1	GOAL LINE AND END ZONE CALLS Charles “Buss” Carr PIAA Statewide Football Rules Interpreter July 18, 2006, NFHS Football Rules Interpretation Meeting, Indianapolis, IN
2	KNOW THE GOAL LINE Confusion with soccer lines. Inspection of field – check distance from goal line to 10 yard line.
3	OFFICIALS’ RESPONSIBILITIES REFEREE – Position and cover same as scrimmage play. Do not give TD signal from behind runner unless obvious. Give TD signal if TD has been signaled by another official and no foul occurred. Be alert to aiding the runner.
4	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES UMPIRE Position near goal line and cover same as scrimmage play. Do not give TD signal from in front of runner unless obvious. In close line play, be sure ball is not moved forward after declared dead.
5	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES LINESMAN and LINE JUDGE Position at snap is on sideline – wider is better. Between 10 and 5 yd. lines, move with play – attempt to stay ahead of runner. Between 5 and goal line, first movement is toward the goal line. Spot is critical, move quickly to ball for forward progress.
6	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES LINESMAN and LINE JUDGE (cont’d.) No signal unless you are ABSOLUTELY SURE. Anything in the corner (pass plays), have good eye contact with back judge. Stay wide for rulings on goal line extended. Down marker is two feet off the sideline.
7	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES BACK JUDGE Start on end line if snap is from 10 yd. line or inside. Responsibility is from sideline to sideline. Time 25 second counts. At 20 second mark, raise arm. If 25 second clock in use, no signal is necessary. Look for L and LJ on pass plays to end zone.
8	OTHER GOAL LINE SITUATIONS A kick that crosses the goal line is a dead ball. A touchback for R and brought out to the 20 yd. line. A kick that is caught, or recovered, between the 5 yd. line and the goal line may have the momentum rule applied. SO MARKING THE SPOT OF THE CATCH OR RECOVERY IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT!
9	OTHER GOAL LINE SITUATIONS Importance of the goal line, officials must constantly review and study the rules and coverage mechanics regarding the goal line – both plays coming out of the end zone and plays attempting to go into the end zone.
10	OTHER GOAL LINE SITUATIONS On scrimmage downs with A snapping the ball near the goal line, mechanics become very important for the R, L and LJ. All goal line situations and enforcements, should be reviewed as part of the officials’ pre-game conference.
11	ENFORCEMENT OF FOULS In addition to the review of the normal all-but-one penalty enforcement principle; Fouls committed by A, in the end zone, by rule, result in safety (if accepted). Fouls committed by B, in the end zone, when play results in safety, are administered from goal line.
12	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES GENERAL COMMENTS: Don’t be in a hurry to signal. Take your time. Eye contact is necessary on pass receptions in end zone. Officials’ not observing touchdown, do not mirror signal.
13	OFFICIALS’ REPONSIBILITIES GENERAL COMMENTS (con’t.) On both ends of the field there are mechanics and sportsmanship issues. With importance of goal line, be aware of attempts to illegally advance (assisting the runner), “pull and shoot” and defensive strategies and other tactics. Goal line excitement may create unsportsmanlike actions, so use preventive techniques.
14	ABOVE ALL - SLOW DOWN!!! TAKE YOUR TIME!! Too many officials get into trouble by rushing and not taking their time. A touchdown is a touchdown. There is no where to go. Slow down, get it right and signal with authority.
15	Conclusion Officials must be mindful that crossing the goal line is the game’s objective and the excitement and situations that come from it. It’s been said that any official can officiate first and ten but it takes a good official to officiate first and goal.