Touchdowns

Touchdowns

A Touchdown is scored when the team with legal possession of the ball crosses into or catches the ball in the endzone. Only the nose needs to break into the endzone's plane.

A Touchdown is worth 6 points and the scoring team is entitled to an attempt for extra points.The plane of the goal line extends out of bounds. Therefore if a player extends the ball past the pylon but stays inbounds or jumps from inbounds and the ball crosses the plane before they land, a Touchdown is scored.

On a play where the ball is crossing the plane of the goal line, only the Line Judge and Field Judge should signal a Touchdown. On a play into the endzone itself, like a reception, the Back Judge and either the Field Judge or the Line Judge should make the call, whichever official is closer.

Deflagging the Player that Scored

After a scoring play, the closest official will approach the player that scored and ask to remove their flags. This is to ensure that the flag belt was not tied and not otherwise secured illegally. This procedure is followed after every scoring play to keep the players honest. If a player's belt does not come off after 3 tries, it will be deemed illegal and the Touchdown is disallowed. The player is disqualified and it is a 10 yard loss of down penalty from the previous spot.

A penalty on the defense on a scoring play will be assessed on the next play. Ordinarily the offense would have to decline the penalty to take the points, but this is an exception. It prevents the defense from getting away with blatant penalties on obvious scoring plays.

Touchdown Celebrations

The scoring team is not permitted to spike the ball or to excessively celebrate the Touchdown. This is a gray area that the officials should make sure does not become a taunting gesture towards the defensive team. This is an unsportsmanlike penalty.

Extra Points

Extra points are attempted after a Touchdown. These try for points are for 1, 2, or 3 extra points. The scoring team’s captain will inform the Referee of what they plan to attempt. The scoring team can only change their decision if a timeout is called by either team.

If a penalty is assessed against either team, the change in yardage does not affect the worth of the extra points. If a penalty is called, the value of the try for points cannot be changed - even if a timeout is called. If time has expired, and the extra points will have no bearing on the outcome of the game, the try shall be ignored.

Extra points in the last minute of the 2nd half are untimed downs. If time expired on the play there shall be one scrimmage play unless changed by penalty. If the defensive team legally gains possession of the ball, they may return it for a Touchdown, earning them 3 points.

After a try-for-point, the ball shall be snapped by the opponent of the scoring team at their own 20 yard line, unless moved by a penalty

Goal Line Plays

A solid, finite boundary, ex. Sideline marking out of bounds.

R: Help rule on advancement of the ball and if the plane of the goal has been crossed, signal Touchdown only if you have a clear view. Otherwise look to the Line Judge to help rule on close plays.

LJ: Move to the gol line as soon as the ball is snapped, stay wide and keep the play in front of you, signal Touchdown if the ball crosses the goal in Team A’s possession. Communicate with BJ on catches in your corner of the endzone.

FJ: Whenever the ball is snapped inside the 15 yard line, straddle the goal line and stand outside the cone. Signal Touchdown only if it is within your coverage area. Communicate with Line Judge on close plays to the opposite side of the field. Communicate with BJ on catches in your corner of the endzone.

BJ: Should be positioned on the endline to start the play and take full responsibility for that line. Only signal Touchdown if the ball is caught in you area. Communicate with LJ or FJ on catches in respective corners of the endzone.

Additional Information