Pre-Game Conference with Coaches

[SCFOA16]

6th year official working my first varsity game as a white hat this Friday and was wondering if anyone had a checklist/cheat sheet they use when speaking with coaches during pre-game? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Ralph Damren]

Welcome to the forum, SCFOA16, I hope you find it both enjoyable and informative. When meeting with the coaches, I'll usually follow the following :

 Go to home coach first, ask fellow officials to introduce themselves; Then ask :

  (1) Are all of your players legally equipted;
  (2) who are your captains and the name of your speaking captain;
  (3) is there a health care professional on your staff?
  (4) May we see the game balls you want us to approve?
  (5)The ticking game clock will hit 0:00 10 minutes before game time & and intros
      will begin;
  (6) Do you run reverses on kickoffs or punts, or have any trick plays that we can
       be ready for?
  (7) This official (HL /LJ) will be on your sideline and this official (BJ) will be timing
       the DOG and watching the O-coach for possible TO;
  (8) "Coach, every night is a great night to play football, let's have fun."

I don't bring up the NFHS Sportsmanship code, as have the head coach come out for the coin toss with their captains , and do it there. the coaches will shake hands with each other and the opposing captains and then return to their sidelines. Your state may require the sportsmanship question to be asked in the above meeting.

Good luck, hope this helps.

[FLAHL]

Good list Ralph.

In FL, we are required to give an official's time out for water at the first clock stoppage after 6:30 in each quarter.  I remind them of this, and clarify that even if they call a TO at 6:35 (or 6:25), we will stop for water at the next clock stoppage.

 Your state may require the sportsmanship question to be asked in the above meeting.

Before the coin toss, I read word-for-word the preprinted card that the FHSAA provides regarding sportsmanship and jewelry.  If anyone is interested in the whole thing, let me know.

[sir55]

Welcome to the ranks of the R position. Depending on what your state or association requires, these topics are discussed at the pregame: If game time is 7, at about 6:30, if required, the game Administrator from the home team will welcome the coaches and explain about security, medical/trainer, sportsmanship, and his location if needed during the game. When GA leaves, exchange the official cards to each HC which lists the names and positions of the officials. Ask the BJ to give the official time. If early in the season, remind the coaches of important rule changes. Ask if all players are properly equipped according to State or FED rules; If non district, will a tie be played and how it will be played; Ask who the T/O coach and Fight coach are going to be; Remind them to help the wing officials keep the restricted area clear when the ball is live. If your state requires, remind them that from August to end of September, a heat time out will take place near the 6 minute mark of each quarter; ask how long the half time will be and where the teams will be at half time; Let the coaches know that an official will come to their dressing rooms at 3:00 minutes before half time ends to let them know to wrap up; If your state requires it, have visiting coach call the coin toss and remind winner of toss what his options are. After the coaches are dismissed, I have my FJ and BJ go to their coaches to get captain names, plays they are going to run or things seen on film to watch for. They will let me know if the HC needs to talk to me about anything else. Otherwise, the crew is taking care of their other pregame duties. Good luck and have fun. Just don't over think the position. If they didn't think you could do it, you would not get the assignment.

[OHref71]

I have also gotten into the habit of asking for the QBs name and number so I can tell talk to him like Jack wait for my whistle or if late in a half Jack clock will start on ready or Jack clock will start on snap

[Rulesman]

I don't believe we should be on a first name basis with any player.  Coaches, maybe, depending on the relationship, but not players.

[TxSkyBolt]

As a U I always need the snappers first name. Players respond to their name much more positively than their number.


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[Ironhead17]

The SCFOA mechanics manual has all you need to get that meeting done effectively.

[bossman72]

I have a card that I fill out for each coach.  I print these on index cards.


Team:

Head Coach:

Captain:

Captain:

Captain:

Captain:

QB________ K________ P_________  (This is for Right or Left handed/footed)

QB Name:  (I like to address the QB's by their first name - helps get their attention)

Run no-huddle?

Intentionally cover up the TE/WR?

Unusual plays?

Any equipment for Umpire?

Time we will get you in locker room: ________

(Talking points)

 Penalty options - straight to you for option.

 Something happens - get you the info during first natural break.

 Talk during breaks in action.

 Side line help.

[FLAHL]

I don't ask for the captains numbers anymore because I don't need them.  They all show up for the coin toss  , and I go straight to the coach for penalty decisions.  Am I missing something?

[bama_stripes]

I don't ask for the captains numbers anymore because I don't need them.  They all show up for the coin toss  , and I go straight to the coach for penalty decisions.  Am I missing something?

Seems efficient to me.  (Many coaches still give me the numbers, even if I don't ask!)

[Ralph Damren]

I don't believe we should be on a first name basis with any player.  Coaches, maybe, depending on the relationship, but not players.

I'm only interested in the last name of the speaking captain as I feel it gives him a feeling of pride and leadership if addressed as such.  After the coaches are sent back to their sidelines, I'll usually give the following speech to the captains:

    "Gentlemen, you were elected captains not necessarily because of your athletic abilities, but because of your leadership skills. Can we ask you to help us in keeping your teammates under control tonight?"

   Captains all  usually respond : "Ayah, 'specter so, ref."

   To visitors speaking captain : " Captain JONES, I'm about to flip a silver dollar, do you want heads
   or tails....."    You guys know the rest

During the game, I've found their response is better if addressed as : Captain Jones, I need your opinion on the penalty options." than "git a captain ore' here."
   

[scrounge]

I don't believe we should be on a first name basis with any player.  Coaches, maybe, depending on the relationship, but not players.

I don't either, but we're clearly in the dwindling minority, it seems.

[Rulesman]

I don't either, but we're clearly in the dwindling minority, it seems.

It's called respect. You show them respect and they'll show you respect. We're there to do a job. We're not there to be their buddy.  I'm Ok with Captain Jones. I have an issue with calling him by his first name. Make it to the NFL and then you can go that route.

[Ralph Damren]

It's called respect. You show them respect and they'll show you respect. We're there to do a job. We're not there to be their buddy.  I'm Ok with Captain Jones. I have an issue with calling him by his first name. Make it to the NFL and then you can go that route.

"Hey, Tommy; ya' sure there is enough air in that football???"

[VALJ]

"Hey, Tommy; ya' sure there is enough air in that football???"

You know, I ask every ballboy when I'm approving footballs pre-game if they're trying to slip a Tom Brady football in on me. Never fails to get a chuckle.

[TxSkyBolt]

I'll usually give the following speech to the captains:

    "Gentlemen, you were elected captains not necessarily because of your athletic abilities, but because of your leadership skills. Can we ask you to help us in keeping your teammates under control tonight?"

I used to give this speech. Then I realized they are so focused on the choice their coach asked them to make, they're not paying attention to what I say.


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[FatboyHL]

They may or may not know at the time of the conference, however I like to ask and make a note on my card of their choice if winning the toss.  I look at those notes right before we walk out.  I too am focused on the task at hand and try to avoid a long speech to the players at the toss. 

[AlUpstateNY]

I used to give this speech. Then I realized they are so focused on the choice their coach asked them to make, they're not paying attention to what I say.

I agree it's important to get their attention.  You might try, "Gentlemen, I'm going to expect you to keep your players under control. It will be a lot less expensive if you take care of that, rather than me getting involved."

[SCHSref]

My favorite is when you ask for the game balls to be appr9ved (only one by rule), they give you one and then say, "this ia the kicking ball".  I chuckle and grin

[bossman72]

I used to give this speech. Then I realized they are so focused on the choice their coach asked them to make, they're not paying attention to what I say.


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Exactly!  They aren't listening to you.

[BIG UMP]

My list is a little shorter than Ralph's.

  (1) Are all of your players legally equipped and your equipment legal according to Federation Rules?
  (2) Do you have a health care professional here?
  (3) May we see the game balls you want us to approve?
  (4) This is a list of your officials tonight and this official (HL /LJ) will be on your sideline
  (5) Is you QB right handed and kickers right footed?
  (6) Do you have anything for us?

Now in Tennessee we have an administrator's meeting with both HCs, Game Administration, Game Security and the R.  The game administrator does his thing there and I talk about sportsmanship, the safety zone (restricted area) and half time length there.

For the coin toss,

(1) Welcome back to Friday night football.
(2) You're the visiting captains, I have a coin, football for heads an center for tails, please call it now and if I drop it I'll flip it again.

[SouthGARef]

1. Crew card, I'll point out officials on his sideline.

2. Are your players legally and properly equipped? (Coaches in GA now have a card to sign)

3. Numbers of your captains? (I don't really care because I use coaches for penalties, but everyone does it)

4. Any casts that the umpire needs to check?

5. Kickers right footed? QB right handed? (With the evolution of Hudl I usually know this anyway)

6. Any trick plays or anything else you would like to make us aware of?

7. Approve the game balls.

That's it. Get in, get out. They've got a job to do. I think it also looks bad when we talk to them for too long.

Should mention that the wing officials on each sideline in GA are required to introduce themselves and ask the head coach if he'll be calling timeouts. Those officials will typically also ask if the team has a "get back" coach. The line judge will also ask the head coach who the game manager is if he doesn't already know so he can check for a lightning detector.