Your Pet Peeves

[Curious]

Developing topic(s) for up-coming Association meetings.

If YOU could address (or have addressed) a group of football officials, what are your biggest concerns/observations/experiences that should be corrected for the betterment of the individual, crew, or in general.   

Would like input from the group.

[Etref]

Being professional from the time they get out of the car till they get out of town!

[AlUpstateNY]

We should always understand, that regardless of status, level, playoff implications, etc. the players, and the coaching staffs, of the game you are working consider THAT GAME as the biggest game of that day/night, and are expecting YOUR best, and most professional, performance.

[prab]

When assigned to a game with other officials who you are not familiar with or have not worked with before, (unless the assigner has appointed you as the crew chief) DON'T show up with a white hat and assume that you should be the ad hoc crew chief.  Positions can be worked out at the field before the game with EVERY official having a say in what position they would like to work.

[HLinNC]

Be on time to your meeting location.  Do not ramble in pre-game.  Take the field on-time.  Leave the field together.  Do not tarry back to the car.

Have fun but be professional.

[SD_Casey]

Getting things wrong is part of the job.  A judgement call, a rule application, etc.  Lots of things can go wrong.

Penalty enforcement should never be one of these things.

[Ralph Damren]

      MISS MANNERS' DO'S AND DON'TS FOR

A. Do be a team.

B. Don't wear school colors to the game..know the colors of the teams playing and be sure your jacket doesn't match! Don't park next to a school bus.

C. Don't have vanity plates or  stuff visible in your parked car....fans may not like you and cons may want to steal your stuff. Both will know where you are during the game!

D. Don't have horseplay on the field...no going out for a pass or throwing one....just loosen up and do your duties.

E. Don't look bored, cold or disinterested....this is a big game for the kids and should be for you,too.

F. Don't overvisit with a coach or visit with a fan.

G. Don't walk when you should run...hustle as much as you can.

H. Don't talk about the game or players within earshot of fans...one may be the player's dad!

I. Don't badmouth officials...even when you're a fan,yourself.

J. Do leave the field together...you're a team...plus, there's safety in numbers!

K. Don't laugh , or joke until in the safety of lockerroom/ car..only half of the fans will be happy! Don't shake hands with each other until in lockerroom/car,a disgruntled fan may think you are congratulating each other on giving his team a good screwing!

L. Don't pop an adult beverage until off campus OR don't pop an adult beverage until home !

M. Do be a team...whoops, I may have already said that!!

                                                             

[FLAHL]

My pet peeve is white hats that don't welcome questions and crew members that don't ask them.  I had the opportunity to listen to the pregame meeting of a playoff crew that worked a game in our area last year.  The last thing the white hat said before they took the field was "Remember, do NOT come in here at halftime and ask questions about something that happened in the first or second quarter.  If you have a question, or think something isn't right, ask it right then and there." 

[ncwingman]

Being professional from the time they get out of the car till they get out of town!

This is something that I'm surprised isn't "enforced" more and reminds me of my marching band days. In the band (every band I was in), once you put on the uniform, you represented the band/school/team. Everything you did or said, how you handled yourself and how you interacted with everybody else was a reflection of the band/school/team, not just yourself. One of the big rules was "No smoking, drinking or cursing in uniform" -- which was so ingrained, that it was never enforced because it was never broken.

When I started officiating, I was amazed at the number of officials who would curse while in stripes. Generally not loud enough to be heard outside our huddle or locker room, but that's just tempting fate. Somebody will hear at some point. To me, it felt the same -- you're in uniform, no cursing. I wish I could instill that in our group a bit more, but I feel that's more of a "long term" goal (by which I mean, wait for some of the old guard to retire).

[Ralph Damren]

Once you cuss in the presence of a coach/player/fan, you've lost any authority to punish them if they then cuss in front of you. IMHO, the only exception is if you've  someone for cussing, a response to a questioning coach could be : " Coach, #75 said - and I quote, ' #76, you're a f@#%&^g A*&%$#e' "

[bossman72]

Poor game management and efficiency is my #1 pet peeve of HS officials.

1)  Too much time taken between Try and subsequent KO.
2)  WAY too much time taken on penalty enforcement.
3)  R's not making good announcements or refusing to use the mic when the field has one.
4)  Poor ball rotation or not using the proper mechanics (I understand some areas of the country are lucky to have a ball boy sometimes, so this one doesn't apply to all).
5)  Not hustling teams to where they need to be (after kickoff, after time out, before each half).

[VALJ]

My pet peeve is white hats that don't welcome questions and crew members that don't ask them.  I had the opportunity to listen to the pregame meeting of a playoff crew that worked a game in our area last year.  The last thing the white hat said before they took the field was "Remember, do NOT come in here at halftime and ask questions about something that happened in the first or second quarter.  If you have a question, or think something isn't right, ask it right then and there."

This, times about a billion, especially on penalty enforcement.  Penalty administration is the CREW'S responsibility, not just the R's.  Even the brand new official working his first varsity game can save the crew if something doesn't seem right. 

There is no excuse for a lack of knowledge in rules/mechanics.  We're all human, and we're all going to find ourselves out of position, or having a brain cramp.  Those should be the exception, not the rule.

There's also no excuse for a lack of hustle on the football field.  And there's a big difference between hustling and hurrying.  Know the difference, and hustle instead of hurry.

Remember that you're an official from the moment you leave the house in the morning until the moment you get back to the house at night.  If you signal to someone who cuts you off in traffic that he's number one in your book, Murphy's law will apply, and he'll be a parent or one of the players, or work for one of the schools.

[VALJ]

I also agree with Al 100% - something I don't always get to say...  (Kidding with you, Al...)

Regardless of whether the game you're working that night is between two undefeated times playing for the district title, or between two winless teams, that game is the biggest game of the night for those kids, and they deserve the best you've got.  They've worked just as hard all week, and all season.  If you're going to half-IDIOT it because it's not the game that will lead off the highlights, turn back the game so your assigner can get someone there who will give those kids the effort they deserve.

[TxSkyBolt]

My pet peeve is white hats that don't welcome questions and crew members that don't ask them.  I had the opportunity to listen to the pregame meeting of a playoff crew that worked a game in our area last year.  The last thing the white hat said before they took the field was "Remember, do NOT come in here at halftime and ask questions about something that happened in the first or second quarter.  If you have a question, or think something isn't right, ask it right then and there."

Pretty standard advice.




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[AlUpstateNY]

Pretty standard advice.

Unfortunately, some times white hats can come across as "untouchable" and intimidate newer officials who ask legitimate questions.  It's important to remember that the questions should be asked as privately, and respectfully, as possible.  If so, it's an absolute win-win for the White Hat;  either he gets to patiently explain something to a junior official, demonstrating just how well versed he is, or the question serves to bail his butt out of making a mistake, giving him the opportunity to reflect on his decision, and adjust when necessary.

[AlUpstateNY]

Once you cuss in the presence of a coach/player/fan, you've lost any authority to punish them if they then cuss in front of you. IMHO, the only exception is if you've  someone for cussing, a response to a questioning coach could be : " Coach, #75 said - and I quote, ' #76, you're a f@#%&^g A*&%$#e' "

Long ago, working a Pop Warner game in Long Island, one of the teams was sponsored by a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) group.  There was a pass play in the EZ, I flagged for DPI, the young man (12-13 yrs old) who was flagged, directed a long string of invectives at me, that would have made any sailor blush, and I promptly ejected him.

Moving back into position on my sideline, I was approached by a Nun, in the team area, inquiring about what the young man had said to deserve such a harsh penalty.  After a moment of awkward silence, thinking about answering, I suggested she get the details directly from the young man.

[Ralph Damren]

Good point, Al, a Nun would trump a coach in withholding the actual adjectives used. Several years ago this occurred in one of my games....a family affair with the QB's dad the coach and his sister the stats kid :

 (1) Johnny ,the QB, was sacked rather hard by big ole' Bubba #70;
 (2) Johnny got up and announced, " #70, you're a f_____g a_____e " ;
 (3) I  Johnny for USC;
 (4) dad/coach wanted to know what was said;
 (5) I told dad/coach what Johnny said, sister/stats kid was listening;
 (6) sister/stats kid gasped and said, "Dad, Johnny said THAT !"
 (7) dad/coach responded, " Johnny WON'T say that anymore !!"
 (8) backup QB was sent in;
 (9) Johnny spent the remainder of the game on the bench ;
 (10) sister/stats kid knew she would be served first  at the dinner table.

     .....and the band played on.....

  PS : Al, no one has yet voted for the Yankees as WS champs !

[bkdow]

I think one of my biggest pet peeves is an official (usually a senior official) who arrives at a lower level game and feel comfortable enough to take his pants off in the parking lot of the school.  Stands there in his underwear and proceeds to get dressed.  There is a McDonalds down the street....stop there first.  It's either extremely inappropriate or extremely creepy.....I'm not sure which.

[AlUpstateNY]

      .....and the band played on.....

  PS : Al, no one has yet voted for the Yankees as WS champs !

Voting is a sign of a search based on hope and wishful thinking, there's no need to vote for what is expected and obvious (although a little hope and wishful thinking may creep into the equation, and doesn't hurt)

[prab]

I think one of my biggest pet peeves is an official (usually a senior official) who arrives at a lower level game and feel comfortable enough to take his pants off in the parking lot of the school.  Stands there in his underwear and proceeds to get dressed.  There is a McDonalds down the street....stop there first.  It's either extremely inappropriate or extremely creepy.....I'm not sure which.

Now this is one that I have never seen!  However, I don't, doubt for even one minute, that it has happened exactly the way you describe.

[HLinNC]

feel comfortable enough to take his pants off in the parking lot of the school.  Stands there in his underwear and proceeds to get dressed.

You sir, have obviously never worked LL baseball at a rural, satellite field.  Granted, back before tights and compression gear I wore longjohn's under my gray pants so it wasn't like a peep show.  Its hard to get those shin guards on and straight by pulling up your pant legs.

I always said you knew a true Little League mom because she wasn't fazed by seeing a grown man in the parking lot wearing long handle underwear in the middle of June.

Before we switched to the black pants, I always wore a pair of white gym shorts under the knickers to tuck in my shirt to hide the stripes.

THAT would be a pet peeve IF we still wore knickers.

[Tom.OH]

I think one of my biggest pet peeves is an official (usually a senior official) who arrives at a lower level game and feel comfortable enough to take his pants off in the parking lot of the school.  Stands there in his underwear and proceeds to get dressed.  There is a McDonalds down the street....stop there first.  It's either extremely inappropriate or extremely creepy.....I'm not sure which.

I did see this happen once. As you said a "senior" official. It was at a rural school and at least he parked by the corn field so no one saw him but me (he was my ride).


Another peeve is when the runner goes OOB and the official winds the clock. I have only seen in lower level games and if I can I will ask the official if he has a date tonight and if he is going to rush through the game.

[SCHSref]

When training new officials, don't discourage the throwing of a flag.  That confuses them when they are trying to make sure they are enforcing the rules.  They'll learn in the sub-varisty contests and on-the-job training with the white hat.

[bama_stripes]

(1)  BE ON TIME.  If you're going to be unavoidably late, CALL ME.  Otherwise, you can meet us at the field.

(2)  Be willing to take constructive criticism.

(3)  Appearance.  Hey, they already hate us -- don't give 'em more ammunition.

[AlUpstateNY]

Another peeve is when the runner goes OOB and the official winds the clock. I have only seen in lower level games and if I can I will ask the official if he has a date tonight and if he is going to rush through the game.

Unfortunately, dating is no longer an issue, but in our area we encourage wing officials to signal "winding the clock", when a play ends close to the sideline, and the play has been determined to have ended in-bounds, to avoid any confusion, doubt or hesitation regarding the clock.

Although no signal stopping the clock sends the same message, it is not as affirmative and instantaneous as a simple wind. Sometimes redundancy can be a lesser evil than doubt or uncertainty.