NSAA Football Officials Evaluation Form

Delete Observation
Draft - Not yet submitted

Date of Observation

Game

Game Location

Crew Personnel

Crew Chief

Referee

Umpire

Linesman

Line Judge

Back Judge

Uniform/Physical Appearance of Crew

  • Uniforms are clean, fit properly, ,and compliant with all NFHS Uniform Rules
  • Stand tall, professional demeanor
  • No crossed arms, hands on hips, hands in pockets

Pre-Game Duties

  • Take the field together, 30 minutes prior to kick-off
  • Meet with home head coach then visiting head coach. Provide card with names of officials
  • Inspect the playing field
  • Check players for illegal uniforms and equipment
  • Inspect the down indicator and chains. Meet with line-to-gain crew
  • Inspect and approve game balls
  • When duties are completed, observe players during pre-game warmup
  • Do not engage in non-essential conversation with players, coaches, spectators, or others

Coin Toss

  • 20 minutes prior to kick-off
  • 50 yard line, press box side
  • Captains' backs to respective sidelines
  • Referee and Umpire face each other, rest of crew stand behind Umpire
  • Referee faces press box to signal results

Measuring for First Down

  • Referee: Signal to Linesman to bring the chains onto the field
  • Umpire: Take forward indicator and pull tight when Linesman says "Ready"
  • Linesman: Ensure clip is placed properly. Bring chains to the spot held by the Line Judge
  • Line Judge: Indicate the intersection of the 5-yard line where the chain is clipped
  • Back Judge: Clear players from the measurement area. Tend ball at time of measurement

Scrimmage Plays — Pre-Snap Alignment and Responsibilities

  • Referee: 10 – 12 yards deep, as wide as the tight end, passing-arm side of QB. Count Team A
  • Umpire: 5 – 10 yards behind Team B, between the defensive ends. Count Team A
  • Linesman: Clear team box area. Straddle the line of scrimmage on the sideline. Count Team B
  • Line Judge: Clear team box area. Straddle the line of scrimmage on the sideline. Count Team B
  • Back Judge: 20 – 25 yards from line of scrimmage (never in end zone), strong side of the formation. Count Team B.

Scrimmage Plays — Coverage

  • Referee
    • Run Play: Focus on the runner and blocking around the runner. Responsible for out of bounds spot behind the LOS
    • Pass Play: Observe blocking behind the LOS, stay with passer until he is not threatened
  • Umpire
    • Run Play: Slide/pivot to avoid contact. Move toward the hash to clean up behind the play
    • Pass Play: Step up and reach the LOS. When the pass is thrown, pivot to follow flight of ball
  • Linesman
    • Run Play: Slide downfield along sidelines as necessary. Observe runner and action around runner. Square off for spot
    • Pass Play: Pause then slide downfield to maintain position halfway between LOS and deepest receiver. Square off for spot
  • Line Judge
    • Run Play: Slide downfield along sidelines as necessary. Observe runner and action around runner. Square off for spot
    • Pass Play: Pause then slide downfield to maintain position halfway between LOS and deepest receiver. Square off for spot
  • Back Judge
    • Run Play: Observe blocking and action in front of the runner. Cover to the sideline on plays ending out of bounds
    • Pass Play: Stay deeper than deepest receiver. Move toward intended receiver. Assist with ball relay along the sideline

Free Kick

  • Referee
    • Alignment: R's goal line, middle of the field
    • Coverage: Observe action in coverage area
  • Umpire
    • Alignment: R's restraining line, press box side. 2 yards off sideline
    • Coverage: Observe action in coverage area
  • Linesman
    • Alignment: R's goal line, opposite of press box side. 2 yards off sideline
    • Coverage: Observe action in coverage area
  • Line Judge
    • Alignment: R's goal line, press box side. 2 yards off sideline
    • Coverage: Observe action in coverage area
  • Back Judge
    • Alignment: K's free kick line. Opposite press box. 2 yards off sideline. Check all K players within 5 yards of free kick line
    • Coverage: Observe action in coverage area
  • All Officials
    • Only covering official(s) start/stop clock
    • All officials have bag in hand
    • All officials hand over head to signal ready

Punt

  • Referee
    • Alignment: 3 – 5 yards outside TE, 2 – 3 yards behind kicker, kicking leg side
    • Coverage: Observe action in front of kicker. Protect the kicker. Move downfield, observe action in coverage area
  • Umpire
    • Alignment: 4 – 7 yards deep, widen to favor LJ side
    • Coverage: Move toward LOS at snap.. Pivot to LJ side, move downfield, observe action in coverage area
  • Linesman
    • Alignment: Straddle the LOS on the sideline
    • Coverage: Remain on LOS until kick crosses the neutral zone. Move downfield, observe action in coverage area
  • Line Judge
    • Alignment: Straddle the LOS on the sideline
    • Coverage: Release downfield on the snap. Observe action in coverage area
  • Back Judge
    • Alignment: 10 – 12 yards wider and 2 – 3 yards behind the deepest/widest return on L side
    • Coverage: Responsible for all deep receivers. Observe action in coverage area

PAT / Field Goal

  • Referee
    • Alignment: 2 – 3 yards behind and 3 – 5 yards behind kicker, facing the holder
    • Coverage: Observe all actions involving kicker and holder. Immediate whistle on PAT attempt
  • Umpire
    • Alignment: 4 – 7 yards deep, widen to favor the open side
    • Coverage: Step toward LOS at snap. Observe action in coverage area
  • Linesman
    • Alignment: If facing R, straddle LOS on the sideline. If not facing R, under the upright
    • Coverage: If on LOS, responsible for neutral zone. If under upright, rule on kick
  • Line Judge
    • Alignment: If facing R, straddle LOS on the sideline. If not facing R, under the upright
    • Coverage: If on LOS, responsible for neutral zone. If under upright, rule on kick
  • Back Judge
    • Alignment: Under the appropriate upright
    • Coverage: Rule on kick. Sound whistle when appropriate on field goal attempt

Goal Line Play

  • Ball snapped between Team B's 10- and 5-yard line. LJ and L release slowly, stay ahead of runner to goal line
  • Touchdown signal is given only by the official who actually sees the ball break the plane of the goal line
  • Ball snapped inside Team A or Team B 5-yard line - LJ and L move quickly to goal line

Administering Penalties

  • Referee: Give preliminary signal and final signal as necessary
  • Umpire: Secure ball, step off penalty yards
  • Linesman: Proceed to succeeding spot
  • Line Judge: Hold enforcement spot
  • Back Judge: Assist in holding spot of foul or recovering penalty marker

Timeout Procedure

  • Referee: Maintain position in Team A's backfield
  • Umpire: Maintain position over ball
  • Linesman: Position halfway between ball and sideline. Monitor team conference
  • Line Judge: Position halfway between ball and sideline. Monitor team conference
  • Back Judge: Maintain position in Team B's backfield. Responsible for keeping time

Between Periods Procedure

  • Referee: Communicate with Umpire and Linesman. (Record down, distance, yard line)
  • Umpire: Quickly take ball to corresponding point on other half of field and reverse directions
  • Linesman: Reset chain crew, then observe team on your sideline
  • Line Judge: Observe team on your sideline
  • Back Judge: Observe team for Linesman, resume position away from officials. Notify officials of time

Between Halves Procedure

Controlling the Sidelines and Team Box

Knowledge / Application of Rules and Mechanics

  • Proper use of signals
  • Correct penalty yardage and spots
  • Correct use of beanbag
  • Proper coverage areas
  • Consistent foul threshold

Game Management

  • Remain calm and confident
  • Dead ball officiating
  • Communication with players and coaches
  • Consistent tempo
  • Control of the game

Comments for NSAA

(Only NSAA will see anything placed in this blue section.)

Recommended for Postseason
Recommended Class

Clicking the submit button will send this information to the NSAA and you will not be able to edit it. The form is saved automatically every five seconds and you can return to it by clicking on your submissions. Clicking the submit button will also alert the officials being evaluated that you have completed this observation form.