Officials in the NFL:

Referee Umpire Head Linesman Line Judge Field Judge Side Judge Back Judge

Referee- ® This official can be recognized by his white cap, while others wear black ones. He is responsible for supervising the field and has the final authorization of rulings on the field.

He is positioned behind the offense line and to the side in which the QB throws; right arm, right side etc. Before each play he counts to make sure there are not more than 11 players on the offense side to prevent calling a penalty of “too many men on the field”.

Passing Plays : He watches for roughing the passer and if the quarterback loses the ball, determines whether it is a fumble or an incomplete pass.

Running Plays: Observes the QB’s play actions or hand offs to the RB and officiates contact that may take place.

Punts/Field Goals: He observes the place kicker and holder and all defenders coming towards them.

If there are any instant plays challenged or reviews needed, he calls on the replay official in the booth and also evaluates the play at the side line. He determines the final decision announces the determination over his wireless microphone.

Umpire- (U) responsible for ruling on players equipment, behavior on the field, counting the players on the field, actions at the line of scrimmage-holding and illegal blocks. He also observes the offensive blocks thrown and the defense trying to ward of blocks. In a screen pass play the U shifts his attention to screen side to insure receivers route and watches the legality of blocking. In a passing play he moves toward the line of scrimmage to watch the interior lineman and assure no illegal movement. Lastly, the U assists in rulings on incomplete or trapped passes and is located in the most dangerous officiating spot, behind the defensive line and linebackers.

During punt plays he is positioned opposite the Referee in offensive backfield-5 yards from kicker and parallel.

Heads Lineman- (H/HL) rules offside, encroachment, any fouls before the snap, rules on blockers and defenders on carries, running plays, combo plays, and plays involving kicks. His secondary responsibility is to rule on de fensive actions moving downfield, and has sole responsibility of ruling sideline plays on his side of the field.

Upon a receiver moving between mid field to his side of the field, he must be prepared to assist in ruling and signal the R or U as to the point where the ball has reached. During movement of the ball, the H is to watch the movement of the ball 5-7 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

H is responsible for keeping track downs and is in charge of the chain crew.

Lines Judge- (L/LJ) is responsible for keeping track of the time; official time keeper. LJ straddles the line of scrimmage opposite the HL and watches his side of the field by a 5-7 yard range. He too watches for offsides, encroachment, fouls before the snap and counts player on the field.

When a play is in motion, he monitors the line of scrimmage, covers plays from mid field to his side, and judges the line on punting or field goals. In a passing play, he observes the play up to 7 yards, then adjusts to monitor action in back of the U.

Field Judge- (F/FJ) works on the same sideline as the line judge and downfield behind the secondary. He rules on action on his side of the field; calls pass interference, illegal blocks downfield, and blocks thrown. These calls are made as deep as 20 yards and keys in on the receiver, player guarding them, path or route whether in or out of bounds.

He rules on field goal attempts in conjunction with the back judge.

Side Judge-  (S/SJ) is positioned down field in the secondary on the same side as the HL. He is responsible for ruling on running backs, receivers and defenders as deep as 20 yards. He judges pass interference, illegal blocking downfield, incomplete passes, watches his side of the field and his side line. Lastly, he counts defensive players and serves as a second umpire during field goal attempts.

Back Judge- (B/BJ) is positioned in 25 yards into the back field. He positioned in the middle of the field, and covers the playing area from him to the U. He judges mid field action of players in his scope of view but primarily TE’s.

He rules on catching, recovery, illegal touching, clipping on kick returns and has the final say on kickoffs not from the scrimmage

Take a look at the field diagram below and refer back to the definitions and job detail.