White Hat

[PanamaRef]

We just starting doing Pop Warner Football here in the Republic of Panama.  This past year I was moved over from working the wings to working the U position.  So as a new U I posted on here and got some great help.  So here I am again.

I was selected to work as a White Hat for this League, 3 man crew.  So as this is a new position and I understand it is not as complicated as working JV or Varsity.  This will be my stepping stone to move up to White Hat for those games in the a few years.

What Advice can you guys give me for this position.  And the nerves are already in place as I have 3 games on Sunday morning. 

The crew they gave me are all new people the Umpire I have has 1 year on the field and he has been working both BJ and LJ.  The wing I have on my crew this will be his first time on the field in strips. 

Thanks for the help.

[Welpe]

On penalty enforcement, slow down and take your time to make sure you're getting it right.  Get all of the relevant information from the calling official such as the foul, location of the foul, the status of the ball at the time of the foul, the end result of the play, etc.  Confirm with your umpire where the penalty is enforced from and where the ball should be when the enforcement is complete.  On dead ball fouls, know the status of the clock.

On pass plays be sure to stick with the QB to watch for roughing and other cheap shots.

Always be sure you have a coin with you.

I'm sure others will have plenty more advice.  Good luck!

[fbrefga]

This is easier said than done.  Try to relax and be patient.  I suggest doing a small pre-game conference/discussion with your partners.  I'm not certain if Pop Warner has some of their own particular rules; in conjunction with NFHS rules.  Nonetheless, this would allow your crew to prepare before taking the field. 

Since your partners are new, I would review the dead ball vs live ball fouls.  I would also convey the philosophy of advantage/disadvantage regarding fouls that are not safety related; such as holding, etc.  "Coaches" at the younger levels complain when holding is not called; even though it is far away from the point of attack.

Most importantly, convey to your partners that the game you are about to officiate is the most important game in the world at that time.  The players have practiced and are looking forward to their game.  Whether it is a youth game of 7-8 year olds; 11-12 year olds or a high school varsity; the game is very important to the players.  We owe it to them to give our best effort possible throughout the game.  That does not mean that we become so technical in the fouls we call.  We just give them our undivided attention for teh duration of the game.

With that, have fun.  After all, that is why we officiate!

[AlUpstateNY]

Given all you've described; new league, new position, a relatively new crew may I suggest your ability to remain cool and collected may be your most important asset.  When you meet with the coaches before the game, you might want to remind them that this is a "learning league" intended to teach the players about the game. 

You might suggest if they have any "reasonable" questions, they bring them to YOUR attention, not to the other officials, and if their assistant coaches have any questions, they bring them to the Head Coach who will decide whether to bring them to YOU.  You might also suggest, as tactfully as possible, nothing ruins a children's game faster than intervening adults, so let's not go there.  Be patient, treat both sidelines with respect and INSIST on them returning respect.

Controlling the game doesn't mean being heavy handed, but in a new league, with new coaches and players, you will likely need to take charge.  The education you've gained from working the wings is now going to pay dividends.  From the middle of the field it's a lot easier to ignore what you may choose to ignore.

At this level most problems with sidelines are caused by ignorance, rather than stupidity.  Ignorance can be eliminated by patient explanation and discussion, stupid is forever, don't waste a lot of time dealing with it.  Good luck, the scar tissue you may accumulate at these games will serve you well in your officiating career.

[jeffreff]

1. Find a mirror and practice signals. Not an ego thing but seeing yourself is a great way to learn.

2. Stand COMPLETELY STILL WHEN SIGNALLING. Shows confidence and looks good.

3. Be a teacher of the game when opportunity arises.

Best of luck!

[TxGrayhat]

Take your time on signals.  Stop walking stand still and slowly give your signals and announce your fouls as if you were wearing a microphone.

 If its something unusual explain it to the coach since you wing official is new and may not be able to articulate the correct information to the coach.

[GAHSUMPIRE]

Personally, in a 3-man crew, I'd rather have 2 wings, than 1 wing and an umpire, but that was not mentioned as an option in your original post.

As the white hat, you are the one in control of the game- set a steady pace. Be quick, but don't hurry.

Resist the urge to follow the flight of the ball on a forward pass- you have 2 other officials to handle that- you stay with the quarterback.

Realize that mistakes happen. (Yours and others). don't let it affect the rest of your game.

[PanamaRef]

Thank you all for your inputs.  It is 5 am and I am going over everything now.  And hope that they are still fresh in my head in 3 hours.

[bama_stripes]

Personally, in a 3-man crew, I'd rather have 2 wings, than 1 wing and an umpire, ...

Having worked a lot of youth 3-man, it's what I'd suggest as well.

[ZebraDan]

I've always worked 3-man youth games with one wing and umpire (who also drops to back judge). Assuming the white hat would always spot the ball and walk off penalties himself if the other two stay at wings, or does the LJ come in for that?

[InsideTheStripes]

I've always worked 3-man youth games with one wing and umpire (who also drops to back judge). Assuming the white hat would always spot the ball and walk off penalties himself if the other two stay at wings, or does the LJ come in for that?

Depends on their positioning at the end of the play.  I've spotted the ball as the L, LJ, and R.  We work together.

I HATE working a R, U, L NFHS three man.  The field coverage for a youth game is far inferior to a R, L, LJ three-man.

[ZebraDan]

That makes sense -- I'll have to try the R, L, LJ format next time. It seems the older white hats I've worked many of these youth games with weren't very mobile and were less inclined to spot the ball or handle umpire-like duties. When I worked the umpire it seemed I ran my tail off while the others had a pretty good view for most of the game.

[PanamaRef]

The crew I have is set up with a L, U, and R.  But I asked the U to go more to the LJ side and I covered the middle. so far it has worked out great.  only 2 weeks more and it is over..

[T.C. Welton]

I often white hat pee-wee games and I have found several things to be critical.

Firstly, make sure all three officials are on the same page.  If the league has any special rules, make sure that you all agree on what should be called and what should not.  As with any other level, perhaps more, consistency is key, so it is important that each official flags the same fouls.  For example, in the league I work we have a no blitzing rule.  Typically I work with the same officials each week, but anytime I get a new official, I go over what we would like to see called and not.  Consistency from week to week is critical in garnering the respect of the coaches that you see each week.

Also important, as mentioned by several others, is to always take whatever time necessary to get it right.  Get all the necessary information from the other officials and give good preliminary and final signals.  I have seen many white hats not do this in pee-wee leagues and it leaves the coaches, fans, and players confused what happened.

One thing I believe in for pee-wees is offering the coaches more explanation on difficult or strange plays/rulings.  This is, of course, only when the coach is reasonable.  Most coaches do not know the rules inside and out and youth league coaches most often know them far less.  In my experience over the past few years, coaches will listen and appreciate the explanation.  Do not let it hold up the game, but tell them you will explain fully later and catch them on the next down time, perhaps after a score or change of possession.  As always, you will have the unruly coaches and they should be managed accordingly.

One person mentioned letting the coaches ask questions.  During the coin toss, I always ask the players if they have any questions.  Then, I ask the coaches if they have any questions.  (we always have one coach at the toss)  During the early part of the season they usually have questions and this gets them answered.

Lastly, you are likely putting too much pressure on yourself.  Handle it like any other game and you will do fine.  Good Luck!