Set or Rotating Crews for HS?

[rpeckchico]

I would like input for creating 'set crews' vs rotating crews.  I have worked with crews that work with each other, communicate well, etc. and would like to insure this each week. I have worked with other crews where it seems the 'veteran' guys try to show everyone how smart/experienced they are and actually belittle you on the field if your call is close or questionable.  I believe set crews of 5 with long term veterans, 3-5 year guys, and a rookie-1-2 year guys who strive to do their best every week would be good for all involved.  Let me know what you think...

[TampaSteve]

set crews has its pros & cons.
no matter if set crew or not, certainly always good, in theory, to have 1-2 old salts; 1-2 guys w/ 5-10 yrs; & 1-2 guys with less than 5 yrs.
Perhaps good NOT to have set crews so guys dont fall into routine & are on their toes.
Conversely, being on set crews does allow for knowing one another's mechanics nuances, etc.

[HLinNC]

Seems the posts I have read of officials who are in set crews like set crews.  I've never worked that method so I couldn't give an opinion.

I do know this, there are certain white hats I have known over the years that if I had to work 12+ weeks with, I would be retired or dead.  Once or twice a season could be tolerable, every week, no thank you.

[Magician]

We form our own crews and the are set for as long as you want them set. If you don't like your R you have the option of finding another crew. I definitely prefer set crews.

[JasonTX]

We are going to set crews this season.  To ensure that the crews will have some young guys on them part of the policy is that the crew cannot have more than 75 years of combined experience per se.  What we have done is capped a persons years of experience at 20.  What this means is that if you have 30 years of experience only 20 years will apply towards forming your crew.  Our crews are self formed crews.  All 5 officials have to agree to be on the crew.  I also am the assignor so I'll let you know how I like it at the end of the year.

[Tom.OH]

Our association uses crews. My crew has been together 7 years. I like it because I know where all will be on any given play. We have had to use subs and have not had any problems since OHSAA issued standard mechanics manual a few years ago so we don't have to say "this is how we do it".

[bama_stripes]

We use "semi-set" crews  --  R, U & H will usually work together the entire season, with B & L rotating to different crews.

[Ralph Damren]

It looks like I'm in the minority, but I've only been on assigned or "rotating" crews. Our chapter has approx. 45 members and we service 18 schools, so we are spread thin and on occasion will need an official to work both Friday night & Saturday afternoon. An assignment committee assigns our games via an internal rating system a month at a time and it seems to work smoothly. While there appears to be several advantages to the crew concept, my concern is the "One-eyed Smittys"  or the "Peg-legged Jones"  (every chapter has a few) and while having them once or twice a season  may be OK, having them on your fixed crew , would not .

[robin083]

We use "semi-set" crews  --  R, U & H will usually work together the entire season, with B & L rotating to different crews.

That is a good policy. It provides work for the younger guys, but maintains a certain level of experience on the field.

[TampaSteve]

Sort of the same set-up with me, too.
For the most part, we are set, but there's 3-4 weeks out of the season where we will have the need for 3-4 more crews than the norm. 
When this happens, the majority of the crews are affected.
Also when this happens, they will try to keep a "core"  of 2-3 guys together.

[WVABJ1807]

Most of the associations in our state use set crews. I have been on my crew since i was eligible for varsity.  i enjoy working on my crew with the guys i am working on.  if i was assigned to a particular crew for the year, then i dont think i would like working the crew system. but my crew has a greatmesh. we all work well together.  i look forward to friday nights, not for the game, but working with my boys.  we work the way the state wants us to work, but also work the way that fits us the best and have a great time together.  if we went away from the crew system. i would probably retire.

[concordref]

I am a crew chief and here in Ohio most officialswork in set crews.  This topic was on the discussion board several years ago, but I Will respond to this question.  When I set the crew up 9 years ago, I  looked for a mix of young and experienced officials.  I started with R and found a really good one who runs the crew on the field.  I am charge of talking with all of the assigners and filling the schedule and getting the crew together for study sessions, off season meetings, letting the crew now where we will meet up to drive to the school .  This will be my last year as a full time official on the varsity level.  My crew has selected a 4Th year official who is in his late 20's.  He will fill my spot as linesman.  My crew works a full schedule of 11 games sometimes 12 varsity games.  If you have 5 very good officials the crew  concept works great.  Several  crews in my area( N.E. Ohio) have split up due to members not getting along or a over active R, who thinks the whole crew revolves around him.  My crew even go out together several times a year with the wives.  Several crew chiefs have thought about another system but it never came to be.  The only draw back to the c crew system is that younger class 1 officials do not get a chance to break into a crew and work varsity games.  Good topic!  I hope we get more officials logging on this subject.

[Cowman52]

I liked the crew set up, each member had to sit at least one game a season to let younger guys fill in first, and see what they could do second. By the time some either retired or got hurt, the replacement was in the system. When you found good officials,  a crew could be formed around them. A problem with missing rule enforcement seemed to get straightened out a lot quicker.