1. On-Field Communication Between Football Officials
National Federation of State
High School Associations
2007 NFHS Football Rules Interpretation Meeting July 17, 2007
On-Field Communication Between Football Officials
This is just a broad over view I put together of some of the on-the-field communications between officials.
Bob, asked that I put some things together that would cover minutes! Well, the first page of the officials manual would be a 30 minute review!
Tom Ziemianski
Delaware

2. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
Appearance
1. What I did is try to lump some points under the different general categories shown here and the communications associated with them.

3. Appearance - Neatness All officials.
Always wear the proper uniform, which is clean and neat.
Physical condition of an official is also an important part of appearance.
1. The official’s appearance greatly affects your attitude and the attitude of your fellow officials.
2. The official who wears the proper uniform which is neat, clean, and acts professional will foster proper attitudes from all concerned.
3. The physical condition of an official is an important part of appearance. Officials who act in a professional manner, who move quickly from one position to another, and who have stamina to last throughout the game, will have more success than the official who does not possess these qualities.

4. Appearance - Posture (in a dead ball stance)
This posture gives the impression, “I’m in charge” or “I just graduated from the police academy!”
Should be avoided!
You can be neat & clean, but posture plays an important roll in the communication process!
This should be avoided!

5. Appearance - Posture (in a dead ball stance)
This posture gives the impression “I don’t care and probably don’t want to be here!”
Should be avoided!
1. Here is another posture that should be avoided!

6. Appearance - Posture (in a dead ball stance)
This posture gives the impression “I’m tired!”
Also, should be avoided!
Again this should be avoided!
You look like your tired!

7. Appearance - Posture (in a dead ball stance)
Military at ease position!
Does not draw attention to yourself!
Shows you are ready for the next play!
1. The military at ease posture does not draw attention to yourself and gives the impression that your in position and ready for the next play to take place.

8. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
Equipment
1. Equipment and how it’s used is the next general area that affects on-the-field communication.

9. Whistles Used by the official covering the runner.
Find the ball before sounding your whistle.
When the ball becomes dead, sound your whistle quickly and loudly!
Move quickly to be certain all action stops on the whistle.
Remember the ball can be kept in view when you are in position and alert!
Let’s look at whistles.
Work and talk off of the chart.

10. Penalty Marker
The penalty marker should be tucked out of sight when carried in the back pocket of the official. Only the ball should be showing if tucked in the front.
The penalty marker shall be used to mark the appropriate yard line on which an official has observed an infraction.
Use discretion, officiating position and game situation should determine whether the marker is dropped or tossed following an infraction. However as a general rule, throw (toss) the penalty marker in the air on a dead ball foul and throw (toss) the penalty marker to the yard-line where the foul occurred on a live ball foul.
If a foul is on the other side of the field, drop the flag on the appropriate yard line (don’t throw it across the field!).
Next is the penalty marker.
Work off of the chart!

11. Bean Bag
The bean bag is to be dropped on the appropriate yard line in accordance with the situations calling for such action as noted in the officials manual.
The bean bag is to serve as an aid to enforcement and not an absolute reference point.
Next is the bean bag.
Work off of the chart.

12. Clipping Device
The linesman shall furnish a clipping device for use in measuring first downs.
This device is to be clipped on the line-to-gain equipment at the back edge of the yard line closest to the rear line-to-gain rod.
The linesman should mark the half-way point on the line-to-gain equipment during the pre-game inspection of the chains (helps in 5-yard penalty measurements).
The referee should also use a clipping device to mark the position of the ball when moving it after a measurement to the inbound line.
1. Next are the clipping devices.

13. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
Clock/Timing
1. The next general area to look at and how it helps in on-the-field communications deals with running and stopping the clock.

14. Off The Field Clock
The clock operator needs to be part of the pre-game, to review signals for starting and stopping clock.
In high school, it may be appropriate to have a signal from the clock operator to referee that they’re ready for a free kick.
Let’s look at off the field official clock.
First dot -- talk off of the chart.
Second dot, in high school it is probably a good idea to have a signal from the press box where appropriate to give the referee that the clock operator is ready for a free kick.

15. On The Field Clock
The line judge (four person crew)/ back judge (five person crew) will have the correct time and all officials will synchronize their watches accordingly.
For stopping and starting clock give the proper signals twice.
1. Talk off of the chart.

16. Signal - Start Clock on Snap
Indicates last play was out of bounds.
One of the signals recommended by the manual is to stand with your hands at your side and palms facing your back to indicate the last play was out of bounds and start the clock on the snap!
Can’t remember anyone using this but it is recommended.

17. Signal - Start Clock on Snap
Indicates last play was an incomplete pass or some other situation that requires the clock to start on the snap.
Here is what we have used to start the clock on the snap.
Simply snap your fingers.
Your usually doing this to communicate to the referee.

18. Signal - Inbounds Forward Progress
When the ball becomes dead near the sideline.
Wind the clock twice, then stop the clock twice.
Indicates that a first down has been attained inbounds.
When the line to gain has been attained. The signal given to help the referee and the clock operator.
Talk off of the chart.

19. 25 Second Count (no electric clock on the field)
Four person crews.
Referee is responsible to enforce.
Five person crews.
Back judge has the responsibility, including some sort of physical signal count of the last 5 seconds.
With no electric clock and a four person crew the referee has the 25 second clock.
Then talk off of the chart.
The signal can be the one used in basketball (#8). I believe some states have adopted special signals so check with them!
4. The referee does not give a physical signal for the last 5 seconds? The quarter back will not see it but the coach probably will.

20. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
General Signals
1. The next general area that affects on-the-field communications deals with general signals.

21. Signal - Double Stakes Wing crew.
This signal is used to indicate that there are more than ten yards to go before attaining a first down.
Should prevent accidental stopping of the clock!
1. Talk off of the chart.

22. Signal - 11 Player Count
After completing the count of the players on the field.
Use to communicate when counting the kickers, receivers, offense and defense.
Talk off of the chart.
Four person crew; Free Kick-R & U receivers, LM & LJ kickers, Running and Passing Play- R offense, LM & LJ defense, Scrimmage Kick - R & U kickers, LM & LJ receivers Field Goal- R kickers, LJ receivers.

23. Signal - Protecting the Snapper
To indicate the snapper needs protection during this play.
Used between the referee and umpire.
1. Talk off of the chart.

24. Signal - Unbalanced Line
Wing crew.
Look for ineligibles.
Check numbering on line (umpire).
Also used for indicating two or more players or no players outside the tackle on the line of scrimmage.
1. When you see a wing official give this signal.

25. Signal - Ready for Play (Free kick)
Use signal when you are in position and counted your players.
I recommend to relay the signal from the back judge who signals the linesman who then signals the referee.
On the other side, the line judge signals the umpire who then signals the referee.
Include when possible, a signal from the off field electric clock operator to the referee.
The ready for play signal on a free kick.
Means you are in position and you counted your players, then give you signal.
The book does not mention relaying the signal, but I found it useful!

26. Signal - Ready for Play (After spotting ball)
Referee checks to see that other officials are in position and ready.
Announces down and signals (fingers or fist & should be should be mirrored by all officials), sound whistle, give ready for play signal, start 25 second count, jog to position and start clock if necessary.
Rule of thumb, (three seconds should be maximum to spot and mark ball).
Umpire stands over ball until ready for play signal is given.
The ready for play after spotting the ball.
Talk off of the chart.

27. Signal - Touch Back
Position yourself on the goal line (referee, line judge or back judge) to rule.
Use Federation signal, not the NFL’s!
Be aware of the momentum rule!
1. I point this out because I observe one or two games each year where I see the NFL’s signal!

28. Signal - Legal Touch
Umpire usually gives signal on legal forward passes and low scrimmage kicks.
1. Talk off of chart.

29. Signal - First touching
All officials need to be in position and alert!
Mark spot of first touching with bean bag (carry the bean bag in your hand!).
1. Most referee’s like this signal, when moving to the ball.

30. Signal - Backward Pass
Given by referee, unless the pass is immediately thrown after the snap in which case wing crew has option to signal.
Signal is also used to indicate player nearest wing official is off the line of scrimmage.
If you don’t hear a whistle the ball is alive!
Talk off of the chart.

31. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
Positions
1. The next general area to consider for on the field communications are the positions of the officials.

32. Kick out of Bounds (Between goal lines)
On free kicks
Sound whistle, give time- out signal
Determine if “R” had touched ball inbounds
Toss penalty marker if “R” did not touch the ball.
On scrimmage kicks in flight (line judge/back judge).
Sound whistle, give time- out signal
Go deeper than the spot where the ball went out of bounds and walk back towards the referee.
Have the referee spot you on the sideline and hold spot until ball has been spotted for the next down.
1. Talk off of the chart.

33. Reporting A Foul All officials. Drop flag and continue to officiate.
After the play is completed.
A fellow official needs to cover flag.
Move quickly to orally communicate foul to referee.
Do not signal your foul. That’s the referee’s responsibility!
1. Talk off of the chart.

34. Sideline Conference
Referee (accompanied by linesman/line judge) and coach directly in front of team box on field of play to review possible misapplication of rules.
Request must be made by the team captain or head coach prior to the ball becoming live following the play which is to be reviewed.
Avoid discussing play situations with coaches on the field during time outs about calls or rules.
Always keep formal greetings “Coach Smith” rather than “Bob”!
Linesman and line judge keep other players and coaches getting into the act.
Talk off of the chart.

35. On Side Kick
In the pre-game conference discuss what signal (should be subtle) will be given to communicate an on side kick.
This allows all officials to be in the proper position and alert for all of the different situations that could happen.
1. Talk off of the chart.

36. Time-out Procedure All officials. Repeat time-out signal.
Record time-out, the number of player who called it, and the time on the clock.
Take the military at ease positions in your assigned locations.
Do not visit with players.
Restrict discussion to captains.
Do not huddle in group.
1. Talk off of the chart.

37. Between Periods
Referee, note and record down, distance and yard line nearest foremost point of ball. Announce info to other officials who then records the information.
Umpire quickly take ball to corresponding point on other half of field and reverse directions.
Line judge/back judge observe teams while moving to corresponding spot on other end of field.
Linesman, clip line-to-gain indicator at back edge of back-yard line. Reverse end of line-to-gain indicator. Set line-to-gain indicator after referee has spotted ball.
All officials check to make sure ball and line-to-gain equipment are correctly set.
1. Talk off of the chart.

38. On-Field Communication Between Football officials
Appearance
Equipment
Clock/Timing
General Signals
Positions
1. So to summarize, your appearance neatness, cleanliness and your ability to act professional plays a roll in on the field communications.

39. On-Field Communication Between Football Officials
Thank You!