REF HQ
CENTRAL MASS FLAG WORCESTER
What You Need to Know, What You Need to Do | Text Rich: (978) 635-4968
GAME DAY
- 15 min early. No exceptions. Plan for traffic.
- Check in with Rich or lead ref. Know your field.
- Equipment check BEFORE every game. Walk the line.
- 2 scorecards/game. Each ref fills their own. NEW
- Confirm score with both coaches before they sign.
- Lanyards required. No lanyard = no sideline.
- Balls: Red (LB) | Blue (5-9U) | Brown (10U+)
STOP MISSING THESE CALLS
- 7-sec clock: Count out loud. Every play.
- Rush line: 7 YARDS. Pace it off.
- Flag guarding: Arm across flags = penalty.
- Impeding rusher: Offense blocks path = call it.
- No Run Zones: 5 yds before mid + end zone.
- Play clock: 25 sec after 'Ready for Play.'
PHYSICALITY = INSTANT FLAG
- No tackling, grabbing jerseys, pulling shorts
- No blocking, screening, or picks
- No charging, leading with head/shoulder
- Dive for flags OK but zero body contact
- Intentional contact = unsportsmanlike
TALK TO EACH OTHER
- Decide before each play: who watches what
- Both refs set before snap. Hold the play if not.
- See it? Call it. Don't wait for the other ref.
- Announce penalties loud to both coaches.
NEW THIS SEASON
- Unlimited backward passes. 1 forward max.
- Rushers raise hand to YOU, not the QB.
- 7U+: Only offensive coach on field.
- Timeouts enforced: 30 sec, 3 per game.
QUICK RULES
- Start: RPS at midfield. Winner: O/D.
- Downs: Own 5. 4 to mid. 3 to score.
- 4th down: 'Punt or play?' Immediate answer.
- Punt: Other team at their 5.
- Snap: Backwards between legs. All ages.
- QB: Cannot cross LOS. No sneaks.
- Spot: Where ball is when flag pulled.
- Handoffs: Behind LOS only.
- Shovel: Legal fwd pass. Counts as the 1.
SCORING
TD = 6 | Safety = 2 | INT return = 6
PAT 5yd = 1 (pass only) | PAT 10yd = 2
Mercy: 28 pt lead = frozen / game over (playoffs)
Sim. catch = offense | 1 foot in = catch
PLAY IS DEAD
Flag pulled | Ball hits ground | Out of bounds
Score | Knee/arm down | Flag falls off
7 sec expires | Dive/hurdle | Catch w/ 0-1 flags
COACHES WERE TOLD
- Play clock + timeouts enforced. They know.
- Line up for equipment check. Don't wait.
- Defensive coach = sideline (7U+).
- Rushers ID to refs, not QB.
- Don't sign scorecard if score is wrong.
EQUIPMENT CHECK
- Flags on hips, unobstructed
- Jerseys tucked in
- No metal cleats, no jewelry
- Flag color can't match shorts color