Article 1 – Responsibility
The Down Judge shall be responsible for the general supervision of the line of scrimmage, the neutral zone, and the actions of the end and flankers on his/her side of the field. The Down Judge shall take up a position on the line of scrimmage at a suitable distance in from the sideline on the same side of the field as the distance chain and Downsbox.
The Down Judge shall be primarily responsible to cover crack-back blocking by players positioned on their side of the field when the ball is snapped.
Article 2 – Passes and Kicks
The Down Judge shall, when appropriate:
- a) Cover passes down his/her side of the field.
- b) Cover kicks down his/her side of the field.
Article 3 – Substitutes; 3- and 1-Minute Warning
The Down Judge shall:
- a) Systematically check his/her sideline for substitutes, and ensure legality of substitution procedures.
- b) Notify the Referee when 3 minutes remain in each half, after being so notified by the timekeeper.
- c) Notify the Referee when 1 minute remains in each period, after being so notified by the timekeeper.
Article 4 – Control of Minor Officials
The Down Judge shall:
- a) Supervise the Yardstick officials and the Dowbox official in the placement of the distance chain and Downsbox, under the direction of the Referee.
- b) Keep an accurate count of the downs to assist the Referee.
- c) Be responsible for changing the position of the distance chain at the end of the 1st and 3rd periods to the identical spot, at the opposite end of the field, corresponding to the point at which play ended in that period.
d) When a measure is required by the Referee, mark on the chain the spot corresponding to the far side of the cross stripe which is farthest from the ball within the span of the distance chain, and have the Yardstick Official bring the distance chain to the Referee.
e) Check distance applied on penalties.