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

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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 almost 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.

In the following play:
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/7372020
it seems that is a touchdown celebration, dead-ball foul... but would you call that a live-ball foul, and take out the points?
This game is from Uruguay, NCAA Rules. Thanks a lot!

Asked by Spartan about 10 years ago

Uruguay! Wow!

Based on what I can see, the runner holds the ball over his head prior to getting to the endzone. The foul occurs at that spot and it is a live ball foul. Points come off he board, 15 yards from that spot.

Ala - Aub. The kickoff touched in field of play by Ala player rolls into end zone. If not brought out by other player, that would have been a safety, right?

Asked by skub about 10 years ago

I'm reading an Auburn KO. If it is touched by Ala in the field of play it is still a kick. If it goes into the endzone and is covered by Alabama, it is a touchback. It was the kick that put the ball in the endzone.

I play semi pro football and we use standard college rules in a recent game i was on defense and we blocked the extra point the offense then advanced the blocked kick and was awarded a 2pt conversion. Is this legal i have never seen this happen.

Asked by Dtackle #42 over 9 years ago

It's good. Rule 6-3-1 says: ARTICLE 1. a. A scrimmage kick that fails to cross the neutral zone continues in play. All players may catch or recover the ball behind the neutral zone andadvance it.

The ball was still alive.

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 almost 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.

WRT the ball Polson punted. No whistle was blown at any time. Officials huddled for 5 minutes and then gave the ball to Columbia Falls at point where Columbia Falls fielded the ball before he ran wrong way into endzone. This seems way wrong to me.

Asked by Polson High School FBall Fan about 10 years ago

see above

In NCAA rules, if there are 5 players numbered 50-74 on the line, but one of them is uncovered on the end, & thus technically an eligible reciever, is that an illegal formation? Must they report as eligible or ineligible?

Asked by Renegades Special Teams Coach over 9 years ago

There is no reporting as there is in the NFL. An ineligible number on the end of the line is just that, and only that. The formation is not illegal. You need five on the line numbered 50-79, and in this scenario you have that. They are ineligible to catch a pass regardless of where they are. But if one of them is on the end of the line, it also means that an eligible receiver is likely covered somewhere else.