Being A Back Judge Questions

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

1) On a run up the middle what do you look for?

When you read run, you watch mainly in front of the ball. Then when the ball is dead, look around the ball to make sure no one cheap shots or comes in late. Then clean up any activity around or outside of where the ball is located if there are no other officials located.

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

2) How deep a cushion do you keep between the deepest receiver and you?

This really depends on where the ball is located and the circumstances. The goal is not to get beat. But I would say it is best to be around 5 yards in front of the ball, but circumstances might make that difficult. There is no one size fits all standard other than not getting beat. If the goal line is threatend and I have the goal line, I might stay right on the goal line to make sure it is crossed or not crossed appropriately.

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

3) If the runner goes into a side zone how to you position yourself to cover and what do you look for?

I am looking at blocks ahead and around the ball carrier. Then when the ball comes closer, I try to pick up the ball carrier and players around them to make sure all blocks are legal and no one is grabbing the facemask of the ball carrier. And if I have the goal line, I am trying to get there as fast as I can.

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

4) When the runner goes out of bounds do you go to the sideline to assist the wingman?

Yes if I can get there. And definitely yes if players go deep into the sideline. I want to make sure an enemy player gets out safely or is not hit or confronted in an unsportsmanlike manner.

There is no one size fits all for all these situations. These are just some basic things I look for when covering plays you described.

Peace

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland
4) When the runner goes out of bounds do you go to the sideline to assist the wingman?


Yes if I can get there. And definitely yes if players go deep into the sideline. I want to make sure an enemy player gets out safely or is not hit or confronted in an unsportsmanlike manner.

...

Peace

One of the things I evaluated my BJ on was him standing in the middle of the field or even on the opposite hash when the runner was OOB.

What tip could you offer to avoid or does that just happen sometime?

[daggo66]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

One of the things I evaluated my BJ on was him standing in the middle of the field or even on the opposite hash when the runner was OOB.

What tip could you offer to avoid or does that just happen sometime?

The BJ should be handling the ball on just about every play except a short run up the middle. It is is job to take the pitch from the wing and send it in to the umpire. If he is doing this on evey play he is forced to be in position. The wing, BJ, and umpire should always be forming a triangle around the ball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

One of the things I evaluated my BJ on was him standing in the middle of the field or even on the opposite hash when the runner was OOB.

What tip could you offer to avoid or does that just happen sometime?

The BJ's responsibility first is the goal line (if the ball is outside a certain yard line). Their secondary coverage is the sideline. It would really depend on the play and how long the gain is. It is not realistic to expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time. For one they are watching other things and might be paying attention to something in the middle of the field.

I guess a better response is a question to you. Why do you expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time? Or do you expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time?

Peace

[Texas Aggie]

It is not realistic to expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time.

I agree with this. He may have trips lined up on his right and moved toward that sideline, covering receivers who went downfield, and the QB dumped a pass off to a back or tight end on the other sideline for a short gain. The BJ may be 40-50 yards away.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The BJ's responsibility first is the goal line (if the ball is outside a certain yard line). Their secondary coverage is the sideline. It would really depend on the play and how long the gain is. It is not realistic to expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time. For one they are watching other things and might be paying attention to something in the middle of the field.

I guess a better response is a question to you. Why do you expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time? Or do you expect the BJ to be on the sideline every time?

Peace

My expectation is that the BJ adjust to the point of attack. Once the POA goes into a side zone he should be on that side of the field but maintain a cushion. If the runner goes OOB he should be 17 yards from the sideline and at least 10 yards ahead of the OOB spot. Maybe he does not make it to the sideline all the time but comes into the side zone and senses whether he should move to the sideline.

Know that requires hustle but is that expectation too much.

My problem is with a BJ standing flat foot on the opposite hash at the end of the play.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

My expectation is that the BJ adjust to the point of attack. Once the POA goes into a side zone he should be on that side of the field but maintain a cushion. If the runner goes OOB he should be 17 yards from the sideline and at least 10 yards ahead of the OOB spot. Maybe he does not make it to the sideline all the time but comes into the side zone and senses whether he should move to the sideline.

My problem is with a BJ standing flat foot on the opposite hash at the end of the play.

I would not suggest the BJ has to be on that side of the field. First he needs to maintain a cushion, but not on top of the play. And players tend to come back to the middle in a lot of situations. This is like asking an umpire go directly toward the running play no matter what.

The bottom line is you stay in the middle of the field until the play is over. If you go to that side, you might be in the middle of the players (and play) and getting blind sided (not good).

And if you BJ is not terribly athletic, then he really might be out of position. Closer is not always better.

Now after the play you might have to move, but that is only if you can get there if you need to get there. Other officials need to help out too.

Peace

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The BJ's responsibility first is the goal line (if the ball is outside a certain yard line).

Let me add to this - when the BJ's primary responsibility isn't the goal line it's the end line.

[daggo66]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Let me add to this - when the BJ's primary responsibility isn't the goal line it's the end line.

We usually make this switch at the 15 and in.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Let me add to this - when the BJ's primary responsibility isn't the goal line it's the end line.

Maybe this is a mechanical difference, but anytime the ball is outside of the 10 yard line, the goal line is the BJ's responsibility in my mechanics. It only changes to the end line when at the 10 or closer to the goal line.

Now that might mean that I (as BJ) would have to make sure a play near the sideline is not ruled out by the wing officials before it crosses. But the BJ goes up with the signal and rules on TD, no TD because the wings are not likely to be there.

Peace

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Maybe this is a mechanical difference, but anytime the ball is outside of the 10 yard line, the goal line is the BJ's responsibility in my mechanics. It only changes to the end line when at the 10 or closer to the goal line.

Now that might mean that I (as BJ) would have to make sure a play near the sideline is not ruled out by the wing officials before it crosses. But the BJ goes up with the signal and rules on TD, no TD because the wings are not likely to be there.

Peace

Things like that often vary according to assoc "rule". Around here the rule of thumb is inside the 15 the BJ goes to the end line. That can vary slightly according to type of play expected at the BJ's discretion just so long as he lets the HL/LJ know what's going on.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Maybe this is a mechanical difference, but anytime the ball is outside of the 10 yard line, the goal line is the BJ's responsibility in my mechanics. It only changes to the end line when at the 10 or closer to the goal line.

Now that might mean that I (as BJ) would have to make sure a play near the sideline is not ruled out by the wing officials before it crosses. But the BJ goes up with the signal and rules on TD, no TD because the wings are not likely to be there.

Peace

I think that's what I was trying to say.

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

One of the things I evaluated my BJ on was him standing in the middle of the field or even on the opposite hash when the runner was OOB.

What tip could you offer to avoid or does that just happen sometime?

I'd tell him he has to get closer to that type play. If the runner is OOB, he should be at the close hash while the play is alive. Once the runner goes out he has to close quickly to the ball, especially if you have opposing players in the team box. If he's standing around in the middle of the field or even worse at the far hash, at best he's out of position, at worst he's simply not doing his job.