Education

Officiating Axioms

Call only “quality fouls,” which are fouls that have a direct effect upon the play.
Do not reach for your flag unless you intend to drop it. Get a number and keep officiating. When you put your flag on the field, your integrity is linked to it.
Always see the ball before you blow your whistle.
Be a good “dead ball” official. View all players until they are back with their teammates.
Be deliberate when ruling on a fumble – and get a bean bag down.
Crisp ball movement.
Count players EVERY down.
Maintain excellent and respectful communication with coaches.
If you miss one – Do not look back! Always be ready to officiate the next play.
Concentrate. Be mentally and physically prepared to work and give everything you have every play.
Practice preventive officiating and do what you can to prevent fouls from happening.
Always display integrity, courage, and poise. Stress and pressure reveal your true character.
If you need help, ask for it; if you can give help with confidence, give it.

And above all else… Keep Hustling!

MTFOA Officiating Philosophy

Line of Scrimmage

Officials will work to keep interior linemen legal and will only put a player in the backfield when it is obvious or when repeated warnings are ignored. Do not wait until the fourth quarter to enforce the rule.
If an interior offensive player is lined up with his head clearly behind the rear-end of the snapper or clearly beyond the neutral zone, a foul should be called without a warning.
Do not be overly technical on an offensive player who is a wide receiver or slot back in determining if he is off the line of scrimmage. When in question, it is not a foul but a warning may be warranted.
Wide receivers or slot-backs lined up outside a tight end will be ruled on the line of scrimmage and covering the tight end if there is no stagger between their alignments.
If there is a question, a player with an eligible number is not covered up, but a warning may be warranted.
Formations during the execution of a trick or unusual play have the highest degree of scrutiny and must be completely legal.

Defensive Pass Interference

Early contact is required.
Early contact by a defender who is not playing the ball is defensive pass interference if he demonstrates an obvious intent to impede the offensive player’s ability to complete the catch. The categories of defensive pass interference are the following:
- Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
- Grabbing and restricting a receiver’s arm(s) or body in a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.
- Extending an arm across the body (armbar) of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of the fact of whether or not the defender is looking for the ball.
- Cutting-off or riding the receiver out of the path to the ball by making contact with him without playing the ball.
- Hooking and restricting a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.
The defensive player has an equal right to the ball, so he must demonstrate the obvious intent to impede the offensive player.

Offensive Pass Interference

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to the following categories:

Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off to create separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.
Offensive pass interference will not be called on a screen pass when the ball is overthrown behind the line of scrimmage but subsequently, lands beyond the expanded neutral zone (up to two yards), and linemen are blocking downfield unless such blocking prevents a defensive player from catching the ball.
It is not offensive pass interference on a pick play if the defensive player is blocking the offensive player when the pick occurs and the offensive player does not make a separate action.

Passing Situations

When in question on action against the passer, it is roughing the passer if the defender’s intent is to punish.
If an interception is near the goal line (inside the one-yard line) and there is a question as to whether possession is gained in the field of play or end zone, make the play a touchback.
When in question on quarterback pass/fumble, rule pass.
When in question whether the pass was complete or incomplete, rule incomplete.
When in question whether a pass was forward or backward, rule forward if it was thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.

MTFOA Officiating Philosophy (cont.)

Blocking

If there is a potential offensive holding but the action occurs clearly away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, offensive holding should not be called (a warning may be warranted), except that a takedown should always be called anywhere on the field.
If there is a potential for defensive holding but the action occurs clearly away from the point of attack and has no effect on the play, defensive holding should not be called (a warning may be warranted). Example: A defensive back on the opposite side of the field holding a wide receiver on a designed run play to the other side.
Holding can be called even if the quarterback is subsequently sacked as it may be the other half of an offsetting foul.
A slight jersey pull does not necessarily mean that offensive holding should be called—a material restriction against an opponent is necessary for a foul.
Rarely should you have a hold on a double team block unless there is a takedown or the defender breaks the double team and is pulled back.
For blocks in the back, indicators of the force of the contact include whether the blocking player was in a “chase mode” and how the blocked player falls—if he falls forward (rather than on his side), the contact was to the back. The force of the block could be slight and still a foul if the contact propels the player past the runner or prevents him from making the play. If the force is clearly on the side, it is not a foul.
An illegal block in the back can still be called on fair catches, but should not be called if the illegal block occurs away from the play as the fair catch is being made or a touchback occurs and the contact is slight, except blocks in the back which are personal foul in nature should be called regardless of their timing relative to a fair catch or the tackling of a runner.
When in question if an illegal block occurs in the end zone or field of play, it occurs in the field of play.

Kicking

The kicker’s restraining line on onside and short pooch kickoffs should be officiated as a plane and any player (other than the kicker or holder) breaking the plane before the ball is kicked should be called offside. For deep kickoffs, also officiate the restraining line as a plane but do not be overly technical.
When in question if a kick was touched, rule it was not touched.

Runner Down

When in question, the runner was down and there was not a fumble.
It is not a foul if legal contact occurs before the runner has a foot down out of bounds unless the runner has eased up as he is stepping out of bounds.
When in question, the runner did not step out of bounds.

Personal Fouls & Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct is a non-contact foul under NFHS rules.
If action is deemed to be “fighting,” then the player must be disqualified. Preventive officiating often can help to de-escalate the situation.
For late hits away from the ball near the end of the play, when in question lean toward a dead-ball foul rather than a live-ball foul.
Spitting on an opponent requires disqualification.

Rules & Mechanics

2026-2027 Mechanics

The TSSAA Football Officials’ Manual, with the new mechanics for 2026.

Open the manual

2026 Rule Book

Log in with your NFHS digital credentials to access. Learn more at nfhs.org/about/nfhs-digital.

Open the rule book

2026 Case Book

Log in with your NFHS digital credentials to access. Learn more at nfhs.org/about/nfhs-digital.

Open the case book

Clock Operation

Clock rules to live by.

Touchdown signal stops the clock.
Timeout signal stops the clock.
If the clock is stopped, do not take your eyes off of the referee.

Play Clock Operation

Summarized from the play clock section of the TSSAA Football Officials’ Manual (the clock operator, or ECO, and the play clock operator, or PCO).

The ECO and the PCO

The ECO is an important member of the crew. Starting the game clock on the Referee’s silent wind for first downs inbounds and after certain penalty enforcements keeps the ECO in the game more than ever.
The ECO and PCO work with the Back Judge on clock and timing issues.
Both operators watch their own clocks whenever the status changes, from on to off or off to on. If a clock does not respond, note the time it happened and tell the Back Judge.

Before the game

Decide how you will set the play clock to 40 and to 25 seconds.
After testing the equipment, set the play clock to 25 seconds for the start of the game.
Tell the officials about anything unusual about timing in that stadium.

Setting it to 40 seconds

When the covering official signals that the ball is dead at the end of a play (inbounds, out of bounds, first down, incomplete pass and so on), set the play clock to 40 and start it after a scan of the field to make sure there are no penalties. Do not wait for the ball to be spotted.
After an official timeout, set it to 40 and start it on the Referee’s signal when play resumes, but only when the stoppage was for one of these: an injury to defensive players only, loss of a helmet by defensive players only, equipment repair for defensive players only, or administration of a penalty (accepted or declined) by the defense only.
When in doubt, set it to 40. The crew will correct it if needed.
If the clock needs to be reset to 40, the Referee signals with both palms up in an over-the-head pumping motion. Reset it to 40 and start it immediately.

If the play clock fails

The play clock is turned off until the problem is fixed.
The Referee tells both coaches that the Back Judge will keep the play clock.
The Back Judge raises and holds one hand overhead when 10 seconds remain on the play clock and counts down the last 5 seconds visually.
When the problem is fixed, the Referee tells both coaches.

Setting it to 25 seconds

If an official signals the game clock to stop for any of these reasons, set the play clock to 25. It starts on the Referee’s ready-for-play signal:

Penalty administration for a foul by the offense, or offsetting penalties
A team timeout or a media timeout
A measurement
The defensive or receiving team is awarded a first down (change of possession)
After a score (field goal, touchdown or safety)
After a try
The start of each period
The start of a team’s series in an extra period
Either team is awarded a new series after a legal kick
Other unusual or administrative stoppages

If the 40-second clock is running and the ball has not been spotted by 25 seconds, the Referee signals with one palm up in an over-the-head pumping motion. Set the play clock to 25.

Other procedures

Kickoffs: set the play clock to 25 and start it when the Referee gives the ready-for-play signal. A delay of game on a kickoff is to be avoided, so the Referee or Back Judge may pump an arm to reset the clock if it is getting close to 0.
If the ball is snapped when the play clock is close to zero, reset the 40 or 25 so it does not show 0.
When the Back Judge drops a penalty marker for delay of game, leave the play clock at 0 so the whole stadium sees it. Reset it to 25 after the Referee announces the penalty.

End of a period

Do not start the play clock at the end of a period if the game clock is running, or will start when the Referee gives the ready-for-play signal, and the play clock is higher than the game clock.
The guiding idea: the play clock should run only if a delay of game foul is possible. If it is not possible, leave the clock at 25 or 40.

Overtime

Throughout overtime, the 40- and 25-second play clock runs the same way it did in regulation.

Non-Player Fouls

How to officiate physical contact between an official and a team nonplayer, including a coach.

If you judge the contact as intentional, it’s a 15-yard penalty and disqualification of the nonplayer who contacted the official.
If the contact is entirely unintentional and in the restricted area while the ball is live, it’s a 15-yard penalty from the succeeding spot. A second offense would result in disqualification of the head coach.
There may be situations where officials determine the foul for unintentional contact is “flagrant,” such as if the nonplayer’s conduct is “abusive.” Any flagrant foul carries with it immediate disqualification.

Considerations for a potential flagrant foul:

Officials should consider all circumstances in making a decision.
If there are circumstances suggesting the contact wasn’t entirely unintentional, calling a flagrant foul may be appropriate.
The location of the foul may also be considered. For example, contact that occurs on the field of play will involve heightened considerations that the nonplayer’s conduct is abusive and, thus, flagrant.

Deep Wing: Beyond the Deep Ball

The philosophy behind the Deep Wing position: mechanics tell you where to be, and philosophy tells you why you are there. Choose how you want to learn it.

10 Tips While on the Stadium Mic

Practical advice for referees who use a stadium microphone, which is becoming common in prep football. These tips are summarized from an article by Dan Capron, a retired Big Ten football referee and Collegiate Officiating Consortium trainer, in the October 2026 issue of Referee magazine (page 21).

Stand still. Plant your feet while you announce. A still referee looks calm and in charge.
Keep your voice level. Do not shout. Extra excitement is not needed and wears on the crowd and anyone watching on TV.
Talk through feedback. If your earpiece squeals, keep going. Only the crew hears it, and stopping and restarting makes the announcement confusing for everyone else.
Let your personality show, within limits. Sound like a person, not a robot, without overdoing it.
Understand it, do not memorize it. Routine fouls tend to get stock phrases. Know the call well enough to say it naturally instead of reading a script.
Put it all in one announcement. When there are several fouls, a replay or a clock decision, take your time and cover everything at once.
Mind your pronunciation and grammar. Careful, correct speech over the mic builds credibility for the whole crew.
Explain the unusual before you enforce it. If a ruling involves something uncommon, tell the players and the crowd first, then say how play will resume.
Fix a mistake cleanly. If you misspeak or announce the wrong decision, say “correction” and then give the right one in its own sentence. Do not trail off or cut yourself short.
Cover the basics going into overtime. You do not need to teach the whole procedure, but remind both teams and the crowd of a few key points.

Tackle Football