Football Observation Form

Football Crew Observation Form

Rate the following areas using the scale below, as well as make comments for each section. Please be as objective and accurate as possible. For a reference, Satisfactory would be considered if an item is completed more than 90% of the time while unacceptable would be considered if an item is completed less than 60% of the time.

Name of Observer
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Pregame Information

Crew Observed Warm-Ups(Required)
Crew Dressed Properly(Required)
Coin Toss Administered Properly(Required)

Referee Mechanics Checklist

1. Counts players and communicate to crew every play.
2. At the snap, is located 12-15 yards deep and at least outside the tackle and at most 2 yards outside where the TE would be, on the passing side of the QB.
3. Follows the QB wherever he goes, especially to the sidelines.
4. Trails all sweep plays in clean-up mode.
5. Gives clear NFHS-approved hand signals when communicating.
6. Announces the number of the player who fouled when making an announcement.
7. Does not wind the clock on a kickoff return, the covering wing official will wind the clock.
8. Does not wind the clock to start the play after a play out of bounds, change of possession, incomplete pass, TO, etc.
9. Winds the clock on ready for play after a first down inbounds or after a foul and by rule the clock starts on the ready for play.

Umpire Mechanics Checklist

1. On kickoffs, starts on R’s restraining line, diagonal into the field of play about 5 yards downfield and to the hash. Hold your location letting the players pass you like on a regular scrimmage play, then slowly trail the play.
2. Counts the players every play and communicate to the crew.
3. At the snap, is located 5-7 yards from the LOS, in position to see the ball at the snap, between the tackles, and never in front of the LB’s.
4. Knows where the ball should be laterally on the field.
5. After reading pass, moves toward the LOS to help determine ineligible receiver and/or illegal forward pass.
6. On wide runs, pivots to watch blocks on the backside as the play flows toward the sideline. Slowly trail the play downfield if needed.
7. Marks off penalties with the H and L to confirm the proper yardage is marked off.
8. On punt plays, starts just behind the LB’s and after the punt, step up toward the LOS even more and after the 2nd wave passes you, pivot and watch blocks by the by those players in the middle of the field.

Line Judge Mechanics Checklist

1. Keeps your sideline area clean.
2. Determines who is on/off the LOS should you have wideouts.
3. Winds, then stops clock if runner is down close to the sideline and in the field of play if they reached the line to gain.
4. On 1st and 2nd down plays between the tackles, holds at the LOS until the runner gets 3-4 yards downfield, then trail the play, and square in at the dead ball spot with appropriate signals.
5. On 1st and 2nd down plays coming towards the sideline (quick pass, sweep, pitch, option) steps 3-5 yards backwards into the offensive backfield and open up to watch blocks in front of the runner until he is threatened by a defender. Then trail the play, and square in at the dead ball spot with appropriate signals.
6. On 3rd down plays, flows to the line to gain, only stopping momentarily if it is a quick pass to be able to rule if the pass is forward or backward, and then continue to the line to gain. “3rd down flow”
7. On 4th down plays, goes immediately to the line to gain at the snap, beating any runner there. “4th down go”
8. On punt plays, releases hard downfield at the snap, watching the gunners (1st couple of players) on your side of the field for holds and illegal blocks in the back. Do NOT watch the ball and do NOT watch the return man while the ball is in the air.
9. Goal line going in (goal line mechanics) – When the ball is at or inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, both wing officials should make an immediate movement toward the goal line at the snap (in anticipation of a TD). If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately. If the line to gain is between the line of scrimmage and the goal line, stop their first, then continue to the GL after the LTG has been reached
10. Goal line going out (reverse goal line mechanics)- When the snap is between the 5 and 10-yard line going out, the L should read the play, and if he thinks the GL may be threatened for a potential safety, he should go to the GL. If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately. When the snap is between the 5-yard line and the GL, both the L and the H both should make an immediate movement toward the goal line at the snap (in anticipation of a safety). If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately.

Headlinesman Mechanics Checklist

1. Keeps your sideline area clean.
2. Determines who is on/off the LOS should you have wideouts.
3. Winds, then stop clock if runner is down close to the sideline and in the field of play if has reached the line to gain.
4. On 1st and 2nd down plays between the tackles, holds at the LOS until the runner gets 3-4 yards downfield, then trail the play, and square in at the dead ball spot with appropriate signals.
5. On 1st and 2nd down plays coming towards the sideline (quick pass, sweep, pitch, option) steps 3-5 yards backwards into the offensive backfield and open up to watch blocks in front of the runner until he is threatened by a defender. Then trail the play, and square in at the dead ball spot with appropriate signals.
6. On 3rd down plays, flows to the line to gain, only stopping momentarily if it is a quick pass to be able to rule if the pass is forward or backward, and then continue to the line to gain. “3rd down flow”
7. On 4th down plays, goes immediately to the line to gain at the snap, beating any runner there. “4th down go”
8. On punt plays, releases hard downfield as soon as the ball is kicked, watching the gunners (1st couple of players) on your side of the field for holds and illegal blocks in the back. Do NOT watch the ball and do NOT watch the return man while the ball is in the air.
9. Goal line going in (goal line mechanics) – When the ball is at or inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, both wing officials should make an immediate movement toward the goal line at the snap (in anticipation of a TD). If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately. If the line to gain is between the line of scrimmage and the goal line, stop their first, then continue to the GL after the LTG has been reached.
10. Goal line going out (reverse goal line mechanics)- When the snap is between the 5 and 10-yard line going out, the H should go should go to the GL. If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately. When the snap is between the 5-yard line and the GL, both the H and the L both should make an immediate movement toward the goal line at the snap (in anticipation of a safety). If the play ends in the field of play, move back to the dead ball spot and square in appropriately.

Back Judge Mechanics Checklist

1. On kickoffs, starts on K’s restraining line, diagonal into the field of play about 10 yards to the 50. Be ready to retreat on a long run as you have GL responsibilities.
2. Counts the defensive players.
3. Starts 25 yards from the LOS at the snap and always in the middle of the field. If you read pass, start to backpedal and keep all players in front of you. You should beat any players to the GL.
4. Sees the play clock, if available, and is responsible for the delay of game.
5. On runs between the tackles, observes blocks in front of the runner against the second level defensive players, usually the linebacker or strong safety.
6. On runs to either side of the field, observes blocks in front of runner at the point of attack.
7. Cleans up on out-of-bounds plays when necessary.
8. On punt plays, starts out right behind the return man, move opposite of him to be about 5-7 yards wide and 5-7 deeper than the returner on the catch. Watch the return man for a valid or invalid fair catch signal until he possesses the ball. Do NOT watch the ball in the air.

General Situational Positioning of the Crew

PAT/Field Goals(Required)
Time Outs(Required)
General Comments(Required)
Provide feedback for any of the following.
Rules knowledge(Required)