Parent Sideline Guide
Quick-reference for what's happening on the field. Keep this in your pocket during games so you can follow the action and understand the calls.
Scoring Quick Reference
| Play | Points |
|---|---|
| Touchdown | 6 |
| Extra point (kick) | 1 |
| Two-point conversion (run/pass) | 2 |
| Field goal | 3 |
| Safety | 2 (to the defense) |
Common Penalties
| Penalty | Yards | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Offsides | 5 | A player crossed the line before the snap |
| False start | 5 | Offensive player moved before the snap |
| Holding (offense) | 10 | A blocker grabbed a defender |
| Holding (defense) | 5 + auto 1st down | A defender held a receiver |
| Pass interference | Spot of foul / 15 | A player interfered with a catch |
| Personal foul | 15 | Unnecessary roughness, late hit |
| Facemask | 15 | Grabbed another player's facemask |
| Delay of game | 5 | Didn't snap the ball before the play clock expired |
| Unsportsmanlike | 15 | Taunting, excessive celebration, arguing |
Referee Signals to Know
Arms up = Touchdown / Field Goal Both arms straight up in the air. Score!
Rolling arms = False Start Referee rolls arms in a circle in front of body. Dead ball, back 5 yards.
Grabbing wrist = Holding Referee grabs one wrist with the other hand. 10 yards on offense, 5 + first down on defense.
Arms pushing forward = Pass Interference Both hands pushing forward from the body. Big penalty — spot of foul in many leagues.
The Downs System
- The offense gets 4 tries (downs) to move the ball 10 yards
- If they get 10 yards, they get a new set of 4 downs (first down)
- If they don't, the other team gets the ball (turnover on downs)
- On 4th down, teams usually punt (kick it to the other team) instead of risking a turnover
What to Cheer For (and What Not To)
- Do: Cheer for effort, good plays, sportsmanship, and improvement
- Do: Encourage all kids on the team, not just yours
- Don't: Yell at referees — they're usually volunteers and they're doing their best
- Don't: Coach from the sideline — it confuses your kid and undermines the coaches
- Don't: Focus on the score — focus on the effort and the learning
The best thing you can say after a game: "I love watching you play." Not "you should have..." or "why didn't the coach..." — just "I love watching you play."