Southern Illinois University Recreational Sports and Services

2. • Knowledge of sports rules and mechanics
• Represent the Intramural Program positively as an official, player, and
spectator.
• Serve as an impartial and fair official.
• Be respectful to all players and participants.
• In the face of inappropriate language or comments directed at you, be professional.
• Alert professional staff or a graduate assistant.We will back you up.
• Ensure a safe environment for all.
• Safety is your number one priority as a sport official.
• Clothing
• Athletic clothing
• No jewelry, watches, wristbands etc

3. • Arrive fifteen minutes before start of shift
• Sign the officials’ timesheet, entering your time or arrival.
• Please arrive five to ten minutes before your scheduled schift time.

4. Evaluation & Feedback

8. Playing Field
TEAM BENCH
TEAM BENCH
Players, Fans, and
Spectators should
avoid standing in
the red areas.
Our officials and
players need clear
sidelines for
safety reasons.

25. Post-Game Responsibilities
• After the conclusion of the final
scheduled game:
• Help gather equipment for storage
• Gather trash in spectator areas
• Ask the supervisor if anything else
needs to be completed
• Sign the officials’ timesheet
• Go to sleep, stay up & watchTV etc

27. • Referee (R)
• Opposite the Line Judge & same side as the Back Judge
• Takes a position seven yards back and seven yards outside the deepest offensive
back at a forty-five degree angle.
• Line Judge (LJ)
• Opposite the Referee and Back Judge
• Stands on the Neutral Zone (if receivers are near the sideline, take 2 steps back
and out of bounds)
• Back Judge (BJ)
• Opposite the Line Judge
• Take a position 17 yards beyond the LOS and 5 yards from the sideline
• Two steps behind the deepest defensive player
• Avoid a position which will interfere the player’s movement

28. Three Person Crew Mechanics: Positioning
1
R
LJ
BJ

29. Three Person Crew Mechanics: Coverage
Areas 1
R
LJ
BJ

31. Pre-Snap Responsibilities:The Referee
• Sets ball spotters down (Orange for Offense;Yellow
for Defense) and check next down with other
officials.
• While hustling to your position, announce the
Down and Distance.Once you and other officials
are in position, blow your whistle sharply (Marking
the ball is Ready for Play).
• Start twenty-five second play clock silently
(announce ten and five seconds remaining on the
clock; audibly count down from five seconds)
• Basic Duties:
• Watch for Delay of Game, False Start, and
Illegal Motion/Shift/Snap/Procedure
• Count the Number of Offensive Flag Belts
(should be seven)
• Keep track of score in conjunction with back
judge.
R

32. Pre-Snap Responsibilities:The Line Judge
• Marks the new Line of Scrimmage (LOS) with the
downfield foot
• As the offensive players line up, marks the LOS
with the downfield foot and raises the downfield
hand, indicating the next Down
• Verbally communicate with players in the Neutral
Zone
• Asks players to back up behind their team’s ball
spotter
• Basic Duties
• Watch for False Start, Encroachment, and
Illegal Motion/Shift/Snap
• Watch players in motion
• Counting the Offensive and Defensive Flag
Belts (seven for each team)
LJ

33. Pre-Snap Responsibilities:The Back Judge
• Signals the next down to the officials and
players
• Check the offensive formation and adjust
your position accordingly (Anticipate)
• Basic Duties:
• Checking the Clock (announcing the
remaining time periodically throughout
the game – 10:00, 5:00, 2:00)
• Counting the Defensive Flag Belts (should
be seven flag belts)
• Serve as official scorekeeper for the
contest.
BJ

46. • Preventive Officiating

52. • Preventive Officiating

56. Penalties: Unsportspersonlike Conduct
• Some examples of unsportspersonlike
conduct:
• Taunting
• Spiking or kicking the ball
• Excessive or unnecessary contact
• Inappropriate language directed towards
a player or official
• Disrespectfully addressing an official
• Fighting (Immediate Disqualification)
• Contacting/hitting an official (Immediate
Disqualification)
• Illegally secured flag belt (Immediate
Disqualification)

57. Penalties: Unsportspersonlike Conduct

62. Offensive Foul Defensive Foul
Running Play Spot of the Foul End of the Run
Loose Ball Play Previous Spot (Except any foul
behind LOS)
Previous Spot (Except for
roughing the passer, after a
completed pass)
RUNNING PLAY: plays during a run or plays after a catch
LOOSE BALL PLAY: plays during the flight of the ball before the catch (includes
everything before the pass)
*All But One Principle

75. Example
Player A1 runs the ball and passes the ZLTG – 40 yard line.A1 flag guards at the B38. After
enforcing the penalty, the clock will start on the whistle.

83. Managing the Game: Basics
• Being aware of player emotions and actions will allow you to be
proactive.
• Being proactive will help you stop problems before they occur.
• Take your time with your decisions.
• A properly managed game will have necessary warnings and
ejections.
• If possible, try talking to players before issuing ejections.
• Problematic players should be addressed immediately and
accordingly.
• Addressing these players may involve speaking to the player, calling warning
the player, or ejecting the player from the game.

84. Managing the Game: Fighting
• While a fight can happen without warning, proper game
management typically prevents fights.
• When a fight breaks out:
• Step back and observe players and others involved in the fighting.
• Watch if any spectators step on the field.
• Do not attempt to physical stop the fighting.

85. Managing the Game: ManagingYourself
• Game management requires that you manage your emotions.
• Try to remain calm and relaxed through the game.
• Be professional at all times.
• When players become uncooperative or disrespectful, deal with them
accordingly.
• Address the player’s current actions.
• Trust your partners.
• Know your primary responsibilities.
• Support and back up your partners at all times.

87. Issuing Ejections