Thinking about doing youth football...should I?

[Official_21]

I have been thinking about doing youth football to broaden my experiences as a football official this seasonl.

The only thing that is preventing me from doing so is, I have read articles about parents attacking youth sports officials, which in turn leads me to being very apprehensive about doing youth football.

I don't want to get hurt/injured when I am only just trying to do my job.

Do I have a legitimate concern or am I just worrying too much over nothing? Need some advice please.

[fencewire]

I think you are over thinking it, I also don't think you are going to get a lot out of it officiating wise, JMO.

Give it a shot, it is easy money, I personally don't do it, but many friends do, they have had run-ins with coaches but nothing too severe.

[Official_21]

I think you are over thinking it, I also don't think you are going to get a lot out of it officiating wise, JMO.

Give it a shot, it is easy money, I personally don't do it, but many friends do, they have had run-ins with coaches but nothing too severe.

I'm not in it for the money...I want to improve my officiating, which is one of the main reasons I was thinking about doing it.

It's not the coaches I am worried about, it's more the parents. Some can get really carried away.

Reconsidering now..I am going back to school to get certified as an EKG/EKG Monitor technician. On top of that, I am a vol. firefighter & vol. at a hospital & Officiate football, so I do not know where I will have the time to add another activity.

[Arbitrator]

 

I'd go ahead and work it! There's always going to be a few minor misunderstandings with coaches, but there's a valuable commodity in learning how to talk with them during those sequences. I still manage to work a small amount of those games with my D4 son, and by and large, I still derive an element of fun and satisfaction in working them and with all of the "newbie" officials that are just starting to get their wings wet in calling football!   

[rsquare]

Done youth football in TX for over 10 yrs. Each year say it will be last. Enjoy the interaction with kids who are basically kids at heart and wondering where and what they are going to eat after game - pizza, Mc Donald's etc.
Seen it all with adults though. Had one on down box come charging out on field with down box. Thought he had a "spear" with that. Was upset over a called. Kicked off box and asked to leave field. When confronted by law enforcement he yelled to be arrested. He proceeded to kick and empty every trash can over on the way out. 
Had two women after a game screaming at each other. As we were going to parking lot to leave we noticed they were really at it "cussing and yelling" at each other about how each other "boyz" did each other "dirty".
Next thing we noticed was "big momma" ripping off her wig and taking off her huge dangling hoop earrings and "wailing punches and scratchin' away" 
But I had in all the years have had one person come up to myself and family dining at a Chili's to complain about a game.
I have had an individual come up to me at church and recognize me and apologize for their screaming and embarrased behaviour and had another come up to me when I was with the wife at Target and say how they appreciated the officials and the way we called the games during the season. We had many a coach/parent come up to thank us after games.
The positives as in any venture generally outweigh the "loud and crazy ones". They are the "silent majority"
It is indeed a great way to "thicken the skin" and also work with officials to develop ongoing better mechanics and be a positive, receptive role model for many a youth who are perhaps lacking some worth sharing or giving from their "guardians".
Talk to the players during the game. Do it with a genuine smile. I always address the palyers as "sir and Mr." when asked to get off the pile or hand the ball for spotting.
Teaching a degree of respect/consideration.
Hopefully some of that becomes influential and recognized by the youth.
You do make an impact no matter how sutle.
It is gratifying.

[Official_21]

I have thought about it further and decided against doing youth football due to lack of time.

As previously mentioned, I am a volunteer firefighter and volunteer at a hospital and in addition to officiating football. Also, I will be going back to school to get certified as an EKG Tech/EKG monitoring tech (Hoping to get a job as such).

I just don't feel like adding another activity will be beneficial from a time standpoint. As much as I love officiating, I have an education and my future to think about.

I will try to take the tips that rsquare has given me and incorporate them when I work Jr high/JV games.

Thanks for all the replies, they are much appreciated.

[txmustang68]

If it isn't about the money, do some jv/subvarsity.  Little league stinks.  I did it for 5 years.  I did find one league that was well run, and didn't stand for any coaches or parents going beligerant, but those are few and far between.  I will never do little league again, unless a nuclear bomb goes off on my finances.

[rsquare]

My 3 nuclear strikes were:
2 children going into college within 4 yrs of each other
My daughter's wedding - talk about being psychologist and a banker at same time!
Know what they say about "life years after in a nuke zone"
Oh to bring back the days of the paper route....

[Official_21]

If it isn't about the money, do some jv/subvarsity.

Already am, I am a member of TASO and just paid to have my membership renewed for 2012 

Was a member 6 years ago, did it for 2 years before I had to drop out due to family circumstances, but decided to come back. 2011 was my first year back.

[Joe Stack]

PeeWee is 90% for the money and 10% for the contacts. I found that you work with more guys in peewee than you do in subvarsity. That depends on your chapter, location, where you work, etc. But for me, subvarsity is roughly the same mix of guys. So it *could* be beneficial in terms of contacts.

I've worked 2 days of PeeWee and won't work any more. For one, I have fair skin and can't stand out in the sun all day long. I can sunscreen down for an afternoon game in Sept. and be OK, but 8-4 on the field is just not possible. Plus, I don't want another full time job. During the season, I already have 2!