Football Zebras

Look for the umpire and back judge to spot the ball during 2-minute drill

by Mark Schultz - January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 01392

There was a ton of consternation this playoff season about the officials spotting the ball during the frantic final seconds of the football game. If there is a two-minute drill this weekend, here is what should happen. First of all, look for players to assist the officials in getting the ball spotted. https://streamable.com/cppnc6 The

Officials used to use a gunshot to signal the end to a quarter or half

by Mark Schultz - December 21, 2018August 13, 2019 013827

It seems strange today, but NFL officials used to fire a starter's pistol to end each quarter. It's a mechanic that dated back to the start of pro football up until the NFL discontinued the practice starting in 1994. When the NFL was in its infancy and up through the 1960s,

Does the offense get a delay of game fudge factor?

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - October 26, 2018October 3, 2019 08576

Several times a season, we get fans asking us about delay of game. The play clock on the TV screen hits :00, and an instant later the quarterback snaps the ball. It certainly looks like the offense is guilty of delay of game, but there is no flag. Why? Officiating mechanics build

Which comes first: Time out or delay of game?

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - September 17, 2017September 17, 2017 044221

Some times, the most frantic time on a football field is the last two seconds of the play clock. Sometimes the offense is milking the clock, other times the coach sees something and calls an audible. Sometimes the quarterback snaps the ball when the play clock hits zero or the

NFL borrows 8th official from Big 12

News

by Ben Austro - March 3, 2014August 20, 2015 95665

[Editor's note: In 2014, the participating NCAA conferences standardized the name from alternate official to center judge. This post refers to the terminology at the time it was written.] The NFL is looking to take a page from the playbook of one of its referees. Vice president of officiating Dean Blandino is

Float like a butterfly…dodge like a ref

Mechanics

by Mark Schultz - November 16, 2013November 16, 2013 15511

How NFL officials stay out of the way to preserve life and limb We've all seen it. Â For the fans it is a funny sight but for anyone who has been knocked down by a football player always cringes when a football official gets knocked down. Â The officials do not wear