Advice for new LJ

[refsmitty]

I get tired of Varsity receivers asking me every play of they are on or off. I try to tell them that if they are off I'll punch - yet they ask me every time by pointing at me.

What advice do you linesmen have at that level of football.

Do you answer them each and every time? Am I required to do that to be a good official?

[ECILLJ]

Answer them each and every time. They are instructed by their coaches to ask you. Lighten up, it's only a game and they are young men looking up to you.

[SanDiegoStryker]

If they ask you then yes, answer them. Yes, every time. Is it really that hard? I think it's just good communication. I think that good communication is one of the most required things of a good official. We need to have good communication with our crew, good communication with coaches, and yes, even good communication with players.

[bama_stripes]

In our area, for varsity games, we don't tell them whether they're on or off.  We "give 'em a foot" that shows where the LOS is.  It's up to them to adjust to "the foot".

For subvarsity, we're a little more proactive.

[stevegarbs]

I always answer them.  With due respect to 'bama, and I have this argument with my own L across the line, I think the whole "I am the line" stuff is a waste of time that is not good preventive officiating.  Never tell them to move up or back, of course, but tell them if they are "on the line" or "off the line."

[mbyron]

I get tired of Varsity receivers asking me every play of they are on or off.

If this is really a big issue for you, then my advice is: work in the middle.

Seriously, as others have said, wings get used to saying "you're on" or "you're off" (never "you're OK," which assumes we know where he's supposed to be) for virtually every down.

[TampaSteve]

More often than not, those asking are asking if they are ON.
A simple 'you're on' satisfies that.
Generally, if their intent is to be off they will give a "thumbing a ride" signal" & when a V kid sees the punch back he knows.

If the small coaching opportinity is ever there, say when we're on a line, I'll say, "the ball is right on the line. Look at the ball, look at you, look at me."

[NWA_UMP]

If they ask, I answer everytime...but I also instruct them to give me a fist forward or backwards telling me where they are supposed to be lined up. I tell them I will move them if I need to based on the signal they give me...I also give 'em a foot as well telling them where the LOS is located. We only move them if they are lined up in the NZ...advantage/disadvantage.

Really not that hard...

[Curious]

Answer....yes! 

Most of the time the question, however, is: "Am I good?  To which I reply: "I have no idea if you're any good; but you're on/off the line". 

OR;

"Am I okay?"  To which my answer is: "Where are you SUPPOSED TO BE?"

Kidding aside, the more you can get them to tell you where they're supposed to be lined up, the easier the communication and the easier on you. 

[Atlanta Blue]

Our receivers are instructed to ask, "Am I on the line, sir?" or "Am I off the line, sir?".  95% of officials will answer.

[110]

At the low levels, I'll do a lot of early season coaching. "Hey, 14 - are you supposed to be on the line? Step up son ..." and then take 'em aside afterwards, chat with the white cap, offensive captain, coach, whatever might be needed to help 'em get it right. In pee wee games, kids are often playing at the game for the first time, and they need that help ...

At varsity and above, I will only tell a receiver if he's "on" or "off" if they ask or make a gesture to me. I'll do it loud, clear, every time. Never say a player is "good" or "OK" - just whether they are on the line. "I see you as ON", with the latter word slow and loud, so that if I say "I see you as OFF the line," the different word, and the different length of the phrase acts as a trigger.
If I see something amiss, early in the season (six on the line) I might say "86, I see you as OFF the line" after the first statement, just to ensure they realize what I see - but remember, sometimes, illegal formations ain't the fault of the receiver: a guy playing tight end has his head in the clouds, didn't check in, forgot to tell the coach he's injured, his sub didn't report, whatevah ...

[FBUmp]

In our area, for varsity games, we don't tell them whether they're on or off.  We "give 'em a foot" that shows where the LOS is.  It's up to them to adjust to "the foot".

Agreed.  Our referees tell coaches in pre-game that we give them a foot for the LOS and that we will punch back if they are off.    We don't get into discussions with kids because kids will always say, "The ref said..." when THEY screw up.

[bama_stripes]

Living in the South probably adds to the confusion, but the problem we were having with "I'm on - I'm off" is that they sound so much alike, especially with a mouthpiece in.

[refsmitty]

Thanks guys - In my quest to be a good official - that is what I will do. Good feedback!

[wheel75]

Never, ever tell them to move.  Offer "the foot" and tell them "you're on the line" or "you're in the backfield" (or similar) but never "move up" or "move back."  I think it's OK to say "you're on" or "you're a back" each and every down.

[VALJ]

I know I'm late to this party, but I have to say - I've used this same response...

Most of the time the question, however, is: "Am I good?  To which I reply: "I have no idea if you're any good; but you're on/off the line". 

In all seriousness, I'll tell them "I have you on the line" or "I have you in the backfield."  I don't know for sure where they're supposed to be - though I can usually guess - so I'm not going to tell him "yes" unless he indicates to me whether he's supposed to be on or off.

And I always answer the question myself - I'd rather talk to the kid than throw a cheap illegal formation foul.  Matter of fact, with multiple receivers I've been known to say "nobody's on, nobody's on" since I don't know which one of them is supposed to be.

[Magician]

Early in the game put them where they are supposed to be if they are close.  It's usually not hard to figure out.  I also tell the end, "if you are off my arm is up, if you are on my arm is down, if you are over you will see a flag (with a joking voice)".  I tell them I have to communicate that to the wing on the opposite side of the field and they are welcome to eavesdrop.

I will use my voice if necessary but this typically works.  The guys inside the end usually need help by voice.

[GoodScout]

As an umpire who occasionally works H on JV games, I find the question nothing short of staggering. Why would you NOT want to constantly be communicating with the players? I'm a veritable chatterbox in the middle, complimenting players for sportsmanship as they unpile carefully, reminding them to stay off snappers, for blockers to "watch their hands," telling captains to calm problem players down.

The more you interact with the players, the more they know you're there and thus the less likely they are to think they can gain an advantage by breaking a rule.

The previous arguments on preventative officiating are spot-on. When I'm on the wing with a team that likes to throw, I probably say "You are on the line" or "You are off the line" four dozen times. Is that an inconvenience? Far less than having to deal with a whining sideline coach. And truth be told, I'd much rather be chatting with the players!

I think those who are quoting Stripes and saying "Lighten Up, Francis" are giving you good advice.

[James]

GoodScout ++

I like what you said - I try to also chatter to the players in the middle. 'Push off the ground not the man' is another I say a lot.
On the sideline, either a nod for on or a punch back for off, or saying ON and OFF is enough.

Heck if I am reffing deep I'm always mumbling to myself the numbers of my key(s) and their opponent, so I'm always trying to talk to someone!

[WVABJ1807]

I just moved off of the wing this year because a guy left our crew, but i have always been a true wing official.  On Friday nights,  There is no asking me if you are on the line.  Its very simple, if i punch you forward, stop, if i punch you backwards, keep going until i punch you forward.  If i punch you back and you are not suppose to be on the line, then dont move.  My job is not to coach the kids, the last time i checked i was an official.  I have too many other things to worry about.  I have 7 on the line, people going in motion, the sideline to deal with.  I am not coaching this kid.  When he points at me as if to ask me,"Am I on?"  A simple punch is all I have ever done.  Its worked out very well.  Never had any complaints.

[NewRef10]

I don't mind telling wideouts if they are on or off, but it does get aggravating when a defensive player asks me.  I will be asked "am I good?"... good for what? You're a defensive back!