Football Officiating Pre-Snap Routines Overview

Oct 9, 2024

Lecture Notes: Pre-Snap Routines and Crew Expectations

Introduction

  • Presentation on pre-snap routines and crew expectations in football officiating.
  • Importance of understanding personal and other positions' expectations.
  • Encouragement for open discussion and questions.

Referee Pre-Snap Routines

  • Importance of multitasking to complete pre-snap tasks efficiently.
  • Tasks include counting players, checking play and game clocks, interacting with crew.
  • Position Consistency: Maintain specific yardage from the line of scrimmage for a consistent viewpoint.
  • Multitasking Example: Counting players, observing clocks, and checking with other officials within the same routine.

Center Judge Pre-Snap Routines

  • Center judge is a relatively new position; varies by conference.
  • Pre-snap routine affected by the end of the previous play.
  • Responsibilities: Spotting the ball, managing substitutions, understanding formations.
  • Emphasis on not rushing and ensuring proper communication with the umpire.

Umpire Pre-Snap Routines

  • Pre-snap routine should become second nature.
  • Key Checks: Verify eligible numbers, count the offense, understand ball position, and down and distance.
  • Ball Position: Ensure correct spot placement; important in scrimmage kick plays.

Line of Scrimmage Pre-Snap Routines

  • Mental checklist is crucial.
  • Tasks: Clock management, substitution indication, team A player count, identify key yard lines.
  • Formation Recognition: Legal formation checks and communicating with back judge.

Deep Wings Pre-Snap Routines

  • Check game clock, confirm defense count, move to appropriate sideline position.
  • Key Reading: Identify player key and adjust vision based on formation and play.
  • Special Situations: Goal-line responsibilities and sideline management.

Back Judge Pre-Snap Routines

  • Quarterback of the Deep: Oversee overall game flow and help with crew awareness.
  • Dead ball officiating is crucial.
  • Counting & Communication: Ensure accurate player count and communicate clock status.
  • Position Consistency: Maintain consistent starting positions for better game insight.

Crew Expectations

Center Judge

  • Communicate with umpire on ball coverage, manage subs, and ensure clear spot signaling.
  • Work with referee on penalty signals and maintain game flow.

Referee

  • Use signals effectively; listen to announcements.
  • Work with umpire and center judge on game pace and awareness.
  • Results Communication: Ensure clarity on play outcomes.

Umpire

  • Expect accurate subs recognition, mirror line of scrimmage officials, and maintain penalty enforcement checks.
  • Ball Relay: Ensure correct ball is in play.

Line of Scrimmage

  • Help with ball relay, ensure proper penalty checks.
  • Communicate effectively with deep wings for sideline management and ball progression.

Deep Wings

  • Manage sideline interactions; help with goal-line and pass over middle plays.
  • Communicate with line of scrimmage regarding formations and play adjustments.

Back Judge

  • Maintain play clock awareness and aid in penalty enforcement checks.
  • Use verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate ball positioning and play results.

Closing Remarks

  • Encouragement for further training and presentations.
  • Open invitation for topic suggestions and more presenters in future sessions.