Being A Back Judge Questions

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Mike L

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2) until the ball is thrown, I try to maintain my initial cushion of 18-20 yards. Realistically, an 18 old year can run a whole lot faster going forward than I can backpedalling, so that cushion is going to drop as we both run. When I do have to turn and run (cushion down to 10 yds), I make sure I'm still looking at my coverage responsibility by widening away rather than just getting into a race to the goal line. If I'm beat, I'm beat, but I still have to officiate (but I don't want to get beat). Once the ball is in the air I'll close to where I think the ball is going but I still want to maintain no less than a 7-10 yd cushion to view the play/catch. If the receiver has beaten the defender on a deep throw, I'll stay with trying to maintain the cushion rather than closing. On a long pass it's ok for me to pick up progress.

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When do you quick backpedaling and start running forward.

Know the few times as the R when I get an interception return coming my way I start backpedaling but have no idea when I turn, I just do it.