Starting Out

[kerryman71]

Hello,

For an intro, my name is John and I live in Massachusetts.  I'm seriously considering getting into officiating and was wondering what materials would be helpful for a newcomer.  I've purchased the NCAA Rules and Regs book which is what is used here in MA for high school football.  I've been looking at all types of materials that I've found through this site and was just wondering what you experienced guys gives the thumbs up to, or thumbs down for that matter. 

I've been in contact with my local officiating board and was told that they'll be running a class in the spring.  I just want to have as much knowledge as I can before starting.  Thanks for any advice.

Best regards,

John

[AFSST]

The Redding Study Guide (by George Demetriou) is a must have in my opinion. 

[Roscoe]

The Redding Study Guide (by George Demetriou) is a must have in my opinion.

+1 to this. Also start conditioning yourself now. Go running, change your diet and get yourself in shape. You will always keep getting older but high school kids will always stay the same age and only get faster.

[kerryman71]

Thanks.  I was looking at that study guide.   I was also thinking of the DVD 2012 Crew of 5.  Any thoughts on that?

As for running, that will be difficult for now.  I'm having knee surgery this Friday, however, prior to my injury I was an avid runner logging about 30 miles per week and building.  I plan on getting back up to that and should be back in action by next years football season. 

Thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

Best regards,

John

[HLinNC]

The DVD is usually pretty good.  I found myself nitpicking the crews from Michigan that the one I bought was filmed.

Reddings is a must.  If you can get in to watch some game video and begin to familiarize yourself with some of the mechanics you will see that might be helpful.

While distance running has its place in a training program, sprints and shuttles will be more helpful this summer.
If you plan on working BJ or if your state uses deep wings, backpedals will also be handy.

[clydesummers]

A great non-impact exercise for the legs is cyciing. Prior to the start of this season I was riding 3-4 times a week for 30+ minutes as hard as I could go....season started...time constraints with work, kids, etc and I slacked off the bike and last weekend I could tell it. I was back on my bike this morning at 5:30. Running will eventually do in your knees and hips....cycling will build your legs and lungs, keep you fit and keep the weight off...all without destroying your joints.

[chymechowder]

I do Mass highschool and D3 college.  You could email some assignors in your area and ask about sitting in with some crews this year for their Friday night pre-games. And working the chains. Good way to see the officials, some games, and meet some guys.

Was ANEFO the board you'd contacted?  If so, send me a private message with your email and I can email you some more info.

[kerryman71]

Thanks for all the advice.  I do mix in some cycling with my running, and my running regimen generally involves quite a bit of speed work and I like doing lots of hill work.  The backpedaling is a great idea to work on, although I generally find myself doing that quite a bit with my wife  .

As for the board that I contacted, it was Central Mass.

[ljudge]

John,

For the first time in 15 years (6 at college level) I'll be turning back my first NCAA game this weekend due to a knee issue.  I love running as well and despite my screen name I'm a Field Judge.  One thing to keep in shape (without running) is to use a commercial-grade elliptical machine.  If you work B in high school you will need to learn backpedaling.  There's no better way to condition yourself than with an elliptical machine that allows you to pedal backward.  I do two minutes forward, two minutes backward, change elevation (and sometimes resistance) and repeat that cycle.  I do that for about 30 minutes.  It's awesome and your knees don't take a pounding.  I shot of cortisone myself today that came from aggravating it initally by (of all things) running.  It took a while to cure then re-injured myself officating last weekend by twisting it transitioning from a backpedal to a forward run.  The last thing you should think about is running.  Doc told me today bike, swim, and had no issues with using elliptical as well.  Best of luck with your surgery.  And, by the way...read rule #2....read rule #2....read rule #2.....was I clear???  READ RULE #2 before all the other rules.

[kerryman71]

Sounds like a plan.  Tomorrow's it, 7:30am and the drilling starts  .  I have my NCAA rulebook on the table next to the couch.  I even put some of those sticky page things in it so I can find each rule, AR and penalties sections with ease. 

Best of luck with your knee troubles too.

John

[Curious]

The DVD is usually pretty good.  I found myself nitpicking the crews from Michigan that the one I bought was filmed.

Be nice now "HL"...While I haven't seen the latest Lemonnier DVD, most of his clips ARE from Michigan as his "film guy" is from Grand Blanc, MI.  So, unless there are comparative DVDs from other states, be careful of "rushing to judgement".  The clips (both good and bad) are not representative of all Michigan officials....

lol form a Michigan official

[TampaSteve]

Jumping in late here so apologies if anything is redundant.

Certainly rules are important & MA uses NCAA rules. 

You'll need to know the mechanics, so start watching every game from the "where is the official & what is he looking at" perspective.  If you can go to games with a crew - so much the better.

...and ensure you say the "R" when saying "yards".     

(a little ribbing for my MA friends)   

[inthepit]

First off, John, welcome to the brotherhood.  Best of luck in your new avocation. 

My advice is to find veteran officials in your area who have achieved success, worked district playoff, state playoffs, etc.  Buddy up with these guys, go to their games with them if you are invited to do so.  Sit in on their pre-game conferences.  Have a coffee with them on off nights.  Learn, learn, learn. 

Remember what Mark Twain said:  "Experience is the world's best teacher, especially when it is someone else's experience."

[HLinNC]

Be nice now "HL"...While I haven't seen the latest Lemonnier DVD, most of his clips ARE from Michigan as his "film guy" is from Grand Blanc, MI.  So, unless there are comparative DVDs from other states, be careful of "rushing to judgement".  The clips (both good and bad) are not representative of all Michigan officials....

lol form a Michigan official 

Its been from several years ago, if that makes you feel any better......or worse.
Our booking agent buys the newest version each year to show the newbies.

[ljudge]

How did your procedure go, John?  It goes without saying to take it easy and relax.  You have lots of rule study to do anyway.  Luckily that shot I had did the trick for me.  I can't emphasize enough to take all the advance from your physical therapist.  Those home exercises shouldn't be taken lightly when you start your rehab.  Good luck.  Another suggestion is to get on this mailing list.  Rom Gilbert <rom.gilbert@sfcollege.edu>.  Rom sends out all kinds of emails year-round along with video clips, tests, etc.  The guy really knows his stuff and many of us rely on his wisdom to continue learning.

[kerryman71]

Thanks so much for all the advice and the welcome.  I've got the DVD, the study guide and the NCAA rules and regs book.  I've been hitting the NCAA book pretty hard.  I'm pretty good at making sure I have a full understanding of what the rule means before moving on.  My intentions are to just keep reading the rules until I have a good grasp of them...and then keep reading them.

My goal is to have as much knowledge before stepping onto a field and really learning.  I've certainly become much more aware of what's going on officiating wise while watching games on TV.  I'm actually enjoying reading and getting a better knowledge of a game I thought I was pretty knowledgeable in.  Again, I know the best learning will be on the job, but that's a ways away.

As for the surgery, all went well.  The injury happened while playing hurling in mid May.  I dislocated my knee and in the process tore my ACL completely off.  The surgeon told my wife that the fact that it was completely ripped of made the knee very loose, which made their job easier while performing the surgery.  I've also been as active as could be expected with the injury.  As soon as I could, I started physical therapy and pushed myself to walk as much as possible.  I wanted to keep the leg as strong as possible for surgery.  I'll definitely hit the PT hard and do everything I'm supposed to.  My full time job is known for injuries, so this won't be my first time in PT.  I had shoulder surgery in 2008 due to a job related injury and was able to get back to work sooner than expected due to keeping up with the PT and exercising at home.  My goal is the same here, within reason.  I've been out of work since the injury.  Luckily we can carry our sick time over year to year and I have enough to keep getting paid.

As for pronouncing my "R's", if I start doing that around here no one will know what I'm saying  .

John

[VALJ]

I've been hitting the NCAA book pretty hard.  I'm pretty good at making sure I have a full understanding of what the rule means before moving on.  My intentions are to just keep reading the rules until I have a good grasp of them...and then keep reading them.

Could you PM me to explain the "restricted" versus "unrestricted" rgearding blocking, then? 

Welcome aboard!

[kerryman71]

Who says I've moved on from that point  ?

John