Referee Pre-Game

[zebrahead]

Please share your per-game checklist and your coaches talk before the game?

[HLinNC]

I'm fairly new to white hat so I've made up a card on Excel to help remind me as I find myself forgetting things.

We do not normally meet with the coaches until the crew comes onto the field at 30:00 before kickoff.  We meet with the home coach first.
My personal believe is that coaches are distracted and have a million things running through their head before the game.  I try to keep it light, short, and sweet. 

I do not get into "anything you've seen by your opponent"  nor do I ask about trick plays.   If the crew is doing their job, we should know if a play is legal or illegal.  Coaches tend to describe their trick play in a light most favorable to themselves.  Rarely do they work out exactly as described.
 
PRE-GAME COACHES CONFERENCE      
Game Day Admin Name:_________________________________      
Good Sportsmanship Expected Throughout The Game      
Are all players legally equipped and will not use illegal equipment?      
Any players that the Umpire needs to inspect?      
Captains #'s?  Speaking captain #?  Toss option?      
Penalty decision designee? Time out designee?      
Any pre-game or halftime ceremonies tonight?   (Home coach)   
Halftime length? (Home coach)  Team must be on field for 3:00 warm-up.      
Be mindful of the restricted area.  Coaches out prior to the snap.      
Play overtime? (Non-conference only-both coaches must agree.)   
Chain Crew?    Clock operator(s)?      
Official time is X:XX, captains at mid-field by 3:00 on game clock.

[zebrahead]

 

[CalhounLJ]

Here's mine in cliff notes format:

INDIVIDUAL COACHES
1. Players properly and legally equipped?
2. Check for braces, pads, etc.
3. Captains – We’ll come at 10 minutes
4. Who calls Timeouts?
5. Who we talk to on Penalties?
6. Any questions?

COIN TOSS w coaches:
1. Region - will play tie       
    Non-Region - PLAY TIE?

2. Heat Timeouts – 6:00 unless inside 30
3. 20-minute half?
4-minute mandatory warm-up
5. Any questions?

[AlUpstateNY]

Here's mine in cliff notes format:

INDIVIDUAL COACHES
1. Players properly and legally equipped?
2. Check for braces, pads, etc.
3. Captains – We’ll come at 10 minutes
4. Who calls Timeouts?
5. Who we talk to on Penalties?
6. Any questions?

COIN TOSS w coaches:
1. Region - will play tie       
    Non-Region - PLAY TIE?

2. Heat Timeouts – 6:00 unless inside 30
3. 20-minute half?
4-minute mandatory warm-up
5. Any questions?

I would recommend adding to "Any Questions?",  To help establish a productive "Tone"; I will personally address any subsequent questions, or concerns, that may arise during the contest;
1. Respectfully ask your sideline official to summon me,
2. ALL discussions will occur AT your sideline ONLY,
3. MUST BE private, respectful and presented calmly & maturely. 

[TampaSteve]

"any strange or unusual plays we need to know about"
(to avoid IW, etc.)

[refjeff]

I would recommend adding to "Any Questions?",  To help establish a productive "Tone"; I will personally address any subsequent questions, or concerns, that may arise during the contest;
1. Respectfully ask your sideline official to summon me,
2. ALL discussions will occur AT your sideline ONLY,
3. MUST BE private, respectful and presented calmly & maturely.

I start with "Coach, do you have any questions or anything you want us to know?"

[ilyazhito]

Here's mine in cliff notes format:

INDIVIDUAL COACHES
1. Players properly and legally equipped?
2. Check for braces, pads, etc.
3. Captains – We’ll come at 10 minutes
4. Who calls Timeouts?
5. Who we talk to on Penalties?
6. Any questions?

COIN TOSS w coaches:
1. Region - will play tie       
    Non-Region - PLAY TIE?

2. Heat Timeouts – 6:00 unless inside 30
3. 20-minute half?
4-minute mandatory warm-up
5. Any questions?

In VHSL, things are easier. No OT for subvarsity games, but varsity will always play overtime until there is a winner. Unlike some states, VA will follow standard NFHS OT procedures.