Back Judge Session July 29, 2017 2017 State Football Clinic Back Judge Session July 29, 2017

CLINICIANS Collin Martinez Mike Rundell Mickey Shortencarier

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Why do we need one? Most good coaches realize that every second spent “fussing” about a previous play is one less second that they have for to get ready for the next play. The same goes for us – no matter what happened on a previous play, we still must get ready for the next play A good, internalized pre-snap routine shifts our focus to the next play and helps us “forget” about previous plays

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE When do we start the pre snap routine? The pre-snap routine should begin when the teams are separating after a dead ball has been declared If you wait to begin your pre-snap routine, then you may not have time to complete the pre-snap routine and you may not be ready for the next play

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Verify down, distance and clock status Everyone should know the clock status so make sure that you know in case there is a question about it. Everyone should know the down and distance so ensure that you know in case there is a question about it – if you are unsure, then stop the game to verify It is better to stop and get it right than it is to give the offense an extra down or not enough downs – never wait to contribute!

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Start play clock upon ready-for-play It is best to be able to make eye contact with the R so that you both know that the other is ready That way you can start the play clock upon the R’s ready-for-play signal

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Remain aware of game situation Knowing the down and distance, the score and late in the quarter the game is should help you anticipate the next play, not the call This will help you in determining what type of ruling/decision you may have to make

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Count defense with line judge prior to offense breaking the huddle

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE Identify your keys as the offense takes its positions You must know the guidelines for determining your keys for all possible formations The sooner you identify your keys, the more prepared you will be in case the keys change due to men in motion

BACK JUDGE PRE-SNAP ROUTINE As you are completing these steps, assume your initial position It is important to note that these steps may be completed in any order – this order is determined by what is occurring on the field The important thing is that all steps are completed Counting the defense as soon as possible helps the line judge get ready for the next snap Making eye contact as soon as possible helps the R give the ready-for-play signal which keeps the game flowing

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES DEAD BALL OFFICIATING!!! Dead ball numerical example The B position does not usually have primary ball coverage so we must be aware of action around the ball, we must not be ball-watchers!! Help the U with pileups between the numbers and goal lines, the wing officials with plays outside the numbers and out-of-bounds

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Key(s) Define strong side Identify keys How long to stay with keys, what to look for, what to do after you release key(s) Two or three steps backwards at snap while watching keys

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Long free kicks Legal formation – what to look for Movement after free kick Where to look and what to look for

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Short or “pooch” free kicks Legal formation, including offsides Where to move to and what to look for (fair catch signal if ball is not grounded)

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Obvious onsides free kicks Legal formation, offsides Is kick grounded, if so certain rules no longer apply Who looks at blocks, who looks at ball When can K legally touch the ball

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Surprise onsides free kicks Legal formation, offsides Only two of you so have more to look at Who watches blocks, who watches ball

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Running plays between tackles Maybe release keys sooner Watch for players going against flow Help U with pileups

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Running plays outsides tackles Watch keys for blocks Read flow and watch for players going back against flow for legal blocks Help wing official with players/ball Know where to look on plays outside the numbers

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Passes completed behind the line of scrimmage Look at blockers ahead of completed pass Be aware of blocks downfield (verify that pass was completed behind the line)

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Short pass plays Read keys look for fouls by either receiver or defender, if holding by defender, must know if he was potential receiver, when does holding become DPI If over the middle, probably have prime coverage for catch or no If outside hashes, probably have legal hits on receivers

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Long pass plays We probably have prime coverage on catch or no Wing officials help with sidelines Probably have spot of forward progress Same comments for keys as for short passes

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Plays where the pylon is threatened We have goal line, run towards pylon and be aware of what wing official is doing Confirm with wing official that player was not out of bounds before ruling on TD

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES End line plays These are ours all the time – no help so get there early Criticize if we miss goal line, but crucify if we miss end line

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Goal line plays When is our initial position on goal line vs end line Can help with goal line but wings usually have primary coverage

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Scrimmage kicks – punts Back judge prayer – we are all alone Initial position Our initial coverage is the ball (touchback or not), grounded punt When to release punt returner

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Scrimmage kicks – field goals and trys for points We have upright and crossbar and whistle Which wing official is under with us

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Forward progress Only on long gains or grounded kicks out of bounds

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Timeouts We time the timeouts Record and confirm number of timeouts with other officials

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Measurements We prevent ball from being moved Find out if U will bring chain to press box side

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Penalty Enforcement B is a promotion so must know the rules and everyone’s mechanics – be the go to guy on the crew for this information

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Relaying the ball Help whenever you can/should Don’t worry about the ball if other officials have already got it covered Ball comes last after all other dead ball stuff has finished

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Communications with wings Count the defense with L Let wings know when you start on goal line and when you start on the end line Number of down

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Communications with umpire Verify next down

BACK JUDGE RESPONSIBILITIES Communications with referee Verify next down, relay game clock status if necessary, start play clock upon ready for play signal

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?