1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Football

About Football Glossary - Side Judge

By James Alder, About.com

Definition: The official that lines up 20 yards deep in the defensive backfield. His duties are essentially the same as the back judge:

• Make sure the defensive team has no more than 11 players on the field
• Watch all eligible receivers on his side of the field
• Watch the area between the umpire and field judge
• Rule on the legality of catches and pass interference penalties
• Watch for clipping on kick returns

Explore Football

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Sports
  3. Football

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.