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May 12, 2025
If you're new to officiating or curious about how high school football crews actually operate, you're not alone. Most people see the striped shirts on the field but don’t realize each official has a unique role—and that every position is part of a structured certification process. Whether you want to be in the middle of the action or focused on the sidelines, there’s a spot on the crew for you.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different roles within a high school football officiating crew, what they do, and what you need to get certified. And if you're in New Mexico, Dream Big Officials is here to help you train, certify, and get assigned to games that fit your goals.
This is the leader of the crew. The referee wears a white cap and has the final say on penalties, game decisions, and rule interpretations. They line up in the offensive backfield, typically behind the quarterback.
Responsibilities:
If you want to lead and manage the flow of the game, this is your lane—but it’s typically not a first-year position. We’ll help you build up to it with experience and support.
The umpire positions themselves on the opposite side of the line from the referee, typically behind the defensive line.
Responsibilities:
This role requires strong awareness and quick decision-making. You’ll often start your officiating journey here or rotate through it as part of a learning crew.
This official works the sideline on the line of scrimmage and keeps track of the chain crew.
Responsibilities:
A great role if you like being up close to the action on the edge of the field. It also requires sharp judgment and strong sideline control.
Usually positioned opposite the Head Linesman, the Line Judge supports sideline calls and keeps an eye on the wide side of the field.
Responsibilities:
This role works closely with the referee and umpire to ensure consistency across the field.
Positioned deep in the defensive secondary, the Back Judge is key for pass coverage and game timing.
Responsibilities:
This position is typically added when crews expand beyond five officials and is ideal for those with a good sense of space and timing.
In seven-person crews, you’ll often see Side and Field Judges added on either sideline at about 20–25 yards from the line of scrimmage. These positions are more common in college, but some New Mexico high school playoff games use expanded crews.
In New Mexico, certification is managed by the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA). Here’s what you need to do:
If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry—Dream Big Officials walks you through it all and provides real training and support.
At Dream Big Officials, we train you in every part of the crew—not just one. Our goal is to make sure you're confident no matter where you're placed. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move into the white hat role, we’ve got your back.
You’ll get:
We’re here to help you understand every position, get certified, and get on the field. Dream Big Officials makes it simple to get started and gives you the tools to succeed.
Reach out now and we’ll help you get into the role that fits you best. Let’s build your officiating future—position by position.
