SECTION 1. General Duties
ARTICLE 1. Jurisdiction of Officials
The officials’ jurisdiction begins with the coin toss and ends when the referee declares the score final. [S14]
ARTICLE 2. Number of Officials
The game shall be played under the supervision of 2 (R and FJ), 3 (R, FJ and LM) or 4 (R, FJ, LM and SJ) officials.
ARTICLE 3. Responsibilities
a. Each official has specific duties as prescribed in the IFAF Flag Football Officials’ Manual but each has equal
responsibility and jurisdiction in matters of judgment.
b. All officials shall wear a uniform and equipment prescribed in the IFAF Flag Football Officials Manual.
SECTION 2. Referee (R)
ARTICLE 1. Position
The initial position of the referee is behind and to the side of the FJ in the offensive backfield.
On a 2-man crew, the referee is positioned and working like a Linesman.
ARTICLE 2. Basic Responsibilities
a. The referee has general oversight and control of the game, is the sole authority for the score and his decisions upon
rules and other matters pertaining to the game are final.
b. The referee shall inspect the field and report irregularities to game management, coaches and other officials.
c. The referee has jurisdiction over player equipment.
d. The referee shall indicate that the ball is ready for play, shall direct the clock, shall time the 25-second-count, count
the number of charged timeouts, award new series of downs and administer penalties.
e. The referee shall notify both head coaches of any disqualifications.
f. The referee shall count the number of offense players.
g. After the snap, the referee shall be responsible for ruling on the play behind the scrimmage line around the ball.
The referee is responsible for coverage of the quarterback.
SECTION 3. Linesman (LM)
ARTICLE 1. Position
The initial position of the linesman is on the scrimmage line at the side line with the down indicator.
ARTICLE 2. Basic Responsibilities
a. The linesman is responsible for the operation of the down indicator.
b. The linesman shall count the number of offense players and keeps count of the downs.
c. The linesman has jurisdiction over the scrimmage line and his sideline.
d. Once the ball has crossed the scrimmage line on his side of the field, the linesman shall be responsible for ruling on
the play around the ball. The linesman indicates forward progress on his side to the referee.
SECTION 4. Field Judge (FJ)
ARTICLE 1. Position
The initial position of the field judge is 7 yards deep at the side line opposite to the down indicator.
ARTICLE 2. Basic Responsibilities
a. On a 3-man crew the field judge is responsible for timing the game or supervising the game clock operator.
b. The field judge shall count the number of defense players.
c. The field judge has jurisdiction over his sideline.
d. Once the ball has crossed the scrimmage line on his side of the field, the field judge shall be responsible for ruling
on the play around the ball. The field judge indicates forward progress on his side to the referee.
SECTION 5. Side Judge (SJ)
ARTICLE 1. Position
The initial position of the side judge is 7 or more yards deep at the side line with the down indicator.
ARTICLE 2. Basic Responsibilities
a. The side judge is responsible for timing the game or supervising the game clock operator.
b. The side judge shall count the number of defense players.
c. The side judge shall be responsible for observing receivers on deep routes and for ruling on long passes and the
status of the ball in his area. The side judge indicates forward progress on deep plays to the referee.