Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [46] Her first game as referee was Morgan State at Rutgers. How Many Crosslaces Are on an Official NFL Football. An umpire is a type of game official in football that stands opposite the referee behind the line of scrimmage. The latest report suggests that 10 of the balls were below the regulation range, while the 11th football may have been two pounds under that limit. It is also used by the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. How Long Does An American Football Game Last? [43] She was a replacement line judge while the league had locked out the regular officials due to a labor dispute. The United Football League, which launched play in October 2009, featured officials wearing solid red polo shirts without stripes with black numbers and black pants. As the play develops, the head linesman is responsible for judging the action near that sideline, including whether a player is out of bounds. The NFL does not own the footballs; each team provides at least a dozen balls for every game. [11] In March 2010, the NFL announced that this repositioning would be permanent, after five major injuries were suffered by umpires in 2009 (two concussions and three knee or shoulder injuries requiring surgery). In 2014, several high school associations started mandating the wearing of the black slacks for varsity level games. During professional and most college football games, seven officials operate on the field. The first new addition to the crew was the field judge (also referred to as the back umpire) in 1951, then the next addition being the back judge in 1979, and the seventh official, the side judge being added in 1991. A team has the right to defend its own touchdown, and must pass the ball to gain a first down. After the game, the balls are returned to the Officials Locker Room. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. Below is the National Group of referees and assistant referees for the 2022/23 season. The alternate judge stands in the offensive backfield opposite the head referee, in the same position as an NFL umpire, while keeping the Big 12 umpire in his traditional position behind the defensive line. Deciding if any risk factors mean the game needs to be halted or completely stopped, such as severe weather. This incident will be investigated further. Its simply not possible to officiate every game in real time. The field judge makes decisions near the sideline on his or her side of the field, judging the action of nearby running backs, receivers and defenders. It is most common for high school football games to have five officials, although this number can change depending on the league and state that games are played in. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. The replay official has the final call over all challenges and reviews.[28]. The back judge has the final say regarding the legality of kicks not made from scrimmage (kickoffs). During punts and field goals, the referee observes the kicker (and holder) and any contact made by defenders approaching them. The 2021-2022 Panther Football Schedule is out! Therefore, the pressure on game balls is regulated by the NFL. The hat also is often used to signal a second foul called by the official on a play (by those officials that may carry only one flag); to indicate unsportsmanlike conduct committed against the official himself (as when a player shoves an official); or when some other situation requires a physical mark and the official has already used the ordinary item on the play. A Quick Guide, Basketball Referee Roles And Responsibilities, The Hardest And Easiest Sports To Officiate, referees and officials involved in a soccer game, How Many Officials Are On The Field During A Football Game? Three years ago, Bruce Arians of the Arizona Cardinals said that he and his team would scout the officiating crew each week. Though it might look like there are quite a few officials scattered around the pitch, there are actually only four officials per game. [9] Thus, this position is sometimes referred to as head referee and is considered to be the crew chief. . Afterwards, the line judge moves back towards the line of scrimmage, ruling if a pass is forward, a lateral, or if it is illegally thrown beyond the line of scrimmage. The seven officials in an NFL game include: The referee is the head official and has the final say with all rulings on the field. The referee monitors illegal hits on the quarterback, watches for illegal blocks near the quarterback and determines if the yardage chains are needed on the field for a measurement. The CFL used an eighth official (with no official position name) only during the 2018 playoffs, but that official's only responsibility was watching for head contact with the quarterback. List of National Football League officials, NFL Back Judge 199091 Referee 1992 to 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_National_Football_League_officials&oldid=1142536522, Dave Anderson (19842002) Head Linesman; Line Judge, Ron Baynes (19872000) Side Judge 1987; Line Judge 19882000, Grover Klemmer (19551981) Head Linesman 19551966, Back Judge 19671977, Side Judge 19781981, George A Sladky, Sr (19861991) Replay Official, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 23:52. They are there to make the Head Referees job easier as one man cannot see every little detail and action that happens on the pitch. [38] She worked NFC divisional games in 2020 and 2021,[37] and was the down judge for Super Bowl LV. The umpire also assists in ruling incomplete passes when the ball is thrown short. NFL referees are paid more than many other professionals in the country, but the amount they earn is still quite high compared to the average wage for Americans. Together with the back judge, the field judge rules whether field goal attempts are successful. Under NFHS rules used in all states except Texas for high school games, announcing the player's number went from "not allowed" to "not required" in 2014. This is particularly dangerous for fast players, because the force required to bring down a quarterback can be enormous. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for (JUNK)FIFA World Cup 2006 Germany Adidas Official Soccer Ball Teamgeist Football at the best online prices at eBay! In college football, the NFL, and other professional leagues, and in some high school games, the referee announces penalties and the numbers of the players committing them (required for college and professional games; high school referees are no longer prohibited from announcing the number of a player committing a foul), and clarifies complex and/or unusual rulings over a wireless microphone to both fans and the media. The practice of having the referee announce penalties or clarify complex and/or unusual rulings over a wireless microphone started in the NFL in 1975. In 2007, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate a major college football game, working a game between Memphis and Jacksonville State. The eight-person crews were used in bowl games, including games in the College Football Playoff, since officials from conferences using eight-person crews were chosen for the three playoff games. Anything above or below these numbers will be deflated. If the side judge is correct, the play will be reviewed by the head line judge and the head linesman. This is usually a mistake, so look for where the contact was made and whether or not excessive force was used. This position was only used in the Eastern and Western finals and the Grey Cup. [7] In the 2010 season, college officials and, in many states, high school officials, were given the option of wearing the black cold-weather pants. During the game, the officials gathered the 11 Patriots balls, which were presumably at 12.5 PSI when they were first inflated. They rule on pass interference, illegal blocks downfield, and incomplete passes, and are also responsible for counting defensive players. In 2010, the UFL switched to a customized version of the traditional black and white stripes, and wore this uniform until its 2012 shutdown. The side judge is responsible for monitoring the area between the umpire and the field judge, assists on calling the legality of kicks during kickoffs and rules on the legalityof catches andpassinterference penalties. The level of training and review in which NFL officials participate makes additional time redundant. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. The down judge is positioned on one side of the field along the line of scrimmage. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. They also wear protective gear and uniforms, such as facemasks, ear muffs, and a waist pouch with hand warmers. A challenge is a way for a coach to ask an official to review the previous play with instant replay. They have different colored linesman flags which will indicate this to those who know from a distance. The side judge is in the same position as the field judge, just on the other side of the field. They usually are closer to the side the tight end is on. For more information on the responsibilities of a referee, consult the law 5 of the Laws of the Game. They may also disagree with the other officials calls. On running plays, the referee observes the quarterback during and after the time he hands off the ball to a running back, focusing on him until the action has cleared in case the play becomes a play action pass or some other trick passing play. We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. In 2004, the rules were changed throughout college football to permit the fouling player's number to be announced. Therefore, the penalties for roughing the passer in an NFL football game can be disputed. This official lined up in the offensive backfield, and whose sole responsibility was judging helmet contact on the quarterback. The line judge is on the opposite side of the field from the down judge. The referee determines any fouls for roughing the passer and, if the quarterback loses the ball, determines whether the ball was fumbled or if an incomplete pass had been thrown. They also met with the crews captain and coordinator to discuss how they would react in different scenarios. [33] Since then, other women have officiated Division I college football games. Signaling when the ball has left the field and is out of bounds for a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [40] In 2017, the NFL hired her as a replay official. [30] The eighth official did not return in 2019. The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game Sunday to advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in 30 years. During a sack, a pass rusher must be able to put all his weight on the quarterback without risking a foul call. However, in Canada, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame has inducted a few game officials as members of their Hall of Fame. Football is an essential piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. 2023 National Football League. The rules regarding game balls are available at Pro Football Talk. The line judge is the official who lines up on the opposite side of the field from the head linesman. The NFL has launched an investigation into this process after reports surfaced that several balls were underinflated. Read on to learn more about what happens to the game balls after the game. In 2013, college football's Big 12 Conference began using an eighth official, an alternate judge (A). Unlike in the NFL and NCAA, the number of referees for high school or youth football games may vary. Privacy Policy NFL.com, 2022 Rules Changes and Points of Clarification, Summits showcase pipeline for minority coaches, GMs, Their Causes, Their Impact: Player-Led Initiatives a Multiplying Force for Good, Offensive backfield, right side of the formation, 15 yards deep and behind the normal Tight End position, Wears the white cap, known as the crew chief and leader of the officiating crew, Oversees everything related to the officials and maintains the pace of the game, Verbally and visually communicates all fouls, Counts the offensive players on the field, Determines first downs or if a measurement is necessary, Before the snap, watches for false starts by the QB and the Running Backs, Watches the Center, Right Guard, Right Tackle, monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them, Watches the Right Guard, Right Tackle and monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them, Turns attention solely to quarterback as the defense becomes a threat, Primarily responsible for all action around and to the QB/Passer, Rules on Roughing the Passer, Offensive Holding, Pass/Fumble and Intentional Grounding, Kickoff Lines up middle of the field between the hash mark on the receiving teams goal line, Prior to the kickoff counts the receiving team and initiates the kickoff, Punt Primary responsibility is the Punter, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown - Primary responsibility is the Kicker and Holder, On opposite sideline from line judge, looking directly down the LOS, Rules on sideline plays on nearest half of field, Watches for false starts, offside or encroachment at line, Watches blockers and defenders on nearest side of field for any penalties, Monitors sideline on plays run to nearest half of field, Determines when and if runner is out of bounds, Based on the formation they are responsible for specific receivers, If play goes into their vicinity, helps to rule on whether pass is complete or incomplete, Rules if receiver is in or out of bounds when catch is made, Rules on Offensive and Defensive Pass Interference, Defensive Holding and Illegal Contact of eligible receivers, Determines if pass is forwards or backwards on passes towards them, Makes sure passer is behind LOS when he throws ball, Kickoff Positioned on the receivers goal line on the sideline, Prior to the kickoff counts the receiving team, Punts - Observes LOS for offside and encroachment, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown Rules on false starts, offside or encroachment at line, Defensive backfield, 25 yards downfield from the LOS on the same side of the field as the down judge, Serves as the primary timekeeper if the game clock malfunctions, Watches receivers on their side of the field for illegal use of hands and blocking fouls, and for penalties on defensive back covering him, Watches sidelines to determine if runners are in or out of bounds, Signals referee when time expires at end of each quarter, Watches the blocks by receivers on their side of the field, looking for illegal blocks or holding by the receivers, If play goes to nearest side of field, helps determine if runner goes out of bounds, Focuses on the receivers to their side of the field to make sure the player is able to run his route without defensive interference, If play goes to the SJs area, helps to rule on whether a pass is complete or incomplete, Rules if receiver is in or out of bounds at time of catch, Kickoff Lines up on the receivers back restraining line and ensures the receiving team is lined up by rule, Punts Position 7-10 yards behind the receiver on the sideline, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown - Defensive backfield, lines up seven yards off the line of scrimmage over the snapper, watches for snap infractions and illegal blocks, Deep defensive backfield, 30 yards downfield. We honor the games history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials. The NFL adopted the gender-neutral term down judge in 1997, and the CFL followed suit in 2017. The NFL also requires teams to use these balls exclusively for the kicking game. FIFA only stipulates that for professional 11-versus-11 competition, the length must be between 100 yards and 130 yards and the width between 50 and 100 yards. However, Kensil did not respond to requests for comment. In addition to their regular work, NFL referees also take part in functions, attend training courses, and attend functions to keep their skills up. Michael Banks ( 2002 -present) Side Judge 2002-2014; Field Judge 2015-present. Referees enforce FIFA Laws of the Game in connection with each match. The black pants became mandatory for college officials in 2011 and for NFL officials in 2012. Supervising player substitutions, giving the go-ahead for the substitutions, and letting the ref know to stop play when the ball next goes out of the field so these subs can be made. They are often the most scrutinized people on the pitch. Transitioning during turnovers, punts, and other returns. Watches the line of scrimmage for holding, illegal blocks, or other penalties. Football 101 - The Basics of Beginning a Football Game, Holding in Football - Definition and Explanation, 30 Great Cheers and Chants for Cheerleaders, The Slot in Football - Definition and Explanation. Officials also wear a black belt, black shoes, and a baseball cap. The side judge (S or SJ) works downfield behind the defensive secondary on the same sideline as the head linesman or down judge. The assistant referee's assistance also includes monitoring the substitution procedure. Together with the field judge, the back judge rules whether field goal attempts are successful. They also need to know the strategic tendencies of both teams, as well as the habits of star players. Similarly, the Indianapolis game balls were measured at halftime, and were within the regulation range. Kicking the ball through the goal posts is a tougher kick to make than kicking an extra point, and the offense is often hesitant to attempt it. In addition to the NFLs experimentation with eight-person crews, the NCAA has also used these teams. In the XFL, there is one official dedicated to spotting the ball, with the purpose to reduce downtime during the game. At the start of the 1998 season, the NFL switched position titles of Back Judge and Field Judge. The primary responsibility for this new position is the action of receivers, and it allowed the NFL to adjust coverage after the umpire was moved to the offensive backfield. To ask for a challenge, the coach will throw a red flag on the field after a play. Reserve Referees and Assistant Referees. In the recent Super Bowl, five of the eleven Patriots footballs were found to be less than the legally required minimum pressure.