Beginning Ref.

[pitts3428]

I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks

[Flattail]

Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics!!!

[LAZebra]

Someone will be along shortly to say "Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2!"  In addition to that, if your association does not have a mentor program seek out a mentor on your own; someone with experience and a reputation for excellence who is considered to be fairly easy to get along with.

[Chester]

Develop a presnap routine.  Never deviate from it and make it simple.  At one point in your career if you have a good presnap routine you will save the crew's bacon.

Mine is: clock, down and distance, count, keys, concentrate. 

[El Macman]

Be patient, and that is on several levels:
-American Football has the most complicated set of rules of all team sports in the world. You will always be learning rules, and refreshing your memory on rules, over your entire career (especially the way rules change every year). You must know rules. To that end, you must be constantly diligent in their study. But, no one expects you to be expert in your first season, or second, or third... Get there as quickly as you can, but don't expect that it will come quickly or easily.
-If you have aspirations of working at the NCAA or NFL levels, be really patient. It will be some years before you are in a position to make any kind of a move like that. Be willing to work anywhere, any time, and don't be concerned about how much it pays. Just do it. That takes sacrifice. Family is #1, no question. But, you will find yourself in positions requiring you to miss a birthday or an anniversary from time to time. You have to find a way to compensate, IF YOU WANT IT. If you can't, or choose not to, no one will think less of you. Just don't complain about why you aren't 'there.' And just because you get invited to work a college scrimmage or something, don't expect that you'll get the call the next season. You may have to work that circuit for quite a few years before the stars align just right for you. But, you won't even be in the heavens if you don't perservere. Patience. Perservence. Practice.

Be happy. No one likes the guy that complains and whines. If you find yourself in that trap, just think about the guys in Iraq or Afghanistan that are getting shot at to protect your liberty to be a football official on Friday nights in the fall. They'd love to trade places with you. You don't have it so rough.

Have fun. That means differnt things to each of us, but find your way to have fun, while being professional.

Now, go forth and officiate.

[elewis023]

I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks

First off, WELCOME!!  This is a great avocation.  If I stopped officiating right now, I'd still have many friends and stories to remember for years. 

Like the guys above have said:  Know your position mechanics.  Hustle but don't rush.  Read rule 2.  Be patient.  Be a sponge for knowledge.  Find a mentor.  Gravitate to the guys that are positive (negativity breeds contempt).  Understand that will not get rich doing this.

You can have a lot of fun around this game.  Just remember to be professional when in the public eye. 

Have fun.

[HLinNC]

SNAPS!

Work as many games as you can possibly stand/handle/want.

[Osric Pureheart]

One step at a time. 

You start with a bit of book learning and no practical experience.  The first time you get on the field, just worry about learning how to move properly and how to do absolutely basic things like finding and blowing your whistle when you need it, holding your spot,calling the down, doing player counts, etc.

Then, after a game or two, you will find that you're starting to do some of those things without thinking about them, because you've committed them to muscle memory.  Once you do that, cross them off the things you need to add, and bring in something that's slightly more advanced (for example, if you go to a wing position, you might start with moving safely, observing the runner, and holding your spot; then concentrate on giving better progress spots; and then finally work on not getting tunnel vision on the runner and watching what's going on around him before picking up the runner as defenders close in on him).  If you regress somewhere, concentrate on it until it becomes automatic again.

One step at a time.  Get some base skills, focus on them until you can do them automatically, then add some more on top.  Get them automatic, then add some more, and then some more, and so on and so forth.

[VALJ]

Welcome to the family, pitts.  I've enjoyed my last 9 seasons of football more than just about anything I've ever done.

Someone will be along shortly to say "Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2,Read Rule 2!"  In addition to that, if your association does not have a mentor program seek out a mentor on your own; someone with experience and a reputation for excellence who is considered to be fairly easy to get along with.

As LAZebra said - read rule 2.  Then read it again.  Then read it again, and again, and again.  When in doubt on something to study, read rule 2.

Get as many snaps as possible.  Preseason scrimmages are a great opportunity to get your feet wet, and to pick the brains of some veterans.  My association usually assigns everyone to 2-3 scrimmages, and I always make it a point to just show up at a couple more, just to get some more practice.

Remember that officiating isn't just about what happens between the lines, especially if you're working a wing.  This is a people business as well.  How you handle the coaches can often make the difference between a smooth game, and a nightmare.

And most of all, HAVE FUN!

Edit, because I forgot one.  The rulebook is written in black and white; football is played in shades of gray.  The more shades of gray that you can see, the better job that you'll do.  The old axiom "you could call holding every play" may not be 100% accurate, but it's pretty darn close.  Learn to think of advantage before throwing the flag - when the play is a sweep to the right side, and the wide receiver grabs a hold of the cornerback's jersey all the way over on the left sideline, how much of an effect does it have on the play?  Note: this does not apply to any fouls that are related to safety - there's a difference between a hold and a clip or a block in the back.

[With_Two_Flakes]

A lot of folks think that officiating is all about running around, blowing a whistle and throwing flags.

Running around.
As has already been said above - mechanics, mechanics! Get your mentor to explain:-
 o  how he wants you to move  -side to side, backwards, forwards, etc
 o  when he wants you to move - often the right way is not to move at all, simply stand still and let the play develop
 o  where he wants you to move - the most common rookie mistake is moving too far, too fast

Blowing a whistle.
Only blow your whistle when the play is over in YOUR area. We all use real loud whistles nowadays such as the Fox40 or Acme Thunderer, so there is no need for everyone to be blowing a play dead. Get into the habit of NOT using it when it is someone else's area, get into the habit of NOT even having it in your mouth. Some folks use a finger whistle, some a wrist lanyard, some a neck lanyard, figure out what works best for you. But don't be running around with it in your mouth - this ain't b-ball!
If you do, you hugely increase your chances of blowing an inadvertent whistle. Once you have 20 years under your belt then maybe you can safely keep it in your mouth.

Throwing flags.
Sometimes the best call you will make all game will be the call you decide not to flag. Learn to be as pleased with that as you are with the call that you do flag.
Like all of us when we started, you will go through 3 stages,
Stage 1 - it's all a blur and you see nothing.
Stage 2 - it slows down and you start to see things and you flag all of them.
Stage 3 - you start to consider whether what you saw is worth a flag. Was it a player safety issue? Was it at the point of attack?

[JasonTX]

Lots of great advice already given.  One thing I will add is a very common rookie mistake.  When the play starts they put their eyes on the ball and follow it anywhere it goes, sort of like a fan does.  It is our job to watch the players and only look at the ball when it is neccesary.  The ball itself cannot commit a foul, but a player can.

[elewis023]

Lots of great advice already given.  One thing I will add is a very common rookie mistake.  When the play starts they put their eyes on the ball and follow it anywhere it goes, sort of like a fan does.  It is our job to watch the players and only look at the ball when it is neccesary.  The ball itself cannot commit a foul, but a player can.

Excellent point.  As a downfield guy, some plays I have no idea what happened, unless the play takes a long time to develop or involves my key.  If you are not the primary official, stay wide and clean up.  There will probably be 2 sets of eyes on the runner and lead blockers, so someone (off-side officials) needs to watch the rest of them.

[george7244]

remember when you walk on the field that the game is just as important to the 7th graders as it is to the 12th graders so act professional to every level and remember you ain't a coach.

[BackJudge4Life]

Quick story: My first game I was Back Judge.  I didn't have any action the entire game until late in the game.  It was 4th and forever in a blowout game.  The pass was deep and I was all over it.  I threw my flag for Pass Interference because I felt like I hadn't done anything the whole game and I wanted my crew members to know I wasn't afraid to make a tough call.  BIG MISTAKE!   
Keep in mind, even when you don't throw your flag, you're still making a call!

[LarryW60]

Blowing a whistle.
Only blow your whistle when the play is over in YOUR area. We all use real loud whistles nowadays such as the Fox40 or Acme Thunderer, so there is no need for everyone to be blowing a play dead. Get into the habit of NOT using it when it is someone else's area, get into the habit of NOT even having it in your mouth. Some folks use a finger whistle, some a wrist lanyard, some a neck lanyard, figure out what works best for you. But don't be running around with it in your mouth - this ain't b-ball!
If you do, you hugely increase your chances of blowing an inadvertent whistle. Once you have 20 years under your belt then maybe you can safely keep it in your mouth.

I don't know about this one.  After trying to use a lanyard whistle my first year with it flopping around and having to figure out where it ended up after the play, I've keeping it in my mouth for the last five years.  It seems to be working as I don't have any more IW's than anyone else and NONE in the last couple of years.  You just have to have a little discipline and realize the whistle isn't needed a millisecond after the play is over.  You can take the time to process what's happening before blowing the whistle.

In short, if you want to run around with the whistle in your mouth, you need to be more aware of the situation than the officials running around with finger whistles.  They can use the time it takes to get their hand to their mouth to process whether to blow or not.  Having the whistle already in your mouth eliminates that processing time so you need to add time into your post-play routine to "process before you blow". If you're keeping the whistle in your mouth to blow the whistle quicker, then you're doing it for the wrong reason and will likely have a spate of IW's.

[El Macman]

I don't know about this one.  After trying to use a lanyard whistle my first year with it flopping around and having to figure out where it ended up after the play, I've keeping it in my mouth for the last five years.  It seems to be working as I don't have any more IW's than anyone else and NONE in the last couple of years.  You just have to have a little discipline and realize the whistle isn't needed a millisecond after the play is over.  You can take the time to process what's happening before blowing the whistle.

In short, if you want to run around with the whistle in your mouth, you need to be more aware of the situation than the officials running around with finger whistles.  They can use the time it takes to get their hand to their mouth to process whether to blow or not.  Having the whistle already in your mouth eliminates that processing time so you need to add time into your post-play routine to "process before you blow". If you're keeping the whistle in your mouth to blow the whistle quicker, then you're doing it for the wrong reason and will likely have a spate of IW's.

I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.

[rickref]

All the advice so far is very good and there will be more to come. Keep using all of us to learn from. I have been on here quite a long time. I do not always contribute but I read everyday and pick something up. You will be learning everyday until you retire which I hope for you is a long tme from now. One thing I learned is you have to have short term memeory during a game. If you feel you made a mistake you have to move on and not dwell on it.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. You already are starting this process. You need documents and presentations for mechanics. You need a rule book. You need mentors and local guys who can help you. Get involved! Get in on scrimmages. You need snaps. You need a lot of them. Rememebr your doing this for fun but we have a repsonsibility to the communities we officiate to do the absolute best job we can do. You will make mistakes and thats ok. What you do with that is what will make you good. Learn from everything you do good or bad. What si not ok is teh mistakes you make from lack or preparation. One thing I can always tell on newer guys when they first work with me in a game is how they have prepared.

[fbrefga]

I will just add that you need to treat every game as though it is the most important game, no matter the age level.  Whether you are working a youth league game for 9-10 year olds, a middle school game or a JV game; that game is extremely important to the players.  They have practiced and prepared for that game.  It is our duty to provide the best services possible.  That does not mean we nit-pick.  That means that we use our knowledge, mechanics and discretion to provide for a safe and fair contest.  With all that, make certain that you have fun!   

[Osric Pureheart]

I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.

The other reason to keep your whistle out of your mouth unless you're blowing it is that if some clod-hopping lineman or assistant coach runs into you, the whistle is suddenly transformed into an excellent device for knocking your teeth out...

[LarryW60]

I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many. Using a lanyard, or, less advisable, a finger whistle, dramatically improves your chances or never having an IW.

Wow.  Look, guys!  Someone who's NEVER had an IW because he doesn't keep his whistle in his mouth!
Give me a break!  Keeping the whistle on a lanyard or wedged on your pinkie has nothing to do with completely preventing IW's or I'd be the only one who's EVER gotten them!  Now I don't actually BELIEVE you've never had an IW (or two, or three), but you sure sounded sanctimonious enough to SOUND like that's what you're implying.  Excuse me while I dump your self-righteous B.S. in the toilet where it belongs.

"They are the kiss of death"?!?  Exaggerate much?  They're embarassing, sure.  They cause you to affect a play, sure.  But I don't know of ANY official who was executed for blowing an IW.  Heck I know people who've had IW's who subsequently work state tournament finals.  "Kiss of death?"  Only in a perfect world where mistakes are unheard of.  I don't live in that world.  Do you?

[Grant - AR]

"They are the kiss of death"?!?  Exaggerate much?  They're embarassing, sure.  They cause you to affect a play, sure.  But I don't know of ANY official who was executed for blowing an IW.  Heck I know people who've had IW's who subsequently work state tournament finals.  "Kiss of death?"  Only in a perfect world where mistakes are unheard of.  I don't live in that world.  Do you?

I know of guys who have been fired for IWs.  That's pretty much the kiss of death in officiating.

[BackJudge4Life]

I remember one time I went to put my whistle in my mouth before the snap and a bug flew in my mouth at the same time, and of course the snap happened right then too.  I'm sure I looked adorable trying to spit out the bug and the whistle at the same time without blowing it.

[Chester]

I know of guys who have been fired for IWs.  That's pretty much the kiss of death in officiating.

I would hope there were some other factors that went in to the firing of these guys you refer to.  Otherwise, that supervisor has a quick trigger. 

[Etref]

I just went to my very first football officials meeting.I'm looking for some help on being a new official.Please share your experiences and what you think is the most important things to concentrate on early on? Thanks

Back on track....

One of the best things you can do is find a mentor(s). Then listen to everyone who will say anything about football and officiating. Whatever they say, good or bad, tell them thank you with a smile. Then go back to your mentor and find out if the advice was indeed good or bad. Many times that person who told you something can help  you advance. They may have given wrong information for a variety of reasons. They may have simply not seen or heard what you said or did fully. Do not argue or try to give an excuse because that gives them the wrong impression. Simply tell them thanks and continue on but then check out with your mentor(s)

[VALJ]

I do know about this one. Keep the whistle out of your mouth unless you are actually sounding it. It is not only possible, but immeasureably superior, to carry it in your hand during the down. " I don't have any more IW's than anyone else " ain't acceptable. IWs are unacceptable - period. They are the kiss of death. If you have ONE in a career, that's one too many.

While I agree with Macman's comments that an IW isn't acceptable - any official that tells you he hasn't had an inadvertent whistle is either a brand new official, or he's lying.