Backjudge Breakdown

[tjones1]

Sounds like a dance...

Anyways, I'll be working as a backjudge this year (Fed). Actually looking forward to getting onto the field.

Any tricks of the trade, tips, pointers, or whatever that anyone could offer would be great.

Thanks.

[JugglingReferee]

Don't let anyone behind you.

When I rule on catch/no catch, I make sure that I'm stationary. By imposing this restriction on me, it has really helped my reading the play and seeing what develops. When that play comes to me, I am stationary and can best rule on the play because I am in great position. It's like the game slows down into slow motion for me.

[Mike L]

1) you have the clock
2) learn how to run backwards
3) after the snap you have to "feel" where every receiver is, but concentrate on those that have a chance of getting a pass. 99% of all HS quarterbacks will throw in the direction they initially look.
4) still you cannot let any receiver get behind you and you can't let any ball carrier beat you to the goal line. But also remember you are there to officiate, not get involved with footraces against 18 year olds. If you do get beat, officiate first, run second.
5) remember not all contact is pass interference and not all contact is the fault of the defender.
6) on most plays, you are going to have the wide view clean up responsibility. Control the dead ball BS.
7) be ready to run to the rescue of those players who have gone beyond the sidelines.
8) know everything there is to know about srimmage kick rules.
9) bring your whistle, even though there will be games you wonder why you bother.
10) every penalty you call is going to be huge, make sure it's really there.

[With_Two_Flakes]

RUN / PASS

You never want to let players get behind you, so your first movement at the snap is always backwards assuming a pass play (even though in Fed ball large majority of plays are runs). If the play is indeed a run, then you can stop and react East/West across the field as the play develops. Your wingmen will have the forward progress, you are there as a 5th pair of eyes to watch the blocking ahead of the run. On unusual formations, ensure you communicate with your wingmen and let them know who you are keying on.


Many a BJ simply stands still out there "killing grass" and never moves. Don't be one of them, you are likely to do the most movement of the whole crew.



PUNTS
On a punt play, have a beanbag in your hand - doing this helps you remember about bagging the first touching spot.

When the ball is kicked, get an idea of its trajectory, but then force your eyes away fom the ball and onto the return man, his head will be a guide to where the ball is. He will move to the ball to catch it, you need to have eyes on him - he might signal for a fair catch, or there might be KKI, or he might muff the ball. If he muffs it, I always give a tipped signal (signal 11) that helps sell the call that I saw it being touched.
Once he has possesion, if there is no-one near him, try to look past him to pick up the first block ahead of him. That is where the little push in the back of the speediest kicking team player to spring the returner for extra yards will take place.




DEAD BALL

It may surprise you, but the other official you most have to get a rapport with is the Referee.

Much of the time you and the Referee are the "2nd man" and "3rd man" on a play, on a plunge up the middle then the Umpire is likely to be the 2nd man. What do I mean by that? Well by 1st man, I mean the official who has responsibility for the progress spot, 99% of the time the HL or LJ. He holds the spot and the "2nd/3rd man" do the other stuff. What that other stuff is will depend on where the ball is dead and the position of the players involved. Depending on the progress made on a play and its position East/West, you and the Referee will develop a feeling for which of you is going to act as 2nd man, which as 3rd. If you are working on a regular crew, than you can discuss it during a crew meeting.

The 3rd man hangs back a few yards from the pile and watches for dead ball stuff while the 2nd man helps the unpiling of players. If all the officials are too close you'll likely miss a cheap shot. If the 3rd man is a little way off, then all the players in and around the pile are in your line of sight and you'll pick it up. If something does occur, flag it then get in there and make your presence felt (as I tell my crew - stripey shirt, stripey socks, stripey voice!) and the next nearest official will take over as the "eyes".

On plays that go out of bounds, you should be moving quickly toward that side, you may need to go into a team area to ensure opposition players get out of the team area OK. Watch some NCAA games to see just how alert their officials are to the dangers of a player alone in the other teams bench area. While the 1st official get progress, the 2nd man moves lightning quick to get into the team area to escort the player safely back onto the field.

Once you are happy that no dead ball action is likely to occur, then think about the ball relay to get it spotted for the next play. On a 5 man crew there's no excuse for the ball hitting the deck, you should be able to set up nice short throws to each other.

[JRutledge]

TJ,

Just remember you live in Illinois and we do not use NF Mechanics per say. As a matter of fact those books will not be distributed anymore according to the head the IHSA Official's Department.

Having said that hear are some things that will help.

Start 15-20 yards from the LOS (Or deeper than the deepest defender).

Your first move should always be backwards.

Once you read your key, you have responsibility for the middle of the field and the deepest receiver. Deep passes are likely going to be all you.

Outside of the 10 yard line you have the goal line. Inside the 10 yard line you have the end line.

When the ball goes to the sideline and past the LOS, you have to help out your wing with clean up duties and making possible dead ball calls.

On many deep plays you will have the goal line. Just remember to not be quick to rule a TD or Safety without making some kind of communication with your wings if the play threatens the sideline.

If you do not have a penalty, do not just assume your partners know what they are doing. Penalty is also your responsibly.

Most of all, stay focused. You might go several minutes or quarters or games and have nothing big and all of a sudden you will have the biggest call of the game. BJ position has a lot of big penalties. You always want to make sure a foul is actually there and that you are consistent. Everyone has an opinion about your calls so you have to make your calls solid.

Peace

[tjones1]

Thanks. Good stuff so far, keep it coming if possible.

[Texas Aggie]

BJ: 44 minutes of nothing; 2.5 minutes of intense running, and a minute to a minute and a half of pure hell!

Used to be in Texas, that was 47.5 minutes of nothing and half a minute of pure hell, but the passing game has taken shape here of late.

The only thing I can add is that you are the primary dead ball official. Run in and make your presence known on out of bounds, after pileups, etc. That will reduce the risk of someone taking a cheap shot as they will know there is someone watching.

[FredFan7]

You are out in the middle of the field, you can talk out loud to yourself and people won't think you're crazy. I always say to myself the down and distance, who my key is, etc.

The B is should be the EXPERT on kicking rules! On punts it's all you (with some help from the LJ in a five man crew). If white is punting, and red is receiving, I say to myself before the snap, "First touching white, hot potato red." That reminds me that if white touches it first, we have a first-touching situation, and if red touches first it we have a live ball! On punts hold your beanbag in your hand and hold your whistle in your other hand. Bag the catch/touching/etc. If you have a foul, you can get your flag in plenty of time. HOLD YOUR WHISTLE. I killed a muff and denied a kicking team recovery one time after the receiver signalled a fair catch and I hit the whistle when it touched the ball, then muffed it. I have never done that again.

Participate in dead ball action. Relay the ball in on gains over five yards. If a run goes to a side zone, pinch toward that side zone (but don't get burned if the runner cuts to the middle), and help clean up dead ball action. The B's head should be on a swivel looking for nonsense after the ball is dead. The B can best spot trouble and clean it up, or flag it if necessary. If a play goes out of bounds hustle over to the sideline (especially if in the bench area) and help observe. You may go out of bounds yourself or cover the wing's spot. Discuss this with your crew. A good B can really help of keeping a situation under control.

I line up 20 yards deep (sometimes deeper depending on the situation) and start moving back at the snap, even if its a running play. I'm not the fastest guy in the world and I don't want to get beaten to the goal-line! This may require you to pivot and turn your head over your shoulder. I've seen college and NFL deep officials do this.

Some guys say the B is in a rocking chair all game, but you can make this position an active and integral part of any crew and any level of play.

[tjones1]

I know you can't predict everything. But are there any unusual situations that I should be concerned with?

[tjones1]

Also, do you place both of your bean bags on your belt. Or do you put one on your belt and the other in your pocket.. or what? Thanks again.

[Warrenkicker]

There are two hundred different ways to keep your flags and bags when you are working. You may have all in front with your flags on the right and your bags on the left or vice versa. You may have bags in front and flags in your back pockets. You may keep a flag in your shirt pocket because some guy who was getting paid a lot to work on Sundays did that. Mainly you need to be able to find them when you need them. You need quick access to one flag and one bag at all times. This usually means that one of each should be on your belt in front. The second flag and second bag are far less seldomly used though the second bag is used more often than the second flag. I would keep the second bag in a pocket.

But you need to find what works for you. Look at other officials and see what is done in your area and find what is comfortable. I have my flag and bag in front but have them on opposite sides than everyone else. We are all right handed but when I started we kept the flag in the back so I had the bag on my right side as well. Now I have the flag in front but didn't move the bag. So the flag is on my front left but I still throw it with my right hand.

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by tjones1

I know you can't predict everything. But are there any unusual situations that I should be concerned with?

The "unusual" situation you will run into every game are scrimmage kicks. Your greatest chance for something to really go odd during a game will be then and you are the one everyone will be looking at to make the call. That's why I suggested know everything there is to know about scrimmage kick rules and study, study, study your assoc's mechanics regarding them.
As for bags and flags, carry as many as you feel comfortable with and where they feel comfortable. I only carry one flag but 3 bags, 1 in the belt, one in each front pocket. Makes me look a little bulgy, but I've had a couple situations where all three came in handy and I've never had to throw 2 flags on one play while BJ. And I start all kicks with a "pocket" bag already in hand so I can get to the second bag on the belt fast.

[tjones1]

Thanks everyone.

When the Referee signals ready to play, do you put the whistle in your month and spit it whenever the snap occurs or do you simply just keep it out of your month all the time?

[REQ]

Keep it out of your mouth

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Thanks everyone.

When the Referee signals ready to play, do you put the whistle in your month and spit it whenever the snap occurs or do you simply just keep it out of your month all the time?

As BJ, I'd only have the whistle in my mouth if we were approaching the end of my 25-second count.