The referee (R) is responsible for the general supervision of the game and has the final authority on all rulings. Before a game can be played, teams must bring all 24 game balls back to the Officials Locker Room. [37] She is also doing replay officiating for the XFL. 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. On punts and field goal attempts, the line judge also determines whether the kick is made from behind the line of scrimmage. In the 2015 season, the center judge became standard across all of FBS. The down judge/head line-judge marks the forward progress of the ball and is in charge of the chain crew with regard to its duties. Inflation was a major problem in the AFC Championship Game, and the NFL has introduced added security during Super Bowl XLIX to ensure that the ball remains in good condition. 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. [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). However, if a defensive player hits the quarterback too hard, he or she may be flagged as a roughing the passer. Umpires are responsible for watching over the line of scrimmage, counting the number of players on the field, reviewing player equipment, and marking off yardage for penalties. After the game, the Patriots equipment staff had been informed of this incident and the NFL contacted its vice president of game operations, Mike Kensil. The more heavily televised games and cups, such as the UEFA Champions League can have up to 5 officials present at all their games. Now, the Big 12 and SEC are planning to try eight-person crews for 2014. The down judge (DJ) in the NFL, CFL, and the 2022 version of the USFL; head line-judge (H or HL) in college and some states for high school football; or head linesman (H or HL) stands at one end of the line of scrimmage (usually the side opposite the press box, always with the chain crew), looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap. They have also notified the game officials of their plans. According to NFL rules, game balls must be inflated between 12.5 and 13.5 psi, but teams can choose to supply their own footballs. 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. For the NFL, this was the sixth official, added in 1965. Unlike in the NFL and NCAA, the number of referees for high school or youth football games may vary. This has led to referees being referred to as "white hats". [25] In the professional level, the center judge has yet to be used in either the NFL or CFL; however, two leagues, the AAF and the 2020 version of the XFL utilized the center judge. Signaling when the ball has left the field and is out of bounds for a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. If a player not carrying the ball steps out of bounds (a wide receiver running a deep passing route or a player running downfield on punt coverage, for example), the official will drop his hat to mark the spot of where the player went out of bounds. In addition, NFL teams have specially prepped balls for their starting quarterbacks. So a total of 8-9 referees handle a football match in 2019. This is particularly dangerous for fast players, because the force required to bring down a quarterback can be enormous. The field judge was added in 1929 and the back judge in 1947. Usually, officials put the loop around their index finger when it is first down, the middle finger when it is second down, and so on. Similar to the head linesman, he rules on out of bounds plays for his sideline. The NFL adopted the gender-neutral term down judge in 1997, and the CFL followed suit in 2017. For years, the NFL and NCAA used seven-person crews. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. [citation needed] Critics argue that full-time officials would be free from the distractions of a second job, but proponents of part-time officials point out that the NFL would lose a number of qualified officials because many of them are owners, presidents, or CEOs of various companies. Like the back judge, the field judge makes sure the defensive team has no more than 11 players on the field. Officials also wear a black belt, black shoes, and a baseball cap. The CFL did the same the following year. NFL officials make the largest paychecks and earn the highest pay per game. On a punt out of bounds, referees use their vantage point behind the punter to direct the nearest sideline official to the spot where the ball went out of bounds. All rights reserved. What does a referee do? Rules on pass interference or holding downfield. If a team makes two successful challenges, they are awarded a third challenge. When judging a play, an effective officiating crew takes into account the formation, team, and situation in which the play occurred. Meanwhile, the NCAA Football Rules Committee has given all Football Bowl Subdivision conferences the option of implementing the new system. Each penalty in football has a referee signal associated with it. Soccer matches can get quite heated, sometimes resulting in an argument or even a fight. Note: Years listed refer to season the official began or ended career in the NFL. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The seven officials in an NFL game include: The Referee The Umpire The Down Judge The Line Judge The Field Judge The Side Judge The Back Judge Football Referee The referee is the head official and has the final say with all rulings on the field. The line judge is on the opposite side of the field from the down judge. The fourth official's assistance also includes: supervising the substitution procedure; checking a player's/substitute's equipment He lines up in the offensive backfield with the referee. In addition, the Line Judge can call a pass interference, illegal shifts, or holding a player. Watches the line of scrimmage for holding, illegal blocks, or other penalties. since 1994. In the XFL, there is one official dedicated to spotting the ball, with the purpose to reduce downtime during the game. Starting off at the top, the Head Referee is in charge of overseeing and enforcing the rules of the game in play. After practice, head coach Zac Taylor gave the last game ball hed received to Zips Cafe in Mt. They also have the same responsibilities as the field judge, keeping track of the wide receivers on their side of the field and checking for out of bounds. Referees Originally Answered: How many referees handle football matches? [30] The eighth official did not return in 2019. The position was traditionally known as head linesman. A specially designed wristband that is used to remind officials of the current down. In addition to the NFLs experimentation with eight-person crews, the NCAA has also used these teams. Members of the officiating crew for American football games are known as game officials.It is extremely common for football fans to refer to every official onscreen as a referee, although this is technically not accurate because only one game official on the field is considered the referee. [38] She worked NFC divisional games in 2020 and 2021,[37] and was the down judge for Super Bowl LV. In addition to these salaries, NFL referees also get bonuses for postseason games. The back-up and game balls will be stamped with the referees distinctive mark. . The referee will use their hands to define the penalty as they also make a verbal announcement. Youth football leagues typically only have three officials for each game. Some players may fall on the quarterback in an attempt to avoid a roughing the pass penalty. There are seven officials in football and they each havevery important roles. They have different colored linesman flags which will indicate this to those who know from a distance. [47][42], In 2019, the AAF had three female officials. Since the program began in 2010, 160 graduates have officiated in youth and high school leagues. How Many Officials Are Needed For A Game To Take Place? How many referees are there in a soccer football game? Also, if a play goes out of bounds on the tight end side of the field, the field judge marks the spot. Having three Referees in full view of the action of the pitch makes the decisions more reliable and fairer. An official is responsible for interpreting the rules of the game and enforcing them on the football field. In 2017, NFL switched from head linesman to down judge as to the gender-neutral term following Sarah Thomas moving from line judge to the position. [13][36] In 2017, she was an alternate in an NFL wild card game. In its single aborted season in 2019, The Alliance of American Football's officials wore shirts that are black and white on top with stripes from the middle down, white stars on the sleeves and the number on the back and on the left front pocket. The pressure of a football is checked by officials before each game to ensure its safety. 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. 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! It must be in tiptop shape and inflated properly. If the side judge is correct, the play will be reviewed by the head line judge and the head linesman. The average salary for NFL referees was $205,000 in 2019, up $55,000 from the previous year. If a team makes an unsuccessful challenge, they will be charged a timeout. Rules on pass interference of holding downfield in the area between the side and field judges. A referee is the only official wearing a white hat, all other officials wear black hats. It is the role of the referee to announce all penalties. We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. There are also other referees and officials involved in a soccer game, but exactly how many officially are there per game? Responsibilities on a passing play include watching the receivers near that sideline to a point five to seven yards beyond the line of scrimmage. [8] Although all officials on the crew may be responsible for any decision involving the application or interpretation of the rules, the referee has the final decision. Such responsibilities include ball spotting, penalty marking, and assisting the referee and umpire. Checking and inspecting the substitutes equipment and making sure it is all correct and regulated. There are 17 laws of the game that officials . This official wears a red cap.[27]. Darin Gantt of Profootballtalk.com and Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times lamented that it was in this manner that this gender barrier was broken. [46] She is also the first openly bisexual official to work in a major professional football league and in college football. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Although in some states, high school officials wear shirts with two-inch or two and one-quarter inch stripes. Some players collect game balls and keep them for years after the game. When a review is underway, the referee speaks to the replay official via headset at the sideline. Indicating extra time at the end of the halves (usually with an electronic sign that has numbers on it). 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. During the game, the officials gathered the 11 Patriots balls, which were presumably at 12.5 PSI when they were first inflated. In the recent Super Bowl, five of the eleven Patriots footballs were found to be less than the legally required minimum pressure. In another example, a player whod just learned of Vogels firing walked out of the arena clutching the game ball. One of the roles of the back judge is to make sure the defensive team has no more than 11 players on the field. On offense, a back judge might line up on the strong side of the offensive formation, and a side judge may be on the weak side of an offensive formation. For years, college football referees were prohibited from announcing the number of a fouling player, except in the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference (and in all conferences when ejecting the offending player). They can initiate replay reviews on in certain circumstances. The back judge is the official who sets up 20 yards deep in the defensive backfield on the wide receiver side of the field. A ball number will be placed at the same location. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Terri Valenti became the first woman to officiate professional football when she began working United Football League games in 2009. [21] In 2017, the NFL renamed the head linesman to down judge. After the introduction of VAR, there are total 4-5 referees in VAR Room and the other 4 on the pitch. The NFL recently changed the way game balls are handled during games. 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. The alternate judge will also help spot the ball. Makes out of bounds calls on his sideline. A team has the right to defend its own touchdown, and must pass the ball to gain a first down. For the NFL, this was the fifth official, added in 1947. An umpire is a type of game official in football that stands opposite the referee behind the line of scrimmage. The black pants became mandatory for college officials in 2011 and for NFL officials in 2012. The back judge is responsible for monitoring the area between the umpire and the field judge. 2023 National Football League. Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, an American flag was added to the shirts of NFL officials, but was removed in 2006. After the game, they are recycled or donated. If there is a disagreement between officials, the referee will step in and make the decision. But in preseason games, NFL officials were unable to add a center judge, as it would have been an unsafe position for the umpire. They help the Head Referee make any decisions by giving their input based on what theyve seen, but ultimately, the Head Referee has the final say. The Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, American Athletic Conference, and Big 12 Conference implemented an eight-official system for games; the eighth official's position name changed to center judge (C) but this judge's location on the field was the same as the alternate judge was in 2013. In addition, NBA rookie Tyler York (right) scored seven points, had one rebound and a block in his 15-minute NBA debut against the Sixers. Here are the rules for roughing the passer, Position of side judges, and Average salaries of NFL referees. It is important to note that the pressure on game balls should be between 12.5 and 13.5 psi, or 12.5 to 135.0 psi. The footballs are also subject to doctoring and alteration by teams to make them feel better. The official also reviews all scoring plays during the game. A few of these balls are reused for practice or game balls, and some are donated to charity. Like the side judge and the field judge, the back judge rules on pass interference, illegal blocks downfield, and incomplete passes. In the preseason, the NFL experiments with eight-person crews, adding a deep judge to observe downfield pass plays. How many officials are on a NFL team? The NFL's Officiating Department thoroughly evaluates officials each week. NFL officials wear shirts with an uneven striping pattern. After the flag is thrown and play has stopped, the officials will discuss and announce the final penalty call to coaches, players, and fans. 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.