Dead Ball Officiating and

Communication with players

Definitions

Rule 2-1-1:

A Dead Ball is a ball not in play.The ball is DEAD during the interval between downs.

“ Avoid the tendency to relax… this is when disaster can strike.”

Jon Bible, Big 12, Referee of the 2008 BCS national championship game

Dead Ball Fundamentals

• An official's whistle seldom kills the ball. It is already dead by rule.

• No Live ball foul causes the ball to become DEAD.

• A DEAD ball may become LIVE only by a legal snap or free kick.

• Catching is ALWAYS preceded by touching of the ball; thus, if touching causes the ball to become DEAD, securing of the ball has no significance.

Dead Ball Fundamentals

• A live ball foul followed by a foul by the opponents after the ball becomes dead IS Not paired as a double foul.

• Penalty enforcement for any DEAD BALL, non-player, or unsportsmanlike foul is from the succeeding spot.

Primary Dead Ball Intervals

Before/After scrimmage plays

After scoresTimeoutsDuring Penalty

administrationDuring

measurementsDuring InjuriesBetween periods

Review Rule 4-2-2 (a-k) for examples of when the ball becomes dead and the down has ended…

Communication

→Sidelines→Crew→Players

“ If we can’t communicate, we can’t officiate.”

Red Cashion, retired NFL Referee

Sideline Communications

Good personal skills

Communicate unusual rulings or problems w/players

Maintain poise at all times.

“Silence can never be misquoted”

Crew Communications Communicate down and

distance every play Understand who you are

responsible to count and signal count before every down begins.

Alert official of “who has responsibility for the game clock.”

Alert official(s) of “who has responsibility for the goal line.”

Repeated whistle blasts to alert crew of penalty marker.

Player Communications Talk to players as they un-pile

Compliment players… “good tackle”, “good run”, “good sportsmanship”

The Umpire relationship with players is critical for crew success during a game!

Penalty Administration

Rule 10-2-5:DEAD BALL fouls are administered separately and in order of their occurrence. Not coupled with live ball fouls or another DB foul to create double or multiple foul.

Rule 10-4-5-b:The basic (enforcement) spot is the SUCCEEDING spot for a DEAD-BALL foul.

Officiating the “HALO”

• Covering official responsible for first ring.

• Rings expand outward toward “off” officials.

• Accordion effect- creates a presence of officials.

Each play has 3- “HALO’s” of Officiating Responsibility

Tips to improving your DEAD BALL officiatingSpotting the ball…• Hustle but don’t hurry to the spot• Good ball rotation• Off-ball officiating

Players going out of bounds…

• Continue to watch players• Use the bean bag

Digging for fumbles…• Only the closet official become the

digger• Actively locate the ball and

determine who has possession• Use good verbal techniques while

digging, announce yourself to players