An NFL game uses seven on-field officials, each responsible for specific players and areas: the referee, umpire, down judge, line judge, side judge, field judge and back judge. College football uses a similar seven-person crew and some conferences add an eighth official, often called the center judge, while high school games commonly use five officials, with some states using six or seven. The referee leads the crew, announces penalties and watches the quarterback, while the other officials cover the line of scrimmage, the sidelines and downfield action. At higher levels, replay officials also review certain plays.
Why football needs a large crew
Twenty-two players move at once on every play, often in different directions and across a large field. Officials must judge line play, pass coverage, the position of the ball, the sidelines, the clock and more, all within a few seconds. Dividing responsibilities among several officials, each with a specific position and focus, allows the crew to see as much as possible and make accurate calls. Mechanics, the rules about where officials stand and what they watch, are carefully designed so the whole field is covered.
The NFL crew
| Official | Position | Main duties |
|---|---|---|
| Referee | Behind the offense | Crew chief; watches the quarterback, announces penalties |
| Umpire | In the NFL, usually in the offensive backfield | Line play, holding, equipment, spotting the ball |
| Down judge | On the line of scrimmage, sideline | Line of scrimmage, offside, the chain crew |
| Line judge | On the line, opposite sideline | Line of scrimmage, timing backup |
| Side judge | Downfield, sideline | Receivers and defenders on that side, clock |
| Field judge | Deep downfield, sideline | Deep passes, field goals |
| Back judge | Deepest, middle | Deep coverage, play clock, field goals |
Each official explained
Referee. The referee is the crew chief and final authority on the field. Positioned behind the offensive backfield, the referee focuses on the quarterback, watching for roughing the passer, intentional grounding and fumbles, and announces penalties to the stadium. The referee often wears a white cap, while other officials wear black caps.
Umpire. The umpire watches the interior line play, looking for holding, illegal blocks and other fouls among the linemen. The umpire also checks equipment and helps spot the ball. For many years, NFL umpires stood behind the defensive line, but the league moved them to the offensive backfield for safety reasons, with some exceptions in certain game situations. College and high school umpires generally still line up on the defensive side.
Down judge. Formerly called the head linesman in the NFL, the down judge stands on the line of scrimmage on one sideline. This official watches for offside, encroachment and false starts, marks forward progress and oversees the chain crew that measures the line to gain.
Line judge. Standing on the line of scrimmage opposite the down judge, the line judge also watches the line for pre-snap fouls, covers action along that sideline and serves as a backup timekeeper.
Side judge. Positioned downfield on the same side as the down judge, the side judge watches receivers and defenders on that side for pass interference and holding and rules on sideline plays.
Field judge. Positioned deep downfield on the line judge’s side, the field judge watches deep passes, rules on catches and interference and stands under the goalposts on field goal attempts.
Back judge. The back judge is the deepest official, usually in the middle of the field, covering deep passes and the tight end or slot receivers. The back judge often monitors the play clock and also rules on field goals.
Crews at other levels
| Level | Typical crew size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NFL | 7 on the field | Replay officials and a central replay center review certain plays |
| College | 7, sometimes 8 | Some conferences add a center judge |
| High school | Commonly 5 | Some states use 6 or 7 officials |
| Youth | Often 3 to 5 | Varies by league and budget |
A typical five-person high school crew includes a referee, umpire, head linesman, line judge and back judge. Titles and exact responsibilities vary by governing body.
Signals and tools
Officials carry yellow penalty flags, which they throw when they see a foul, and bean bags, which they drop to mark spots such as where a fumble occurred or where a punt was caught. They use a standardized set of hand signals to communicate penalties and decisions, such as touchdown, first down, holding and false start. The referee announces most penalties over a microphone at higher levels. The chain crew, overseen by the down judge or head linesman, tracks the line to gain.
Pre-game and communication
An officiating crew’s work begins well before kickoff. Crews typically hold a pre-game meeting to review rules, mechanics and any special situations, such as unusual formations a team is known to use. They inspect the field, check the game balls, meet with the coaches to confirm any questions about players or trick plays, and conduct the coin toss. During the game, officials communicate constantly through signals and, at higher levels, wireless communication systems, so they can confirm calls, spots and clock status quickly. After each play, officials often confer briefly to confirm what they saw, especially on complex plays near the goal line or sidelines. Good communication helps crews reach the correct call and keeps the game moving.
Instant replay
In the NFL and college football, replay officials can review certain plays, such as whether a pass was complete, whether a player was in bounds or whether the ball crossed the goal line. Coaches can also challenge some calls in the NFL. Most judgment calls, such as holding, are generally not reviewable, although rules have changed over time. High school football generally does not use instant replay, though some states have experimented with it in championship games.
Step by step: how a penalty is called
- An official sees a foul and throws a flag toward the spot.
- The play continues until it ends, unless the foul stops play.
- Officials confer to confirm the foul and details.
- The referee explains options to the captain or coach when needed.
- The referee announces the penalty and signals it.
- The ball is re-spotted and the chains are adjusted.
How to become a football official
Most officials start at youth or high school levels by joining a local officials association, completing rules training and passing a test. They work lower-level games first, receive evaluations and move up with experience. Officiating requires knowledge of the rules, good fitness, sharp focus and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Common misconceptions
- Believing the referee is the only official; the crew shares responsibilities.
- Assuming every call can be reviewed by replay.
- Thinking crew sizes are the same at every level.
- Confusing the bean bag with the penalty flag.
Rulebook note: officiating mechanics, crew sizes and replay rules differ between the NFL, NCAA and NFHS and change over time. Check the current rulebook and officiating manuals for your level.
Frequently asked questions
How many officials are in an NFL game?
Seven on-field officials, supported by replay officials.
What does the umpire do in football?
The umpire watches line play for holding and other fouls, checks equipment and helps spot the ball.
Why does the referee wear a white hat?
The white cap identifies the referee as the crew chief; other officials wear black caps.
