Rogers Redding, the national coordinator of College Football Officiating, provides insights about rules changes and the mindset of college football referees. The CFO is the national professional organization for all football officials who work games at the collegiate level.

We are in a series of three columns to help understand who the officials are on the field and in the replay booth. In last week's column we reviewed the positions and responsibilities of the Referee, Umpire and Center Judge. Now let's look at the other five officials on the field: Head Linesman, Line Judge, Field Judge, Side Judge and Back Judge.

 

HEAD LINESMAN (H) and LINE JUDGE (L)

These two officials are initially on the line of scrimmage, facing each other across the field. During the first half, the Head Linesman is on the press box side while the Line Judge is opposite him. They switch at halftime, so during the second half the Line Judge is on the press box side. They check the legality of formations, rule on offside, encroachment and false starts. These two officials are also responsible on passing plays for the second receiver in from them on their side of the formation. In addition, they have primary responsibility for knowing if ineligible receivers go downfield more than three yards on a pass.

 

SIDE JUDGE (S) and FIELD JUDGE (F)  

Initially lined up about 15 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage, these two judges work the deep sidelines on pass plays and kicks. They have primary responsibility for the widest pass receiver to their side, to see pass interference and other action by and against the deep receivers. They also switch sidelines at halftime: The Side Judge teams with the Head Linesman and the Field Judge with the Line Judge.  These two officials are responsible for counting the number of players on defense. In addition, the Side Judge has primary responsibility for the game clock.

 

BACK JUDGE (B)  

The back judge essentially plays "center field." He starts the play about 25 yards downfield and bears responsibility for the 40/25 second play clock. He is also responsible for the end line, at the back of the end zone. The Back Judge takes the deepest receivers on pass plays and kicks.