The Officials
Now we all know that any sports game can not be played at a decent standard with out the men ( or women ) in the middle who officiate the game we are playing / watching . Sometimes we hate them sometimes we love them but either way they are an integral part of any sporting event and more so in the game of American football . Here we explain why there are so many out on the field and what there jobs are and what there arm movements are all about .
The officials ’ lineup
Referee The referee has general oversight and control of the game . He ’ s the final authority for the score , for the number of a down in case of a disagreement , and for all rule interpretations when a debate arises among the other officials . Although some players and coaches consider the referee a bad guy , he ’ s the only official who wears a white hat .( All the other officials wear black hats .) The referee announces all penalties and confers with the offending team ’ s captain , explaining the penalty . Before the snap of the ball , he positions himself in the offensive backfield , 10 to 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage , and favours the right side if the quarterback is righthanded ( and , of course , the left side if the quarterback is left-handed ). The referee also monitors any illegal hits on the quarterback , such as roughing the passer . He follows the quarterback throughout the game and watches for the legality of blocks made near him .