A player has committed an infraction. This player has gained an unfair advantage against their opponent in your area. You reach for your flag to toss it onto the field. Here are a few things to remember when thinking about the basics and proper use of penalty flags.
BASICS
A penalty flag is a piece of fabric that is weighted on the end so officials can handle and throw with accuracy. It is brightly colored so it can be seen clearly from a distance on a football field or traveling through the air. There are a variety of different flag types from long toss flags for deep wing officials, to colored ball flags that blend in with uniform bottoms. Despite the differences, each flag is designed to do the same purpose, signaling a penalty on the field of play.
WHERE DO I KEEP MY FLAG
There are many places to stash a flag. The best answer is tucked in the waist of your uniform between the belt buckle and the front pocket. The reason is because no one can see you reaching for it. Back in the day, some officials kept their primary flag in their back pocket and would get ridiculed every time they reached back there during a game. A rule of thumb is do not reach for your flag if you do not intend to throw it. Keep it tucked in nice and tight and know where it is so there is no guessing or fumbling around for it during a play. A secure flag also gives you another second or two to think before throwing.
HOW MANY FLAGS DO I KEEP
The short answer is two. The primary flag is kept visibly in front and used most of the time. The secondary flag may also be in front, but most veterans keep their spare in the back pocket. The “equalizer” is rarely seen unless there is a subsequent foul or dead ball shenanigans.
HOW TO THROW A FLAG
Now that we have described what a flag is and its purpose, let’s talk about how to throw a flag. The easiest way to toss a flag is to draw it from your waist by the “ball end” squeezed in your palm, and with control, throwing it to a spot on the field or overhead. It can be thrown underhand or overhand, depending on the situation. Throw a flag towards a spot on the field and not towards players or the action (see Orlando Brown). One thing to remember is to ALWAYS BE IN CONTROL when throwing a flag. Penalty flags should be emotionless because they are coming from an unbiased, unrattled official. An “angry flag” can be seen from the press box and is a sign of tempers boiling over. Be consistent and do not let the action on the field dictate how you do your job.
DIFFERENT FOULS DIFFERENT FLAGS
How an official throws a flag can give others a clue on what type of penalty they have. A normal live ball foul that occurs during the play is thrown normally, at or below eye level, towards the spot of the foul. Remember to use the yard line marks as a guide as they extend across the field. A foul on the 45-yard line can be marked anywhere on the 45-yard line. Live ball fouls that occur with the snap are thrown a little higher and towards the side of the penalized team (such as an illegal formation by the offense). Flags for Presnap or Dead Ball penalties are thrown highest of all. This is an indicator of an infraction that either prevents a play from happening or happened after the play was over.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Proper flag storage helps to alleviate confusion. Only reach for a flag when you have a penalty.
- Flag height and position have different meanings.
- Throw flags toward a spot and not directly at players or action.
- A flag should be moved after the play is over to the correct spot as this is a potential spot of enforcement.
- All flags should be accompanied by short blasts of the whistle after the play is over or prior to the snap.
Conclusion
Flags are another important tool in the arsenal of an official. A basic knowledge of proper flag management is a key foundation to the building of a great official.
