Counting players

[Daryl H. Long]

Everyone has good suggestions and the more you officiate the more efficient you will become in performing your duties.

Sometimes counting all players cannot be completed but at least try to know there are seven on the line.

On my crew the Referee (counting Offense) and Back Judge (counting Defense) signal with a pump of the fist that we have counted 11 respectively. If the wing official doesn't get his count completed he can look to see if R or BJ are pumping.

Finally, if you can not get the count done before the snap give a quick count immediately after the play is over. You may have to quickly stop any subs from happening but if there are 12 on the field there was illegal participation.