Rookie

[HLin NC]

Looking forward to watching a Varsity game tomorrow

If the R allows, see if you can sit in on pre-game and stay on the sideline during the game. Shadow the HL with the chains.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

If the R allows, see if you can sit in on pre-game and stay on the sideline during the game. Shadow the HL with the chains.

Can we run with him or should we just walk catch up and mirror him from the side lines?

[Welpe]

Working games with two is tough. Thankfully with the younger ages it is easier. I really don't recommend it for a JV game.

In those cases, make sure you're keeping your view wide and look for the major things.

As far as non-safety fouls like holding, a pretty standard philosophy with those is make sure they have an impact on the play before you throw on it. A hold on the opposite side of the field from a sweep play? Let that go.

Safety fouls like the 15 yard facemask, clipping, etc. Get those always, especially well behind the play.

Just like officiating any other sport, this comes with time and repetition. I'm going into my 10th season this year and I was fortunate to have this forum and others when I started out. You will pick up a lot just reading through old threads here, I know that helped me tremendously.

[HLin NC]

Probably not room to run and you should not be in complete uniform if you do it. Just walk along with the chain crew.

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

If the R allows, see if you can sit in on pre-game and stay on the sideline during the game. Shadow the HL with the chains.

I agree...and think there should be more of that /\ going on for introductory officials in all sports, where pertinent.

[BigT]

The rookie is back to report about his first day as a football linesman.

The young adult who had done 6 of the lat 7 years LL showed up 5 minutes before game time in grey shorts and was doing his first time at the R position. The other gentleman appeared to have a few years under his belt and struggled helping the R with his duties, the chain crew and helping this rookie. And too boot the score keeper was new and was stopping the clock too much. And we had a tiny basketball score clock in the endzone which was difficult to see.

I learned a lot. Had a blast and have more questions then answers.

It is very challenging for me to not raise my hand when a play is dead. And when to kill the clock and when to let it run. You would think that would be simple but it so different then basketball and lax its going to be a challenge.

Freshman game they were really good at only have 4 backs. Youth they had a wing back and had 5 many times and I couldnt pull the trigger because that wing back was kinda close to the line so do I see him as a back or lineman...

Counting 7 on the line... do I need to move a little to have the angle to count that? Was challenging.

If a d-lines head is in the neutral zone is that my call...

I think I saw for sure 2 pushes in the back the entire day.. didnt call either. Never saw a clip. Saw a facemask...

Ive got to get used to defining what is illegal and legal. And how to cover WR vs Running backs.

Over all it was a great experience and I shall be back soon with questions to help me improve.

Thanks for everything.

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by BigT

The young adult who had done 6 of the lat 7 years LL showed up 5 minutes before game time in grey shorts and was doing his first time at the R position. The other gentleman appeared to have a few years under his belt and struggled helping the R with his duties, the chain crew and helping this rookie. And too boot the score keeper was new and was stopping the clock too much. And we had a tiny basketball score clock in the endzone which was difficult to see.

Sounds pretty typical for that level, unfortunately.

It is very challenging for me to not raise my hand when a play is dead. And when to kill the clock and when to let it run. You would think that would be simple but it so different then basketball and lax its going to be a challenge.

To make it even worse, raising your hand when the ball is dead is the mechanic at the NCAA and NFL levels (in other words, basically every game you see on TV). But they're doing it to start the 40-second play clock. (And, to be honest, I see a fair amount of high school officials around here doing it also).

Freshman game they were really good at only have 4 backs. Youth they had a wing back and had 5 many times and I couldnt pull the trigger because that wing back was kinda close to the line so do I see him as a back or lineman...

If in doubt, they're lined up legally.

Counting 7 on the line... do I need to move a little to have the angle to count that? Was challenging.

Counting players is something that gets a lot easier with experience... you'll learn to count them by groups.

Is your R counting Team A players? If he is, he should be signaling his count. So, the easiest way to do it is look for the R's signal, and then count 4 players in the backfield.

If a d-lines head is in the neutral zone is that my call...

Yes, because you (and the other line-of-scrimmage official on the other sideline) are the only one who can see it. Also, remember that in FED football, defensive offside is a dead-ball foul, so you'll want to shut the play down just before the snap if you can, or right after the snap if you have to.

I think I saw for sure 2 pushes in the back the entire day.. didnt call either.

You will.

Never saw a clip. Saw a facemask...

Fairly typical... since blocks below the waist are almost completely illegal in FED rules, very few coaches teach cut blocking anymore. Facemask fouls are usually the result of inadvertently grabbing the mask.

[BigT]

If a player grabs the jersey from behind and yanks the player down backwards that is a horse collar tackle?

[HLin NC]

I

f a player grabs the jersey from behind and yanks the player down backwards that is a horse collar tackle?

If you are using NFHS, see 9-4-3k.

[BigT]

Thanks man.

LINING UP OVER SNAPPER
20. No defensive player may be lined up over the snapper and on the line
of scrimmage if there is no player in position to take a hand-to-hand
snap. The
restriction is not in effect if an offensive player shifts to a position to take a hand to-
hand
snap.
A defensive player lined up over the snapper must be positioned 5 yards off his
line of scrimmage regardless of the offensive team’s formation until the ball is snapped.

Who is the primary official to call this. 5 yards seems like a lot.

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by BigT

If a player grabs the jersey from behind and yanks the player down backwards that is a horse collar tackle?

It is according to the guys on the home sideline this past week :-)

Kid was pulled down by grabbing the other right at the top of the numbers. Not even close.

Illegal Horse-Collar Tackle
Rule 9-4-3
No player or non-player shall grab the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey of the runner and subsequently pull (backward or sideward) that opponent to he ground (Horse-collar).
The horse collar foul is enforced s a live-ball foul.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by Canned Heat

It is according to the guys on the home sideline this past week :-)

Kid was pulled down by grabbing the other right at the top of the numbers. Not even close.

Illegal Horse-Collar Tackle
Rule 9-4-3
No player or non-player shall grab the inside back or side collar of the shoulder pads or jersey of the runner and subsequently pull (backward or sideward) that opponent to he ground (Horse-collar).
The horse collar foul is enforced s a live-ball foul.

Is this a youth or Fed rule?