{"id":26460,"date":"2022-06-11T11:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-06-11T15:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/for-football-officials-a-fine-line-between-hustle-and-over-hustle\/"},"modified":"2022-06-11T11:00:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-11T15:00:28","slug":"for-football-officials-a-fine-line-between-hustle-and-over-hustle","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/for-football-officials-a-fine-line-between-hustle-and-over-hustle\/","title":{"rendered":"For Football Officials, A Fine Line Between Hustle and Over-Hustle"},"content":{"rendered":"

M<\/span>oving energetically, sometimes\u00a0referred to as hustle, not\u00a0only creates a positive perception,\u00a0but it can help officials get where\u00a0they need to be to call the play\u00a0properly. Being in the right position\u00a0is perhaps the most important\u00a0aspect of officiating. Movement\u00a0for the sake of demonstrating\u00a0movement cannot only fail to make\u00a0a meaningful contribution to calling\u00a0the game, it can also be a detriment.\u00a0It is difficult to observe discrete\u00a0game action while running at full\u00a0speed. Additionally, over-hustling\u00a0can result in reduced coverage when\u00a0the official overruns the optimal\u00a0position from which to observe.<\/p>\n

An official should have an\u00a0intense dedication to being in the\u00a0right position from which to view\u00a0a play. Consequently, movement\u00a0during live-ball action must not\u00a0only be planned, but it must have\u00a0a specific purpose. The key to\u00a0proper movement is starting from\u00a0an optimal position and getting a\u00a0good start. If the initial position is\u00a0good, then movement can be kept to\u00a0a minimum i.e., minimal movement\u00a0often results in maximum officiating.<\/p>\n

Safety is a primary consideration\u00a0in all sports. Officials must\u00a0safeguard both players and\u00a0themselves. An official who\u00a0is scrambling to avoid contact\u00a0(\u201crunning for his life\u201d) cannot\u00a0possibly see all that he needs to\u00a0see. The concept of a good initial\u00a0position is paramount for safety\u00a0purposes. Purposeful movement\u00a0can also be made to keep something\u00a0within view and not necessarily\u00a0to gain closer proximity. In many\u00a0situations, the angle is more\u00a0important than the distance. Here is\u00a0a summary of purposeful movement\u00a0for each position.<\/p>\n

Back judge<\/h2>\n

The back judge\u00a0starts 20-25 yards deep. As pass\u00a0receivers flow downfield, he must\u00a0retreat and keep a buffer of 10-15\u00a0yards from the nearest player. If\u00a0anyone gets past the deep official,\u00a0the mistake will be very visible.<\/p>\n

On running plays, the back\u00a0judge need not move until his\u00a0buffer begins to dissolve. He will\u00a0then move to maintain or restore\u00a0his separation while keeping a\u00a0watchful eye on the runner and\u00a0the nearest potential tackler. When\u00a0the ball is snapped outside team\u00a0B\u2019s 10 yardline, the back judge is\u00a0responsible for the goalline and he\u00a0must get there before the runner.<\/p>\n

Wings<\/h2>\n

The wings must start\u00a0and work off the field; that\u2019s a safe\u00a0place at least for a while. When the\u00a0play ends the wings will generally\u00a0pinch in as they mark the progress.\u00a0Stopping at the nine-yard marks is\u00a0the expected norm but when the\u00a0ball is downed near the line-to-gain,\u00a0at least one wing should go all the\u00a0way to the ball. That indicates a\u00a0decisive determination of the spot\u00a0and the movement clearly has a\u00a0purpose.<\/p>\n

The greatest variations in how\u00a0wings officiate a game occur during\u00a0the play. Some officials will freeze\u00a0as they read the blocks to determine\u00a0pass or run. It\u2019s better to shuffle a\u00a0few steps downfield while reading\u00a0the blocks. Most plays will gain\u00a0yardage and those few initial steps\u00a0can aid in keeping up with the play.\u00a0If the play never goes beyond the\u00a0line, the official is still close enough\u00a0to retreat and cover it.<\/p>\n

Observing the action from off the\u00a0field is usually safe, but can become\u00a0a risky proposition if the official\u00a0finds himself in the path of the\u00a0runner and his pursuers. Therein\u00a0lies the importance of keeping the\u00a0sideline clear so the official can step\u00a0back as far as necessary. At some\u00a0point, the sideline official must let\u00a0the players pass by. If he shows\u00a0how adeptly he can move by getting\u00a0farther downfield than the players,\u00a0someone will eventually run him\u00a0over.<\/p>\n

On long runs, especially\u00a0breakaways for touchdowns, some\u00a0wing officials see the play as a\u00a0challenge to beat the runner to the\u00a0goalline. While that might appear\u00a0to be impressive, it is unlikely any\u00a0officiating is accomplished. The\u00a0back judge is responsible for the\u00a0goalline and the sideline official is\u00a0needed to watch the action behind\u00a0the runner, which can be done from\u00a0a trail position.<\/p>\n

Referee<\/h2>\n

The referee should\u00a0be 12-15 yards deep and at least\u00a0as wide as the tight end; that will\u00a0buy him some time to observe the\u00a0blocking as the quarterback drops\u00a0back into the pocket. That width\u00a0allows him to cover the sideline\u00a0before the quarterback can scramble\u00a0there. His depth provides protection\u00a0and ensures he doesn\u2019t get too close\u00a0to a play where action will explode\u00a0on him. Like the back judge, the\u00a0white hat must keep a buffer (if the\u00a0quarterback drops back, so must the\u00a0referee).<\/p>\n

If the quarterback is sacked, the\u00a0referee must briskly attend to him.\u00a0His immediate presence will deter\u00a0cheap shots while the quarterback\u00a0is on the ground. When a run ends\u00a0behind the line, the referee should\u00a0be there quickly to help the umpire\u00a0supervise the unpiling of players.\u00a0If the quarterback rolls out away\u00a0from the referee, he must trail the\u00a0play and observe the action among\u00a0the players in view. Attempting\u00a0to pass up the quarterback or any\u00a0other runner and beat them to the\u00a0opposite sideline is generally futile.<\/p>\n

After the play, there isn\u2019t much\u00a0value in the referee running to the\u00a0line unless he needs to check for\u00a0a first down or he needs to assist\u00a0with the pile. If the ball is clearly\u00a0short or beyond the line-to-gain,\u00a0the line judge can give the referee\u00a0the appropriate indication and\u00a0the referee can signal it from the\u00a0offensive backfield. The referee\u00a0sharply moving away from players\u00a0toward the press box to give\u00a0foul signals so they may be more\u00a0clearly viewed is movement with a\u00a0purpose. After dead-ball officiating\u00a0is complete, the referee should get\u00a0into position before blowing the\u00a0ready so he doesn\u2019t have to hurry to\u00a0get set before the snap.<\/p>\n

Umpire<\/h2>\n

The umpire has\u00a0limited options as he is in the\u00a0most precarious position. A local\u00a0umpire got knocked down in\u00a0three successive games. A video\u00a0review revealed he was planting\u00a0himself immediately behind the\u00a0defensive line and in front of the\u00a0linebackers. Most manuals prescribe\u00a0four to seven yards deep but the\u00a0positions of the linebackers are a\u00a0better gauge. The umpire must start\u00a0behind them and at least two steps\u00a0away.<\/p>\n

When the play comes at the\u00a0umpire, there is no surefire way to\u00a0avoid contact. In some cases, it may\u00a0make sense to freeze and let the\u00a0players maneuver while in other\u00a0scenarios the umpire must move.\u00a0Most umpire movement during\u00a0live-ball action consists of pivoting.\u00a0An umpire must gauge the nature\u00a0of a run through the line and should\u00a0train himself to pivot out of the\u00a0way. That is easy to say but often\u00a0not easy to do, yet skillful and\u00a0alert individuals are often able to\u00a0skip out of harm\u2019s way and not be\u00a0caught in the crush of players.<\/p>\n

On pass plays, the umpire must\u00a0get to the line to rule on screen\u00a0passes that may cross the line and\u00a0on quarterbacks who cross the\u00a0line before passing the ball. That\u00a0movement is not as much about\u00a0speed as it is about recognition\u00a0of a pass play. In fact, it must be\u00a0a purposeful move because the\u00a0umpire must watch for holding as\u00a0he moves to the line.<\/p>\n

On punts, the umpire should\u00a0start deeper; about 10 yards is ideal.\u00a0Once the ball is kicked, linemen of\u00a0both teams will abruptly turn to\u00a0follow the ball and the umpire does\u00a0not want to be in the area where the\u00a0blind turns are made.<\/p>\n

The post For Football Officials, A Fine Line Between Hustle and Over-Hustle<\/a> appeared first on Referee.com<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Moving energetically, sometimes\u00a0referred to as hustle, not\u00a0only creates a positive perception,\u00a0but it can help officials get where\u00a0they need to be to call the play\u00a0properly. Being in the right position\u00a0is perhaps the most important\u00a0aspect of officiating. Movement\u00a0for the sake of demonstrating\u00a0movement cannot only fail to make\u00a0a meaningful contribution to calling\u00a0the game, it can also be a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26460","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/26460"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/26460\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}