FOOTBALL OFFICIATING
The Position of Umpire
The days of the Umpire position being manned by the least agile and/or athletic
person in the crew are long gone.
The football game of today is faster, the players bigger and stronger, offenses more
complex, blocking techniques and schemes more sophisticated. Therefore, the officials,
including the Umpire, must be better trained, better positioned, better conditioned,
more mobile, understand the philosophy of officiating, and comprehend the nuances of
the modern game.
Being in good physical condition and wearing a clean uniform with polished shoes will
not make you a better official. It will, however, display a higher degree of
professionalism and pride in your appearance than the official with a grungy hat,
yellowed pants and a paunch. Always look and act the part of the true professional. A
positive perception is the beginning of earning the respect of players and coaches.
The best Umpires are great game-related communicators, using multiple methods
(verbal, presence, whistle) of establishing communications with fellow officials, coaches
and players. Their physical presence and verbal skills (never yelling at, nor belittling
players) or a delayed whistle when necessary, will prevent many a confrontation that
could lead to more serious issues during the game.
Emotion being such a critical part of football, all officials must be cognizant of how to
recognize, understand and control the emotions of the game, both on the field and on
the sidelines. The first rule of game control; is self-control. You must always be in
control of your own emotions before you can attempt to control others. Your body
language and verbal communications display your emotional status. Work hard on self-
control.
----NEVER MEET EMOTION WITH EMOTION----
The Umpires handling of the interior line play and activity near the dead ball area, is
vital to game control. All officials must concentrate on being great dead ball officials.
Using the flag is usually the last resort for a good Umpire.
Flags are for fouls; presence is for control.
(1)
POSITIONING-
After spotting the ball after the previous play or after a change of possession, assume
your pre-snap position of about 5-7 yards downfield on the defensive side of the ball.
Adjust your hand indicator to note the ball position on the field, (left or right hash
mark, left or right goal post upright, or middle of the field).
Keeping the number of the down is secondary to ball position for the Umpire.
At this time initiate your offensive player count while the team is in the huddle, if
possible, and give the “punch” signal when the count is complete. Hold this signal for a
few seconds.
As the offensive team breaks the huddle, identify your minimum of five ineligible
numbered players and adjust your position so as not to interfere with the defensive
alignment, but still being able to observe the center and guards of the offensive
formation.
Always re-adjust your position if requested to do so by the defense.
PRE-SNAP-
The Umpire has primary responsibility for the legality of the snap and false starts by the
center and the guards. The HL and LJ have the tackle on their side for false starts and
will assist the Umpire with the center and the guards. Illegal defensive contact and/ or
movement will primarily be ruled upon by the HL or LJ with an assist from the U.
If the play is aborted (shut down) prior to the snap for any of the above fouls, the
Umpire will participate in the foul reporting discussion with the calling official(s). When
there is doubt or confusion as to which team is responsible, ask the question- “Who
moved first?” The answer will assist in determining the fouling team.
AFTER THE SNAP-
After the snap, the guards and center are your main focus as the play starts. Observe
their initial actions, and then determine the type of play, pass or run.
On a running play, quickly determine the direction by observing lineman movement
and direct your focus on the point of attack (POA). The Referee should be observing
the POA from his positioning behind the play, with the HL and/or LJ having ball carrier
responsibility. This creates the “triangle effect” of play coverage, with two sets of eyes
(R and U) on the blockers, and one set of eyes (H or L) on the ball carrier.
If the play goes outside the tackle area, move slowly toward the play, keeping your
focus on the POA, both in front of, and between you and the ball carrier.
If the play comes inside toward you, move away from the action but maintain blocker
visibility at all times.
When the ball becomes dead by rule, the covering official, usually the HL or LJ, will
sound his whistle to denote that the play has ended. The Umpire should NOT sound
his whistle, unless there are unusual circumstances that necessitate his using it or there
is excessive dead-ball action.
On a pass play, move up slowly toward the original line of scrimmage (LOS), staying
behind the defensive lineman, and observe the pass blocking and defensive tactics.
Scan the “pocket” area for infractions.
Stay with the action between you and the passer until it is clear that no illegal activity is
possible.
Be a blocker-watcher NOT a ball-watcher.
The R, HL and LJ will assist with pass blocking observation, the R redirecting his
focus from blockers to the passer as the passer comes under pressure.
On any pass that is thrown low and short, the Umpire must turn and assist with the
potential trapped catch,
The LJ has responsibility for the passer and/or pass crossing the neutral zone (NZ).
When the play starts inside the five-yard line, the Umpire takes the pass and/or passer
crossing the NZ.
(2)
At the end of each play, widen your field of vision to better observe any dead ball
activity near the dead ball area and continue moving toward that area at a moderate
pace, neither a sprint nor a walk.
If the dead ball spot is between the field numbers, go to that spot and retrieve the ball
after the action has ceased and the players are separating. Return the ball to the
appropriate spot on or between the hash marks.
If the dead ball spot is outside the field numbers or out of bounds, another official will
relay a ball to you to spot at the inbounds hash mark for the next play
Do not involve the Referee in the ball handling and/or spotting process, as he should be
moving to a position in the vicinity of the ensuing huddle to mark the ball ready for play
for the next down, and to observe any offensive team substitutions.
HOLDING-
Blocking is a critical part of any play, and the Umpire must be absolutely certain of
what he sees, how it affects the play, and where it occurs in relationship to the ball
carrier or passer.
A takedown: the throwing of a player to the ground, or tackling a player other than the
ball carrier in an attempt to block an opponent, is a foul, This act usually occurs in an
open area and is highly visible.
Umpires must have a very good understanding of the philosophy related to making a
holding call.
You must observe the total actions of the involved players in order to determine the
amount of restriction applied to the player being blocked. You must be aware of the
area of the field in which the action is occurring as it relates to the POA on running
plays, and if this action has a bearing on the play.
On pass plays, did this action prevent or restrict the defender, in an illegal manner,
from making a play on the potential passer?
A guideline to utilize when judging the legality of the block when players are in close
proximity of one another, is to focus on the defensive player; closely observing how
restricted he is by the actions of the offensive player.
Remember that the defensive player always attempts to move toward the ball carrier,
so observing his movement, or lack thereof, will assist you in properly judging this
action.
Also be aware that holding by the defense is becoming more and more prevalent in the
game today.
Defensive linemen will attempt to impede the offensive linemen from pulling and leading
the play, or from getting to the linebackers.
On scrimmage kick plays, the defense may attempt a tactic known as “pull and shoot”.
A defender will “pull” an offensive player from his blocking assignment area allowing
another defender to “shoot” through that opening in an attempt to make the block the
kick. An early indicator of this tactic, is the “overloading” of one area of the LOS by
multiple defensive players prior to the snap.
Recognizing, and properly judging, these and many other potentially illegal acts will go
a long way in determining your ability as an Umpire and hasten your progress to
another level of officiating.
Again, always be a blocker-watcher not a ball-watcher.
(3)
PUNT COVERAGE-
Execute your normal pre-snap routine taking note of any exceptions to the numbering
rule. Also, look for the defensive overloads previously mentioned.
At the snap, observe contact on the center, if any, and determine if the “one second”
rule was violated.
Be particularly observant of the linemen interaction, as the possibility exists that
defensive players may illegally obstruct the offensive player from proceeding downfield
to cover the kick.
After the kick, always turn toward the HL side and observe any players moving
downfield.
This is necessary because the HL has responsibility for blocking by the fair catch
signaler if he does not catch the ball. Therefore, the eyes of the HL are deeper down
the field.
Move slowly down the field, observing action of players during the kick and at the
POA if there is a runback.
Always anticipating the possibility of a long runback.
After the ball becomes dead, move to the dead ball area and assist with setting up the
ball, if required.
FOUL ADMINISTRATION-
The Umpire is responsible for marking off the yardage when a distance penalty is
accepted.
He must possess exceptional knowledge of all penalty enforcement rules and
procedures.
When a foul is being reported to the Referee, the Umpire must be in close proximity of
the reporting official and the Referee. Upon completion of the reporting process, the
Referee will inform the Umpire of the enforcement required.
If there is any disagreement with the enforcement process, further discussion should
take place.
Never hurry this process, as the clock is stopped, and it is imperative that we get the
correct enforcement all penalties.
Before the Umpire begins to step off the yardage, he should inform the HL by hand
signal, the number of yards applicable. The LJ should be positioned at the previous
spot, if necessary; and the HL should be in a position on his sideline to walk off the
yardage with the Umpire, insuring that the proper distance is achieved. Do not place
the ball on the ground until visual contact is made between the U and the HL as to the
proper yard-line for placement of the ball.
WHISTLE and SIGNALS-
Type of whistle remains a personal choice. However, if using a finger whistle, you must
free up both hands to signal. Never give one-handed time-out, touchdown, or
incomplete/no good signals, due to the whistle remaining in your mouth.
This is an indication that you are in a hurry or excited, and do not have your emotions
under control.
Umpires should refrain from sounding the whistle when the ball becomes dead, unless
absolutely necessary.
A delayed whistle may be necessary in some instances to prevent excess dead-ball
action.
Your eyes should not be on the runner when he is tackled or goes out of bounds.
All signals must be given at a moderate pace, neither too fast, nor too slow. Always
fully extend your arms, lock your elbows, stand up straight, and give smooth, sharp
signals. Practice these techniques and become proficient at them.
(4)
Eaifo2 - Notebook Mechanics
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