6. AXIOMS OF OFFICIATING

6.1 - Dealing with uncertainty

Uncertainty (or doubt) is a common and normal part of officiating. You perhaps only see a glimpse of some action, because it is obscured by other players, because the action happens so fast, or because it had started to happen before your gaze was focused on it. It is not something normally to worry about, because we have tools that we can use to resolve uncertainty, the primary ones being communication and principles.
Uncertainty should trigger an attempt to gain more information, either by adjusting your position and view, or by communicating with another official. Sometimes the actions of the players convey information about what they believe happened during the play, giving you additional evidence to help you make the call.
It helps to be able to quantify uncertainty. The following scale (used by the UK Government during the COVID pandemic) defines the words to use according to how certain/uncertain you are when communicating with colleagues:

6.2 - Points to ponder

Always remember:

player safety is your number one concern after your own;
make the tough call;
don't get emotionally involved;
a pre-game conference is a must;
if you look like an official you'll perform like one;
count the players;
correct obvious errors;
see leather;
know the down and distance;
sell the call but don't over-officiate;
call what you see but see what you call;
don't guess - know;
if two officials are marking a spot, one could be doing something else;
let the mind digest what the eye has seen;
what effect does it have on the play?;
it's what you learn after you know it all that counts;
on the wings, don't get trapped inside;
in the defensive backfield, don't get beat deep;
after throwing your flag continue to officiate;
4th down, kill the clock;
take a second to take a look;
the three virtues of a good official are attitude, consistency and competence;
the only part of officiating to emphasise is your signalling;
be decisive - indecision (or is it indecisiveness?) gives the impression of uncertainty;
never stand still during an entire down - people will think you are lazy;
if officials are close enough to touch each other there is generally something wrong;
don't get mad and don't get even;
if the fans and coaches don't know your name or who worked the game, you've had a great game;
it is more important to get it right than to look good;
don't dillydally - if you are going to get it wrong it is better to get it wrong quickly than it is to get it wrong slowly, but it's still better to get it right;
false pride has no place in officiating;
there are probably 5 "big" calls per game - make sure you get them right;
officials can influence people (affect their behaviour) because they have power (the ability to influence someone), and authority (the right to exercise power), but there can be no authority without respect for that authority, and respect has to be earned - it does not come automatically with the stripes;
if you are not sure it's a foul, it isn't, except against the QB;
if they get beat, they cheat!
there is no such thing as a late flag, only a considered flag;
ignorance can be corrected, but stubbornness and stupidity might be permanent;
getting the job done is better than doing it perfectly;
don't officiate at 100mph - you will see more if your head is steady;
it doesn't matter how fast you are moving, light will still reach your eyes at the same speed;
you're only as good as your next call.

6.3 - Principles of effective officiating

All officials must:

be helpful (preventive officiating);
have a thorough pre-game conference;
be prepared to compromise;
avail themselves to other officials;
help fellow crew members as much as possible;
encourage less experienced officials to ask questions;
give advice when needed;
be on time;
know their position;
know that uniformity is important;
act in a professional manner at all times;
be aware of primary and secondary responsibilities;
be people watchers not ball watchers;
be clock conscious;
never miss a down;
give good signals;
not allow players to trash talk to opponents;
be in the position to make the call;
not turn their back to the ball;
blow their whistle like they mean it;
take their time in retrieving a ball after a play - other more important things must be dealt with first
keep their mouth closed around the goal line;
keep up-to-date with the mechanics of crews smaller than you normally work - you never know when injury or delay will force you to work that way;
be able to control their sideline;
be able to cover situations far downfield;
be aware of tempo;
know penalty enforcements;
never alienate a member of their crew;
"make it be there" - no phantom calls;
"get the play right" - if there is doubt, discuss it.

6.4 - Ten tips from Sports Officials UK

Know the rules and rules applications and apply them accurately. That way you will achieve the consistency that competitors need.
Be decisive and strong in your decision making. Competitors will trust decisions made confidently and assertively but not aggressively.
Make sure the players understand your decisions. Then you will reduce their reasons to challenge them.
Don't take challenges personally. Questioning your decision is not an attack on your integrity.
Watch for flashpoints. If you see what might cause an outburst you can prevent it.
If you get a decision wrong, acknowledge it. Players accept you are human - they don't trust perfection.
Don't try to redress injustices. Apply the rules, and let justice take care of itself.
Be friendly and approachable. Players will relate to a person more than they do to an official.
Give every event your best effort. For some competitors this is the highlight of their season.
Enjoy your officiating. If you don't enjoy being there, the competitors will know.

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Editor: Jim Briggs, Editor, IAFOA Manual of Football Officiating
jim.briggs.football@gmail.com

Generated: 13/9/2025, 1510