LINE JUDGE
LINE JUDGE
SCFOA 5-Man Mechanics Manual
Sections 5.3 · 7.1 · 7.2 · 7.3 · 8.1 · 8.2 · 8.3 · 8.4 · 8.5 · 8.6 · 9.11
SCFOALINE JUDGE
SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALL
OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
SECTION 5.3 — PRE-GAME DUTIES

Pre-Game Duties

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Time the game: If no field clock is in use, the Line Judge is responsible for keeping the official game time. Carry an accurate watch synchronized with the crew at the pre-game conference.
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Assist the Back Judge and Referee: Support the Back Judge and Referee with pre-game duties as directed.
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Auxiliary marker: Assist in placing the auxiliary line-to-gain marker on the press box sideline if one is used.
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Game card: Record all fouls on the game card or recording device throughout the game. Enter game card information into Arbiter at the earliest opportunity after the game.
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SECTION 7.1 — NORMAL FREE KICK

Normal Free Kick — Before the Kick

POSITION
R's Goal Line Pylon
Back Judge's side of the field
Count Team R players — confirm using closed fist with the Referee.
Hold an arm above your head to indicate you are ready after the Referee points at you.
Monitor the team bench area and be certain coaches and substitutes are in the team box.
If the kicking team continuously kicks short, you may move up to the free kick line after consultation with the Referee — this can be arranged during the pre-game conference or adjusted during the game.
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SECTIONS 7.1 & 7.2 — FREE KICKS

Normal & Short Free Kick — After the Kick

Normal Free Kick — After (7.1)
Kick down the middle: pick up the runner and follow until released to the covering official. Communicate with the Referee before signaling touchback on a deep kick.
Kick deep to your side: rule on a possible touchback. If caught or recovered inside the 5-yard line and the runner is downed in the end zone, rule on momentum and mark the spot with a bean bag.
Kick to the opposite side: move cautiously with the play, observe action near the runner, and serve as clean-up.
If the kick is to your side: watch for free kick line infractions; be alert for first touching by K; mark the spot of first touching with the bean bag; cover 10–15 yards down the sideline.
Pick up the runner from the deep official on a long return.
Short Free Kick (7.2)
On an anticipated short free kick, position on R's free kick line at the sideline opposite the Linesman.
Ensure the Referee and Back Judge are aware of your new position.
Watch for any infractions involving the free kick lines.
Be alert for first touching by K or a kick that does not cross R's free kick line. Mark the spot with a bean bag.
Watch the initial blocks of converging teams.
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SECTION 7.3 — FREE KICK AFTER FAIR CATCH

Free Kick After Fair Catch

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Position: Position beyond the end line and behind the upright on your side — wherever you feel most comfortable to observe the kick.
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Score or no score: Give the appropriate signal for score or no score.
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Touchback: Give the touchback signal if the kick is unsuccessful and the ball breaks the plane of the goal line.
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Short kick: If the kick is short and lands in the field of play, move forward and to the sideline for coverage.
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Count Team R: Count Team R and confirm using a closed fist.
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SECTION 8.1 — RUNNING PLAYS

Running Plays — Before the Snap

Position & Alignment
Position on the line of scrimmage, outside of the widest receiver, and near or on the sideline.
Assist players in lining up if necessary — do NOT tell players to move up or back. Inform them that your foremost foot is on the line.
Signal one receiver off the line with a straight arm closed fist at 90 degrees toward the offensive backfield.
Signal two or more receivers off the line with the corresponding number of fingers above your head, followed by a straight arm at 90 degrees toward the backfield.
Identify eligible receivers on your side. Identify covered-up receivers by extending your arm at 90 degrees with a closed fist toward the defensive side.
Pre-Snap Checklist
Count Team B players — confirm using closed fist with the Back Judge.
Note the yard line where the down indicator is located before each play — aids in proper replacement if the marker is displaced or the down is to be replayed.
Wingbacks, flankers, split ends, and slot backs for legal position and numbers.
The widest two players on your side of the snapper, including backs, as eligible receivers.
Player starting in motion on your side — you have responsibility for that player at all times.
Encroachment, snap infractions, or false starts.
Be alert for illegal substitutions.
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SECTION 8.1 — RUNNING PLAYS

Running Plays — After the Snap

Keys & Movement
If 5 or more are counted in the offensive backfield, drop a flag for an illegal formation foul.
Watch the initial line charge.
Key the end and wide receiver if a defender is covering him tightly. If the end is uncovered, look through to the tackle to read run or pass.
Be alert for quick plays into the line and assist in marking forward progress with the downfield foot.
Check blocks on eligible receivers and blindside blocks by the receiver.
When the ball comes to your side: observe blocking near the neutral zone; on option plays, observe the pitchman and watch for a loose ball; cover the sideline; sound the whistle when dead.
If the ball becomes dead in the side zone, toss it to the Back Judge, Referee, or Umpire for spotting.
Out-of-Bounds / Opposite Side
If the ball goes out-of-bounds: immediately signal time-out; hold the spot and continue to watch action out-of-bounds. Do NOT turn your back on the play.
If the ball goes to the opposite side: move off the sideline no further than the numbers until the down ends. If not responsible for the dead-ball spot, move further in to dead-ball officiate.
Observe action on linebackers and backside pursuit. Watch for late blocks and forearm blows away from the runner.
While moving downfield with the runner, watch for an illegal forward pass or a fumble.
If play continues following an illegal forward pass, drop the penalty marker at the spot of the pass and continue to officiate.
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SECTION 8.2 — FORWARD PASS PLAYS

Forward Pass Plays

Before & At the Snap
Pre-snap duties same as for a running play.
Read pass by observing initial tackle action at the snap.
Drift two yards downfield to check blocking and contact of eligible receivers and linebackers.
Rule on whether a quick, immediate pass by the quarterback is forward or backward.
Cover your sideline from end line to end line.
Always be prepared to come back to rule on a play near the neutral zone in addition to sideline action.
Pass Coverage
If the pass is in your area: move downfield for catch/no-catch and pass interference coverage; sound the whistle when dead; signal time-out if out-of-bounds; give start-the-clock signal if dead near the sideline; move in to spot the ball; signal time-out if line-to-gain is reached.
If the pass is incomplete in your area: sound the whistle; give the incomplete pass signal; retrieve the ball and relay to the nearest official at the previous spot.
If the pass is away: observe ineligible receivers beyond the expanded neutral zone.
Be ready to adjust coverage if the potential passer decides to run.
On corner of end zone plays: communicate with the Back Judge on whether the reception was made, then give the appropriate signal.
Secondary responsibility for intentional grounding exception (Rule 7-5-2d Exception 2) — assist by brief conference. Notify the Referee if eligible receivers were in the area of the pass.
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SECTION 8.3 — GOAL LINE COVERAGE

Goal Line Coverage

Coverage
Position as for any scrimmage play.
When the ball is at B's 15-yard line or inside, confirm goal line coverage responsibility with the Back Judge.
On a snap from between the 10 and 5-yard lines, release slowly downfield and stay ahead of the runner to the goal line.
On a snap inside the 5-yard line, release to the goal line and officiate back toward the ball if necessary.
Ruling on the Play
Note the farthest point to which the ball is advanced.
If short of the goal line: move quickly and mark the foremost point of the ball with an extended downfield foot or by placing the ball.
If you see the ball in the runner's possession touch or cross the goal line plane: move to the goal line if necessary and — from a stationary position — give the touchdown signal.
If the ball does not break the plane when the ball becomes dead in a runner's possession: give the dead ball signal.
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SECTION 8.4 — REVERSE GOAL LINE

Reverse Goal Line Coverage

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Ball inside A's 5-yard line: Move to the goal line at the snap and officiate back toward the ball if necessary.
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SECTION 8.5 — PUNT

Punt

Before & At the Snap
Pre-snap duties same as for a running play.
Release on the snap, moving deliberately downfield while watching the kicker catch the snap as you leave the line.
If the snap is not caught or the kick is blocked, return and help cover the play.
When moving downfield, cover your side of the field between the neutral zone and the deep receiver(s).
After the Kick
Be alert for valid or invalid fair catch signals by any receiver. Observe action of the signaler when no fair catch is made.
Cover all kicks to your side. Be alert for illegal blocks and holding fouls.
Routine kick to far side: delay, then cover fouls in the secondary. Move with the runner if he comes to your side.
Kick out of bounds in flight: sound the whistle and signal time-out; move farther downfield than where the ball went out; walk back toward the line of scrimmage until the Referee spots you with his outstretched arm.
Kick rolls out of bounds: sound the whistle and signal time-out; hold the spot; drop the bean bag if you must retrieve the ball.
Short or blocked kick: assist the Referee; note if the kick is touched beyond the neutral zone or recovered in or behind the neutral zone.
When the ball is dead: sound the whistle, signal time-out, and mark the spot. Ensure possession is confirmed after a fair catch signal.
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SECTION 8.6 — FIELD GOAL / TRY

Field Goal / Try Attempt

Before the Snap
Position beyond the end zone and behind the upright in the best position to observe the kick.
Count Team R players — confirm using closed fist with the Back Judge.
Verbally communicate eligible receivers on your side of the line to the Back Judge.
After the Snap
Determine if the kick goes over the crossbar and inside the uprights.
Communicate verbally with the Back Judge — 'YES' or 'NO.' Do not take a step when communicating; remain stationary.
Signal score or no score. Give good, crisp signals and hold them until acknowledged by the Referee.
If the field goal attempt is unsuccessful and breaks the plane of the goal line, give the touchback signal.
If the field goal attempt is blocked, obviously short, or a fake: move to your sideline to provide sideline coverage with the Referee's assistance; be prepared to rule on a possible touchdown.
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SECTION 9.11 — SIDELINE PLAYS

Sideline Plays — Clock Procedures

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Runner down near the sideline: If the runner is down inbounds within 3 yards of the sideline, give the start-the-clock signal using only two turns of the arm to indicate the game clock should continue to run.
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Line-to-gain also reached: If the runner is down near the sideline and the line-to-gain is also reached, follow the start-the-clock signal with the time-out signal.
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Out-of-bounds: If the ball goes out-of-bounds: immediately signal time-out; hold the spot where the ball crossed the sideline; continue to observe action out-of-bounds. Never turn your back on the play.
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Game time: If no field clock: notify the Referee approximately 4 minutes before the end of the 2nd and 4th periods; notify the Referee approximately 30 seconds before the period expires; when time expires and the ball becomes dead, raise an arm above your head, sound the whistle, and signal time-out.
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Echo signals: Echo all winding and stopping clock signals from other officials promptly.
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MODULE COMPLETE
Cover Your Side.
✓The Line Judge owns the press box sideline, eligible receivers on your side, and the game clock.
✓Precise sideline coverage and clear signals build crew confidence in every critical moment.
!You will not receive credit until you complete the quiz and score an 80 or higher. The quiz is open book — use your mechanics manual.
✓Complete the Google Forms quiz on the next slide to receive credit.
SCFOA · Line Judge · Check on Learning
Complete the questions below. The quiz is open book — use your mechanics manual. You must score 80 or higher to receive credit.