbally and with proper hand signal.
Repeat referee’s time-out signal.
Do not turn back on field of play when having equipment moved.
Authorize down-box operator to be moved only after referee’s signal
When necessary to move yardage chain:
Spot foremost point of ball with downfield foot.
Have down-box operator mark spot, informing referee that yardage chain is ready.
Have line-to-gain crew set the two rods.
When line-to-gain is goal line:
Fasten clip to chain at intersection of goal line.
Remove line-to-gain equipment from sideline.

9. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge - Forward Pass
After ball is spotted:
Linesman:
Check down-box number.
Signal referee number of down.
Position: Same as for running play. End of line on side of line-to-gain equipment - assist with line-up.
Line Judge:
Position: Same as for running play. End of line opposite linesman.Assist with line-up.
Be alert for illegal substitution.
Count B players.
Identify eligible receivers.
Use extended-arm signal and hold until snap to indicate closest A player is off line of scrimmage; stacked receivers - closest player is the end.
Be alert for player in motion away from you and maintain responsibility for him if he reverses direction.
Four Officials: Same

10. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Forward Pass
After snap:
Key through end to read initial block of tackle.
Move to position to check blocking and contact of eligible receivers and linebackers.
Be ready to rule on the direction of a quick quarterback pass.
Move downfield cautiously 5 to 7 yards to cover short pass on your side of field.
Watch for interference by either team.
Be ready to rule on fumble or illegal pass after completion.
If pass is incomplete in your area:
Sound whistle
Give incomplete-pass signal.
Retrieve ball and relay to official nearest previous spot.
Be ready to adjust coverage if potential passer decides to run.

11. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Forward Pass
After snap: Continued
Be alert for sideline action.
Be alert for forward progress of runner.
Responsible for entire sideline.
Always be prepared to come back to rule on play near neutral zone in addition to sideline action.
Four Officials: Same

12. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After ball is spotted:
Position: Same as for run or pass.
Check down number and count R players
Four Officials :
Linesman: Same as Five man plus responsible for neutral zone after “Ready” whistle.
Line Judge:
Position: 7-10 yards wider than and in front of the deepest receiver, in position to cover sideline as well as kick.
Count R players

13. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After snap:
Linesman: Hold momentarily after snap. Know if ball crossed neutral zone, then move slowly downfield covering your side between neutral zone and deep receiver(s).
Line Judge: Release on snap, move downfield covering your side between neutral zone and deep receiver(s).
Cover all kicks to your side.
Ball out-of-bounds in flight:
Sound whistle and give time-out signal.
Move farther downfield than where it went out.
Walk upfield until referee spots you on sideline.
Ball rolls out of bounds:
Sound shistle and give time-out signal.
Hold spot and continue to observe action.
Drop bean bag at spot if ball must be retrieved.
Assist referee in covering ball on short or blocked kick:
Note if kick is touched beyond neutral zone.
Note if recovered in or behind neutral zone.

14. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After snap: Continued
Routine Kick:
Unless kick comes close to your side delay move to sideline, cover clipping and other fouls in secondary.
Move with runner if he comes to your side.
Follow to goal line if run is broken.
When ball becomes dead:
Sound whistle, give time-out signal and mark spot.
Make sure of possession on fair catch.
Line Judge: Observe action of signaler when no fair catch is made.
If there is a foul, have a free official cover ball while official who had foul reports information to referee.
Linesman: Watch referee for signal to move line-to-gain equipment.
Four Officials:
Linesman: Same as Five man plus :
If fair-catch signal is made, observe if signaler blocks.

15. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After snap: Continued
Four Officials:
Line Judge:
Carry bean bag in hand during down to mark first touching or fumble.
Responsible for initial action on or by the end on you side.
Cover all kick down the middle and to your side.
Ball rolls out of bounds:
Sound shistle and give time-out signal.
Hold spot and continue to observe action.
Drop bean bag at spot if ball must be retrieved.
Ball out-of-bounds in flight:
Sound whistle and give time-out signal.
Move farther downfield than where it went out.
Walk upfield until referee spots you on sideline.

16. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After snap: Continued
Four Officials:
Line Judge:
Ball stays inbounds:
Be ready to rule on whether kick is touched by either team.
If ball is muffed, be prepared to rule on possession.
Be alert for hand-off and reverse.
If K is first to touch a kick which is moving, mark spot of first touching with bean bag and continue to cover play.
If K is first to touch kick at rest beyond the neutral zone, sound whistle, give time-out signal and mark spot.
Following fair catch:
Sound whistle, give time-out signal and mark spot.
Observe action of signaler when no fair catch is made.
Be prepared to rule on touchback or safety, or whether receiver’s momentum took him into end zone.

17. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Scrimmage Kick
After snap: Continued
Four Officials:
Line Judge:
When kick is returned:
Move with runner if he runs up the middle or to your side until another official picks him up.
When this is done, delay and observe action behind ball.
When kick becomes dead:
Sound whistle immediately and give time-out signal.
Inform referee of ball status before placing it for next play.
If kick is caught inside 5-yard line and player is downed in his end zone or ball goes out of bounds there, be prepared to rule on whether his momentum took hime into end zone.
Mark spot of catch inside 5-yard line with bean bag.

18. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge - Position Field-Goal Attempt or Try
After ball is spotted: Linesman
Position: 5 to 7 yards outside offensive end.
Observe neutral zone.
Observe kicker, holder and opposite side tackle.
Line Judge
Position: Beyond end zone and behind your upright where you feel most comfortable and have best coverage of upright.
Count R players.

19. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Field-Goal Attempt or Try
After snap:
Linesman
If pass or run, move with play as on any other goal-line play.
Quickly move to goal line if run develops to line-judge side of field.
Line Judge
Assume responsibility for end line and for determining if kick goes over or under crossbar and inside upright:
Back judge rules on crossbar and upright.
Line judge rules on upright
Sound whistle when successful kick passes upright or when it is apparently unsuccessful after breaking goal-line plane.
Signal score or no score.
Be prepared to move if kick is blocked, obviously short, or a fake:
Key tight end on your side.
If run develops to your vacated side, quickly move along end line to back pylon to rule on sideline
Next move is toward goal line to assist.
Primary sideline responsibility when run develops to LJ side

20. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge - Position Field-Goal Attempt or Try
Four Officials:
Linesman: Same as five man
Line Judge:
Position: 5 yards behind and directly between uprights.
Rule whether kick is successful or unsuccessful.
If unsuccessful, rule on a possible touchback.
Give appropriate signal.
Responsible for your sideline and end line on runs and passes.

21. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position - Goal-Line Play
Position and cover same as scrimmage play.
On snap between 10 and 5-yard line, release slowly downfield and stay ahead of runner to goal line.
On snap inside 5-yard line, release to goal line and officiate back to ball.
Note farthest point to which ball is advanced.
If short of goal line, move in quickly and help by marking point with downfield foot or by actually placing ball.
If you see ball in possession of runner touch or cross goal-line plane, instantly give touchdown signal.
If ball does not break goal-line plane, do not give any signal.
Linesman:
Place clip on chain at intersection with goal line prior to removing chain.
Remove line-to-gain equipment from sideline when line-to-gain is goal line.
Four Officials: Same

22. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position After a Touchback, Safety, Try or Field Goal
Take ball to center of field on proper yard line and place it with foremost point on center of line.
Count proper team players. Be alert for substitutions.
Hand ball to kicker if it is put in play by free kick:
Instruct kicker to wait for referee’s signal.
Move to sideline where line-to-gain equipment is located.
Line Judge
Retrieve any kicked ball - if kickoff is to follow, the down-box operator should retrieve ball and relay to you.
Relay ball to lineman.
Count proper team players. Be alert for illegal substitutions.
Four Officials: Same

23. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Administering Penalties
Be ready to have line-to-gain equipment moved after penalty administration.
Be certain of down number.
Give final signal for foul to be enforced on kickoff to press-box side of filed.
Line Judge
Return time-out signal to referee.
Hold enforcement spot.
Linesman & Line Judge
Check Enforcement
Do not permit trainers, attendants, or coaches to come onto field.
Relay penalty information to appropriate coach and to other officials if necessary.

24. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Measuring for First Down using Traditional Rods and Chain
Linesman
When a measurement is signaled by referee:
Grasp chain and clip at back edge of back-yard line (don’t just grasp clip since clip could detach)
Instruct down-box operator to mark front rod spot and keep same down number
Bring chain behind ball and place clipped part of chain at back edge of back-yard line.
Hold firmly and call “ready” to umpire to stretch chain tight.
Wait for referee’s decision and signal.
If not first down:
While holding chain, accompany crew to sideline, reset in original position.
Have down-box operator move indicator to next down.
If new series, set inside edge of rear rod at foremost point of ball after spotted by referee. First down on marker

25. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Measuring for First Down using Traditional Rods and Chain
Linesman continued
Mark foremost point of ball for down-marker operator on all first downs.
Line Judge
Position: Behind yard line from which measurement will be made.
Align linesman with ball so measurement is accurate.
Do not permit team attendants to enter field
Four Officials: Same

26. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Time-Out Procedure
Move to position halfway between ball and your sideline
Be alert for signal from referee (pointing directly toward you) to give your team 15-second warning; go to team huddle and say: “Coach, ball will be marked ready-for-play in 15 seconds.”
Be alert for substitutions by your sideline or attempts to use substitutes for purpose of deception, and maintain proper number of players/attendants in huddle.
Inform captain and coach of time-outs remaining.
Four Officials: Same

27. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Between-Periods Procedure
Record down, distance, yard line nearest foremost point of ball.
Confirm information with referee.
Clip chain at back edge of back-yard line.
Call down and distance to assistants.
Reverse ends of yardage chain and two chainmen.
Set yardage chain after referee has spotted ball.
Check number of down and distance to gain.
Indicate to referee you are ready by signaling number of down with finger(s) or fist for fourth down.
Assume responsibilities outlined for time-out including giving your team 15-second warning when directed

28. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Between-Periods Procedure
Observe teams while moving to corresponding spot on other end of field.
Assume responsibilities as for time-out.
Check team box and huddle areas for appropriate conference procedure as during charged time-out
Give your team the 15-second warning when directed by referee
Four Officials: Same

29. Five Officials Linesman & Line Judge Position Between-Halves Procedure
During intermission, discuss with line-to-gain crew aspects of their duties which may be improved to aid in game administration.
Preparing for second half:
Station line-to-gain crew near team box and on receiver’s end of field.
Secure game ball, hand it to kicker, instruct him to wait for referee’s signal before he kicks.
Move to sideline on K’s free-kick line
Line Judge
Position: Near sideline of R’s free-kick line.