Passing Game

Referee Responsibilities R: After snap: Read block of offensive tackle on opposite side. Observe all blocks behind the neutral zone. As passer retreats, remain wide and deeper than passer. Give special attention to contact with passer: After ball is released, continue to observe passer, not flight of ball. Verbally alert defenders when passer has released ball. Determine whether pass is forward or backward, after quarterback drops back. LM U BJ R R: Be alert to observe illegal pass: Move to spot of pass to determine whether passer's feet were in or behind neutral zone when ball was released. If illegal, drop penalty marker. Continue to officiate. If close, mark spot of pass with bean bag and continue to officiate. Solely responsible for intentional grounding, may get assistance from covering official. Continue to observe action behind neutral zone before leaving area. Responsible for runner until he/she crosses neutral zone. LJ

Umpire Responsibilities LM U: Watch for illegal contact and illegal use of hands. When you read forward pass, step toward neutral zone: This removes you as target on shallow drag passes. Puts you in position to rule whether ineligible is illegally downfield. Observe action of players in and just behind neutral zone. U BJ R U: Assist referee to determine whether passer's feet were in or behind neutral zone when ball was released. Drop penalty marker at spot from which illegal pass is thrown. Continue to officiate. Cover short passes down middle. Know where forward pass first touches anything. Cover fumbled pass in your area, mark spot. LJ

LN/LJ Responsibilities LN: If pass is incomplete in your area: Sound whistle. Give incomplete-pass signal twice. Retrieve ball and relay to nearby game official. LN LN/LJ: Be ready to rule on the direction (forward or backward) of a quick quarterback pass. Move down sideline as required to cover pass on your side of field. Watch for interference by either team. Be ready to rule on fumble or illegal pass after completion. If pass is incomplete in your area: Sound whistle. Give incomplete-pass signal twice. Retrieve ball and relay to game official nearest previous spot. Be ready to adjust coverage if potential passer decides to run. Be alert for sideline action. LN/LJ: If pass is complete, in your area of responsibility, sound whistle when ball becomes dead Move to spot of forward progress. When line-to-gain has been reached, give time-out signal twice. U BJ R LJ: Observe keys and read tackle to determine run or pass. Stay on line of scrimmage until ball carrier crosses line of scrimmage or until receiver(s) on your side of the field have gone at least 10-12 yards downfield. LJ

Back Judge Responsibilities Read keys. Retreat in order to be in position behind deepest receivers. Cover deep receivers down middle and to each sideline. When pass is thrown, move quickly to ball: Watch for interference by either team. Be ready to rule on possible fumble or legal pass after completion. Be ready to rule on a" passes near goal line and end line. LM U BJ R LJ

Third down and 12 on A's 40-yard line. A1 drops back to throw a pass. The pass is completed to A2 who scores on the run following the reception. During the down, A3 holds B1 on A's 37-yard line. LM If B accepts the penalty for holding by A3, the score is nullified and following enforcement, it will be A's ball, third down and 25 to go on A's 27. 10.5.3 B U A1 BJ R A3 B1 A2 LJ

Third down and 12 on A's 40-yard line. A1 drops back to throw a pass. The pass is completed to A2 who scores on the run following the reception. During the down, A’s coach is observed standing inbounds on B’s 20 yard line. LM The score stands. Following enforcement, the try will be from A's 18-yard line or the foul may be enforced on the subsequent kickoff. 10.5.3 B U A1 BJ R A3 B1 A2 LJ C

During a pass play A1 an ineligible receiver is illegally down field LM B1 illegally contacts him with an elbow U BJ R B1 A1 The personal foul by B1 and the foul by A1 for being downfield combine to make a double foul and the down will be replayed.7.5.10 A LJ

A1 is illegally downfield and blocks B1. The pass is thrown toward A1. LM It is a multiple foul for ineligible downfield and offensive pass interference. 7.5.10 A U BJ R B1 A1 The captain of B may choose to accept either penalty. Or refuse the penalties and take the result of the play. LJ

A1 is running a deep post pattern and B1 contacts him knocking him off his intended path, or grabs his jersey. LM A1 The pass is completed to A2 clearly away from the contact. U B1 BJ R There is no pass interference on B1, and there is no foul for illegal holding. 7.5.11 A A2 LJ

A1 runs straight up-field and after the ball has left the passers hand, B1 blocks A1 in the back from behind and throws him off his pattern. LM The pass is completed to A2 who is clearly on the opposite side of the field A1 U B1 BJ R There is no pass interference on B1; however The covering official should drop a flag for The illegal block. 7.5.11 B A2 LJ

A1 throws a screen pass behind the neutral zone A1 throws a screen pass behind the neutral zone. The pass is touched by B1 and continues in-flight beyond the neutral zone. LM A2 has gone downfield and blocks B2 before the pass is touched. A2 B1 U B2 A1 BJ R Legal block because B1 touched the ball in or behind the neutral zone. 7.5.10 E LJ

A2 or B2 are in position to catch or Intercept a forward pass B1 who is in the vicinity, turns his back to the ball and waves his arms to block the vision of A2. LM A2 B1 U B2 A1 BJ R Hindering an opponents vision with out Making an attempt to catch the ball is Pass interference. 7.5.10 C LJ

A3 is illegally downfield and blocks B2. the pass is beyond the neutral zone before The block occurs. 7.5.10 B LM U B2 A3 BJ R It is a multiple foul for ineligible Downfield and offensive pass Interference. 7.5.10 A LJ

Eligible receiver A1 blocks an opponent downfield while the ball is in flight LM The pass is completed to A2 who is beyond the neutral zone. A2 U BJ R A1 This is offensive pass interference. 7.5.10 B LJ

At the snap A1 moves about 3 yards downfield and finding no one to block retreats back behind the line and blocks for A2, who throws a pass that is completed beyond the neutral zone. LM U A2 BJ R A1 A1 is an ineligible downfield. The prohibition for A starts at the snap and the fact that A1 was behind the neutral zone when the pass was thrown has no bearing. 7.5.12 A LJ

LM Before A2 throws a pass beyond the neutral zone , A1 contacts B1 and drives him back 4 yards. U BJ R A1 B1 Offensive pass interference by A1 because he has driven B1 beyond the expanded neutral zone. 7.5.12 B LJ