Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Safety in Football - Listen

We’re on the football field today, and the defense has sacked the quarterback in the offense’s own endzone, resulting in a safety. That’s two points for the defense, but what happens next?

Following a safety, the team that was on offense must kick the ball back to the team that was on defense.

The kicking team can either punt it, or drop kick it, with the line of scrimmage being their own 20-yard line. The kick must occur from within one step of the line of scrimmage. And the receiving team must have all of their players at least 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Once it’s kicked, play continues on as normal – much like a punt or kick return. But if a team chooses the drop-kick, they could recover the ball once it travels at least 10 yards.

Previous 2025-26 editions

Sept. 30: Field Hockey Substitution - Listen
Sept 23: Multiple Contacts in Volleyball - Listen
Sept. 16: Soccer Penalty Kick - Listen
Sept. 9: Forward Fumble - Listen
Sept. 2: Field Hockey Basics - Listen
Aug. 26: Golf Ball Bounces Out - Listen