Article 1 – Responsibility
The Referee shall take primary charge of the game, and shall guide and direct the work of the other officials.
The Referee shall apply the rules, and assess the penalties, and rule upon disputes or situations not covered by the rules. The Referee's decision on any situation in the game is final.
The Referee may overrule any other official.
The Referee may have removed any of the sideline officials, if the Referee considers it necessary, and immediately require the replacement of any official so removed.
The Referee shall test the game balls 30 minutes before the game, and the Referee's decision shall be final as to the suitability of the balls.
Article 2 – Field Markings
The Referee shall report any irregularities in field markings, or ground rules, to the captains before the game, and review these with the other officials before the game.
Article 3 – Options
The Referee shall explain to the captains of either team any ruling made or penalty assessed. When a foul is called, the Referee shall explain to the non-offending captain the application of the penalty, or any option to which the captain is entitled if they refuse the penalty.
Article 4 – Count of Downs
The Referee shall keep count of the downs, subject to a check with the Down Judge.
Article 5 – Communication
The Referee shall be the sole means of communication between the officials and the team captains or coaches.
Article 6 – 3-Minute Warnings
The Referee shall be notified by the Down Judge or Line Judge, when 3 minutes of play remains in each half. The Referee shall notify the captains, and the nearest official shall notify the coaches of each team.
Article 7 – End of Period
The Referee shall indicate that playing time has ended in each period, by sounding the whistle and signaling to the Timer.
Article 8 – End of Half Time Interval
The Referee shall have the captains of each team warned when 3 minutes remains in the half time interval.
Article 9 – Positioning
The Referee shall take primary charge of Team A, and shall take a position behind Team A. The Referee is responsible to determine if the ball is put into play legally, cover the action of the passer and the kicker and their opponents.
The Referee shall be responsible for marking the out-of-bounds spot when a ball goes out of bounds in flight.
The Referee shall rule on lateral passes behind the line of scrimmage, and the position of onside players in an «onside kick» situation.