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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: pitts3428 on March 02, 2011, 02:35:54 PM
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I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks
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Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics!!!
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Someone will be along shortly to say "Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2!" In addition to that, if your association does not have a mentor program seek out a mentor on your own; someone with experience and a reputation for excellence who is considered to be fairly easy to get along with.
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Develop a presnap routine. Never deviate from it and make it simple. At one point in your career if you have a good presnap routine you will save the crew's bacon.
Mine is: clock, down and distance, count, keys, concentrate.
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Be patient, and that is on several levels:
-American Football has the most complicated set of rules of all team sports in the world. You will always be learning rules, and refreshing your memory on rules, over your entire career (especially the way rules change every year). You must know rules. To that end, you must be constantly diligent in their study. But, no one expects you to be expert in your first season, or second, or third... Get there as quickly as you can, but don't expect that it will come quickly or easily.
-If you have aspirations of working at the NCAA or NFL levels, be really patient. It will be some years before you are in a position to make any kind of a move like that. Be willing to work anywhere, any time, and don't be concerned about how much it pays. Just do it. That takes sacrifice. Family is #1, no question. But, you will find yourself in positions requiring you to miss a birthday or an anniversary from time to time. You have to find a way to compensate, IF YOU WANT IT. If you can't, or choose not to, no one will think less of you. Just don't complain about why you aren't 'there.' And just because you get invited to work a college scrimmage or something, don't expect that you'll get the call the next season. You may have to work that circuit for quite a few years before the stars align just right for you. But, you won't even be in the heavens if you don't perservere. Patience. Perservence. Practice.
Be happy. No one likes the guy that complains and whines. If you find yourself in that trap, just think about the guys in Iraq or Afghanistan that are getting shot at to protect your liberty to be a football official on Friday nights in the fall. They'd love to trade places with you. You don't have it so rough.
Have fun. That means differnt things to each of us, but find your way to have fun, while being professional.
Now, go forth and officiate.
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I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks
First off, WELCOME!! This is a great avocation. If I stopped officiating right now, I'd still have many friends and stories to remember for years.
Like the guys above have said: Know your position mechanics. Hustle but don't rush. Read rule 2. Be patient. Be a sponge for knowledge. Find a mentor. Gravitate to the guys that are positive (negativity breeds contempt). Understand that will not get rich doing this.
You can have a lot of fun around this game. Just remember to be professional when in the public eye.
Have fun. aWaRd
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SNAPS!
Work as many games as you can possibly stand/handle/want.
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One step at a time.
You start with a bit of book learning and no practical experience. The first time you get on the field, just worry about learning how to move properly and how to do absolutely basic things like finding and blowing your whistle when you need it, holding your spot,calling the down, doing player counts, etc.
Then, after a game or two, you will find that you're starting to do some of those things without thinking about them, because you've committed them to muscle memory. Once you do that, cross them off the things you need to add, and bring in something that's slightly more advanced (for example, if you go to a wing position, you might start with moving safely, observing the runner, and holding your spot; then concentrate on giving better progress spots; and then finally work on not getting tunnel vision on the runner and watching what's going on around him before picking up the runner as defenders close in on him). If you regress somewhere, concentrate on it until it becomes automatic again.
One step at a time. Get some base skills, focus on them until you can do them automatically, then add some more on top. Get them automatic, then add some more, and then some more, and so on and so forth.
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Welcome to the family, pitts. I've enjoyed my last 9 seasons of football more than just about anything I've ever done.
Someone will be along shortly to say "Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2!" In addition to that, if your association does not have a mentor program seek out a mentor on your own; someone with experience and a reputation for excellence who is considered to be fairly easy to get along with.
As LAZebra said - read rule 2. Then read it again. Then read it again, and again, and again. When in doubt on something to study, read rule 2.
Get as many snaps as possible. Preseason scrimmages are a great opportunity to get your feet wet, and to pick the brains of some veterans. My association usually assigns everyone to 2-3 scrimmages, and I always make it a point to just show up at a couple more, just to get some more practice.
Remember that officiating isn't just about what happens between the lines, especially if you're working a wing. This is a people business as well. How you handle the coaches can often make the difference between a smooth game, and a nightmare.
And most of all, HAVE FUN!
Edit, because I forgot one. The rulebook is written in black and white; football is played in shades of gray. The more shades of gray that you can see, the better job that you'll do. The old axiom "you could call holding every play" may not be 100% accurate, but it's pretty darn close. Learn to think of advantage before throwing the flag - when the play is a sweep to the right side, and the wide receiver grabs a hold of the cornerback's jersey all the way over on the left sideline, how much of an effect does it have on the play? Note: this does not apply to any fouls that are related to safety - there's a difference between a hold and a clip or a block in the back.
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A lot of folks think that officiating is all about running around, blowing a whistle and throwing flags.
Running around.
As has already been said above - mechanics, mechanics! Get your mentor to explain:-
o how he wants you to move -side to side, backwards, forwards, etc
o when he wants you to move - often the right way is not to move at all, simply stand still and let the play develop
o where he wants you to move - the most common rookie mistake is moving too far, too fast
Blowing a whistle.
Only blow your whistle when the play is over in YOUR area. We all use real loud whistles nowadays such as the Fox40 or Acme Thunderer, so there is no need for everyone to be blowing a play dead. Get into the habit of NOT using it when it is someone else's area, get into the habit of NOT even having it in your mouth. Some folks use a finger whistle, some a wrist lanyard, some a neck lanyard, figure out what works best for you. But don't be running around with it in your mouth - this ain't b-ball!
If you do, you hugely increase your chances of blowing an inadvertent whistle. Once you have 20 years under your belt then maybe you can safely keep it in your mouth.
Throwing flags.
Sometimes the best call you will make all game will be the call you decide not to flag. Learn to be as pleased with that as you are with the call that you do flag.
Like all of us when we started, you will go through 3 stages,
Stage 1 - it's all a blur and you see nothing.
Stage 2 - it slows down and you start to see things and you flag all of them.
Stage 3 - you start to consider whether what you saw is worth a flag. Was it a player safety issue? Was it at the point of attack?
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Lots of great advice already given. One thing I will add is a very common rookie mistake. When the play starts they put their eyes on the ball and follow it anywhere it goes, sort of like a fan does. It is our job to watch the players and only look at the ball when it is neccesary. The ball itself cannot commit a foul, but a player can.
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Lots of great advice already given. One thing I will add is a very common rookie mistake. When the play starts they put their eyes on the ball and follow it anywhere it goes, sort of like a fan does. It is our job to watch the players and only look at the ball when it is neccesary. The ball itself cannot commit a foul, but a player can.
Excellent point. As a downfield guy, some plays I have no idea what happened, unless the play takes a long time to develop or involves my key. If you are not the primary official, stay wide and clean up. There will probably be 2 sets of eyes on the runner and lead blockers, so someone (off-side officials) needs to watch the rest of them.
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remember when you walk on the field that the game is just as important to the 7th graders as it is to the 12th graders so act professional to every level and remember you ain't a coach.
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Quick story: My first game I was Back Judge. I didn't have any action the entire game until late in the game. It was 4th and forever in a blowout game. The pass was deep and I was all over it. I threw my flag for Pass Interference because I felt like I hadn't done anything the whole game and I wanted my crew members to know I wasn't afraid to make a tough call. BIG MISTAKE! hEaDbAnG
Keep in mind, even when you don't throw your flag, you're still making a call!
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Blowing a whistle.
Only blow your whistle when the play is over in YOUR area. We all use real loud whistles nowadays such as the Fox40 or Acme Thunderer, so there is no need for everyone to be blowing a play dead. Get into the habit of NOT using it when it is someone else's area, get into the habit of NOT even having it in your mouth. Some folks use a finger whistle, some a wrist lanyard, some a neck lanyard, figure out what works best for you. But don't be running around with it in your mouth - this ain't b-ball!
If you do, you hugely increase your chances of blowing an inadvertent whistle. Once you have 20 years under your belt then maybe you can safely keep it in your mouth.
I don't know about this one. After trying to use a lanyard whistle my first year with it flopping around and having to figure out where it ended up after the play, I've keeping it in my mouth for the last five years. It seems to be working as I don't have any more IW's than anyone else and NONE in the last couple of years. You just have to have a little discipline and realize the whistle isn't needed a millisecond after the play is over. You can take the time to process what's happening before blowing the whistle.
In short, if you want to run around with the whistle in your mouth, you need to be more aware of the situation than the officials running around with finger whistles. They can use the time it takes to get their hand to their mouth to process whether to blow or not. Having the whistle already in your mouth eliminates that processing time so you need to add time into your post-play routine to "process before you blow". If you're keeping the whistle in your mouth to blow the whistle quicker, then you're doing it for the wrong reason and will likely have a spate of IW's.
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I don't know about this one. After trying to use a lanyard whistle my first year with it flopping around and having to figure out where it ended up after the play, I've keeping it in my mouth for the last five years. It seems to be working as I don't have any more IW's than anyone else and NONE in the last couple of years. You just have to have a little discipline and realize the whistle isn't needed a millisecond after the play is over. You can take the time to process what's happening before blowing the whistle.
In short, if you want to run around with the whistle in your mouth, you need to be more aware of the situation than the officials running around with finger whistles. They can use the time it takes to get their hand to their mouth to process whether to blow or not. Having the whistle already in your mouth eliminates that processing time so you need to add time into your post-play routine to "process before you blow". If you're keeping the whistle in your mouth to blow the whistle quicker, then you're doing it for the wrong reason and will likely have a spate of IW's.
I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.
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All the advice so far is very good and there will be more to come. Keep using all of us to learn from. I have been on here quite a long time. I do not always contribute but I read everyday and pick something up. You will be learning everyday until you retire which I hope for you is a long tme from now. One thing I learned is you have to have short term memeory during a game. If you feel you made a mistake you have to move on and not dwell on it.
Prepare, prepare, prepare. You already are starting this process. You need documents and presentations for mechanics. You need a rule book. You need mentors and local guys who can help you. Get involved! Get in on scrimmages. You need snaps. You need a lot of them. Rememebr your doing this for fun but we have a repsonsibility to the communities we officiate to do the absolute best job we can do. You will make mistakes and thats ok. What you do with that is what will make you good. Learn from everything you do good or bad. What si not ok is teh mistakes you make from lack or preparation. One thing I can always tell on newer guys when they first work with me in a game is how they have prepared.
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I will just add that you need to treat every game as though it is the most important game, no matter the age level. Whether you are working a youth league game for 9-10 year olds, a middle school game or a JV game; that game is extremely important to the players. They have practiced and prepared for that game. It is our duty to provide the best services possible. That does not mean we nit-pick. That means that we use our knowledge, mechanics and discretion to provide for a safe and fair contest. With all that, make certain that you have fun!
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I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.
The other reason to keep your whistle out of your mouth unless you're blowing it is that if some clod-hopping lineman or assistant coach runs into you, the whistle is suddenly transformed into an excellent device for knocking your teeth out...
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I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.
Wow. Look, guys! Someone who's NEVER had an IW because he doesn't keep his whistle in his mouth! :o
Give me a break! Keeping the whistle on a lanyard or wedged on your pinkie has nothing to do with completely preventing IW's or I'd be the only one who's EVER gotten them! Now I don't actually BELIEVE you've never had an IW (or two, or three), but you sure sounded sanctimonious enough to SOUND like that's what you're implying. Excuse me while I dump your self-righteous B.S. in the toilet where it belongs.
"They are the kiss of death"?!? Exaggerate much? They're embarassing, sure. They cause you to affect a play, sure. But I don't know of ANY official who was executed for blowing an IW. Heck I know people who've had IW's who subsequently work state tournament finals. "Kiss of death?" Only in a perfect world where mistakes are unheard of. I don't live in that world. Do you?
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"They are the kiss of death"?!? Exaggerate much? They're embarassing, sure. They cause you to affect a play, sure. But I don't know of ANY official who was executed for blowing an IW. Heck I know people who've had IW's who subsequently work state tournament finals. "Kiss of death?" Only in a perfect world where mistakes are unheard of. I don't live in that world. Do you?
I know of guys who have been fired for IWs. That's pretty much the kiss of death in officiating.
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I remember one time I went to put my whistle in my mouth before the snap and a bug flew in my mouth at the same time, and of course the snap happened right then too. I'm sure I looked adorable trying to spit out the bug and the whistle at the same time without blowing it.
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I know of guys who have been fired for IWs. That's pretty much the kiss of death in officiating.
I would hope there were some other factors that went in to the firing of these guys you refer to. Otherwise, that supervisor has a quick trigger.
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I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks
Back on track....
One of the best things you can do is find a mentor(s). Then listen to everyone who will say anything about football and officiating. Whatever they say, good or bad, tell them thank you with a smile. Then go back to your mentor and find out if the advice was indeed good or bad. Many times that person who told you something can help you advance. They may have given wrong information for a variety of reasons. They may have simply not seen or heard what you said or did fully. Do not argue or try to give an excuse because that gives them the wrong impression. Simply tell them thanks and continue on but then check out with your mentor(s)
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I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many.
While I agree with Macman's comments that an IW isn't acceptable - any official that tells you he hasn't had an inadvertent whistle is either a brand new official, or he's lying. :)
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While I agree with Macman's comments that an IW isn't acceptable - any official that tells you he hasn't had an inadvertent whistle is either a brand new official, or he's lying. :)
While my personal record is of no importance, for the record, ay no time did I say I'd never had an IW. In fact, 39 years ago, I had one, while working intra-mural football my second year in college. Guess what - I was carrying my whistle in mouth, at the time. Started carrying it in hand after that, and I haven't had one since. Solely because of carrying it in hand? No. A combination of carrying it hand AND being conscientious about making sure I see the ball in possession with the BC "down" or progress stopped. If in question, no whistle until there is no question.
Was my IW fatal? Thankfully, no. Not for intra-mural football. But, one was too many. As Grant noted, folks at more advanced levels have been released after having an IW. Was that the sole reason for their release? Who knows? But, the IW was their kiss of death. Has everybody that ever had an IW at advanced levels been released? No. I've been involved in two games in which another guy on the crew had an IW. Neither were released. Their coordinator was (is) one that was (is) more more understanding and forgiving than, perhaps, any other in the business - ever. But I know of coordinators that would fire their mother if she had an IW.
As Jason says, "Back on track."
Remember: the only whistle that makes the ball a live-ball dead is an inadvertent whistle. In all other cases, the ball is already dead, and the whistle is just an aid to let the players know that the play is over. If, occasionally, the whistle is delayed because no official can see the ball with possession/down/progress stopped, that's OK. The play is still over. On very infrequent occasions, you might not even have a whistle after a play. Nobody sees ball/possession/down, and the next thing a player is handing the ball to the U, or, by the time the U gets to the downed BC, it is SO late no one wants to look silly by sounding a whistle at that time. Those things happens - very occasionally. Unfortunately, some guys think it is 'cool' to frequently not have whistles. That is a dangerous practice. Blockers leading a BC can not be expected to keep looking back to know if he is down, or still advancing. They have a right to expect to hear a whistle as often as possible to alert them that the play is over, and to discontinue action. That's why we have whistles to begin with. When we don't have a whistle at the end of a play, there is greatly increased risk of a player drawing a late-hit foul for blocking after the dead-ball. Personally, I've had to make that call, as distasteful as it was. Those responsible for progress and/or seeing the BC down, COULD have sounded a whistle, but simply chose not to. Well after the BC was down, a blocker knocked the crap out of a defender beyond the pile. I had no choice. If we'd had a timely whistle, that foul would not have happened.
So, have a whistle, but avoid the IW. Easy? No. That's why we get paid the big bucks.
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While I agree with Macman's comments that an IW isn't acceptable - any official that tells you he hasn't had an inadvertent whistle is either a brand new official, or he's lying. :)
So get yours out of the way early!
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The thought occurs that perhaps this thread might not be the best place for this discussion.
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The thought occurs that perhaps this thread might not be the best place for this discussion.
yEs: yEs: yEs: yEs:
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I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks
Advice that I received many moons ago.
Never, ever forget that the game is primarily for the players. Always keep that in the front of your mind. Coaches are secondary. Fans are tertiary at best.
Players go through long hours of practices and off-the-field meetings. Try to match every hour they drill and learn, with an hour of rules & mechanics study, film review and conditioning on your part. They deserve your best effort every play, every game. Always remembering that can be a powerful motivator to do well.
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I had to look up the definition of Tertiary.
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I had to look up the definition of Tertiary.
That would be more fitting if you had to find a third source before you had one you could live with.
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While my personal record is of no importance, for the record, ay no time did I say I'd never had an IW. In fact, 39 years ago, I had one, while working intra-mural football my second year in college.
Oh, that wasn't directed specifically at you, Macman - hope you didn't take it that way. And I certainly agree that IW's are bad. I've had three in my career - only one of which was relatively inconsequential, as it ended only shorting a team a couple of yards. And I wanted to find a hole and crawl in it after each one. Especially the one that happened in a playoff game, with the incoming commissioner of the association working at back judge.
As hard as we try to avoid them, they're going to happen once in a (hopefully great) while, and hopefully not in our game. But, as said incoming commissioner said at halftime of that game, "there's a reason they put a rule in the book for that."
Edit: But yeah, we've gotten off track. And I just helped get it back off track. :)
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That would be more fitting if you had to find a third source before you had one you could live with.
^good
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With_Two_Flakes touced on this when he talked about the stages of a new official. In WTF's stage 3, you start putting the foul into a context, into the big picture. Once you've reached this stage, ask yourself these three questions when you see a foul (or up to three questions anyway):
1. DID THE FOUL THREATEN PLAYER SAFETY?
If the foul was a facemask, clipping, block below the waist, or anything else that is a foul because the action is dangerous, you flag it. No need consider anything else, it's a flag.
If it did not threaten player safety, you move on to question number 2.
2. DID THE FOUL RESULT IN AN ADVANTAGE FOR THE FOULING TEAM?
A hold would be the typical example. Someone already mentioned the example of a sweep going one way, and the hold being on the other side of the field. It's a foul, sure, but it had no effect on the result of the play - hence we don't call it. However if a lead blocker holds a defender, and prevents him from getting to the ball carrier, then that's obviously a hold. Question 2 is often the toughest one to answer, and it will take some experience to consistently get right. In fact, it's going to be an ongoing project throughout your career. Even if you decide not to flag it, a word with the fouling player or his coach is often a good idea.
If it did not result in an advantage for the fouling team, you move on to question number 3.
3.DID THE FOUL THREATEN GAME DISCIPLINE?
Unsportsmanlike conduct is not dangerous, nor does it give the fouling team an advantage. Yet we can't allow it as it is contrary to the basics of sport and if uncalled it can result in a game that is difficult to control. Same things apply to fouls that you would not normally call, but that you have issued warnings for. At some point the line must be drawn, if you want your warnings to be respected.
If the foul did not threaten game discipline, well, in that case you have no flag!
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Dommer's got "stage 3" well described.
A good veteran white hat will even give his less-experienced crewmates a nudge with this kind of thinking. My third year, I was working a JV game with a R who I really think is one of the best ones we have. I was working the wing with a sweep coming my way. The center came down the line on the defensive side of the LOS and absolutely crushed the LB in front of the play right between the numbers on his back. I had the flag, officiated the play, and had the spot several yards downfield.
He came up to me after the play and asked me what I had. "Block in the back, number fifty-whatever."
"I'm not asking this to question your judgment, but let me ask you: did the foul affect the play?"
"Matt, the block in the back is what opened the hole that the running back came through."
"Sounds good." Signaled the penalty, marched it off, and off we went.
I've tried to remember that approach now that I'm the vet and working the white hat, trying to help teach the younger guys.
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"Absolutely crushed?" That's going to draw my flag every time, regardless of impact on the play.
Granted, I might not see it if it's away from the play, but still ....