Experienced Backjudges?

[Reffing Rev.]

On a dead ball when a player goes into hostile territory (the opponent's bench) Go In and get him out.

Never turn your back on the play. You will find on a pass right at you that you'll want to "get spun" away to officiate over your shoulder. Try to spin towards the play.

If you're going to be a BJ for a while and aren't going to have on-field play clocks invest in a Ready-Ref timer or something similar. They are a lot better than taking your eyes off of the play to check a wristwatch.

The Original Ready Ref Football Timer

Keep your distance

Never backpedal with a whistle in your mouth.

Never backpedal into a goal post.

Watch crossing routes for "pick" plays.

Watch WR on potential crack-back blocks.

Never go on the field with just one bean bag. (Its tough to bag both first touching and end of kick with only 1)

Goal Line!

When you drop back with a punt receiver maker sure he know what a legal fair-catch signal is.

And as has been said already, be able to quote rule 6 like its your wedding vows.

[ppaltice]

At the end of the game, make sure HL gets his clip.

[Forksref]

You've got to decide with your wings at what yd line you will go to the end line and they will go to the goal line. Communicate WHO has the GL when you get down to that end. We use the 15-yd line as the time when the BJ goes to the EL and the wings cover the GL.

[dbking]

I am starting my second year as BJ. Things I learned from others and the hard way.

Presnap process:

Game clock running/not running and time on said clock.
Count defense and signal to LJ
Ready for play whistle and starting of 25 second clock( I use a very large wrist clock that has beeps on the count down. A must have IMO)
Read formation, know your responsibilities and make sure that your HL and LJ are on same page by having a great pregame discussion B4 every game.)
Know who your problem children are and be wise to their tactics.
Develop great relationships with FS and SS, they are your communication tools for help with above problem children.

At the snap:

Be on your toes and ready to move in all four directions. I found always taking a step back did not work for me. Read the play, go the right direction to see the blockers ahead of runner from inside out look and or move with the receivers that are your responsibility.

End of play:

All plays outside of numbers, be there to help get everyone untangled and to shuttle ball back. Dead ball officiating is your largest assett. OOB plays, go get the players and make sure you see the whole play oob.

[NorCalRef12]

For your first few games, work on three things, pre-snap routine (Clock status and 25 second clock, player count, etc.), don't get beat deep and hustle.

[Canned Heat]

As many games as I've done as BJ...I'm not sure I can add anything real constructive that hasn't been mentioned yet. And yes, the Ready Ref is a great idea. Just sent mine back to Joe Grimm after 6 years with mine, and returned working like new....even got a call from him regarding the unit. Worth every penny.

[trocared]

Originally Posted by ppaltice

at the end of the game, make sure hl gets his clip.

+1

[stegenref]

[QUOTE=Reffing Rev.;623420]Watch WR on potential crack-back blocks.
QUOTE]

I always hear people say to watch for crack-block blocks? Are they illegal or only if they block in the back, down below the waist, etc.?

[JRutledge]

[QUOTE=stegenref;628545]

Originally Posted by Reffing Rev.

Watch WR on potential crack-back blocks.
QUOTE]

I always hear people say to watch for crack-block blocks? Are they illegal or only if they block in the back, down below the waist, etc.?

The term crack back block is only a phrase used at the NFL level to describe an illegal act. There is no such terminology at the high school level or the college level. Only lineman can block below the waist and a WR is not a lineman by definition. So there is nothing special to watch out for, this block would be obvious to almost anyone if they understand the rule. There is nothing illegal about a WR coming back to the ball and making a legal block (above the waist and on the side or in front).

Peace

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Only lineman can block below the waist and a WR is not a lineman by definition.

I don't think that the term wide receiver is defined. WRs lining up as linemen is very common. Usually they are not lined up within the free blocking zone but if they do line up there then the blocks would be legal.

[Rich]

[QUOTE=JRutledge;628548]

Originally Posted by stegenref

The term crack back block is only a phrase used at the NFL level to describe an illegal act. There is no such terminology at the high school level or the college level. Only lineman can block below the waist and a WR is not a lineman by definition. So there is nothing special to watch out for, this block would be obvious to almost anyone if they understand the rule. There is nothing illegal about a WR coming back to the ball and making a legal block (above the waist and on the side or in front).

Peace

A "receiver" can certainly line up on the line and in the FBZ, so the block *could* be legal.

[JRutledge]

[QUOTE=RichMSN;628625]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

A "receiver" can certainly line up on the line and in the FBZ, so the block *could* be legal.

Anyone can line up anywhere and block legally. But a wide receiver or back cannot line up where they are expected to be and block below the waist or block in the back or even clip unless they are on the line and in the zone. If you are saying a TE could do this, yes they could. But they would have to be awfully tight to do so.

Peace

[LDUB]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Anyone can line up anywhere and block legally. But a wide receiver or back cannot line up where they are expected to be and block below the waist or block in the back or even clip unless they are on the line and in the zone. If you are saying a TE could do this, yes they could. But they would have to be awfully tight to do so.

Peace

You are making it sound way more complicated than it is. You shouldn't use fan terms like WR, TE, SE, RB... All you have to think about is 1) Is the player a lineman? and 2) Is he in the FBZ?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by LDUB

You are making it sound way more complicated than it is. You shouldn't use fan terms like WR, TE, SE, RB... All you have to think about is 1) Is the player a lineman? and 2) Is he in the FBZ?

I disagree because a Wide Receiver suggests that the player is far away from the interior line just by definition. You cannot be very wide and be in the FBZ. And a "back" of any kind cannot block below the waist, clip or block in the back. I do not know how complicated it can be at this point unless you want me to quote the rule word for word to a person that might not understand all that language in the first place. The term "crack back block" is not in our code.

Peace

[Canned Heat]

[QUOTE=JRutledge;628632]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Anyone can line up anywhere and block legally. But a wide receiver or back cannot line up where they are expected to be and block below the waist or block in the back or even clip unless they are on the line and in the zone. If you are saying a TE could do this, yes they could. But they would have to be awfully tight to do so.

Peace

That's always going to be a touchy subject...where exactly 4 yards is precisely for the definition of the zone. We've had this discussion between our crew and have come to the point where unless the center/guard/tackle gap is a tad bit wide..the TE (in HS) is probably going to get the benefit of the doubt and be considered in the zone. I've walked this off nonchalantly during gametime as an ump and more often than not, 4 yards from the ball usually gets me into TE space...at least somewhat. I'm not very tall with a big stride either. If half of his foot is even in the zone...he's considered in the zone. Any split at all and we'd have IBBW. IMHO, they should make it illegal for anyone outside the tackle slot to participate in the FBZ and that would clean up some of the clutter and confusion.