Being A Back Judge

[OverAndBack]

I moved in from the wing to back judge last season and fell in love with the position.

Actually, the first time I did it (the season prior to last), I was bored out of my skull because it was a freshman game (why we had five guys, I'll never know) and neither team threw the ball more than a couple of times all game and it was a blowout besides.

But I found that I had a great view of everything, I enjoyed the hell out of not being able to hear coaches (or at least being able to pretend I didn't hear coaches) and learning the position was a fun challenge.

Another benefit is that you can talk to yourself out there and not seem too psycho (like if you're on the line talking to yourself). I always remind myself of what side the tight end is on, if he's eligible (by not being covered up - sometimes the angle is tough, but you can see by the yard lines if there's a flanker on his side or an end that would cover him and make him ineligible), what his number is in case he DOES go downfield and catch a pass. I'd shade a little bit to the strong side, and check off my keys one by one.

I also had a Ready Ref, which I loved.

Good advice above. Don't come up too quickly. Don't get beat deep. Make sure everybody knows when you have the goal line or the end line. I always remind the punt returner (at least the first time) that if he wants a fair catch, to make sure to give me a good signal, not some halfhearted wave.

Dead ball officiating is very important, as has been mentioned. And your calls are going to be more visible than those from the rest of your crew. The pass interference call is the one that every fan and coach thinks they can make easily and no matter if you throw the flag or not, no matter if you call OPI or DPI, half of the folks not in stripes are going to be pissed at you. As was mentioned, contact isn't always interference and interference isn't always defensive.

And I can't agree enough with the notion of holding your whistle. Keep that damn thing out of your mouth on kicks. I had the fair-catch, muff, whistle scenario happen to me. Never again.

All in all, I like being a back judge. But when I moved to Arizona, I found that they only have five man crews on varsity games (did I hear that correctly?), so no back judge unless it's on Friday nights.

[tjones1]

I worked as back judge for the first time this season. Basically asked the same thing you did Ed and got a lot of good stuff. Used a lot of it on the field this year.

I will echo that I really like my Ready Ref - worth every penny!

[grantsrc]

I got a casio watch for $35. It vibrates and you can set it to warn you 5 seconds prior to the 25 seconds. I love it. Much cheaper than the ready ref.

[Ed Hickland]

These answers are great!

Two additional questions.

1) How do you warn the offense the play clock is about to expire? Do you give a 5 or 10 second warning?

2) Given that you start moving backwards and you should be at the goal line when the runner crosses, how do you determine when to turn to move toward the goal line?

[FredFan7]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

These answers are great!

Two additional questions.

1) How do you warn the offense the play clock is about to expire? Do you give a 5 or 10 second warning?

2) Given that you start moving backwards and you should be at the goal line when the runner crosses, how do you determine when to turn to move toward the goal line?

The Illinois High School Association requires the back judge to give a visual count at five seconds. We count off five seconds like a basketball official does on a throw-in. See if your state requires something.

Determining when to turn and run to the goal-line is a matter if preference. It is a judgement you make in determining the speed of the ballcarrier, you own personal fleet-of-footness, and the how long of a run you have until the goal line. When the ball carrier breaks free into the secondary I usually turn and get a head start to the goal-line. I rely on the wing to get an accurate progress spot--I'm defending the goal-line! I never really have to think about it during the play. Your instincts will take over and you'll do fine.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

These answers are great!

Two additional questions.

1) How do you warn the offense the play clock is about to expire? Do you give a 5 or 10 second warning?

2) Given that you start moving backwards and you should be at the goal line when the runner crosses, how do you determine when to turn to move toward the goal line?

1- Your association or state should have a prodedure, either holding your hand up, counting the seconds like a basketball official on inbounds plays, or, in some cases, no signal at all. This is done with 5 seconds to go. Find out the procedure in your area.

2- You get to the goal line BEFORE the ball gets there so you are ready to rule TD or not. Get to the line and straddle it. Give the the TD signal just like a wing would do. The goal line is the most important line on the field so GET THERE.

Something in post #12 above reminded me. In order to tell if the TE is covered up, watch the wings' signals regarding "on" or "off" the line. If the TE is covered up, you still have to watch if he goes downfield or not. Your coverage must be coordinated with the wings. Recently, the coverage has changed so that the BJ now has the outside player on the strong side regardless of whether that player is on the line or in the backfield.

[OverAndBack]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Something in post #12 above reminded me. In order to tell if the TE is covered up, watch the wings' signals regarding "on" or "off" the line. If the TE is covered up, you still have to watch if he goes downfield or not. Your coverage must be coordinated with the wings.

THAT is a great point. You do have to take a look at your wings in addition to everything else you scan before the snap.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by grantsrc

I got a casio watch for $35. It vibrates and you can set it to warn you 5 seconds prior to the 25 seconds. I love it. Much cheaper than the ready ref.

Grant, what is the model number of that Casio watch?

[grantsrc]

Originally Posted by Forksref

Grant, what is the model number of that Casio watch?

The place where I bought it for no longer offers it. But here is a link to the watch on Casio's site: http://www.casio.com/products/Timepi...rts/RFT100-1V/

In our area, all of the schools have visable play clocks so we don't need to worry about giving the visable countdown. If the play clock goes down, we do give a visable countdown.

[Forksref]

[QUOTE=grantsrc]The place where I bought it for no longer offers it. But here is a link to the watch on Casio's site: http://www.casio.com/products/Timepi...rts/RFT100-1V/

QUOTE]

Thanks Grant.

[ChickenOfNC]

In our association, the wings are responsible for flagging the covered TE downfield.

Seems to make more sense for the wings to call it. We don't have to rely on another official (like the BJ does) to determine whether he's covered. Also, the wing is in the best position to determine whether the pass crossed the LOS.