Getting Numbers...

[Official_21]

As a 2nd year official, I have found myself struggling to get numbers when I call a foul.

I am trying to get better, but I need some advice on how to go about doing this, especially when things can happen so fast and you are trying to process information through your head.

I know in SV sometimes, it can be hard as there are only 3 of us on the field.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[NorCalMike]

This gets easier as you become more experienced. You will start to see more as you get used to it. When you see the action realize it is a foul, throw your flag, and then say to yourself what number you saw commit the foul. If the play is still going remember to keep officiating. Usually by saying the number to yourself you will remember it when it comes time to report the foul.

Also remember that although it is better to have the number, it is not a requirement. In tonight's game, during a run up the middle, B has the runner surrounded and are bringing him down when someone in the scrum grabs the runner's helmet and rips it off by grabbing the edge and twisting. I flagged it but had no idea which player did it.

[Cowman52]

Watch the warm ups, if on the wing, learn the no of end, tackle your side, corner your side,
It will come, quicker for some,

[SD_Casey]

As another 2nd year official, I've had trouble with this as well.  It sometimes happens where you just don't get a good look (as in NorCalMike's example).

The problem for me was actually pretty simple.  My issue was that I was turning my attention back to the other action a little too quickly.  What has been working for me (and it's so simple it's stupid) is just making a conscious effort to take an extra half second to look at the offending player and get his number and not be in such a rush to turn my attention elsewhere.

[Official_21]

What has been working for me (and it's so simple it's stupid) is just making a conscious effort to take an extra half second to look at the offending player and get his number and not be in such a rush to turn my attention elsewhere.

I think that's a good idea, but the only problem with that is if you have a live ball foul (Facemask for example), you can't stop officiating the play until the ball is dead.

I suppose then, you would have to try and make a mental image of the number.

[JasonTX]

... B has the runner surrounded and are bringing him down when someone in the scrum grabs the runner's helmet and rips it off by grabbing the edge and twisting. I flagged it but had no idea which player did it.

I hope it wasn't a teammate.  I have seen that happen before where hands are reaching everywhere in the scrum and a teammate grabs a facemask.

[NorCalMike]

I hope it wasn't a teammate.  I have seen that happen before where hands are reaching everywhere in the scrum and a teammate grabs a facemask.

Definitely had a dark shirt on so I sure I got it right. Just couldn't see the number because all the bodies in there.

[TampaSteve]

Getting the number:  say the number & penalty aloud (dont scream it, just so you hear yourself) upon or just after tossing the flag

[El Macman]

Great tip (got it from some NFL guys - I didn't invent it): get the second digit. The first digit isn't hard to find. It is the second digit that always gets us. If you know it was a something-3, and it was an offensive tackle, and there is only one tackle with a "3" as  the second digit, and he is 73, then 73 it is.

Not a perfect system, but it is better than a 100% guess. 

[mishatx]

Start working basketball or lacrosse, where you can't enforce your fouls from the first game without getting a number. Your brain will figure out whatever tricks it needs real quick.

[allen]

In the college clinics, I've heard them say NOT to say the numbers out loud.  (but that may be more for polishing instead of helping a 2nd year official)

Personally, I see a foul, see the number, throw the flag and then finish the play.  It took a few years to get decent at remembering the number so I think it may just come with a little bit of experience.  It certainly does help to say it inside your head "holding 66", "chop block 72", "55 downfield" etc.

If that doesn't work, blame the kid whose hands are up in the air like he didn't do anything wrong. 

[txmustang68]

Sometimes it helps to let the players tattle on themselves after the play.  Most kids are honest enough with their fellow players that they will admit to doing it when everyone starts asking who it was. 

[clearwall]

ive found im better at recognizing faces and bodies than i am numbers. I take a mental image of what the kid looked like, height, weight, gear, etc and then after the play, look back in the direction of the penalty and find the player there. Seems to work OK

[El Macman]

ive found im better at recognizing faces and bodies than i am numbers. I take a mental image of what the kid looked like, height, weight, gear, etc and then after the play, look back in the direction of the penalty and find the player there. Seems to work OK

Uuuuuuuu - great idea. Then, if he changes numbers on me before I get a chance to look around for him, I'll still be able nail him! 

Sorry - just being a wiseacre.

If you are that good - more power to ya.

[clearwall]

Im not, but it seems to work for me. Goes hand in hand with my pre-snap routine. I know what my receiver/s look like for a good 5 seconds before the ball is snapped so if I have a penalty in my zone, I pretty much have 3 people to choose from. This strat might not work for U or R because theyre just looking at a bunch of big butts pre-snap and they tend to look alike.

[El Macman]

This strat might not work for U or R because theyre just looking at a bunch of big butts pre-snap and they tend to look alike.

Yeah. I think some R's just close their eyes, it hurts so much...

[Welpe]

Yeah. I think some R's just close their eyes, it hurts so much...

I've found that shiny objects have a tendency to distract most R's at exactly the wrong time.

It took me a few years to get really good at getting numbers of fouling players and still continue to officiate the play. I believe this is one of those things that if you make a concerted effort to improve upon, you'll get there with more snaps.