1 5 Person Mechanics Football Linesman NCOA Sacramento
Pre-Game – Before Game Day
2
• Communication
– Contact referee by Tuesday PM
– Determine assignment for JV game
– Find out when and where to meet
Pregame on Field
4
• Walk the field
• Instruct chain crews
• Philosophy
–Have a job to do
–No fraternizing with coaches or fans
Captains and Coin
Toss • With chain crew at toss
• Huddle with other officials after coin toss to record
captain’s choice
• Hustle to your position (don’t walk)
5 5
Before Kickoff
6
Position on 50
yard line
Monitor bench
area
Count R Players
Hold hand in the
air to inform
Referee ready
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H
After Kickoff
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H BJ
Kicks your side, start
clock when kick is
legally touched and
ball is even or up-
field from you
Pick up runner and
follow until released
to Back Judge
Once you release
runner, observe
action behind play
Maintain
responsibility for you
sideline
After Kickoff
8
Kick to your side
Move down
sideline while
watching for fouls
and to area best
to officiate
depending on the
kick
Keep spacing with
Back Judge
Determine if kick
goes OOB and
flag if not touched
by R
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H
After Kickoff
9
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HL Kick Opposite Side
Move cautiously
toward play being
ready to rule on your
sideline if play
reverses
Observe action of
player in vicinity of
runner and watch for
fouls away from the
ball
At end of play, stop the
clock and clean up
After clean up, go to
sideline to set chains
On-Side Kick
10
• Referee declares on-side
mechanics
• Line up at R’s restraining line
– Count players
– Have bean bag in hand for
first touching
– Wind clock when legally
touched
– Stop clock at end of play
– Clean up
– After clean up go to sideline
and set chains
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H BJ
Basic Scrimmage Position
11
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
R
H
U
Start on side
opposite press box
side.
Line up OFF the
field straddling line-
of-scrimmage.
LJ
BJ
Prior to Snap (All Plays)
12
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
H
Check down number on box
and signal down
Count B’s players and signal to
BJ (before A breaks huddle)
Extend arm back with palm
extended toward backfield to
indicate A player closest to you
off the LOS
Check to see if all backs,
flankers, split ends are in a
legal position and check
eligibility
Determine if player in motion,
away from you, is legal. If he
reverses field he is still yours
LJ
Prior to Snap (All Plays)
13
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
H
Check for seven on the
line-of-scrimmage. R will
signal 11 or less and you
should count backfield
Help in determining false
start, encroachment,
interference with snap
Be alert for illegal
substitutes
1
2
3
4 5
6
7
LJ
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
14
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
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Balanced
Formation
When no strength is
declared, Line Judge side
considered strength
Back Judge Key: End
Line Judge side
Linesman Key: End on
his/her side
Line Judge Key: First
back out his/her side
BJ
LJ
H
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
15
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
Strength to
Linesman
Back Judge Key: End on
Lineman’s side
Linesman Key: Back
his/her side
Line Judge Key: End
his/her side
BJ
LJ
H
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
16
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
Strength to Line
Judge
Back Judge Key: End on
Line Judge side
Linesman Key: End
his/her side
Line Judge Key: Back
his/her side both
formations
BJ
LJ
H
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
17
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
“Trips” Formation
Back Judge Key: Two
outside receivers
Linesman Key: End
his/her side
Line Judge Key: Inside
receiver his/her side
formation
Note: Reverse coverage
for trips formations to
Linesman side
BJ
LJ
H
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
18
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
Double Wing
Formation
Back Judge Key: Outside
receiver on LJ side
Linesman Key: Both
receivers on his side
Line Judge Key: Inside
receiver his/her side
formation
BJ
LJ
H
Keys and Priorities (All Plays)
19
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
Motion
Determined at the snap
(snapshot)
Initial Coverage same as
Strength to Lineman
Motion to Line Judge
Formation now balanced but
since strength was
established to Lineman side,
keys remain the same with the
Line Judge picking up
responsibility for receiver in
motion to his/her side
BJ
LJ
H
Running Play
20
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
HL Action toward you
Work off the field
Observe keys and read tackle to
determine pass or run
Observe actions of linemen your
side and blockers in front of ball
carrier
Have responsibility for ball carrier
Mark forward progress, hold spot
and stop clock if out of bounds
Stop clock if ball carrier crosses
line to gain
Running Play
21
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
HL Action away from you
Move cautiously down field
for reverse action
Do not move into field
Observe action behind play
Be ready to help with
forward progress
Passing Plays
22
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
H
Observe keys and read tackle to
determine pass or run
Watch initial action off line for
defensive holding
Stay at line until your key is 10-12
yards downfield
Be ready to rule on
forward/backward pass
Move downfield cautiously on
passes to your side
You have forward progress and the
sideline to the end line
Be ready to adjust back for run
LJ
Passing Plays
23
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
Be ready to rule on pass
incomplete / complete and
interference
If ball intercepted, observe action
until ball is dead, covering official
stop clock and signal first down, if
inside defensive 5 yard line, be
ready to rule on momentum
If incomplete pass in your area,
sound whistle and signal
Be alert for illegal passes
Rule on touching or catching by
ineligibles H
R
U
LJ
Passing Plays
• After incomplete pass:
– Stop the clock
– Clean up
– Retrieve the ball
– Get in line for relay
• If first down, go to sideline and set chains
24
Scrimmage Kick
25
Determine if kick
crosses NZ
Hold line-of-
scrimmage until
ball crosses then
move slowly down
field and keep
spacing with Back
Judge
Grounded kicks
out of bounds
close to you, mark
spot and observe
action
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H
BJ
Scrimmage Kick
26
If out of bounds in flight,
move past where ball
went out and walk
forward until Referee
spots you
On grounded kicks out
of bounds, mark spot
and observe action
Be ready for fair catch
on short kicks to your
side and blow whistle
only after kick is secured
On return to LJ side,
move slowly behind play
observe all action
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H
Scrimmage Kick
27
Routine kick, move
downfield cautiously
observe action in front
of ball carrier
Move with runner to
your sideline and
follow until goal line
Only move line to
gain equipment when
sure no foul on play
and signaled by
Referee
At end of play, stop
clock, look at clock,
then clean up
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H
BJ
Field Goal and Try Attempts
28
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
H
Position on line-of-
scrimmage to be
determined by R’s
position. Flank who stays
should be looking at back
of holder
Watch line play
If run or pass develops
handle as goal line play
LJ
Field Goal and Try
29
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
LJ
Position under uprights
with Back Judge
determined by R’s position
Rule on kick to your upright
If run or pass develops,
move to the side line and
work back to the play
Signal score for successful
or unsuccessful for no
score
If LJ stays at LOS, then
pinch in after play to clean
up
BJ
R
H
30
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
U
Goal-Line Plays (5-10
yard line) LJ
H
BJ
R
Move slowly toward the
goal line at snap stay
ahead of runner.
ONLY signal Touchdown
if you see ball cross goal
line
Do NOT mirror signal
Communicate on dual
coverage areas
(corners)
31
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
U
Goal-Line Plays (inside
5-yard line) LJ
H
BJ
R
Move to the goal line at
snap and work back on play
ONLY signal Touchdown if
you see ball cross goal line
Do NOT mirror signal
Communicate on dual
coverage areas (corners)
If pile at goal line, pinch into
field of play. (Communicate
to U to find the ball)
Reverse Goal Line If the ball is snapped inside
the 5 yard line, both flanks
move to the goal line at the
snap and work out to the
forward progress spot
If a safety, the flanks make
the call
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G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0 R
U
H
LJ
BJ
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After Safety
33
R
U
H
Line up same as
free kick but
move up 20
yards (normally
K30)
Same coverage
as kickoff
LJ
BJ
34
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
G 1 0 2 0 3 0
U
H
R
LJ BJ
Move box to front chain
Ensure clip is set at rear 5-yard
line
Walk chains out and place clip on
line. LJ will show you the mark
Hold chain firmly and tell the U
that he can stretch the chains
If first down, go to sideline and
mark the spot for the chain and
box to set the markers
If short, reset chains and move
box to correct spot
Measurement
Timeouts
Record the timeout
Move to a position halfway between ball and
sideline and observe your team on your sideline
Be alert for signal from R that 15 seconds remain in
the timeout. Alert your coach.
Be alert for substitutions for the purpose of
deception
Inform coach of remaining timeouts 35
End of Period Between 1st and 2nd and between 3rd and 4th
• Stop Clock
• Meet R and U and record down, distance and yard
line
• Grab clip and move chains to new position
• Let R know you are ready
• Give team 15-second warning when directed by R
36
Counting Players • Count defense every play
• Give signal to BJ
• Signal should be given before offense breaks break huddle
• If less than eleven, give thumb down
• If greater than eleven, they have 3 seconds to make
substitution or you have a foul for illegal substitution
37
Ball Mechanics • U should get the ball on most plays
• Be prepared to relay the ball, if needed, on pass
plays
38
Hurry Up Mechanics
• Mechanics do not change
• Get to sidelines quickly, don’t get trapped
inside
• May not be able to count players
39
Penalty Enforcement • At end of play, stop clock and give short blasts of whistle
• Ensure another official is covering spot of foul or progress spot
• Get the penalty information to the referee if it is your foul
• Linesman should know where tape is on chain for 5 yard penalties
• If multiple flags, confer with fellow officials to discuss possible conflict
• Determine where enforcement spot is
• Walk off penalty with U and ensure ball has been set correctly
• Notify your coach of penalty and give him the number of the offending
person
40
Disqualified player
or coach
• Referee and flank notify coach of DQ
• Don’t place hand on offending player and do not
escort player off field
• Record players number, time of foul and cause of
action of any unsportsmanlike penalty
41
Bean Bag
• Mark spot of fumble (drop it on a line)
• A snap is a backwards pass, not a fumble
• Bean bag should be in your hands on all kicks,
• First touch (there can be more than one first
touch spot)
• Fumble spot
42
Signals Know your signals
Counting players
Player on end of line (on or off)
Signal to R for in or out of bounds
Signal to clock operator when play ends in bounds
Stopping and starting clock
Touchdown
Safety
Scrimmage kick out of bounds
43