Ask a Football Official anything

514 Questions

Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Interception in the opponents end zone. Player runs sideways with in the end zone. If tackled is it a safety and 2 points. He doesn’t kneel down.

Asked by Steve OB over 7 years ago

No. The offense put the ball in the endzone, so that can't be a safety. Now, if he left the endzone and then went back in - on his own - and then was tackled, yes, that's a safety, because the ball was put in the endzone by the defense.

672 Votes

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Asked by Dale almost 7 years ago

It is and it should be. But it is, to a degree, judgement. It may be far easier to say runner was going OOB so lay off. Running towards the EZ you're still trying to make a play.

672 Votes

Question: Do you know where the money went that Bell gave up the last two weeks?
1. Steelers get to keep it for future players.
2. Back to the NFL.
3. Something else.

Asked by Renee over 7 years ago

Not a clue. That's not in my area of expertise.

671 Votes

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Asked by Dennis about 7 years ago

Happens to us all. I needed glasses for distance since I was 17. Used to wear glasses on field but it wasn't so bad so I stopped. In my later years my reading needs are worse...like you. I go know a fellow official who brings a pair of "cheaters " on the field. Keros them in his shirt pocket to write on his game card. I squint. Have you tried progressives, or bifocals? You can wear glasses on the field. Not sure I've helped. Hey thing? Be comfortable on the field.

670 Votes

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What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

Asked by TomN. over 7 years ago

These are all line if scrimmage fouls. In some cases your confusion may simply be the terminology the referee used in making the announcement.

Most of what you list are defensive fouls. If the offense lines up "in the neutral zone" the play never goes off, similar to a false start; often that's referred to as offside. If the defense lines up in the zone, that's the famous "free play " foul; the play goes off but it won't be adjudicated til thd play is over. It's also a "neutral zone infraction", similar to the defense jumping into the neutral zone before the snap. Aa s point of information, in college and NFL, defense offside/neutral zone/encroachment us a "live ball goul"; the play continues. In high school, the defense being offside shuts down the play.

668 Votes

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

Asked by AWright over 7 years ago

That isn't a "football" question. It's either a league action to decide what to do and/or an ethhcs question. Lots to review - not here, though.

660 Votes

Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

Asked by studentboigav about 7 years ago

Yes

658 Votes

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Football Official

Ask me anything!

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Interception in the opponents end zone. Player runs sideways with in the end zone. If tackled is it a safety and 2 points. He doesn’t kneel down.

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Question: Do you know where the money went that Bell gave up the last two weeks?
1. Steelers get to keep it for future players.
2. Back to the NFL.
3. Something else.

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Also on Jobstr...

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

Football Official

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Interception in the opponents end zone. Player runs sideways with in the end zone. If tackled is it a safety and 2 points. He doesn’t kneel down.

If it is a penalty to push, tackle, or otherwise make unnecessary contact with a ball carrier who has gone out of bounds and the play has been declared dead or completed, then why is a penalty not called for the same reason when a touchdown is scored

Question: Do you know where the money went that Bell gave up the last two weeks?1. Steelers get to keep it for future players.2. Back to the NFL.3. Something else.

I’ve been a HS football official for about 10 yrs now, I just started using reading glasses. I obviously don’t bring them to the field, but I am having issues seeing my score card and my watch!! Any suggestions

Also on Jobstr...

What’s the difference between offside, encroachment, lined up in the neutral zone, and neutral zone infraction? I know they’re all five yard penalties so maybe it doesn’t matter, but I want to understand the game better.

In youth football.Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14. 4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?

Is it illegal to fake a kneel for a "touchback" then run with it?

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Question: Do you know where the money went that Bell gave up the last two weeks?
1. Steelers get to keep it for future players.
2. Back to the NFL.
3. Something else.

In youth football.
Team A wins a playoff game with a score of 21-14.
4 days later, the team they defeated (Team B) discovers that Team A scored during an illegal trick play. Should that game be replayed or should the final stand?