Being A Back Judge

[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.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by 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.

Our U has some responsibility there. Assuming the wings are on their way downfield, they can't see the LOS and whether the ball has crossed it. On the screen pass, they are more likely to be there to help.