Game management must provide a competent chain crew. For varsity games, chain crew members should be adults.

The crew must be alert, agile, and responsive to the direction of the Linesman. They must be businesslike and impartial.

Any member who cannot comply must be removed from the crew by the Referee.

The Linesman is the crew's leader — they operate under your direction at all times.

The down marker operator must remain 6 feet outside the sideline and check with the Linesman following each down to display the proper down number.

The marker is not changed until instructed by the Referee or Linesman.

On a first down or change of possession, the down marker is placed at the foremost point of the ball first, then the rear rod is placed adjacent.

On a measurement request, the down marker is placed at the spot of the front rod with the previous down indicated.

Chains are operated outside and within 6 feet of the sideline opposite the press box.

Chains must remain stretched tightly and not move until directed by the Referee or Linesman — the crew ignores the Linesman's beckoning if a flag is thrown.

The Linesman shall personally mark ALL first downs by placing a heel at the sideline.

To move the down marker, beckon with the down indicated — then the marker moves.

When play action moves toward the chain crew, drag equipment in rapid retreat. If impossible to drag, drop equipment away from the field.

For kickoffs, the chain crew stations out-of-bounds near the receiving team's 30-yard line.

On measurements: the down marker is placed at the forward stake position with the same down shown. The Linesman grasps the chains at the clip and takes them onto the field.

If a 1st down is reached on measurement: drop the chains and retreat to mark the 1st down box at the proper spot.

If 1st down is NOT reached: carry the chains back and replace them as before the measurement.

When the line-to-gain is the goal line, drop the chains to the ground — down marker stays in proper position.

At end of 1st and 3rd quarters: grasp chains at the clip, reverse the ends, carry to the proper yard line on the other end of the field.

For overtime: only the down marker is used since the line-to-gain is always the goal line.

If the kick is to your side: watch for 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 of first touching with the bean bag.

Cover 10–15 yards down the sideline.

Pick up the runner from the deep official and follow on a long return.

After the ball goes downfield, move deliberately in that direction observing the legality of blocks and action away from the ball when not covering the runner.

If the kick is to the opposite side: move cautiously toward the play and observe the action of other players in the vicinity of the runner.

Short free kick (7.2): perform the same duties as a normal kickoff.

Position on the sideline on R's free kick line.

Perform the same duties as a normal kickoff.

Count Team K and confirm using a closed fist with the Umpire.

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. Instead inform them that your foremost foot is on the line.

Check the down box number.

Signal one receiver off the line of scrimmage with a straight arm closed fist at a 90-degree angle 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 of the line.

Identify covered-up receivers by extending your arm at 90 degrees with a closed fist toward the defensive side.

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.

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; cover the sideline; on option plays, observe the pitchman and watch for a loose ball.

Sound the whistle when the ball becomes dead and move off the sideline to the dead-ball spot when the spot is at or inside the numbers.

If the ball becomes dead in the side zone, toss it to the Back Judge, Referee, or Umpire for spotting.

If the ball goes out-of-bounds: immediately signal time-out; hold the spot and continue to watch action on the runner and defenders. Do NOT turn your back on the play out-of-bounds.

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.

Pre-snap duties same as for a running play.

Read pass by observing initial tackle action at the snap.

Drift two yards downfield, moving to a position to check the 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.

If the pass is in your coverage area: move downfield for optimal catch/no-catch and pass interference coverage.

If the pass is away: observe ineligible receivers beyond the expanded neutral zone.

If the pass is complete in your area: 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 official nearest the previous spot.

Secondary responsibility for intentional grounding exception (Rule 7-5-2d Exception 2) — assist by brief conference as to whether the pass reached the neutral zone extended. Also notify the Referee if eligible receivers were in the area of the pass.

Remove the line-to-gain equipment from the sideline when the line-to-gain is the goal line.

Remove the chains far enough from the sideline so they do not impair your movement or create a safety issue for players.

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.

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 actually 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 goal line plane, give the dead ball signal.

Position 5–7 yards outside the offensive end, no closer than the numbers.

Observe the neutral zone.

You have sole responsibility for ruling whether the kick crosses the neutral zone.

Hold your position to rule on whether the kick crosses the neutral zone, then officiate as on any other play.

If a running or passing play by Team K develops: move with the play as on any other goal line play; quickly move to the goal line if a run develops to the Line Judge's side.

If a field goal attempt is blocked and Team R recovers, cover your sideline as you would for any running play.

Pre-snap duties same as for a running play.

Hold your position at the neutral zone until the kick crosses — you are the sole official responsible for determining whether the kick crosses the neutral zone.

Once the kick crosses, move slowly downfield covering your side of the field.

Be alert for valid or invalid fair catch signals by any receiver.

Cover all kicks to your side. Be alert for illegal blocks and holding fouls.

Routine kick to the far side: delay, then cover fouls in the secondary. Move with the runner if he comes to your side. Assist the Referee with goal line coverage on a long return.

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 and continue to observe play action; drop the bean bag at the spot if you must retrieve the ball.

Short or blocked kick: assist the Referee in covering the ball; note if the kick is touched beyond the neutral zone or recovered in or behind it.

When the ball is dead: sound the whistle, signal time-out, and mark the spot. Ensure possession is confirmed after a fair catch signal.

When the Referee signals for a measurement, grasp the chain at the back edge of the yard line — not just the clip, as it could detach.

Instruct the down marker operator to move to the front rod spot and keep the same down number on the box.

Bring the chain onto the field behind the ball and place the clip on the back edge of the yard line.

Hold the chain firmly and call 'ready' to the Umpire to stretch the chain tight. Wait for the Referee's decision.

If 1st down reached: set the inside edge of the rear rod at the foremost point of the ball after it is spotted. Set the down marker to 1st down. Mark the foremost point of the ball for the down marker operator.

If 1st down NOT reached and ball is in a side zone: use the chain to place the ball at the inbounds line. Accompany the crew to the sideline and reset chains in their original position. Have the down marker operator move the indicator to the next down.

Signal ready to the Referee — number of the down with finger(s), or a fist for 4th down. The Referee will not give the ready-for-play signal until receiving your signal. Be quick — do not delay the game.