5 Volunteer Duties

Game Volunteers:

• Game Commissioner (1)
• Play Counters (4)
• Stick Crew (3)

The Home team is responsible for ensuring that all volunteers are in place at the start of a game. If a team does not have all volunteers a delay of game penalty (10 yards) will be issued.

• Home team: Game Commissioner (1), Play Counters (2), Stick Crew (3), and Referees
• Visiting team: Play counters (2)  

Game Commissioner

The home team must provide a Game Commissioner for the game. The Game Commissioner will be positioned between player benches during the entirety of the game. The game commissioner shall be 19 years of age or older and locate themselves between the players’ benches (between the two teams).
The Commissioner will be responsible for ensuring the following:

• Each team is prepared to play at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the game. All absent players are to be noted on the play counter sheets. If a team is late by 15 minutes to play a scheduled game, it will be considered forfeiture.
• The head officials are ready for the game to begin and that the game timing has been decided and the game balls have been chosen.
• Advise spectators to stay away from or near the player’s benches or on the same side of the field as the players (ie: Goudy Stadium has bleachers and Copley Park has benches behind players benches should refrain from spectators sitting there as it is distracting to players.)
• The conduct of the players and team support staff on the benches is proper and issue instruction if required.
• That, in the event of an injury, they shall check with the trainer to see if a stretcher or ambulance is required.
• That only qualified medical persons attempt to move a player with any neck back injury, and that an ambulance is called under these circumstances.
• That the Game Commissioner’s report is properly filled out at the end of the game, including the signature of both the Head Coaches, as well as the Head Official. Commissioner reports shall be sent regardless if the game was a forfeit. The number of game officials that officiate, as well as their name, excluding sideline officials is recorded on the Game Commissioner’s report.
• The completed reports are given to the team manager on the same day the game is concluded or as soon as possible thereafter.
• The game scores are properly recorded.
• The Game Commissioner’s report shall include details of all serious infraction which must be completed at the time of the infractions as per the Head Referee’s instructions, and ensure that the Head Referee initials all serious infractions on the form.

A copy of the form, football rules and pen will be provided at the game.
It may sound like a lot but it is pretty straightforward. You do most of these things just by filling up the report.

Play Count Monitors

“Play counters” are monitors for Player Participation: each team will supply minimum of 2 individuals, called “Play Counters”. One will monitor their own team and the other will monitor the opposing team, thus having 2 “Play Counters” working together per team, and recording the results on play counting sheets.

• The Play Counters will work with each team’s coaching staff to ensure all players play the minimum number of plays per game according to the numbers outlined in the Player Participation Rule.
• Play counting sheets will be forwarded to the game commissioner upon completion and sign off by Play Counters.
• The Player Participation Rule will be officially monitored from the beginning of week 1 of the regular season and through the playoffs and championship games.

Play counters are to stand inside the Commissioners box and not interact with the team bench players or coaches. Coaches may approach play counters to get an update on who needs to complete plays.

The Play Counters will work with each team’s coaching staff to ensure all players play the minimum number of plays per game according to the numbers outlined below.
Play counters will completed and signed the play counting sheets and will forward the document to the game commissioner to add to the game report.
If the Player Participation Rules are not adhered to by one team, the opposing team has the option of forcing a forfeited game.
Player participation rules is 10 game plays (including special teams) per player
*Note: Player participation rule is for players dress for the game.

Play Counters are to mark an X in one of the numbered spaces next to a player’s name each time a player is on the field for a play. Once the player has completed the correct number of plays draw a straight line after the last play.

Injured Players for Play Count

• If a player is injured and is not expected to return to the game, the minimum play rule does not apply to the injured player.
• If a player is hurt (i.e. shaken up) and chooses to continue, then they return to the game after sitting out a minimum of 3 plays and the team must comply with the Player Participation Rule accordingly.
• The Trainer must tell the play counters and the game commissioner that the player won’t return to the game.

Stick Crew

The stick crew (3) will work with the referees to keep track of yardage markers and down marker. There is to be no coaching or cheering from the stick crew during the game.

(Please keep in mind that the referees will tell you where to stand and where to move)
In American football, the chain crew (commonly known as the “chain gang”) are assistants to the referees who handle the first down measuring chain and the down indicator box. The members of the chain crew who operate the measuring chain are called rod men and the person who works the down indicator box is called the box man.
The down indicator box is a pole with a sign indicating what the current down is. A down is a period in which a play transpires. Before every play from scrimmage, it is placed on the sideline to mark the current line of scrimmage.
A play from scrimmage is the activity of the games during which one team tries to advance the ball, get a first down, or to score, and the other team tries to stop them or take the ball away.
Once a play is over, and before the next play starts, the football is considered dead.
A line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the football field) beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun. Its location is based on the spot where the ball is placed after the end of the most recent play and following the assessment of any penalty yards.
The first down measuring chain is used to measure the yards that the offensive team needs to gain a first down. It is a 10-yard metal chain with poles attached to each end. The poles, usually called “the sticks”, are almost always covered in bright orange padding.
When a team gains a first down, one of the rod men places one end of the chain on the sideline parallel to the spot of the ball. The other rod man then stretches the chain out to mark the first down line. To ensure an accurate measurement, a clip is usually attached to the chain on the closest 5-yard mark on the field.
The chains will be brought directly onto the field whenever the referee needs an accurate measurement to determine if a first down has been made. A team may also request an accurate measurement to determine how far they have to reach for the first down.
For games at all levels below the NFL, the chain crew operates on the side of the field opposite the team’s bench box.