INTRODUCTION

This manual is attached as an appendix to the existing four and five man mechanics.  All references to the "four and five man mechanics" refer to the "LOUISIANA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS' MANUAL."  Any item not specifically mentioned below is also to be handled as set out in the "LOUISIANA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS' MANUAL."

II. BEFORE ARRIVAL AT GAME SITE

Same as four and five man mechanics.

III. AFTER ARRIVAL AT GAME SITE

A.  Pre-Game Conference

The crew shall allow themselves enough travel time to arrive at the game site approximately sixty (60) minutes before game time.  Upon arrival at the field, the crew will gather for the pre-game conference.  The pre-game conference will be conducted by the Referee, and all officials, including the Clock Operator, will attend this conference.  An optional officials' pre-game conference checklist is shown in Appendix I of the five man mechanics manual.

B. Clock Operator

The Clock Operator will become familiar with the operation of the game clock.  The operation of the game clock shall be thoroughly checked and, if there are any problems, they shall be reported immediately to the Referee.  The Clock Operator shall have a back-up timing device (countdown timer) suitable for timing the game should the game clock become inoperative.

C. Individual Officials' Pre-Game Duties

After the pre-game conference with the coaches, the crew shall complete their pre-game responsibilities.  See the four and five man mechanics manual.   For example, in playoffs and district play, the Referee and Umpire will conduct the pre-game conferences with the two Head Coaches (home team coach first).

The Back Judge and Field Judge should instruct the people for handling the game balls for each team.  The Field Judge will locate the visiting team and stay with that team, notifying them when to bring the team to the sideline.  The Back Judge will locate the home team and stay with that team, notifying them when to bring the team to the sideline.

IV. COIN TOSS

Referee and Umpire take position in the middle of the field.  Line Judge and Back judge meet Captains on the Press Box side of the field.  Linesman and Field Judge meet Captains on the side of the field opposite the Press Box.

When signaled by the Referee, the Field Judge and Back Judge will escort the Captains to the hash marks and stop.  Captains continue to mid-field.  No more than four captains go to mid-field.  The remaining captains, if any, remain at the hash marks with the covering officials.

Linesman and Line Judge remain on the sideline with the game balls.

Referee conducts coin toss, witnessed by the Umpire.  Umpire will obtain game ball of kicking team and place ball on the kicking team's free kick line.

All officials then meet at mid-field before breaking to their kickoff positions.

These positions are diagrammed here:

Six Man Coin Toss Image

V. FREE KICK RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Take positions shown in the diagram:

Six Man Free Kick Image - Standard

B. Referee

The Referee will, prior to the kick, take a position near Team R’s goal to the 10 yard line, (depending on conditions) on the Press Box side of the field, opposite the Linesman. The Referee will count the receiving team players. The Referee shall stand erect while waiting for alignment of the teams; have bean bag ready; and be prepared to acknowledge ready signals by fellow crew members. The Referee should be aware of the goal line on deep kicks; watch for illegal blocks, clips, forward handing, etc. The Referee should be ready to move to the middle of the field should play flow in that direction. If the runner breaks up field, the Referee should take him to the vicinity of the Back Judge, release him to the Back Judge and then cover action behind the runner.

C. Umpire

After a try or a successful Field Goal, the Umpire shall secure the scoring team's (now K's) ball and proceed up K's sideline to K's restraining line for the kickoff. When the LJ reaches his team's restraining line, the Umpire shall enter the field along the kicking team's restraining line and proceed to set up the kicking team. After setting up the kicking team, the Umpire shall move to a position abut 5 yards behind the kicker. After the kicker is ready, the Umpire will check with the Field Judge and the Line Judge and after they are ready, the Umpire will signal the Referee. At the kick, the Umpire's initial responsibility is action on the kicker.

D. Linesman

Same as five man mechanics.

E. Line Judge

Same as five man mechanics.

F. Field Judge

The Field Judge will be positioned at the sideline on the kicking team's restraining line.  The Field Judge should be alert for encroachment by Team K players; short kicks or "onside kicks"; and mark the spot of first touching.  At the kick, his initial responsibility is action on or by the four kicking team players nearest his sideline.  If the kick, not last touched by Team R, goes out of bounds in the Field Judge's area, he should go to the spot, mark it and then throw his penalty flag.  Look for any illegal blocks.  The Field Judge is responsible for the sideline from approximately the 50 yard line to R's goal line.   If the runner scores, he should give the touchdown signal.

G. Back Judge

After a Try or a successful Field Goal, the BJ shall time the one minute interval preceding the ensuing kickoff.

The Back Judge will be positioned at Team R's 30 - 35 yard line on the Press Box side of the field.  At the kick, the Back Judge's initial responsibility is the action on or by the receiving team players nearest his sideline.   If the runner breaks long, he will assume responsibility for action on the runner when the runner enters his area.  The Back Judge has coverage until approximately midfield where the Line Judge assumes coverage of the runner and the Back Judge will then observe action behind the ball carrier.

H. Anticipated Short Free Kick

When the situation arises that an onside kick is likely, the Linesman will move to a  position slightly off the field at the intersection of Team R's free kick line and the sideline opposite the Line Judge.   The Back Judge will position himself at the intersection of Team K's free kick line and the sideline.

These positions are shown in the diagram:

Six Man Anticipated Onside Kick Image

VI. PLAY RESPONSIBILITY

A. The initial position for each official at the snap on a non-kicking play are diagrammed here:

Six Man Play Responsibility  

Officiating keys for non-kick plays are diagrammed here: 

Six Man Mechanics Appendix

B. Referee

Referee should always tend to line up on the passing arm side of the quarterback.  Otherwise, same as five man mechanics.

C. Umpire

Same as five man mechanics.

D. Linesman and Line Judge

General. The Linesman and Line Judge should be positioned 9 to 10 yards outside the player nearest them on their respective sides of the field, and they must be alert to make sure no one is behind them at the snap by glancing over their shoulder.  Stand ERECT and be in a ready position.  Never slouch or use "hands-on-hips" stance.  Note numbers of eligible pass receivers.  Use hand to backfield signal when the closest offensive player is off the line.  The signal should be held until the snap unless the player moves to a position on the line or goes in motion.  Both wingmen should count the players on the offensive line.  The Linesman and Line Judge should extend his arm across his chest to indicate more than three linemen on his side of the snapper.  This signal should be acknowledged by the opposite wingman.  Check positioning of the wingbacks , slot backs and split ends.  Be alert for encroachment by either team.  Work on killing the play immediately when encroachment or false start occurs.  The wingman is responsible for the back in motion going away from him and he retains that responsibility even if the motion man stops and returns toward him.

The Linesman and Line Judge have responsibility for forward progress until the runner reaches the downfield official on his side, usually 15 to 17 yards downfield.  The Linesman and Line Judge should then release the runner or receiver over to the downfield official at approximately 15 to 17 yards downfield.

Be alert to help the Referee on forward progress near or behind the line, especially near Team A's goal line.  The Linesman and Line Line Judge have sideline responsibility the entire length of the field.  

The Back Judge and Field Judge will key on the outside receiver while the Linesman and Line Judge will key on the inside receiver OR the first back out of the backfield on their side.

E. Back Judge

General.  The Back Judge's initial position on non-kicking plays will be as shown in the diagrams.  This initial position shall be determined by the position of the ball at the snap and the position of the widest receiver.  The Back Judge shall line up approximately 20 yards downfield.  Neither the Back Judge nor the Field Judge shall line up on the sideline and neither position shall line up inside the hash mark on his side of the field.  If a receiver is lined up on the sideline, the deep official on that side of the field should line up 6 to 9 yards inside the sideline (approximately at the number, if the field is marked with numbers).  The Back Judge and Field Judges shall always work from the inside out.

The Back Judge should count the defensive players along with the Field Judge and signal each other with a clenched fist when 11 or less are counted.  The Back Judge is responsible for keeping the 25-second count and raising his hand overhead when 10 seconds remain in the count.  Be alert for incoming substitutions, check the game clock, assist in relaying the ball from the sideline and relaying messages to the sideline and wing officials.  He should always check the numbers of the eligible receivers and the numbers of the players inside the eligible receivers when possible.  He must see the wing man's signal so as to know who is on or off the line.

The Back Judge will have the action from the middle of the field to his sideline.  On snaps on or inside the 10 yard line, the Back Judge will line up on the end line.  On snaps between the 10 and 25, he will line up on the goal line.

Running Plays.  Be alert for crack-back blocks and clips coming from across the middle behind the Umpire.  On plays that carry out of bounds between the line of scrimmage and your initial position, the Back Judge should cover the action in and around the front of the runner.  He should retrieve the football and be alert for illegal activity out of bounds.

Passing Plays.  The Back Judge is responsible for initial contact on receivers moving off the line, coverage of the deepest receivers, action behind the Umpire, the goal line and end line depending on the location of the ball at the snap.  The Back Judge should make eye contact with the wing official on sideline plays if control of the ball is questionable or if the pass in the middle of the field is in front of him.  He must know where the receivers are and never let a receiver get behind him.

The Back Judge should key on the outside receiver on his side of the field while the Line Judge will key on the inside receiver (or the first back out of the backfield) on his side.  If the Back Judge's initial key goes in motion, the Back Judge shall give the motion man to the Line Judge and key on the widest stationary receiver at the snap.  These general officiating keys are diagrammed in the Appendix of this manual.

When covering a pass to a receiver near the endline (excluding the sidelines), if the receiver is facing the back Judge, the Back Judge will rule whether the receiver possesses the ball, and the Field Judge will look at the receiver's feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds.  If the receiver is facing the Field Judge, the Back Judge will look at the receiver's feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds and the Field Judge will rule on possession.  Even when the endline and sideline are not a factor, if the receiver's back is to the covering official when the pass is received, and there is any question in the covering official's mind as to whether or not it was complete (ex - the receiver dives for the ball and catches it near the ground), the covering official should look to his counterpart official for help in making the call.

F. Field Judge

General.  The Field Judge's initial position on non-kicking plays shall be as shown in the diagrams.   This initial position shall be determined by the position of the ball at the snap and the position of the widest receiver.  The Field Judge shall line up approximately 20 yards downfield.  Neither the Field Judge nor the Back Judge shall line up on the sideline and neither position shall line up inside the hash mark on his side of the field.  If a receiver is lined up on the sideline, the deep official on that side of the field should line up 6 to 9 yards inside the sideline (approximately at the number, if the field is marked with numbers).  The Field Judge and Back Judges shall always work from the inside out.

The Field Judge should count the defensive players along with the Back Judge and signal each other with a clenched fist when 11 or less are counted.  The Field Judge will have the action from the middle of the field to his sideline.  On snaps on or inside the 10 yard line, the Field Judge will line up on the end line.  For snaps between the 10 and 25, he will line up on the goal line.

When covering a pass to a receiver near the endline (excluding the sidelines), if the receiver is facing the Field Judge, the Field Judge will rule whether the receiver possesses the ball, and the Back Judge will look at the receiver's feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds.  If the receiver is facing the Back Judge, the Field Judge will look at the receiver's feet to determine whether or not the receiver is in bounds and the Back Judge will rule on possession.

Even when the endline and sideline are not a factor, if the receiver's back is to the covering official when the pass is received, and there is any question in the covering official's mind as to whether or not it was complete (ex - the receiver dives for the ball and catches it near the ground), the covering official should look to his counterpart official for help in making the call.

The Field Judge shall time the half-time and time outs and is thus responsible for all timing matters except the 25-second count.  The Field Judge, when facing the stadium clock, should assist in detecting any timing errors.

The Field Judge should key on the outside receiver on his side of the field while the Linesman will key on the inside receiver (or the first back out of the backfield) on his side.  If the Field Judge's initial key goes in motion, the Field Judge shall give the motion man to the Linesman and key on the widest stationary receiver at the snap.  These general officiating keys are diagrammed in the Appendix of this manual.

VII. SCRIMMAGE KICK (PUNT) RESPONSIBILITIES

A.  Take positions as shown in the following diagram. 

Six Man Scrimmage Kick (Punt) Responsibility

B. Referee

Same as five man mechanics.

C. Umpire

Same as five man mechanics, except he need not favor the Line Judge's side of the field.

D. Linesman

Same as five man mechanics.  However, the Linesman should hold his position longer at the line to assist in "cleaning up" this area and to rule on the location of the kick.  He will also be the official to take the runner from the Field Judge on long kick returns down his sideline.

E. Line Judge

Same as five man mechanics.  Hold on line of scrimmage a little longer, observe the initial line charge and then release downfield when the kick is made.

F. Back Judge

Initial position is on the Line Judge's side of the field, between the sideline and hash mark, outside of and slightly ahead of the deepest receiver.

If the kick will land on your side of the opposite hash mark (2/3 of the field), you are responsible for fair catch, valid signal, interference, hand-offs, kicks out of bounds on your sideline, plays at the goal line and taking the runner on the return until he enters another official's zone.

If the kick will land on the other side of your hash mark, cover the play around the receiver and be ready to take the runner if the return is to your side of the field.  Cover action behind the runner if the return is to the other side.

G. Field Judge

Initial position is on the Linesman's side of the field, near the sideline about 10 yards in front of the deepest receiver.

If the kick will clearly land on your side of the hash mark, signal the Back Judge by extended arm toward R's goal line that you will take the ball.  You are responsible for fair catch, valid signal, interference, hand-offs, kicks out of bounds on your sideline, plays at the goal line and taking the runner on the return until he enters another official's zone.

If the kick will land on the other side of your hash mark, cover the play around the receiver and be ready to take the runner if the return is to your side of the field.  Cover action behind the runner if the return is to the other side.

VIII. FIELD GOAL TRIES AND TRY FOR POINT

A.  Take positions as shown in the following diagram:

Six Man Field Goal and Try Responsibility

B. Referee

Same as five man mechanics for kicks from outside the 10 yard line.  The Referee will assume a position to look at the holder's action for the field goal or try.  For example, with a right footed kicker the Referee will line up to the left of the formation looking directly into the holder's area.  Thus, the Referee can observe the holder's placement of the ball or a fake.

C. Umpire

The Umpire should be positioned about 4 yards behind Team B's line of scrimmage and in position to observe any action on the snapper.

D. Linesman

Assume normal position on the line of scrimmage.   Sideline responsibility to the end line.  Cover play around the receiver on short field goal attempts.

Hold position until the kick crosses the neutral zone.   Be prepared to rule on kicks recovered by K behind or beyond the neutral zone.

E. Line Judge

Assume normal position on the line of scrimmage.   Cover play around receiver on short field goal attempts that fall short.

F. Back Judge and Field Judge

Take positions slightly behind the upright on your side of the field.  The Field Judge has the responsibility for the crossbar.   Verbally communicate with each other, then rule on the attempt.

On fake attempts and short field goal attempts, break into position to cover plays in the end zone.  Have normal endline responsibility.

IX. MEASUREMENT FOR FIRST DOWN

Normally, the Line Judge will stop the clock for a first down since he is facing the chains during the entire game.  When the ball is dead and forward progress is close to the line-to-gain, the Referee will decide if the clock should be stopped to signal a first down or ask for a measurement.  If a measurement is needed, the Linesman will go to the sideline, take the chain at the clip, and direct the chain crew to take the chains onto the field toward the ball.  The Line Judge will help the Linesman to align the chains on the field for measurement.  In the meantime, the Back Judge will hold the ball in place during the measurement.  The Field Judge will set the down box at the forward stake, making sure the box shows the number of the down just run.  The Umpire will take the front stake from the chain crewman and, after the clip is spotted, stretch the chains so the Referee can rule if the ball is beyond or behind the line-to-gain.  If a first down is indicated, the Linesman will release the chain crew to return to the sideline where he will give them a first down spot.  If the line-to-gain has not been reached, the Linesman will return to the sideline, re-spot the clip and make sure the chain is stretched to place the chain in its original position.

X. CHANGE OF QUARTER PROCEDURES

When time expires for the first or third periods, the Referee will hold the ball in one hand over his head to signal the official end of the period after pausing for a moment to make sure that no foul, obvious timing error, request for a coach-official conference or other irregularity has occurred.  In hot or inclement weather, the change of quarters is recommended as a good time to direct teams to their sidelines.

Once the period officially ends, the Referee, Umpire, Field Judge and Line Judge will meet at the ball, agree and record possession, next down to be played, and the yard line where the ball is located.  The Linesman will stay on his sideline and record all of the above and also the yard line where the ball is located.   The Line Judge and Back Judge will, at all times, observe the teams and help each team get turned around and located at the correct yard line.  The Field Judge will proceed to the sideline and confirm the information with the Linesman and note the yard line where the clip is located.  The Field Judge will observe the chains being turned around and then go to the opposite end of the field and make certain the clip is placed in the correct location.

After checking that all officials are in proper position and that the clock has been reset, the Referee will mark the ball ready for play.   This procedure should take no more than one minute, and is timed by the Field Judge.

XI. HALF-TIME PROCEDURES

When time expires for the second period, the Referee will hold the ball in one hand over his head to signal the official end of the period after pausing for a moment to make sure that no foul, obvious timing error, request for a coach-official conference or other irregularity has occurred.

All officials will exit the field together and should neither avoid nor seek out coaches during the exit from the field.  The Field Judge will time the half-time period and the time will start when both teams have cleared the playing area.  The field clock will not run during half-time.  If there are discussions between officials and coaches, the Referee will be the spokesman for the officiating crew.

Five minutes prior to the end of half-time, the Field Judge and the Back Judge will each go to one of the participating teams to notify the Head Coach of the time remaining in the half-time.  These officials will remain with their respective teams and make sure the teams return to the field in time for the mandatory warm-up period.  These officials will give the proper options to the teams and get the choices from the Head Coach concerning receiving, kicking or goal to defend.