The Passing Game

1. The Passing Game Mechanics/Keys/Responsibilities

2. Referee • Set up on the throwing arm of the quarterback. Until the QB is threaten, key the block by the tackle on your side. • Help determine if pass is forward or backward. • When QB is contacted, rule on incomplete pass (arm moving forward) versus fumble. • Rule on roughing the passer (targeting helmet to helmet contact). • Stay with passer during a scramble, from sideline to sideline and beyond if necessary. • Rule on whether passer throws a pass from beyond the LOS. • Rule on intentional grounding. Know the QB’s location in relation to the tackle box and if pass crossed LOS. • Rule if passer is throwing a pass in attempt to save time.

3. Umpire • Watch the blocking action of the center, both guards, and tackle opposite the R. • When you read pass, slowly move toward the LOS. • Watch for ineligibles down field. • Help determine if a pass is touched behind or beyond the LOS. If behind the line, signal to alert wingman. • Assist R on the passer throwing a pass from beyond the LOS. • On intentional grounding, assist in determining if pass reached the LOS (extended). • After pass is thrown, spin and give help, if needed, on short passes over the middle (catch/trap).

4. Head Linesman/ Line Judge • Know your eligible receivers and know the down and distance. • Immediate key is the widest receiver on your side. In a balanced formation with multiple receivers, BJ will favor LJ side and HL may in fact have 2 keys. Know what receiver is the BJ’s key. • Be aware of “press” coverage on your key, make sure he is allowed to get off the LOS without being held. • Cautiously drift downfield 5-7 yds and watch the action on any receiver in your area. When the ball is thrown, move to the best position to see the play. You are responsible for forward progress and sideline coverage. • Be prepared to rule on forward progress if QB sacked or scrambles. • Be alert on a scramble to your side line as you can get caught in “no mans land”. This is potentially dangerous, give ground and stay out of harms way. Get help from the R or BJ on forward progress if needed.

5. Head Linesman/ Line Judge • On a quick pass with the QB basically still under the center, know and rule if it is forward or backward. • Know the LOS so you can help determine if a pass is touched behind or beyond the LOS. You cannot have DPI behind the LOS. • On screen pass, watch the blocking in front of ball carrier. • Help the opposite wingman, if necessary, with forward progress using cross-field mechanics on a long gainer away from you. • Help with forward progress on short passes across the field when the receiver is hit & driven back immediately after the catch. Don’t hesitate/forget to look for help from your opposite wingman on these plays.

6. Head Linesman/ Line Judge • Communicate visually with the BJ on long TD passes/runs near your sideline. Let the BJ, who should be on the goal line signal TD. Never signal TD when you are running to the goal line. If necessary, get to the goal line, then signal. • Communicate with the BJ on catch/no catch in corner of the end zone. A delayed TD signal is best. • Clean up & watch for cheap shots behind the play if the pass is to the other side of the field.

7. Head Linesman/Line Judge • When working a tight catch/no catch on your sideline, don’t be in a hurry to signal good catch by marking forward progress. Watch the receiver all the way to the ground & make sure he keeps possession through out the play. • Remember, on a play where the receiver dives or is going to the ground near the sideline, if he catches it inbounds but the ball comes loose upon hitting the ground out of bounds, the pass is incomplete. Make him “show you the ball” as in the middle of the field, the ground out of bounds can cause an incompletion.

8. Back Judge • Key is the 2nd receiver in, on the strong side of the formation (the side with the most eligible receivers). This is often the TE if they have one. On a balanced formation, strength is determine to be on the LJ’s side of the field. • Be aware of press coverage on your key, & make sure he is allowed off the LOS without being held. • Keep a good cushion & know that you have the goal line on any play from outside the 10 yd line unless the end line is threatened. • On long plays, know where you are on the field, & don’t over run the goal line.

9. Back Judge • Look to get confirmation from your wingman on long plays near the side line. Make sure ball carrier has not stepped out of bounds before signaling TD. Take your time. • Communicate visually with wingmen on pass plays into the corner of the end zone. Make sure both of you have a good catch. Again, delayed signal is best. • Be prepared to get forward progress on a long pass play that ends near you.

10. Back Judge • Help clean up the sidelines on plays that end up out of bounds-especially into the team area. While the wingman holds forward progress, help escort the ball carrier back on to the field of play. You do not do the crew any good by staying inside the hash marks on plays that go to into the sideline. • While you have no sideline responsibilities, you have sole responsibility for the end line.

11. Play thru the back of the receiver. The hook & turn. The arm bar. Holding at the line or during the pass route. The cut-off. Not playing the ball. Pass Interference 6 instances of:

12. A few things to remember about pass interference: • Face guarding is not a foul. You must have contact to have Pass interference. • Most all PI fouls will occur at the waist or above. Incidental tangling of the feet that cause one or both players to fall is not a foul.

13. A few things to remember about pass interference: • Offensive pass interference begins at the snap & defensive pass interference begins when a legal forward pass is in the air. Cannot have PI behind LOS. • Once the ball is in the air, think of the opposing players as 2 receivers, both having equal rights to the ball. If one does something to impede/prevent the other from catching the ball you have PI. • OPI/DPI depends on who fouled.

14. A few things to remember about pass interference: • Two most common happenings that will make a defensive player commit DPI- “the bite” and being in the “chase mode”. • The Bite- a defensive player bites or reacts to a move by the receiver. He is apt to grab or hold the receiver as he runs by.

15. A few things to remember about pass interference: • The Chase mode- Defensive player is beaten and “chasing” to catch up to the receiver, he is usually not playing the ball and is likely to commit DPI. • Be alert, a player that is looking back and playing the ball will have a hard time committing DPI.

16. Defensive pass interference near goal line • When snapped from outside the 2 yd line, DPI is never a “half the distant” penalty. • It is either a spot foul or if the foul is in the end zone, the ball will be placed at the 2 yd line. • Take your time and talk it out if necessary.