Good officials should call what they see, not what a coach or coaches say they see, or fans for that matter because they more than likely looking at something altogether different. Officals can not be a fan of the game while they are calling, they have to be much more. Five guys (and yes some women) watching 22 players going in different directions with a ball some where in there, also watching the sidelines, coaches, fans helping (chain gang). Add it up, it is a tough job and if it was easy anyone could do it!!

Good officials should call what they see, not what a coach or coaches say they see, or fans for that matter because they more than likely looking at something altogether different. Officals can not be a fan of the game while they are calling, they have to be much more. Five guys (and yes some women) watching 22 players going in different directions with a ball some where in there, also watching the sidelines, coaches, fans helping (chain gang). Add it up, it is a tough job and if it was easy anyone could do it!!

Agree...officials should not be watching the ball..also I know its a little thing but I dont think a whistle should be in the mouth...inadvertant whistle is ONE of the worst things that can happen.....Know the rules...

Generally here are some of the responsibilities. The full description is under the sport football on the http://www.khsaa.org site and Go to the coaches/official info. There is a document called the first and ten that formed the basis for the football mechanics. Many of the mechanics have changed but George Sonny Mercker put those together for the state to use a while back.

 

Referee-white hat behind offense- head official, roughing passer, punter/kicker

Umpire- positioned behind defensive line-Watches line play and illegal pass and

Line Judge- ON home team sideline- 7 men on O's line and encroachment

Head Linesman- On Visitor's sideline with yard to gain chains

Back Judge- behind Safety -25 second clock, pass interference

 

 

The 1st and Ten on the KHSAA website is very outdated, it's the 2001 version. Julian was supposed to put an updated version this year but has not yet.

I dont believe the Umpire does goal post, I think that is the Linejudge or it use to be ....I think IMO 1 misconception from a fan is that is not his call but if an official sees a penalty he should call it...Lack of hustle, not being where they are suppose to be and NOT knowing the rules are the things that bother me....

 

 

No, he is correct. On an extra try or a field goal inside of 15 yds, the umpire and backjudge go under the goal post to make a decision on the kick. Outside of 15 yrds, the LJ and BJ go back.

To give you all of the responsibilities, I have to point out that the typical high school federation rulebook is about 65-70 pages and the NCAA is about 185 pages the last year I worked college ball. The NFL rulebook is larger than the NCAA.

 

There used to be a document on http://www.KHSAA.org detailing the differences between the high school rules and college rules. As Sonny Mercker mentioned a number of times though, you learn the high school rules and you learn the college rules, you don't learn the differences.

 

As to do we expect too much of the officials? Yes, it is a hard profession with little gratitude. Coaches and parents make it difficult because they only see their biased point of view. But with the short number of officials trying to cover games, remember that he/she is giving their best and know that we are blessed with a number of top officials working in the top leagues including the NFL to learn how to do their job better.

 

As to more officials at the top levels, it is very tough to move into those positions and very tough on the personal lives to be gone that much. Let me tell you that a certain SEC ref worked the Tennessee-Florida game on national TV before 106,000 people on Saturday and got screamed at on the next day at St. Rita doing a CSAA game in Louisvile " ...that's why you do grade school, because you sucK!!" That's the last grade school game he worked. So to ask an official to work a Thursday freshmen game, then a Friday night game until 10:00, shower and go home, leave the next morning ( or after the high school game) to do a college game and then come back and do Sunday leagues and Monday JV games is a lot of personal sacrifice.

 

But there is nothing like stepping on a field with a full stadium, bands playing, fans cheering, teams going at it, to get a reminder of why that referee is on the field or court. To be a part of the game, for the game is much more important than individual achievement. To come off the field and have the combatants tell you "good game, ref", means alot to the men and women in stripes.

 

 

This is a great post.:thumb: :thumb:

I have found that fans are quick to criticize officials but they are usually not very well informed about the rules of the game or how the game is officiated.

 

Maybe our referee friends here at BGP's can explain to us who is responsible for what?

 

For instance what is each official called and what is each one's primary duty during the game?

 

 

I see many people have already named each position so I'll skip that. Every official has what they call "KEYS" to watch at the snap. Each "KEY" will change depending on the formation of the offense and each officials has one or even two keys every play. It is essential for an official to watch these keys. They are very important to officiating a successful football game.

This is a great post.:thumb: :thumb:

Thanks CATSFAN. You've spent many hours doing the same I am sure.

 

Can I convince you to switch to U of L?

I find it odd that so many posters have mentioned positioning and there has been very little if any talk of game management and knowledge of the rules.

 

First responsibility SHOULD be rules knowledge and believe it or not there are officials in the mountains that do not know the rules, much less mechanics.

 

Yes, there are some very good officials in the mountains but there are some that have no business being on a varsity field.

Imo a person can tell if the ref's are doing a good job if NO ONE notices them. In other words if they call the game the way it should be while still letting it be all about the kids. I have seen a couple of the ref's in my area try and make the show all about them :irked: ! Well they sucseed in that, the ones I am talking about are usually the worst ones out there. Most ref's do a very good job and I do not envy their job, it is a tough one. To all our bgp member referees in h.s. sports.......Thank You.:thumb:

:thumb: No flags thrown on that one!!!:lol:

To give you all of the responsibilities, I have to point out that the typical high school federation rulebook is about 65-70 pages and the NCAA is about 185 pages the last year I worked college ball. The NFL rulebook is larger than the NCAA.

 

There used to be a document on http://www.KHSAA.org detailing the differences between the high school rules and college rules. As Sonny Mercker mentioned a number of times though, you learn the high school rules and you learn the college rules, you don't learn the differences.

 

As to do we expect too much of the officials? Yes, it is a hard profession with little gratitude. Coaches and parents make it difficult because they only see their biased point of view. But with the short number of officials trying to cover games, remember that he/she is giving their best and know that we are blessed with a number of top officials working in the top leagues including the NFL to learn how to do their job better.

 

As to more officials at the top levels, it is very tough to move into those positions and very tough on the personal lives to be gone that much. Let me tell you that a certain SEC ref worked the Tennessee-Florida game on national TV before 106,000 people on Saturday and got screamed at on the next day at St. Rita doing a CSAA game in Louisvile " ...that's why you do grade school, because you sucK!!" That's the last grade school game he worked. So to ask an official to work a Thursday freshmen game, then a Friday night game until 10:00, shower and go home, leave the next morning ( or after the high school game) to do a college game and then come back and do Sunday leagues and Monday JV games is a lot of personal sacrifice.

 

But there is nothing like stepping on a field with a full stadium, bands playing, fans cheering, teams going at it, to get a reminder of why that referee is on the field or court. To be a part of the game, for the game is much more important than individual achievement. To come off the field and have the combatants tell you "good game, ref", means alot to the men and women in stripes.

:thumb: :thumb: Very well said!!! Hats off to you as a referee!! It is a job that I would want no part of. It takes a special individual to be a successful ref.

I find it odd that so many posters have mentioned positioning and there has been very little if any talk of game management and knowledge of the rules.

 

First responsibility SHOULD be rules knowledge and believe it or not there are officials in the mountains that do not know the rules, much less mechanics.

 

Yes, there are some very good officials in the mountains but there are some that have no business being on a varsity field.

Having family in the mountains gives me a little insight to the problem with officiating in that region.For one the fans are among the most belligerent I have ever seen!Most officials probably don't want to call games there because they don't like the constant badgering by fans.Also,the drive can take so long from place to place.The ones that are willing to do the job should be commended!At least they like the sport enough to try even if they aren't the best.It sounds to me like you could be a potential referee yourself! :D

Having family in the mountains gives me a little insight to the problem with officiating in that region.For one the fans are among the most belligerent I have ever seen!Most officials probably don't want to call games there because they don't like the constant badgering by fans.Also,the drive can take so long from place to place.The ones that are willing to do the job should be commended!At least they like the sport enough to try even if they aren't the best.It sounds to me like you could be a potential referee yourself! :D

Been there done that...I officiated in the mountains and was much involved for quite a while.

And I do commend the ones that are willing to officiatethat actually take the time to learn the rules and try to do as good job.

The ones I have issues with are the ones just out there for whatever reason.

Believe me, I know the problems with officials in the mountains...travel...recruiting(officials)...etc, etc.

However, I disagree about the fans. While other sports seem to have trouble with fans, I really don't believe that is the case in football.

To give you all of the responsibilities, I have to point out that the typical high school federation rulebook is about 65-70 pages and the NCAA is about 185 pages the last year I worked college ball. The NFL rulebook is larger than the NCAA.

 

The 2006 NFHS rule book is 104 pages.

Thanks CATSFAN. You've spent many hours doing the same I am sure.

 

Can I convince you to switch to U of L?

 

 

LOL!! Can I convince you to switch?

I find it odd that so many posters have mentioned positioning and there has been very little if any talk of game management and knowledge of the rules.

 

First responsibility SHOULD be rules knowledge and believe it or not there are officials in the mountains that do not know the rules, much less mechanics.

 

Yes, there are some very good officials in the mountains but there are some that have no business being on a varsity field.

 

 

The thread wasn't about rules, the thread asked what were the positions and resposiblities of each position.