Could You Be an NFL Referee?

Steven Miller

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Let's see if you can stay calm under intense pressure and whether you have an excellent memory and the vision of a hawk. If you do, perhaps you were meant to wear the zebra stripes.

What is the penalty for offensive holding?

10-yards from the previous spot of the ball. Replay the down.

10-yards from the spot of the foul. Replay the down.
15-yards from the previous spot of the ball. Loss of down.

5-yards from the spot of the foul. Automatic first down.

How would you rate your vision?

I'm as blind as a bat.

I probably need a vision test. My eyes aren't as strong as they used to be.
I see pretty well, but struggle a bit at really long distances.

I have the vision of a hawk.

A head coach is yelling loudly at you, how do you handle it?

I nod, confirming I have heard the complaint and move away if I can.

I ignore the coach completely.
I calmly explain the ruling and move on.

I yell right back. That guy is an idiot.

Where is the ball spotted when it is kicked through the back of the end zone on the kickoff?

25-yard line

30-yard line
40-yard line

20-yard line

Could you stay impartial, even if you were a referee for a game that included your favorite team?

I guess I might have some issues staying impartial unconsciously.

I would ask the league not to assign me to those games.
I'd probably give my favorite team a few calls to help them out.

Absolutely. I can stay totally impartial.

How muscular are you in your upper body?

I'm very weak in my upper body.

My biceps and chest are huge.
I just started working out my upper body.

I'm not jacked or anything, but I'm in pretty good shape.

What is the penalty for intentional grounding?

Loss of down and a minimum of a 10-yard penalty, more if the foul occurred further back, or a safety if in the end zone.

10-yard penalty from the previous line of scrimmage and loss of down.
15-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. Loss of down.

5-yard penalty from the previous spot. No loss of down.

Is it a penalty if a defender leaps, but doesn't cross the line of scrimmage, on a field goal attempt?

Players are allowed to do whatever they can to try and block a kick.

Yes, it is a new rule that any leaping on a field goal is a penalty.
There is no penalty in this situation.

Only if he lands on another player.

What would you do if a player purposely pushed you on the field?

I would throw a flag and stand my ground.

I would yell at them to get back and let them know that they are ejected.
I would throw a flag and remove myself from the area.

I'd push them back. I have a right to defend myself.

Honestly, how often do you get the call right on a close and controversial replay?

I probably get it wrong more than I get it right.

I get it right most of the time, but I'm occasionally off.
My call hardly ever agrees with the replay official.

After I see it a few times, I always get it right.

Which of the following is considered a defenseless player?

A rookie who doesn't have much experience.

A receiver running a pass route when the defender approaches from the side or behind.
A receiver who has made a catch and a move to avoid being tackled.

A runner in the grasp of a tackler, whose forward progress has been stopped.

A defender misses the ball, hitting the punter's kicking foot. Is this roughing or running into the kicker?

As long as the defender doesn't contact the plant leg or hit the punter hard while both feet are on the ground, it is running into.

It is only a 5-yard penalty for running into the kicker.
It's whichever one is the bigger penalty. I forget which.

Any contact like this is considered to be roughing the kicker.

A player grabs the face mask of another player, but immediately lets go. Is this a penalty?

Yes. It is always a penalty when you touch the face mask.

It is just a minor 5-yard penalty.
There is no penalty on the play.

As long as they don't twist, turn, push, pull, or control the mask, there is no penalty on the play.

How much time is on the NFL play clock?

40 seconds.

25 seconds.
40 seconds for normal play or 25 seconds after a stoppage.

35 seconds for normal play or 20 seconds after a stoppage.

What is encroachment and what is the penalty?

When a defensive player crosses the line and makes contact with an offensive player before the snap. 5-yard penalty.

When a defensive player flinches, drawing the offense offside. 5-yard penalty.
When an offensive player moves before the snap. 10-yard penalty.

When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage. 5-yard penalty.

How long is a regular season overtime period in the NFL?

12 minutes.

15 minutes.
20 minutes.

10 minutes.

How affected would you be by a crowd booing at you personally?

It would make me incredibly mad.

I've learned to not let that bother me at all.
I'm not going to lie, it would definitely upset me a bit.

No one likes to be booed, but I'd let it roll off my back.

How much experience do you have at being a referee?

I have been doing high school or college games for a number of years.

I've done a bit of refereeing, but it's only been a few years.
I've done some refereeing of my kid's games.

I've never refereed a game in my life.

A defensive pass interference penalty is called on a 3rd down play in the end zone. Where is the new spot and down?

5-yard penalty from the previous spot. 3rd down.

15-yard penalty from the previous spot. 1st down.
1st and goal on the 2-yard line.

1st and goal on the 1-yard line.

Are players allowed to celebrate after a touchdown?

Yep, players can do pretty much anything they want now.

Celebrations must be kept to an absolute minimum.
The league relaxed restrictions on TD celebrations this year. It's okay as long as it isn't too long or offensive.

No celebration is allowed at all after touchdowns.

What is the penalty for delay of game?

5-yards from the previous spot.

5-yards from the previous spot and loss of down.
15-yard penalty and ejection from the game.

10-yards from the previous spot.

How many feet must be down before going out of bounds for it to be a catch in the NFL?

Just one foot.

Two feet.
You need to take three steps in bounds for it to be a catch.

Two feet or any other body part besides the hands must touch down in bounds.

An offensive player moves abruptly before the snap of the ball. What is this called?

Delay of Game

False Start
Offside

Encroachment

Where does the head referee go to look at reviews?

It is done on a handheld device now.

He goes over to look at a monitor under the hood.
He gets on a phone and talks up to the booth.

He doesn't. Someone tells him what the call is.

Is there a penalty if a player signals for a fair catch, catches the ball, and then takes off running down the field?

There is only a penalty if he taunts the other team.

There is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
No, there is no penalty on this play.

If he runs a long way, a 5-yard delay of game penalty would be called.

A team is on their own 12-yard line, and they get a 15-yard penalty. Where should the ball be placed?

5-yard line

2-yard line
6-yard line

1-yard line

What is a chop block?

When two players on the same team block an opponent, with one blocking high and the other going low.

When a player hits a player below the waist from behind.
When a player uses a chopping motion with their arm to block an opponent.

When a player, whether incidentally or on purpose, is hit both high and low at the same time by two opposing players.

A player grabs a runner's jersey above the nameplate from behind and brings them down. What is the call?

That is unsportsmanlike conduct, which is a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

That is holding on the defense, which is a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
There is no penalty on this play.

That is a horse collar tackle, which is a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

What is the line of scrimmage for an extra-point in the NFL?

10-yard line for kicks and 1-yard line for 2-point conversions.

15-yard line for kicks and 2-yard line for 2-point conversions.
2-yard line.

15-yard line.

What was the first question of this quiz?

What is the penalty for offensive holding?

A head coach is yelling loudly at you, how do you handle it?
Could you stay impartial, even if you were a referee for a game that included your favorite team?

How would you rate your vision?

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess Your Favorite Premier League Team?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess What Position You Played in Little League?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess What Position You Played in Cricket?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess What Position You Played In Basketball?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

SCREENSHOT

Can You Match the Equipment to the Sport?

6 Minute Quiz 6 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess Which NFL Team Broke Your Heart?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess Your Favorite American Sport?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

PERSONALITY

Can We Guess Your Favorite NFL Team?

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

SCREENSHOT EASY

Can You Match the Current NFL Star to His Team?

7 Minute Quiz 7 Min

SCREENSHOT

Do You Know Which Position These NFL Legends Played?

7 Minute Quiz 7 Min