The HR and LAR will rely on your input so they can make the correct call.

As an official, you may advise the other officials on any call. But it is crucial that you focus your attention on seeker - seeker, and seeker - snitch interactions.

The best way to help the HR is to be always aware of your surroundings and what is happening to you so you can give a clear explanation to the HR upon a successful catch attempt.

https://www.usquidditch.org/files/USQ_Rulebook_15.pdf

2.3.3 The snitch: Requirements for snitch equipment

4.4 The Snitch Catch: What is necessary for a valid snitch catch; how to signal the catch

6.3 Seekers and The Snitch Runner: the rules regarding how the seekers may / may not interact with you as a snitch

6. Physical Contact and Interactions: the normal rules for contact applies to seeker on seeker interactions

8. The Snitch Runner: misc snitch rules; snitch timing; snitch code of conduct; how to down yourself

10.1.9 The Snitch Runner: the snitch as an official; areas of oversight; relationship with other refs

Snitches may make a "back to hoops" call for any penalty that occurs in and around seeker play.

These penalties include but are not limited to:

1. Knockouts (including beats and dismounts)

2. Illegal contact committed by a seeker against the snitch or another seeker

3. Seekers illegally pursuing the snitch during stoppage or the 3-2-1 countdown.

But snitches do not have exclusive power over these areas. If you and another official disagree on a direct call, you must defer to the other official while play is live. The disagreement can be sorted out at the next stoppage but never during live play. You can also loop in the HR if necessary.

Down yourself and get the attention of the LAR to pause gameplay

There should always be a discussion between the snitch, the LAR, and HR (unless the catch is obviously invalid)

Try to not jump to any conclusions related to whether the catch is good. Your job is to relay the circumstances surrounding the catch to the HR, who is tasked with making the ultimate decision on the catch. For example, the HR will decide if you were illegally impeded in a way that contributed to the catch.

KEY TO REMEMBER: It is not your decision whether a catch is good. If people second guess the decision after the game, remember that the final decision rests with the HR.

What is impeding?

Impeding is physical contact that interrupts the movement of a snitch.

The simplest way to think about it impeding: I want to go in a direction BUT some contact is keeping me from going in that direction.

To clarify, if the snitch does not attempt to move in a direction in which they would be impeded, then they are not impeded.

Many kinds of contact can lead to impeding. This is why the final decision is always up to the HR.

Examples of impeding contact:

Seeker grabs the hands or arms of the snitch

Seeker pulls on the snitch's back while the snitch attempts to retreat backwards

Seeker steps on the snitch's foot as the snitch tries to run away

Snitch back-peddles into a beater of the catching team

Examples of contact that are not impeding:

Pushing the snitch's arms or hands

Knocking a snitch off balance or off their feet without charging

Reaching one or both arms around a snitch's waist without squeezing the snitch or limiting backwards movement (incidental contact is ok)

A bludger hitting the snitch, excluding head beats, and distracting the snitch

Seeker steps on the snitch's foot while the snitch was standing still

Remember: impeding contact only invalidates a catch if done by the catching team (or any ref) and the contact contributes to the catch