The game balls are then numbered one through twelve. [26] In the 2014 season, any conference that wanted to use the eight-official system could do so on an experimental basis. College games outside the Division I level use six or seven officials. Two Game Officials will be designated by the Referee to inspect and record the PSI reading on each ball. They also met with the crews captain and coordinator to discuss how they would react in different scenarios. In addition, tight end C.J. Watches the quarterback during pass plays. The teams coaches were also able to discuss the officiating crew with players. The average salary for NFL referees was $205,000 in 2019, up $55,000 from the previous year. The head linesman is the official on the sideline that straddles the line of scrimmage looking for scrimmage violations like offsides or encroachment and penalties like illegal motion,illegal shifts , illegal use of hands and illegal men downfield. In Major League Soccer (MLS), three officials make up the crew members who will oversee the match: a referee and two assistants. They also watch the sideline to determine if a player is in or out of bounds. Together with the back judge, the field judge rules whether field goal attempts are successful. However, if a defensive player hits the quarterback too hard, he or she may be flagged as a roughing the passer. What does each referee do in football? For the NFL and CFL, this was the seventh official, added in 1978 and 1991 respectively.[21][20]. They can initiate replay reviews on in certain circumstances. Launched in 2013 as part of the NFL's Football Officiating Academy (FOA), WON hosts clinics at which women learn the basics of football, the fundamentals of officiating and leadership skills that are useful on and off the field. A team has the right to defend its own touchdown, and must pass the ball to gain a first down. Officials' hats are occasionally used as markers. The following are the positions and responsibilities of each officiating positions. Officials keep the game rolling along by monitoring the game clock and play clock. So a total of 8-9 referees handle a football match in 2019. Usually, officials put the loop around their index finger when it is first down, the middle finger when it is second down, and so on. A yellow flag may be thrown onto the field by an official to signal a penalty. Each of the four officials is in charge of different aspects of the game and together they keep everything about the match and the players organized. In addition, NBA rookie Tyler York (right) scored seven points, had one rebound and a block in his 15-minute NBA debut against the Sixers. Free shipping for many products! It began opposite the head linesman and was used on extra-point tries and field goals. [43] She was a replacement line judge while the league had locked out the regular officials due to a labor dispute. The NFL recently changed the way game balls are handled during games. How To Referee Basketball: Guide To Being A Good Officiating. A referee is appointed to a football game in order to apply the Laws of the Game so that it is played fairly and safely. Using these prescribed mechanics ensures that the officiating crew sees all 22 players and their actions wherever they occur on the field. They are often the most scrutinized people on the pitch. In this article, we will be looking into it and answering that question! Brent Grimes, for example, left his game-used ball on the field after an end-zone interception. The field judge was added in 1929 and the back judge in 1947. For the NFL, this was the sixth official, added in 1965. Advantages to this system include being able to eliminate unqualified officials simply by not offering them a contract the following season, where terminating full-time employees would require them to show cause. Hi, my name is Steven Anderson and I am passionate about all sports - from soccer to ice hockey, basketball to baseball. The NFLs Vice President of Game Operations, Mike Kensil, personally checked the game balls in the officials locker room at halftime. The NFL has changed the way that game balls are handled and tested. In addition to game balls, coaches often deliver scout-team game balls to players during a game. The umpire assists the referee in decisions involving possession of the ball. The head linesman rules on all out-of-bounds plays along the sideline where positioned. This article is a list of American football officials who have experience working National Football League (NFL) games. The stripes were introduced in the 1920s. The pants were black with no stripe and used the same hat system (white for the referee, black for all other officials) as all other levels of football. The umpire makes sure that the offense has no more than 11 players on the field and checks the legality of player's equipment. Since 2015, Division I college football conferences have used eight game officials, the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in its only season in 2019 and the 2020 version of the XFL have used eight game officials. In addition to marking out-of-bounds plays, the side judge is also responsible for monitoring defensive substitutions and monitoring the game clock. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show personalized ads. Here's a look at how the Rams and 49ers have fared over the past five years when Cheffers has served as the ref in one of their games (stats via Pro Football Reference). As the play develops, the head linesman is responsible for judging the action near that sideline, including whether a player is out of bounds. The field judge, side judge, and back judge become the trail/back positions, and the referee, head linesman/down judge, and line judge then become the lead/front positions. Any of the seven referees can throw flags onto the field. The opponents two-yard line is the first stop in a football game. There are some nuances to the officials on the field, as not every official or referee has the same role. Brad Allen is one of the highest-paid NFL referees, earning over $65,000 per season. Certain positions are omitted in systems with six officials or less. Sometimes something can happen in a match and only a few players actually see it, such as an unfair tackle or the ball going offside and the Head Referee is there to ensure that the game is being played as fairly as possible with as little violence. After a flag is thrown, officials will signal the reason for the flag. The rules for roughing the passer in an NFL football game are now more clearer than ever. It is the role of the referee to announce all penalties. How many judges are in a football game? [5] The officials are colloquially called "zebras" due to their black-and-white striped shirts. In addition, quarterbacks and kickers are protected by NFL rules when in the act of passing or kicking. The NFL Referees Association serves as the union that represents officials in the NFL. The fourth official's assistance also includes: supervising the substitution procedure; checking a player's/substitute's equipment Checking and inspecting the substitutes equipment and making sure it is all correct and regulated. [37] In 2019, she became the first female official to officiate an NFL playoff game in an AFC divisional round between Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots. It is also used by the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. FIFA only stipulates that for professional 11-versus-11 competition, the length must be between 100 yards and 130 yards and the width between 50 and 100 yards. Because their regular season spans only 18 weeks, the NFL is one of only two major sports leagues in the United States that only pay their officials on a contract basis as opposed to being full-time salaried employees, the other being Major League Soccer. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. We honor the games history while continuing to innovate and preserve the sport for future generations of fans, players, coaches, teams and officials. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. They are responsible for watching over the line of scrimmage, reviewing player equipment, and counting the number of players on the field. The experiment was continued for 12 games in the 2011 preseason, and was then discontinued afterwards. There are eight different positions for an officiating crew for each NFL game. In 2006, the NFL completely redesigned the shirts, going to a sleeker-looking uniform which, however, no longer identified a given official's position from the front. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Soccer officials ensure that the game's rules are followed in every match. The third official is a linesman, who has responsibility for certain important decisions involving offside and goalscoring opportunities. Each official has his own title and assigned responsibilities: referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge, back judge, field judge and side judge. The referee is the head official and has the final say on any ruling. They are there to make the Head Referees job easier as one man cannot see every little detail and action that happens on the pitch. In 2021, line judge Maia Chaka became the NFL's second full-time female on-field official. This referee positions himself behind the line of scrimmage, around ten feet into the defensive backfield. The ball is placed at the opponent's two-yard line after a touchdown. That process began in earnest in the late 1930s. The primary responsibility for this new position is the action of receivers, and it allowed the NFL to adjust coverage after the umpire was moved to the offensive backfield. In high school the line judge is the official timekeeper of the game. However, NFL referees have to work long hours to earn this money. WON shows women how to get involved in officiating and highlights . Together with the field judge, the back judge rules whether field goal attempts are successful. To become an NFL referee, you have to have at least 10 years of experience as a lineman. Football 101 - The Basics of Beginning a Football Game, Holding in Football - Definition and Explanation, 30 Great Cheers and Chants for Cheerleaders, The Slot in Football - Definition and Explanation. So overall, the standard number of officials that are in a soccer game is four: the Head Referee, two Assistant Referees, and the Fourth Offical. There is also one female replay official.[41]. The referee is the lead official that has control of the game and is generally the final authority in all decisions. Reserve Referees and Assistant Referees. The ball is placed at the opponents two-yard line after a touchdown. In high school football there are generally five officials, while youth leagues and middle school will typically use three officials at a game. Note: Years listed refer to season the official began or ended career in the NFL. The umpire also assists in ruling incomplete passes when the ball is thrown short. In addition, the Line Judge can call a pass interference, illegal shifts, or holding a player. The New England game balls were checked again at halftime, and were still at the legal pressure. After the introduction of VAR, there are total 4-5 referees in VAR Room and the other 4 on the pitch. In response to scrambling quarterbacks (Fran Tarkenton in particular), the line judge was added in 1965 to watch the opposite side of the line of scrimmage. If youre wondering, How many officials are on the field during an NFL football game? youve come to the right place. [31], For the 2015 and 2019 NFL preseasons, for 8 and 2 games respectively, the NFL experimented with the umpire (U2),[25] positioned in the offensive backfield. After the game, the Patriots equipment staff had been informed of this incident and the NFL contacted its vice president of game operations, Mike Kensil. Regulations also stipulate the dimensions of the goal post and field markings. A referee is the only official wearing a white hat, all other officials wear black hats. The side judge is responsible for monitoring the area between the umpire and the field judge, assists on calling the legality of kicks during kickoffs and rules on the legalityof catches andpassinterference penalties. (1966 inductee Hugh L. Ray was inducted for his 14-season tenure as the league's head of officiating, an off-field position.) The line judge (L or LJ) assists the head linesman/down judge at the other end of the line of scrimmage, looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap. Arena football, high school football, and other levels of football have other officiating systems, which use less than the standard seven officials. After the game, they are recycled or donated. Rules on pass interference or holding downfield. NFL officials have said that inflated balls should be in a range between 12.5 and 13.5 pounds per square inch, but the latest report indicates that the pressures of 11 Patriots game balls were below that range. The NFL switched the umpire in 2010 and a year later, experimented with eight-person crews. An official is responsible for interpreting the rules of the game and enforcing them on the football field. In the lower division cups, however, there sometimes arent even four officials. In any event, veteran officials can earn substantial salaries for their work. The NFL has implemented new procedures in the handling of game balls, including checking the air pressure at halftime. The field judge rules on plays that cross the defense's goal line, rules on the legality of catches and pass interference penalties and monitors all eligible receivers on the tight end side of the field. Runners or receivers can run into the end zone to score two points. The referee also counts offensive players. In some cases, the Fourth Offical is also the backup Head Referee. In 2010, the UFL switched to a customized version of the traditional black and white stripes, and wore this uniform until its 2012 shutdown. The side judge (S or SJ) works downfield behind the defensive secondary on the same sideline as the head linesman or down judge. Each of the officials roles works hand in hand with each other which means the Head Referee doesnt have to worry about being in a dozen places at once. American football officials are commonly referred to as referees, but each has a title based on their position. List of National Football League officials, NFL Back Judge 199091 Referee 1992 to 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_National_Football_League_officials&oldid=1142536522, Dave Anderson (19842002) Head Linesman; Line Judge, Ron Baynes (19872000) Side Judge 1987; Line Judge 19882000, Grover Klemmer (19551981) Head Linesman 19551966, Back Judge 19671977, Side Judge 19781981, George A Sladky, Sr (19861991) Replay Official, This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 23:52. Below is the National Group of referees and assistant referees for the 2022/23 season. The Alliance of American Football used the sky judge, who had the authority to assess penalties (or overturn penalties) for unsafe play, and (within the final five minutes of the fourth quarter) either call or overturn pass interference penalties against either the offense or defense. When the NFL began in 1920, only three officials (referee, umpire, and head linesman) were used. Originally Answered: How many referees handle football matches? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. During professional and most college football games, seven officials operate on the field. They may also disagree with the other officials calls. However, this range does not always correspond to reality. Now, two members of the referee crew will inspect each football. The wing assigned to the sideline, on the other hand, moves toward the plane of the ball. Officials are usually referred to by the general term of referees, but actually, there is only one referee on the field during a game. [33] Since then, other women have officiated Division I college football games. Proper training and. The penalties for roughing the passer in an NFL football game are complex and are often hard to interpret. When the quarterback is struck with an arm, he may be considered to be a roughing the passer. [16][17] The side judge was added for 1978, when the NFL implemented new rules to open up the passing game. A line judge is also responsible for counting offensive players. During most of the American Football League's existence (19601967), officials wore red-orange striped jerseys. The back judge stands in the defensive backfield in the middle of the field. Each penalty in football has a referee signal associated with it. The number of female referees in English football has increased by 72% since 2016, the Football Association has revealed. After practice, head coach Zac Taylor gave the last game ball hed received to Zips Cafe in Mt. Game officials are typically accurate on 98.9% of calls. The rules regarding game balls are available at Pro Football Talk. For several decades, all NFL officials wore white hats. In 2013, college football's Big 12 Conference began using an eighth official, an alternate judge (A). The assistant referee may enter the field of play to help control the 9.15m (10 yards) distance. Similar to the down judge, they also watch for offsides players and encroachment and rule on plays on their side of the field. Uzomah may deliver a third ball. Players may not make illegal contact with the passer while the ball is in flight. The head linesman and line judge move toward the goal line at the snap of the ball. In its single aborted season in 2019, The Alliance of American Football's officials wore shirts that are black and white on top with stripes from the middle down, white stars on the sleeves and the number on the back and on the left front pocket. Over the next 40 years, the system would change into what is more-or-less equal to what most American football leagues use today, a seven-official system. The lower pressure makes them easier to grasp and catch. [46] She is also the first openly bisexual official to work in a major professional football league and in college football. James Alder is an expert on the game of American football, blogs for The New York Times, and appears on radio shows. The NFL has made a few changes to its rules that have affected the game. The center judge (C) is positioned beside the referee in the offensive backfield adjacent to the referee, positioned equivalent to the umpire. In four games in the 2010 preseason, the NFL experimented with an eighth official, a deep judge (DJ), in the defensive backfield opposite the back judge. In a recent instance, a linebacker from USD demanded a game ball after his team beat Presbyterian 69-28. Referees The seven officials in an NFL game include: The referee is the head official and has the final say with all rulings on the field. The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game Sunday to advance to their first Super Bowl appearance in 30 years. Some players are obsessed with them; others are indifferent to them. The ball is placed at the two-yard line after the game, and after a touchdown, the offense can attempt to score two points. 1930. Like the field judge, the side judge makes decisions near the sideline on the nearest side of field, judging the action of nearby running backs, receivers and defenders. This is particularly dangerous for fast players, because the force required to bring down a quarterback can be enormous. Allen Baynes ( 2008 -present) Side Judge. Transitioning during turnovers, punts, and other returns. [21] In 2017, the NFL renamed the head linesman to down judge. A few of these balls are reused for practice or game balls, and some are donated to charity. This judge keeps track of the wide receiver on their side of the field to watch for any fouls on the offensive or defensive side. Having six total officiating crews, there will be one female official for each crew. since 1994. How to Deal With Spectator Abuse: Advice for Referees, What Makes A Great Soccer Referee? Similar to the field judge, just covering the opposite side of the field. In the recent Super Bowl, five of the eleven Patriots footballs were found to be less than the legally required minimum pressure. 1. He is the top dog on the pitch and any choice or decision he makes directly affects if the team wins or loses. Referees enforce FIFA Laws of the Game in connection with each match. A specially designed wristband that is used to remind officials of the current down. Lookout. Each of these roles is crucial to the match and helps to keep the game fair and the judgment accurate. Officiating crews. During the game, the officials gathered the 11 Patriots balls, which were presumably at 12.5 PSI when they were first inflated. [9] Thus, this position is sometimes referred to as head referee and is considered to be the crew chief. In addition, NFL teams have specially prepped balls for their starting quarterbacks. Once the score is over, a team has four consecutive downs to advance to the next down. During punts and field goals, the referee observes the kicker (and holder) and any contact made by defenders approaching them. Makes any announcements during the game like penalties or other clarifications. Some NFL referees have side jobs, too, including Adrian Hill, who holds down two jobs. [32] Thomas later became the first woman to officiate a bowl game when she worked as a line judge during the 2009 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl between Marshall and Ohio. The hat also is often used to signal a second foul called by the official on a play (by those officials that may carry only one flag); to indicate unsportsmanlike conduct committed against the official himself (as when a player shoves an official); or when some other situation requires a physical mark and the official has already used the ordinary item on the play. The pressure of a football is checked by officials before each game to ensure its safety. Football officials enforce the rules of the gameand, as such, are usually the people whodraw the most ire from coaches, players and fans. There are also other referees and officials involved in a soccer game, but exactly how many officially are there per game? For the NFL, this was the fourth official, added in 1929. However, in the CFL, this was the fifth official, added in 1951.[20]. If there is a disagreement between officials, the referee will step in and make the decision. During field goals, the back judge is positioned under the goalpost and rules whether the field goal attempt was successful. Terri Valenti became the first woman to officiate professional football when she began working United Football League games in 2009. The referee, two linesmen (aka Assistant Referees) responsible for offsides and out of bounds calls, and the fourth official responsible for substitutions, the time added on, and getting yelled at by managers. NFL referees are paid more than many other professionals in the country, but the amount they earn is still quite high compared to the average wage for Americans. The field judge is responsible for keeping track of the play clock and calling a delay of game if the clock expires. Video Assistant Referees (VARs) and Assistant VARs. There is one female NFL referee, Sarah Thomas. How many substitutions can be made in a football game? [41][42], In 2012, Shannon Eastin became the first female official of an NFL game. But in preseason games, NFL officials were unable to add a center judge, as it would have been an unsafe position for the umpire. Strong backgrounds in College Football are represented as 33 of the 35 USFL officials have worked in Power Five Conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12, and SEC). Additionally, the jump from high school to college or the pros was . One of the changes in the rules is that it has been made easier to penalize defenders who throw down a quarterback by hitting his helmet. The Mississippi native's officiating career began in 2007 as a high school football referee. CFL referees, unlike their counterparts in the NFL and American college football, identify the team committing the foul when announcing penalty enforcement, instead of using "offense" or defense".[10]. However, some players are still complaining about the quality of footballs. Among the various Halls of Fame for major North American sports, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is unique in that it did not induct any officials until Art McNally in 2022; the Baseball Hall of Fame, Basketball Hall of Fame, and Hockey Hall of Fame have each inducted numerous game officials as members. The back judge has the final say regarding the legality of kicks not made from scrimmage (kickoffs). The down judge (DJ) in the NFL, CFL, and the 2022 version of the USFL; head line-judge (H or HL) in college and some states for high school football; or head linesman (H or HL) stands at one end of the line of scrimmage (usually the side opposite the press box, always with the chain crew), looking for possible offsides, encroachment and other fouls before the snap. These looser-fitting pants allow for layering of warmer clothes underneath. The field judge stands on the sideline in the defensive backfield, about 20 yards away from the line of scrimmage. Michael Banks ( 2002 -present) Side Judge 2002-2014; Field Judge 2015-present. He will take the primary Head Referees position if he cannot fulfill his role for any reason. The back judge (B or BJ) stands deep behind the defensive secondary in the middle of the field, judging the action of nearby running backs, receivers (primarily the tight ends) and nearby defenders. The side judge is the official positioned 20 yards deep in the defensive backfield near the same sideline as the head linesman. Next time you watch a match, keep an eye out for the four officials and watch them work their magic on the pitch! She officated the 2020 AFC Championship game. During instant replay reviews in the NFL, the referee confers with the NFL's replay center in New York City, which makes the final ruling. They are responsible for counting defensive players on the field and keeping track of any action around the tight end in order to call any fouls. He lines up in the offensive backfield with the referee. In the NFL, the referee also has final authority on the score and the down number in case of any disagreement. To understand a bit more about the four officials that make up the referee team in a soccer match, we will be going over their roles and responsibilities in this section of the article: 1. The NFL adopted the gender-neutral term down judge in 1997, and the CFL followed suit in 2017. Grantis Bell (2020-present) Back Judge. The referee can be identified by a white cap, while the other officials wear black caps (the hat color scheme was reversed in the NFL from 1979 to 1987, and in Canadian football until 2019). In some high school and minor leagues, the line judge is the official timekeeper of the game. Signaling when the ball has left the field and is out of bounds for a goal kick, corner kick, or throw-in. The NFL announced on Tuesday the hiring of 10 new on-field game officials for the . As no teams in the league wore red or orange, there was no prospect of a clash of colors. Due to the size of a football field and the number of players on the field at once, there are seven referees for an NFL or college football game. Referees and other officials need to ensure the game remains fair and safe for all players, according to the rules of the game. Privacy Policy NFL.com, 2022 Rules Changes and Points of Clarification, Summits showcase pipeline for minority coaches, GMs, Their Causes, Their Impact: Player-Led Initiatives a Multiplying Force for Good, Offensive backfield, right side of the formation, 15 yards deep and behind the normal Tight End position, Wears the white cap, known as the crew chief and leader of the officiating crew, Oversees everything related to the officials and maintains the pace of the game, Verbally and visually communicates all fouls, Counts the offensive players on the field, Determines first downs or if a measurement is necessary, Before the snap, watches for false starts by the QB and the Running Backs, Watches the Center, Right Guard, Right Tackle, monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them, Watches the Right Guard, Right Tackle and monitors their actions and those of the defenders engaged with them, Turns attention solely to quarterback as the defense becomes a threat, Primarily responsible for all action around and to the QB/Passer, Rules on Roughing the Passer, Offensive Holding, Pass/Fumble and Intentional Grounding, Kickoff Lines up middle of the field between the hash mark on the receiving teams goal line, Prior to the kickoff counts the receiving team and initiates the kickoff, Punt Primary responsibility is the Punter, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown - Primary responsibility is the Kicker and Holder, On opposite sideline from line judge, looking directly down the LOS, Rules on sideline plays on nearest half of field, Watches for false starts, offside or encroachment at line, Watches blockers and defenders on nearest side of field for any penalties, Monitors sideline on plays run to nearest half of field, Determines when and if runner is out of bounds, Based on the formation they are responsible for specific receivers, If play goes into their vicinity, helps to rule on whether pass is complete or incomplete, Rules if receiver is in or out of bounds when catch is made, Rules on Offensive and Defensive Pass Interference, Defensive Holding and Illegal Contact of eligible receivers, Determines if pass is forwards or backwards on passes towards them, Makes sure passer is behind LOS when he throws ball, Kickoff Positioned on the receivers goal line on the sideline, Prior to the kickoff counts the receiving team, Punts - Observes LOS for offside and encroachment, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown Rules on false starts, offside or encroachment at line, Defensive backfield, 25 yards downfield from the LOS on the same side of the field as the down judge, Serves as the primary timekeeper if the game clock malfunctions, Watches receivers on their side of the field for illegal use of hands and blocking fouls, and for penalties on defensive back covering him, Watches sidelines to determine if runners are in or out of bounds, Signals referee when time expires at end of each quarter, Watches the blocks by receivers on their side of the field, looking for illegal blocks or holding by the receivers, If play goes to nearest side of field, helps determine if runner goes out of bounds, Focuses on the receivers to their side of the field to make sure the player is able to run his route without defensive interference, If play goes to the SJs area, helps to rule on whether a pass is complete or incomplete, Rules if receiver is in or out of bounds at time of catch, Kickoff Lines up on the receivers back restraining line and ensures the receiving team is lined up by rule, Punts Position 7-10 yards behind the receiver on the sideline, Field Goal/Point After Touchdown - Defensive backfield, lines up seven yards off the line of scrimmage over the snapper, watches for snap infractions and illegal blocks, Deep defensive backfield, 30 yards downfield.