Gateway Flag Football — Referee Certification & Guide

Get certified, show up confident, and keep games safe and fun.

1) Get Certified (do these in order)

1. Register to Ref. Register once; we carry your info forward to future seasons.
2. Watch the Concussion Video (≈1 minute). Quick primer on recognizing concussion signs.
3. Read the Rulebook. Knowing the rules is the most important part of refereeing.
   • New refs: read it weekly early in the season — you’ll notice new situations after you work games.
   • Questions? Email Tim at gatewayflag@gmail.com.
4. Take the Rules Quiz (open book). Pass with 80% or higher; you cannot retake but it is open book.

2) Game Day (Fridays 6-9 PM)

A. Gear Checklist (bring every game)

Items we supply if needed:

• Whistle
• Penalty flag

Items you supply:

• Charged phone for live scoreboard​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Ref shirt (black/striped). Plain solid black ok for Weeks 1–2; official ref shirt required by Week 3.
• Athletic shoes or cleats (no slides/flip-flops)

B. Live Scoreboard

The live scoreboard is how referees keep the game clock, score, and timeouts during games.

Step 1: Open the email link

Go to the email you received from support@flagfootballadvice.com and click the link in that email. That link will take you to the page showing the games assigned to you.

Important: This link does not change each week, so save that email so you can easily return to it each week.

Once you open the link, you will see the games assigned to you, along with the field numbers and game times:

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Step 2: Open the scoreboard for your game

On the assigned games page, click Open Scoreboard for your first game.

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Step 3: Use the scoreboard during the game

• Game Clock: At the top of the scoreboard, you can start and stop the game clock.
• Clock Adjustments: If the clock is entered incorrectly or needs to be fixed, you can adjust the game clock using the controls below it.
• Scorekeeping: Below the clock, you will see the score for the home team and the away team.
• Adding Points: You can add scoring plays for each team, including touchdowns, safeties, and extra points. You can also manually add or subtract points if needed.
• Timeouts: Toward the bottom of the scoreboard, use the timeout buttons to keep track of each team’s timeouts.
• Final Score: When the game is over, click Mark Game as Final at the bottom of the scoreboard.

C. Pre-Game (arrive 15+ minutes early)

Parking tip (after 6:00 PM): Overflow lot behind Gateway Elementary is usually faster. Walkway connects to the fields.

Field setup (get a wheeled ref bin at the pavilion/tent near Field 4D):

• 8 pylons total: 4 on each end zone’s corners (use football dashed white lines, not soccer lines).
• 2 large orange cones on either side of midfield.
• 8 small cones at each 5-yard and 10-yard mark from both end zones.
• Move any soccer goals 5 yards behind the end line/sideline.
• Do not throw pylons — it damages them.

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Team & equipment checks (≈5 minutes before kickoff):

• Jerseys not covering flags; belts tight; strings and belt tails tucked.
• Mouthguards required (no guard, no play). Replacements at tent for $5.
• Game ball sizes: 4/5U mini (red), 6–9U peewee, 10U+ junior.
• Sidelines: Home = street side; Away = school side.

Coin toss:

• Coin toss: winner chooses offense or defense; other team chooses direction.

D. In-Game Mechanics & Responsibilities

• Start of series: Spot the ball at the correct 5-yard mark.
• Play clock: Begin the 30-second play clock after the ready-for-play/spot.
• Game clock: Start on the snap.
• Rush line (10U+): Back judge marks 7 yards from the ball quickly each down.
• 7-second pass clock: The ref nearest the ball counts with arm raised until a handoff/pitch, a pass, or the count expires.
• Neutral zone / LOS: Downfield ref ensures only players who started 7 yards back cross the LOS before a handoff/pass (else offsides), even if they step back.
• Whistle & spot: Whistle loudly to end each play; mark the spot; tell the offense “Ball is spotted,” then restart the 30-second play clock.
• Announcements each play: Down + distance (e.g., “2nd down, to midfield” / “4th down, to end zone”).
• No-Run Zone (10U+): Say “pass only” within 5 yards of a first down or touchdown.
• Two-ref system: Each ref takes a sideline; the ref nearest the ball has LOS responsibilities. Head ref keeps official time; second ref backs up time and keeps score.
• After touchdowns: Ask offense: 1 point (from 5) or 2 points (from 10). Confirm the updated score together, then announce the new score to both sidelines.
• Timeouts: Each team has three 30-second timeouts per game.
• Need help? For urgent issues, stop the clock and call Tim (don’t text for urgent matters).

E. Post-Game

• Verify final score between refs; confirm with both coaches.
• Return any game ball to its team.
• Supervise handshakes; address poor sportsmanship immediately.
• Text the score to Tim at 941-888-0064 if you didn't use the Live Scoreboard
• Ask coaches to clean their sideline areas (trash, mouthguards, etc.).
• After the last game on your field: Both refs return pylons/cones to the bin, collect field/bench signs, and return bins/signs to the storage area.

3) Professional Standards (Do Not Do)

• No cell phone use during games (except for live scoreboard).
• Don’t ask coaches/parents to help make a call. Make the best call you can from what you saw.
• Don’t overrule your partner casually — only if necessary after a brief, calm conference.
• No video review — do not watch parent/coach video.
• Project your voice. Countdowns and calls must be audible so coaches understand what’s happening.
• Don’t engage with parents about calls. If a parent persists, ask the coach to handle it; if needed, issue unsportsmanlike to the coach’s team.
• Hustle! Move with the play on long passes/breakaways — you’ll see more and get fewer arguments.

4) Referee Certification

 by completing all three you become eligible to referee:

1. Pass the rules quiz (≥ 80%).
2. Attend the ref meeting and ask one question (or watch the recording and email your question if you can’t attend).
3. 30-Min Live Certification (email or text to setup time)

Payment

Ref payments are sent via  Cashapp or Zelle on Saturday morning following Friday games.

Scores must be input into the Live Scoreboard before payment is issued.

5) Contact

Email: gatewayflag@gmail.com

Phone/text (phone-urgent game issues, text: scores and non-urgent issues): (941) 888-0064

Thank you for agreeing to be a referee for Gateway Flag Football! You’re making a difference in kids’ lives, teaching teamwork, and helping them grow through sports.