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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514 Questions

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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

Curious: How many people are on the field during an NFL game? Including players, coaches, trainers, NFL people, security, photographers etc...

Asked by Rolliet about 9 years ago

Too many. It will vary based on the size of staffs, number of media. You're talking easily 150 and likely way more. At least 50 players on each team, a dozen coaches for each team, staffs of maybe 20 or more. It goes on.....

Under NCAA rules, if a receiver is forced out of bounds by a defender at what point is the receiver allowed to touch the ball on a forward pass? Does the receiver first need to re-establish himself in-bounds? If the receiver has yet to set foot in-bounds, he first touches the ball while both feet are in the air, he gets both feet in bounds while reeling in the ball and then controls the ball to the ground, is this a completion? Here’s an example to see exactly what happened (38-second mark): https://youtu.be/JvckMTak2Y4?t=38s Here’s another angle (2 minutes, 50 seconds): https://youtu.be/jjZRFng-6nI?t=2m50s This was ruled a touchdown. Thanks!

Asked by Bass over 9 years ago

If a receiver is forced out of bounds he must return immediately to regain eligibility. If he goes out on his own, then a defender must first touch the ball before the receiver can. He must re-establish himself (on the ground) so catching in the air after going out of bounds makes the ball dead when he hits the ground. Sorry, but I couldn't access the video.

Is it illegal to put twin receivers both on the line if the inside receiver doesn't go out for a pass

Asked by jai about 9 years ago

Talk college and HS first. You can cover a receiver, but he then is no longer eligible to go out for a pass by his position (he isn't an end or back). You still need five players numbered between 50 and 79 on the line.

In the NFL, I believe that is illegal. You cannot have an ineligible number on the end of the line, which you would with a receiver inside. The ineligible player on the end could report in to the referee and be announced as eligible (you'll hear the ref announce "Number 79 is reporting in as eligible.") Then you'd be good.

the receiving team commits a personal foul penalty during a punt while the ball is in the air. who retains the ball?

Asked by tom about 9 years ago

We'll keep it simple and give you the basics. For college play, it is post-scrimmage kick enforcement, Rule 10-2-3. It is B's (receiver's) ball as long as they have possession of the ball at the end of the play.

in the recent lsu/fla game a fake field goal was performed by lsu..upon receiving the snap the holder immediatley threw a pass to the kicker while his knee was down..should he have raised up before throwing for this to be a fair play..

Asked by Philip over 9 years ago

Nope. If he went up to catch a high snap, he can still return to hold the snap. He could also throw as you describe. If he stands (for no other reason than he wants to) and then returns to the ground, he is down. Dead ball.

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 over 9 years ago

see above

RE: "Onside Punt". After a safety, the "punting" team kicks from the 20. However, if they want to "onside" punt, what rules apply? Is it like a normal punt, that the receiving team does not necessarily have to field?

Asked by Rollie over 9 years ago

A kick after a safety - whether a punt or placed on ground - is a free kick. Any free kick can be recovered by either team. So, it isn't like any punt, it's like a "kickoff". An "onside" punt would probably not be a good idea.