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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Last Answer on January 23, 2021

Best Rated

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. about 6 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.

What does it feal like to get booed?

Asked by Ron over 6 years ago

Pretty much the same way as when you misspell the word "feel".

Monday night football tonight had a player go in the end zone with the ball in the opposite side of the pile on i.e. Ball looks out of bounds but called touchdown. I thought the ball to cross the plane or be inside the pile on.

Asked by Louanne over 6 years ago

Didn't see the play but....

The ball must break the plane of the goal line....or the goal line extended. If the runner is completely inside the pylon when he crosses the goal, then the goal line is extended beyond the pylon and the plane is broken by the ball. Out there.

Regarding the NCAA "Invalid fair catch signal", the rule mentions any "Waving" being considered an invalid signal. Does this include a below-the-waist, baseball-umpire-"safe" type signal to teammates to stay away? Seems like that isn't a "wave".

Asked by Wild Boars Special Teams over 5 years ago

It isn't a wave but because it can be misconstrued, the "safe" sign isn't a fair catch but does kill the play.

NFL game: Defense jumps offside. Whistle blows, 5-yard penalty is assessed.

Case One: Official says First Down. Can defense ask for a measurement?

Case Two: Official says Third Down. Can offense ask for a measurement?

Asked by James Francis over 6 years ago

You can request, but it can also be denied if it's obvious that it is - or isn't - the down you cite. Usually the first down is marked on a tick (hash) to simplify the process. You go, in essence, from line to line. A five yard penalty is clear and the next down is clear, too. In that way, you don't have to measure on every close situation.

In high School can a QB wear 79 and can a player play tackle one play then qb then rb then then the the tackle in consecutive plays without reporting as eligible?

Asked by Thom over 5 years ago

Can a qb wear 79? Yes. But there is no "reoortibgvas eligible" in high school or college. The qb wearing 79 can play the libe and ho back. But 79 cannot catch a pass - that's an ineligible number.

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 over 5 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.