Back Judge
A Back Judge is a crucial member of the officiating crew in football games. They are positioned in the defensive backfield and are responsible for monitoring deep passes, timing aspects of the game, and keeping track of substitutions. Think of them as the "deep safety net" of the officiating team - they watch what happens far from the main action near the ball. Different levels of sports might call this position by slightly different names, such as "Deep Official" or "Deep Judge," but they all serve similar purposes in ensuring fair play in the deeper areas of the field.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Back Judge for high school varsity football games, overseeing 40+ games per season
Led training sessions for new Back Judge officials at the state level
Certified Back Judge with 5 years experience in collegiate football conferences
Typical job title: "Back Judges"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Back Judges
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Training Resources
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Level Questions
Q: How do you handle conflicting calls with other officials on the field?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership skills, communication protocols, and knowledge of proper mechanics for resolving conflicts between officials during a game.
Q: What is your process for mentoring new officials?
Expected Answer: Should show ability to teach proper positioning, rules knowledge, and game management skills to less experienced officials.
Intermediate Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain proper positioning during hurry-up offensive plays?
Expected Answer: Should explain techniques for staying in position while keeping up with fast-paced games and maintaining clear views of their area of responsibility.
Q: What are your pre-game preparation routines?
Expected Answer: Should describe their process for reviewing rules, checking field conditions, meeting with other officials, and preparing mentally for the game.
Entry Level Questions
Q: What are the primary responsibilities of a Back Judge?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic duties like monitoring deep passes, counting defensive players, and timing responsibilities.
Q: How do you determine if pass interference has occurred?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic pass interference rules and ability to distinguish between legal and illegal contact.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic rules knowledge
- Proper positioning
- Basic signals and mechanics
- Game timing procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced rules interpretation
- Crew communication
- Game flow management
- Conflict resolution
Senior (5+ years)
- Mentoring ability
- Advanced game management
- Leadership in critical situations
- Rules clinics instruction
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of current certification
- Poor physical conditioning
- Unable to explain basic rules
- No experience with proper positioning
- Poor communication skills
Related Terms
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