top 10 crew mechanics

[concordref]

hey, fellow officials, I am hoping all of you can help me and my crew on the following topic.  If you had to list the top 10 mechanics for officials working a high school football game, what would they be.  Now my crew have been together for the last 5 years or so, and we are pretty comfortable with where each of us should be on any type of play,  but we are at the point where we really need to kick it up a notch, and we thought that would be a great place to start.  Perhaps I should have put this under general discussion, but since we work only NFHS rules, i thought I should start here.  I hope everyone understands what I am trying to ask.  Thanks!

[AlUpstateNY]

I don't know if they would be the top 10 mechanics, but I'd start with;(in no particular order)

1. Back up each other.
2. hustle, but don't hurry.
3. Get to games, meetings, earlier than later.
4. Accept that no matter how much you know, you still have plenty to learn.
5. There are more than one way to "skin a cat", and although your way might work great for you, there might actually be someone else's way that works better.
6. The only people at a game, that you can truly rely on, wear stripes just like yours.
7. Treat everyone with respect, and EXPECT to be treated likewise.
8. We have two ears and only one mouth for a reason.
9. When criticism is truly constructive, it isn't criticism.
10. What we do requires hard work, serious preparation and absolute attention, but it's a hell of a lot of fun when you do it right.

[fbrefga]

Great list Al.  Here are some additional thoughts that I discuss with my crew; and in no particular order.  (I  will try to avoid redundancy).

1.  Approach each game as though it is the most important game; no matter the level.  It is to the players, whether it is a middle school, JV or varsity game.
2.  Know your keys.  Put yourself in position to see the play and make the correct call, if needed.
3.  See the entire action that may result in a foul.  Do not guess!
4.  If you throw a flag, be certain to get the player's number.
5.  Communicate, communicate, and then communicate.  communicate with the players (preventive officiating); communicate with your fellow officials (verbal and non-verbal); communicate with the head coaches when appropriate.
6.  Focus: put aside our thoughts from work, home, etc., for a few hours.
7.  Have rules knowledge, but understand how and when to apply that knowledge.
8.  Keep yourself in reasonable shape.  We are not body builders, but we need to "look the part" and maintain a reasonably healthy diet.  My U had a heart attack last September with subsequent quadruple bypass (at 43 years of age).  He is coming back this season.  We never know when we may officiate our last game.
9.  Be confident but not arrogant.  (Sorry, this one is redundant).
10. Last but not least, have FUN!  If you are not having fun, then why officiate at all?

There are probably other aspects and my list is no way conclusive.

Best of luck with your season and your crew!

[GAHSUMPIRE]

One of my mentors told me there are only 2 things you need to do to be successful as an official:

1. See the ball.
2. Have a ball.

#1 can mean a lot of things- be in the right place at the right time to make the right call; make sure the ball is in possession of a player on the ground before you blow the whistle;inbounds/out of bounds; catch/no catch; does the potential foul affect the play; etc.

#2 - we put a lot of work into this avocation, but if you're doing it right, it doesn't feel like work at all.

         

[RickKY]

1.  Know the rules
2.  Know the mechanics
3.  Know your keys
4.  Be professional in behavior, appearance and demeanor
5.  Communicate
6.  Concentrate
7.  Hustle
8.  Be physically fit
9.  Always arrive on time or early, never late
10.  Have fun

[30 ft man]

look/feel good,be focused,keys,mechanics,position,concentrate,MIBT,preventive officiating,hustle,KISS

[VALJ]

See the ball in the possession of the runner on the ground before blowing the whistle.

[TampaSteve]

I would add "relax" as a derivative to 'have fun.'
True, we want to do a good job, but don't get too wrapped up in the game. 
It's just a game and we're there to call it - no more, no less.
(if this makes sense in a written format)

[busman]

Most addressed attitude and game prep.  On the field, I would add this list:
1.  See the ball twice before blowing it dead.
2.  One whistle kills the play.  We don't need echos.
3.  Spots should always be with the forward foot - the one closest to the goal line of the team trying to score.
4.  If you don't have the spot or the foul, and the flag is on your side of the field, cover it for your crewmate.
5.  If you don't have the spot, get a ball.
6.  No one signals TD unless they are standing on the goal line.
7.  Keep your sidelines clear.  If one of you do and the other doesn't, it makes his job twice as tough.
8.  We don't gather during timeouts unless the R calls you in.  If we do, they can get us all with one grenade.
9.  Everyone has a job on a measurement.
10.  We will leave the field immediately after the last play, preferrably together and quickly.  No handshakes, no high fives, no visiting with coaches.

[RickKY]

Busman's list is quite good.  I would add another item:

#11 - Count 11 on every down and get agreement from your crewmate on 11 players.

[jg-me]

Signals always look better when you're standing still. Stop - Pause - give your signal.

[Bob M.]

REPLY: For the wings...learn to use cross-field mechanics (if you haven't incorporated them yet)

[Livin' in the pit]

I'd add a couple, but this may be fudged by different mechanics.

When reporting penalties, stay near the head referee to ensure he/she has the number of the player. We'll probably get everything else right, but that way even if we have a .... uh... uh.... brainfart, you're there to help us.

Let the R know what the heck happened on a downfield passing play. His/her job is to ensure the Q isn't murdered, not watch the ball.

[concordref]

To the officials that answered my challenge to them:
Thanks so much for all of your top 10 mechanics that you feel good officials must know and do while on the field.   I plan on incorporating those that maybe we do not do enough into our pregame somehow this season.  This is the best officiating board for getting great answers to officiating questions.  Thanks again!!

[RickKY]

I'd add a couple, but this may be fudged by different mechanics.

When reporting penalties, stay near the head referee to ensure he/she has the number of the player. We'll probably get everything else right, but that way even if we have a .... uh... uh.... brainfart, you're there to help us.

Let the R know what the heck happened on a downfield passing play. His/her job is to ensure the Q isn't murdered, not watch the ball.

Report penalties including:  
Who, what, where, when AND ball status when foul occured
Ball status is:  while ball is loose, during the kick, during the run, before the pass, while the pass was in the air, after change of possession, etc.