RESPONSIBILITIES

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All field officials are equally responsible for the orderly conduct of the game, and the enforcement of the rules. No agreement shall be made that would prevent the calling of any foul by an official against either team.

NOTE: The information below was taken from the 2024-2025 Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football and has been edited for brevity.

The Referee shall take primary charge of the game, and shall guide and direct the work of the other officials.  The Referee shall apply the rules, and assess the penalties, and rule upon disputes or situations not covered by the rules.  The Referee's decision on any situation in the game is final.  The Referee may overrule another other official.

The Referee shall take primary charge of Team A, and shall take a position on the filed behind Team A.

The Umpire shall have primary jurisdiction over the actions of players of both teams on the line of scrimmage, and shall take a position behind the defensive line of Team B.  The umpire determines the eligibility of receivers, supervises the use of hands by linemen and linebackers on eligible pass receivers, and monitors close line play for any infractions.

The Back Umpire shall have primary jurisdiction over the actions of players of both teams behind the Team B line, and shall take a position behind the deepest Team B player. The Back Umpire covers long passes and kicks downfield and rule on field goal attempts when instructed by the Referee.  The Back Umpire shall bring the distance chain from the sideline in the event of a measurement.

The Back Judge shall have primary jurisdiction over the actions of players of both teams behind the Team B line, and shall take a position behind the deepest Team B player. The Back Judge covers long passes and kicks downfield and rule on field goal attempts when instructed by the Referee. 

The Down Judge shall be responsible for the general supervision of the line of scrimmage, the neutral zone, and the actions of the end and flankers on his/her side the field.  The Down Judge covers run plays, pass plays and kick plays on his/her side of the field, ensures proper player substitution rules are followed, and supervises the Yardstick officials and the Downbox official in the placement of the chain under the direction of the referee.

The Line Judge shall be responsible for the general supervision of the line of scrimmage, the neutral zone, and the actions of the end and flankers on his/her side the field.  The Line Judge covers run plays, pass plays and kick plays on his/her side of the field and ensures proper player substitution rules are followed.

The Downbox Official shall act under the direction of the Down Judge.  The Downbox Official shall place the Downbox at the point where the ball is to be scrimmaged, and indicate the number of each down on the Downbox.

The two Yardstick Officials shall place the distance chain (in a designated out of bounds area) as directed by the Down Judge.  Prior to each game the Yardstick Officials should take steps in conjunction with the Down Judge to ensure the distance chain is accurate.  

The Timekeeper shall keep time and follow the recognized signals by the Referee and other officials by starting and stopping the clock.  The Timekeeper shall update the quarter being played on the digital scoreboard and and post the score of the game, keeping it updated throughout the game.  In the event of a disagreement the Referee shall be called immediately to settle any dispute or make any necessary adjustment.