Kick down the middle: pick up the runner and follow until released to the covering official.

If kick is deep — communicate with the Line Judge before signaling touchback.

Kick 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; mark the spot of the catch with a bean bag.

Move cautiously with the play.

Observe the action of other players in the vicinity of the runner.

Serve as clean-up behind, to the side of, and around the runner.

Place hand on the winner's shoulder — have the captain choose: (1) kick or receive; (2) defend a goal; or (3) defer choice to the 2nd half.

If the winner does NOT defer — the opposing captain chooses from the remaining options.

If the winner DEFERS — step toward the press box and give the penalty-declined signal. The opposing captain then chooses; the deferring captain receives the remaining option.

Place captains facing the goal they will defend. Dismiss captains.

Face the same direction as the choosing captain.

Swing leg simulating a kick = kick.

Catching motion = receive.

Both arms extended toward a goal line = defend a goal.

At the conclusion of the toss, all officials move together for final instructions.

All officials record which team has first choice for the 2nd half.

All officials hustle to kickoff positions on signal.

Be in pre-snap position when the ball is spotted and the play clock is running.

Pre-snap position is 12–15 yards from the line of scrimmage, typically on the passing side of the quarterback, but may adjust to the wide side of the field based on ball location and play situation.

Sound the whistle for ready-for-play only after administration stoppages — not after a first down. For all other game clock starts, give the winding signal without sounding the whistle.

Be able to view the ball, the backs, and the tackle on the far side.

Confirm 11 offensive players with the Umpire using a closed fist signal.

Check eligible backs.

Watch for snap irregularities and movement of linemen.

Be alert for an illegal shift or a player in motion.

Key the tackle on the opposite side. If he blocks aggressively, read run. If he pass blocks, read pass.

Watch the ball, the runner, and action around the runner to the neutral zone.

You are responsible for the runner until he crosses the neutral zone.

Delay moving immediately toward the line of scrimmage to avoid hindering a reverse or delayed play and to assure maximum vision of the play.

Move behind the play toward the side of the field to which the play advances.

Illegal use of hands by players of Team A.

Action behind the ball and away from the runner near the line.

Action on the quarterback after the handoff.

A forward progress spot from the Linesman or Line Judge on a quick line play.

A backward or forward pass when the ball is thrown.

The out-of-bounds spot behind the neutral zone.

When the ball is dead — move quickly to its location. While you have responsibility for the runner behind the line of scrimmage, defer to a wing official if they have the dead ball spot and shift your focus to dead ball officiating. The Referee's whistle should rarely be the first whistle at the end of a play.

Observe all blocks behind the neutral zone.

As the passer retreats, remain wider and deeper than the passer.

Give special attention to contact with the passer.

After the ball is released, continue to observe the passer — not the flight of the ball.

Verbally alert defenders when the passer has released the ball.

Continue to observe action behind the neutral zone before leaving the area.

The Referee has primary responsibility for determining whether a forward pass is legally or illegally thrown near the neutral zone. Move to the spot of the pass to determine whether the passer's feet were in or behind the neutral zone when the ball was released. If the pass is illegal, drop the penalty marker.

The Referee is responsible for calling intentional grounding, but may request assistance from other officials to determine if an eligible receiver was in the area. After receiving input from the crew, the Referee alone makes the call.

For the intentional grounding exception (Rule 7-5-2d Exception 2), wing officials assist by brief conference to confirm whether the pass reached the neutral zone extended.

Position on the same yard line as the player in the kicking position, 5 to 7 yards outside on the kicking leg side.

All other pre-snap duties are the same as for a running play.

Watch for fouls behind the neutral zone, especially near the kicker.

Be alert for a blocked kick and be ready to rule on possession following the recovery.

After the ball crosses the neutral zone, observe line play. Move downfield slowly following the kick.

Watch for fouls and be ready to pick up the runner if there is a long return.

Determine from the covering official if the ball was touched beyond the neutral zone and by whom.

Kick out of bounds in flight — line up the covering official with the spot where the ball crossed the sideline using an outstretched arm and indicate the out-of-bounds spot to the covering official by signaling with a downward chop.

Check with the Back Judge for a possible fair catch.

If there is no foul, signal the Linesman to move the line-to-gain equipment.

Obtain the ready signal from the Linesman before giving the ready-for-play signal.

Position three to five yards deeper than the holder and at least five yards to the side, facing the holder and in position to see the holder receive the ball when snapped.

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

Observe guards and snapper within your line of vision.

Watch for a muff or fumble by the holder.

Rule on roughing or running into the kicker or holder.

Cover as usual if a run or pass develops. Assist with sideline coverage if a run develops to the vacated Line Judge's side.

If the kick is successful, signal a score after receiving the signal from the Line Judge or Back Judge.

If the try attempt is unsuccessful, immediately sound the whistle and signal no score.

If the field goal attempt is unsuccessful and breaks the plane of the goal line, signal no score.

If the field goal attempt is blocked, does not break the plane of the goal line, or is a fake, the ball remains live — cover as you would for a punt.

Stop the clock when applicable rules dictate.

Echo the stop-clock signal when given by another official.

Start the clock on the ready-for-play signal, on the snap, or on a free kick as applicable rules dictate.

For sub-varsity games, the clock starts on the ready-for-play signal following a change of team possession, when Team B is awarded a new series, or when a new series is awarded after a legal kick. Exception: inside 2:00 of each half, the clock starts on the snap.

If the signal to stop the clock is erroneously given, restart the clock immediately upon discovery of the error.

Echo all winding and stopping clock signals from other officials.