UAL Referee Training Course

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Your contribution as an UAL Flag Official is invaluable, extending beyond mere rule enforcement. Your commitment to enhancing your communication skills is a significant factor in achieving these objectives. Communication - both verbal and visual - is a vital tool. Your understanding of not just the words we use, but the way we present them is of the utmost importance. Proficiency in this skill shapes valuable relationships between fellow officials, coaches, and players in every game you officiate. We are genuinely thankful for the expertise you bring to each game. Learn to always lead with kindness and end with respect.

Officials: Pregame

Establish a proactive dialogue with field managers and the referee team first thing upon arriving at the field. Every game day starts with a team meeting where you will double-check assignments, responsibilities, game management strategies, mechanics, and each referee's alignments. Scrutinize penalties and their enforcement, focusing especially on impeding the rusher, flag guarding, blocking/screening, and pass interference fouls. Engage in a constructive discussion with each official to formulate a unified enforcement strategy for the game. Crafting a clear game plan, both individually and as a team, speaks volumes about your professionalism. It ensures consistency and instills confidence in coaches and players, reassuring them of a fair game that abides by the rules.

Coaches & Players:

Once you step onto the field, introduce yourself and your crew to each team's coaching staff. Make a sincere connection with them, addressing them as “Sir” or “Coach” to show respect. To maintain fairness, refrain from using their first names, as it could unintentionally create an impression of favoritism. Identify the key voice on each sideline for time outs, conversion declarations, and identify your team's head referee for penalty enforcement. Providing pre-game instructions is a must, as it allows you to guide the game effectively. Be clear in expressing your expectations from the coaches and the players regarding in-game communication, rough play, and penalty enforcement. The crew's intentions for maintaining a smooth and safe game should be unquestionably understood.

Pre-Game Midfield Checklist

1. Gather both teams for introductions at mid field.

2. Equipment Checks (mouth guards, proper cleats, flag belts, shirts tucked in)

3. Go over the play clock, each team has 40 seconds to snap the ball once it is spotted for play. A 10 second warning will be verbalized each play.

4. Let the teams know rushers have to identify themselves by a hand being raised this season, and a maximum of two players can rush each play.

5. Inform both coaches they will have one 60 second timeout each half that will not roll over.

6. Rules are subject to review by an official in charge. Judgment calls are not.

● The Head Coach can make any challenge to the head official before the next play is run to question a rule enforcement from the previous play.

7. Sportsmanship is of the utmost importance to us.

● Coaches' code of conduct will be strictly enforced.

● You are responsible for your players, assistant coach and parents. ● 2 unsportsmanlike conduct fouls result in an ejection.

8. This is your one warning. Unnecessary roughness will be enforced once the game begins at all times. Free releases must be given off the line to all offensive players. Offensive players are not permitted to block in any fashion.

9. Are there any questions at this time?

10. Coin Toss with the teams elected captains for the day (Visitors call Light Jerseys)

In Game:

Effective in-game communication with coaches and players is conducted during dead ball situations and game breaks. It's vital to note that once the huddle breaks, all communication should stop to allow concentration on the forthcoming play and referees responsibilities. The same rule applies post-play, assuming no fouls have been committed, until the ball is spotted and the "Ready for play" signal is initiated. Questions regarding plays, formations, and penalties often arise from coaches and players during the game. Maintaining respect and a composed demeanor, irrespective of the game's intensity, is crucial. Try to address the player by their position, RB/QB/WR. To summarize, here are some pivotal guidelines regarding game communication with coaches and players.

1. It’s all about tone and demeanor. The term kill them with kindness is the best approach always.

2. Stay as positive as you can and learn to not react.

3. Conflicts will arise! We have to be the ones setting the examples first and foremost for these kids and families. Under no circumstances should you lose your composer. Follow the code of conduct guidelines, communicate properly,

and lead by example.

4. Try to always respond to a coach’s request even if you just have to let him know you will get back to him. Don’t let them perceive you as ignoring them.

5. Be as proactive as you can in warning players and coaches about unnecessary penalties. If it is early in the season and with the younger players it is fair to give a warning to each team prior to throwing certain flags. Always make sure to only give one warning to each team.

6. Try to refrain from congratulating players on one team without making a statement about the other. Parents perceive favoritism in many ways. So for us when communicating to the players on the field it needs to be directed at both teams and players equally. Do not high five or fist bump players, until it’s all players at the end of the game!

Post-Game:

After the game commences be sure to have all the players meet at midfield to shake hands. This is the time you as well can congratulate the players on both teams. The coaches then have to initial off on the scorecard to verify the final scores, and you will address any issues or questions they may have had following the game.

The team of officials should then huddle up for a post game meeting. You will discuss anything from the game that could have been handled differently, suggestions on roles/responsibilities for future assignments, and to have a general overview of the game. You will then continue to your next game assignments.

Learning to successfully manage each individual interaction with coaches, players, and parents is an intricate part of this experience. We thank you for leading at the forefront every game and each season. Our success starts with you!

After your final game assignment for the day, always meet with your field manager to discuss any team or coach specific interaction that may need to be reported. If you had an interaction that you feel needs to be kept on record this is when you would let them know. This is to help us sort out coach complaints and better address their needs, and yours going forward.

Clock Management

Flag football is fast paced and all go. As an official we have to match that pace by knowing what to do and when to do it. To ensure the game flow is at the proper speed we will go over some best practices below.

1. Use your whistle loudly at the end of every play. We teach these kids to play through the whistle. It’s our job to make sure the entire field can hear it.

2. Close the distance when retrieving the ball each play. Meet the players or other officials halfway to catch the ball and maintain a steady jog throughout the games.

3. The “Rush Line” official should have bean bags or flat markers to mark the 7 yard rushline. This way when the LOS doesn’t move he can leave the marker in place, and does not have to walk off the distance each play. Note that the marker does not always need to be retrieved each play if a long play happens. It can be picked up later.

4. The “LOS” official should have bean bags or flat markers to help markoff where the current line of scrimmage is. That way if they have to move down the field to follow a play that comes back due to a penalty or incomplete pass he doesn’t lose the original spot.

5. Always give the ready for play signal after spotting the ball and the rush line is marked off so the center knows they can snap the ball.

6. After a change of possession you will need to start at the opposite end of the field (5 yd line, or 40 yd line on 1 way fields). Make sure to promptly complete this process not to waste too much time off the clock.

7. The games are two 24 minute running halves with clock stoppages only for the below instances.

○ At Halftime (Halftime is only 2 minutes long)

○ For a timeout (Each team has one 60 second timeout a half)

○ Officials discretion (A play is challenged or something is being discussed) ○ For injuries (See Safety Protocol Below)

8. Keeping score in the rain. Paper does not always hold open or end up being legible at the end of a rainy game. If it is coming down outside you should use your phone to keep score and then transfer the results at the end of the game onto the paper sheets for the coaches to verify with an initial.

9. If overtime does occur, gather the coaches and captains to go over the rules and have the home team call another coin toss to choose offense or defense first.

10. Lastly, have a quick reference guide of the most common penalties and their enforcements. Along with the overtime structure until you have memorized them all. You should also just have a copy of the rulebook physically or digitally available on each field in case a coach challenges a rule enforcement.

Safety Protocols

Player safety is taken very seriously. We do not allow any rough play whatsoever. If an injury does occur, stop the game right away and clear out space for the coaches and parents to provide any needed treatment. We are just there to stabilize the situation and provide access to the child. We do not administer any first aid ourselves. For any head injuries that show

concussion symptoms the parents would need to get a doctor's note prior to the child playing again that season. Make sure to communicate all game injuries to the game day manager onsite!

Referee Crew Alignments

Each position has its own responsibilities. Know what to do and where to be!

Officiating crews can be made up two different ways. You can be assigned a three person crew or a two person crew. We will be going over each of those instances below.

Each crew will always have a “Head Official”. This is the person in charge of leading the pregame checklist. Scorekeeping is the most important task. We cannot be forgetting to track the score or missing conversions. Double check after every score to ensure accuracy. The head official will always spot the ball and signal the ready for play instruction.

Three person crew

Consists of the rushline referee, line of scrimmage referee, and head referee position.

Rushline referee marks the 7 yard rushline each play either by stepping it off or having a marker in place from the previous play if the line of scrimmage didn’t move. You will then line up near the right sideline at the rush marker to start each play. First priority is to ensure the rusher or rushers have identified themselves by raising a hand. Then making sure they do not leave prior to the snap of the football. You will primarily be the referee down the field the farthest to cover scoring plays and long passes / runs. Once the ball is snapped you check the rusher first and then move your vision into the backfield watching for illegal defensive/offensive contact. If the play advances down the field you will primarily be the ref retrieving the ball and throwing it to the head official for spotting. If you do not have marker practice promptly stepping off the 7 yd rushline right when the head official is spotting the ball.

Line of scrimmage (LOS) referee needs to either mark or hold the line of scrimmage each play. You will line up on the left sideline on the LOS to start each play. If a play comes back on a penalty or a long pass is incomplete we cannot lose the original LOS. Secondly you will need to monitor the team's 40 second play clock and give them a 10 second warning. Prior to the snap ensure offensive and defensive players are lined up properly. If there is pre snap motion make sure it is only 1 player and they are not moving forwards towards the LOS. Once the ball is snapped you will scan for illegal rushers first if anyone comes across the LOS prior to a handoff being made that was not

identified behind the 7 yd rushline. You then maintain your sideline and angle of vision. This allows you to check for illegal forward passes if a pass does not make it past the LOS and then follow the plays from behind to give you the angle for flag guards or illegal contact. After the play you can help assist in ball retrieval for the head referee to spot the ball.

Head referee will spot the ball, signal ready for play, and then position yourself behind the right side of the QB giving you the right sideline angle to view the field. You will maintain the entire game clock. First responsibility after the snap is to have the 7 second sack timer counted out. You will have the best vision for illegal forward passes and maintain the right sideline for runs out of bounds. Between the three of you positioned around the field everyone should have a different angle to cover each play. You will be the one verbalizing the score to each sideline and coach loudly and enforcing all penalties.

Two person crew

Consists of the rushline referee, and the line of scrimmage referee also becomes the head referee. The head referee will line up in the LOS referees location to give the best field coverage for two individuals.

For a two person crew the head referee takes over the responsibility of the LOS referee with the exception of the 40 second play clock. To assist the head referee when it is just a two person crew that responsibility should be transferred to the rush line referee. Once they have marked off the 7 yd rushline and LOS referee has signaled ready for play. They can start tracking the 40 second play clock and verbalize the 10 second warning.

THE RED ZONE

The red zone is the area from the 10 yard-line to the goal-line. When the ball enters this section of the field it is important as an official to know where you are at. Once the ball is snapped the rushline official needs to promptly move into the right corner of the endzone giving you the best backline and right sideline view of every play. The LOS referee for either a three or two person crew needs to move to the goal line immediately to monitor if the ball crosses the plane of the endzone on a scoring play. This also gives you the left sideline view. The head referee always maintains a right sideline trailing angle from behind the QB. Remember that as soon as the ball crosses the white line of the endzone it is a touchdown and players only need one foot in bounds for a catch to be complete.

If a team is in the no run zone (within 5 yds of the endzone) it is imperative that all forward passes be completed beyond the LOS. If a forward pass is received behind the LOS it is an illegal forward pass penalty. If a backward pass is thrown in a no run zone then the receiving player also would need to then attempt a legal forward pass that is received beyond the LOS. They cannot run the ball after receiving the backwards pass or lateral. They would need to make a legal forward pass prior to crossing the LOS. No run zones are also within 5 yards of a first down.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

Head Referee penalty announcement and progression.

1. What was the foul that occurred

2. Who committed the foul (Offense or Defense)

3. Accepted or declined

4. Enforcement of the penalty

5. Announce the new down for both teams to hear and mark ready for play

UAL Approach to Penalty Enforcement:

1. Use proper tone and demeanor. Speak with confidence.

2. Ensure coaches and players hear your whistles every single play and loudly communicate penalties / score changes.

3. Learn the rules and penalty enforcement prior to the games, and have a quick reference sheet if you need.

4. Always judge if a possible penalty has any bearing on the play whatsoever. It is your judgment to use situations as a learning experience for coaches and players. We do not have to call everything by the book. We are guiding an experience for players to learn and enjoy.

5. Player safety is always the number one priority.

6. Always thinking about age and skill level when warnings are involved. 7. You are a team of referees and someone may have a better angle on a play. If you see another official make a mistake on a call, always huddle up as a team to discuss prior to penalties announcement or enforcement. It takes many eyes and many angles to get everything right!

Frequently Called Flag Penalties

Impeding the rusher:

● The offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the quarterback, regardless of where they line up prior to the snap. The PATH is set pre-snap from the rusher or rushers directly to the QB. PATH does not move once the quarterback moves. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an impeding the rusher penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher’s responsibility to go around the offensive player and to avoid contact.

Flag Guarding:

● An illegal act by the ball-carrier to prevent a defender from pulling the ball-carrier’s flags by stiff arm, lowering elbow or head or by blocking access to the runner’s flags with a hand, arm or ball.

Defensive Holding:

● A tug or pull on the shorts or jersey that impedes the offensive players progress and slows them down. A quick grab and release that does not slow the runner down should not be called.

Blocking/Screening:

● Offensive players without the ball cannot block or screen off the ball carrier in any way. It is the offense's responsibility to move out of the way of defenders pursuing the ball carrier. If contact is made by an offensive player against a defender pursuing the ball a blocking/screening flag must be thrown.

IN CONCLUSION

We all need to put our best effort forward each and every time we step on the field. You will have fun and get paid to do it. The kids will learn and understand the game on a deeper level, and the parents will appreciate the experience that much more. If you love the game of football, you will love this job!

Once you have completed this certification you will become a UAL official referee! All referees are eligible for a base pay increase for performance. Please see the below pay structure for the fall 2024 season.

Most common Flag Football signals

To help you learn the most common signals utilized please see this guide. Ready for play -