Football Official

Football Official

Zebra

Somewhere in, NJ

Male, 62

I've officiated football for over 30 years, now in my 26th on the college level. I've worked NCAA playoffs at the Division II and III level. In addition, I've coached at the scholastic level and have been an educator for over 35 years. I have no interest whatsoever in being an NFL official! Ever!

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Under NCAA rules, if a receiver is forced out of bounds by a defender at what point is the receiver allowed to touch the ball on a forward pass? Does the receiver first need to re-establish himself in-bounds? If the receiver has yet to set foot in-bounds, he first touches the ball while both feet are in the air, he gets both feet in bounds while reeling in the ball and then controls the ball to the ground, is this a completion? Here’s an example to see exactly what happened (38-second mark): https://youtu.be/JvckMTak2Y4?t=38s Here’s another angle (2 minutes, 50 seconds): https://youtu.be/jjZRFng-6nI?t=2m50s This was ruled a touchdown. Thanks!

Asked by Bass over 10 years ago

If a receiver is forced out of bounds he must return immediately to regain eligibility. If he goes out on his own, then a defender must first touch the ball before the receiver can. He must re-establish himself (on the ground) so catching in the air after going out of bounds makes the ball dead when he hits the ground. Sorry, but I couldn't access the video.

Would you say it was hard to get into officiating. I am interested in it at a local level (middle/high school). I am 27 and work a full time job. I don't want to do it for the money. More like a hobby. Do you have any advise on how to get started?

Asked by Kenneth about 10 years ago

It's pretty easy to get in - staying is the hard part. Everybody working high school, college, or even the NFL has another job. When you start out, you may need an understanding boss because there may be JV or freshmen games in the afternoon.

Getting started: you can contact your state's high school athletic governing body and get contact information for the football officials group. That group does the training and registers you with the state so that you are "certified" as a HS official. If you aren't sure what the state body is, contact your local high school athletic director for a phone number.

By the way, it's a good thing you don't want to do it for the money. Even guys working every week in one of the P5 NCAA conferences might make $25,000, before expenses. You don't get rich doing this.

the receiving team commits a personal foul penalty during a punt while the ball is in the air. who retains the ball?

Asked by tom about 10 years ago

We'll keep it simple and give you the basics. For college play, it is post-scrimmage kick enforcement, Rule 10-2-3. It is B's (receiver's) ball as long as they have possession of the ball at the end of the play.

RE: "Onside Punt". After a safety, the "punting" team kicks from the 20. However, if they want to "onside" punt, what rules apply? Is it like a normal punt, that the receiving team does not necessarily have to field?

Asked by Rollie over 10 years ago

A kick after a safety - whether a punt or placed on ground - is a free kick. Any free kick can be recovered by either team. So, it isn't like any punt, it's like a "kickoff". An "onside" punt would probably not be a good idea.

QB throws a backwards pass to a receiver who makes a clean catch. The receiver ends up running with the ball and makes it back to the line of scrimmage. For stat purposes, does the receiver get this recorded as a Rush attempt and if not, how is it recorded? This play happened in Super Bowl 50. Cam Newton threw backwards pass to Ted Ginn Jr. and he ended up running with the ball for no gain.

Asked by BB almost 10 years ago

Stats are not in the purview of field officials. The official box score from the game does not show Ginn with any rushes so my guess it's a pass for both QB and receiver.

On the TD by the sumersalting Steelers receiver since the ball was moving up the back of his leg and after he controlled it he only had one foot down, was it not called incomplete?

Asked by Chip about 10 years ago

I did not see the play, and I don't know that anyone knows what a catch is in the NFL. But I'll guess. It's the ball, not the player, that needs to be in the endzone. If the ball is in control in the endzone, it's a score.

Is there a different set of rules for the Superbowl game? It looked to me like defensive holding and illegal contact was allowed all game long for the Denver DB's? I'm happy that Denver won but was there a decision by the refs to swallow theirwhistle

Asked by Kevin Kerrigan over 9 years ago

The rules are the rules. There are philosophies that should carry throughout the season. There are, however, times when supervisors may alter or redefine expectations. It is possible, and I have no specific knowledge, that there was a directive to loosen up calls and let things go. But the rules don't change.