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Football Officiating => General Discussion => Topic started by: BNE-Ref on January 08, 2014, 03:38:21 AM
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Recently, I had the privilege of doing a nationally televised game, and was wired up for TV sound on an always-live microphone (not NCAA rules). Watching and listening to the raw, unedited footage, I've suddenly realised that I talk a lot. And I mean, a lot. Mainly verbals to the players (pass gone, backward pass, loose ball, instructions to get up after the tackles, reminders about the play clock, etc...) Was never aware that I was doing that before.
So, what about other Rs (and other officials)? Do you talk a lot during the game, or am I just a chatterbox?
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Everyone is a little different. - and certainly follow what the supervisor wants.
I'm not much of a talker.
Are you saying talking to players or crewmwmbers????
For example, backward pass, loose ball, play clock items. - Round these parts regarding PLAYER communication:
Pass gone - supervisor-specific whether or not to say anything (same can be said for "kick's away" too)
Backward pass is indicated by 'punching back' - so do not see where verbiage is needed.
Loose ball use a bean bag. - do not see where verbiage is needed
Play clock? - as in, 'you better hurry up'
Conversely though, I know many umpires who talk a lot - for rapport and so their presence is known.
"OK, play's over, roll off the pile."
"Hey 54, your #35 is really pushing the envelope for USC. Will you pull him aside and have a chat with him?"
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I do a lot of talking to the players, preventative type. Balls gone, play over, roll off,etc.
I also do a lot with co-officials although most is non verbal unless we wear crew communication system. Things like, I got the clock, your goal line , my end line ,etc
Communication is not a bad thing ,just be sure what you are communicating is clear to the one you are talking to. Also you never want to say anything that could be perceived as being an advantage to one team or the other.
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After attending a clinic for college officials this past spring, I have begun (at their suggestion) verbalizing all of my pre-snap routine. Down and distance, LTG, Eligible receivers, count to 11. I verablize (for me) if a pass is close whether it is backward or forward. Ask my crew, I do tend to talk more so it fits well in my nature. Post play communication is as needed: easy up, roll off, play is over, etc. I am a LOS official.
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I think it depends on where you work. As an R I talk more than I do as a BJ, and our U's talk more than anyone. It has to do with proximity to players, ball status, safety, and keeping crewmates informed.
It probably has to do with personality and experience. Some people are naturally more gregarious than others, and I've noticed rookies don't talk as much as veterans.
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As a FJ I repeat outloud my key and defender prior to the snap.
#24 on #85, #24 on #85. If I have a foul, I should have number somewhere in my brain.
That is beyond the usual "out of the white!", "I need room coach".
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Very often, especially for the R and U, although ALL officials can benefit from a well placed, targeted comment, our voice sends a more efficiently received message, even more than our whistle. An Umpire's consistent reminders "to get up easy", "it's over" or other such passive remarks helps establish his presence around the action.
Most people instinctively behave better, when they PRESUME they're being observed by an authority figure close by, whether they're actually being watched, or not. Umpires, Linesman (O & D) and Linebackers often have a "special" conversation going on privately. (D-backs are a separate breed).
Referee's comments, "Pass/kick is away, stay off him" can set a tone that once players are aware of, they respond to whether they hear it, or not. Treating Captains with verbal respect can pay significant dividends, should you subsequently need their support or assistance with their teammates.
99% of what may be said to players, INSIDE the lines, is intended, specifically for players on the field. If they want to share those comments with people OUTSIDE the lines, that's up to them, but there's no requirement that we share or explain anything (unless, of course, we choose to) to anyone.
Choice of language is important, presuming a player's mother can hear you is a safe guideline.
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I do a lot of talking for preventive officiating, regardless of where I am on the field. As others have mentioned, "ball's gone", helping receivers line up, talking to the pile at the end of the play, and the like. One thing we do for tries or field goals - if we have two officials under the goal post, we both call out the eligible number on the end of the LOS and the wing back. If a play breaks down, we've got it fresh in our mind who's potentially eligible to catch a pass, and if we called out a number, we all know he can't.
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Recently, I had the privilege of doing a nationally televised game, and was wired up for TV sound on an always-live microphone (not NCAA rules). Watching and listening to the raw, unedited footage, I've suddenly realised that I talk a lot. And I mean, a lot. Mainly verbals to the players (pass gone, backward pass, loose ball, instructions to get up after the tackles, reminders about the play clock, etc...) Was never aware that I was doing that before.
So, what about other Rs (and other officials)? Do you talk a lot during the game, or am I just a chatterbox?
^flag
Oh, heck yes I talk! Unless I have a sore throat, I'm talking to the players, making asides to the coaches, and talking to my crew mates. And sometimes my remarks to them are quite colorful, as are their's to me!
I, for one, wouldn't exactly want one of those "always live" mikes strapped on to my belt! z^
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I, for one, wouldn't exactly want one of those "always live" mikes strapped on to my belt!
+1
>:D
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Life seemed a lot simpler, with a whole lot less discussion and opinion on the appropriateness of what is said on a playing field, when those discussions were limited to OTHERS ON THE PLAYING FIELD, rather than a bunch of people who have absolutely no concept of what is being said, or why.
Whose idea was it that it would be great to stick a microphone in a player's face immediately after, either a tough win or a difficult loss, or in the losing team's locker room, or a shower? what's next a Stall cam?