Positioning, Zones and Keys
Referee: Starting position is in the middle of the field behind the deepest receiver. When players and officials are ready, after the sideline liaison is ready and once the Center Judge is in position after handing the ball to the kicker, sound your whistle and give the ready-for-play signal. Be alert for a touchback or a kick beyond the endline. You are responsible for the endline. You are responsible for the play clock and secondarily responsible for knowing if Team A had at least four players on both sides of the kicker.
Umpire: Starting position is just outside the sideline opposite the press box on Team A’s restraining line. Ensure kicking team players remain inside the nineyard marks until the ready-for-play-signal from the Referee. You are responsible for clearing your sideline to Team A’s endline. Umpire keys on Team A players four and five from his sideline. Ensure Team A players are within five yards of their restraining line.
Center Judge: Hand the ball to the kicker and stay with him in the middle of the field. Position in front and to the side of the kicker until the Referee marks the ball ready for play and release the kicker. Move two to three yards wide of the ball and as deep as the kicker. Primary responsibility for verifying four on either side of the kicker.
Head Linesman: Starting position is just outside the sideline opposite the press box at Team B’s goal line. You have goal line and pylon responsibility.
Side Judge: Assist in clearing your sideline. Starting position is just outside the sideline opposite the press box on Team B’s restraining line. Side Judge keys on Team A players two and three on his side of the field.
Line Judge: Starting position is just outside the sideline on the press box side at Team B’s goal line. You have goal line and pylon responsibility.
Field Judge: Assist in clearing your sideline. Starting position is just outside the sideline on the press box side at Team B’s restraining line. Field Judge keys on Team A players two and three on his side of the field.
Back Judge: You are responsible for clearing your sideline to Team A’s endline. Starting position is just outside the sideline on the press box side at Team A’s restraining line. Ensure kicking team players remain inside the nine-yard marks until the ready-for-play-signal from the Referee. Back Judge keys on Team A players four and five on his side of the field. Ensure Team A players are within five yards of their restraining line. Note: Team A player one is not accounted for in the keys as he normally is not threatened until he reaches the Head Linesman or Line Judge’s zone.
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