NEW OFFICIAL. QUESTION

[jsg123]

I am sure this gets asked all the time and the answers will vary or "it depends" but what position would you guys recommend for someone who has never officiated and has a long way to go on mechanics and rules?  thanks.

[FLbackjudge]

You're likely to begin at the Pee Wee level with (perhaps) some HS freshman games.  I think you should work different positions until you can make up your own mind as to what position suits you best.  If you're lucky enough to be in an area where there's an organized training program, your trainer will want to see how you do at different positions.

[WVABJ1807]

I strongly recommend that a new official begin on the wing.  Doesn't matter which one, but you get the best feel for officiating football at that position. It helps you pick up the basics.  I would start working the chains first. 

[VALJ]

If you can survive working the chains your first year with the freshmen and pee-wee games, you can survive anything football officiating can throw at you. 

Welcome, JSG!

[jsg123]

Thanks for the replies.  this is with a high school association who only does varsity, JV and JH who is really short handed and recruited me from varsity baseball officiating.  The way they put it was work scoreboard first few games and then do JV and probably varsity later in the year because of how short they are and how fast I moved up in baseball (varsity first year).  They even recommended umpire because they said I could see over the line but It seems to me that is a much more advanced position and should be someone the referee can depend on to know whats going on at all times.  I will read the books and go to district or state camp and do my best but I thought a wing or backjudge position was probably best for someone just getting his feet wet. 

[HLinNC]

LJ seems to be the most common entry level position that I have seen.  Chain side, while most of the basics are the same, does require a few little extra tidbits of knowledge or experience.

That being said, I had been training my first fall at LJ in 4 man crews.  My first real live game with a paycheck was a 5 man JV crew- they put me at BJ.  After several plays of staying about 30 yards back, the R invited me to join the rest of the crew in between downs 

[bossman72]

Start at the wing (learn both) and work from there.

[Cowman52]

If you came from baseball,  the wings are about like working 3rd base in a four man crew,  it will come fairly quick if you keep it in that general idea.

[Etref]

Don't be afraid to work referee in that 7th grade game, good learning experience

[jsg123]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.  I really appreciate it.

[Magician]

My very first time on the field was U for a JV game.  Most youth games with 3-man crews use 2 wings so this is where you will have the most opportunity.  Try to work as many of the positions as possible, including R.

[VALJ]

My first game was B on a game with two teams that did almost nothing but inside runs.  What a boring game it was - I didn't know what I was doing, so I couldn't find anything to do other than keep the game clock.  Felt like I spent two hours playing right field in a baseball game when nobody could hit the ball past the pitcher. 

[Rulesman]

My first game was a 4-man crew that had 41 years experience... and the Referee had all 41!

[justbill]

Get as many snaps as you can, regardless of position.  The best experience by far is on the field experience

[NorCalMike]

My association requires all new officials to start at the wings. We provide 10 weeks of 2 hour classes before the start of the season. Also, new officials work at least a 3 hour scrimmage. Most new officials only work freshman games. Any new official can tag along with a crew assigned to a JV/V double header and work the JV game with a senior official standing behind them helping mentoring them through the game. We develop some good officials this way. Most new officials will get a chance to work varsity by the end of their first season because it seems we are always short officials.

The hard part of starting on the wings is being right there with the coaching staff. R's with new officials really need to make sure that coaches are trying to influence the new officials.

I like this way of doing it. Whatever position you are assigned during your first year, work hard learning the rules (especially Rule 2) and the mechanics for that position and ask questions of your crew. Remember the crew succeeds or fails together.

[yarnnelg]

You worked baseball, so influence from coaches on the sidelines shouldn't be a problem. Except .....they will look for weaknesses along the lines of being unsure lacking confidence.

You will have tunnel vision, it's a part of the growth process. I was a championship quarterback and grew into seeing more of the field as time went forward. I caught on faster than many I started wearing stripes with. You will grow to learn that you see far more than the running back with a ball in his hands. Study watch film, go on the Internet and watch you tube training videos.

One thing I have taught many new officials and crews I have evaluated. On kick offs eye the kick momentarily, if the ball goes high and in the air drop your eyes and head and officiate. Remember, watching the ball in flight is the fans job, not one football has ever been guilty of an illegal block, holding  or any other foul .... But there are far too many eyes watching a brown football against a bright blue sky, that cannot tell you how # 56 got his leg broken by an illegal block.

If you have the wing, introduce yourself to the coach, practice your pre game and be clear concise and personable. Help the coach, give him numbers on fouls, explain the options on fouls. Be courteous yet let him know who's boss. You will grow comfortable, you will learn something new everyday. 40 years later you will still be learning.

[ECILLJ]

Be careful starting a new official at the LJ position in a four-man crew. The LJ has responsibility for R's deep returners on scrimmage kicks. Bad things can happen during scrimmage kicks, have someone more experienced covering the deep return men. For a new official on a 4-Man crew I recommend HL.

[Ralph Damren]

My first game, which was back during the LBJ Administration, I was the ATR - it was a two man crew for Pop Warner and some old guy was the referee and I was "All The Rest" . We recommend new guys start at limesman. They inherit the mundane duty of managing the chain crew along with the on-field duties.

[Johnponz]

I am going to buck the trend and many will disagree, but I believe the best position for an inexperienced official is R.  This requires that the other officials are supportive and can help a lot.  However in a lower level game there is not better way to learn how "all but one" enforcement works than being in the thick of it.  This approach really requires the other officials have a lot of experience and are willing to help and mentor.

I have worked all but a few games as R, and my very first youth game was as an R.  It worked for me.

[DallasLJ]

I am going to buck the trend and many will disagree, but I believe the best position for an inexperienced official is R.  This requires that the other officials are supportive and can help a lot.  However in a lower level game there is not better way to learn how "all but one" enforcement works than being in the thick of it.  This approach really requires the other officials have a lot of experience and are willing to help and mentor.

I have worked all but a few games as R, and my very first youth game was as an R.  It worked for me.

  Although most new guys work HL or L to start -- and like to hide on the sideline -- by the middle of the year I start looking for the new or 2nd year official and make them R. If we are doing a 4 man crew, I will work U.  I tell them (1) I won't let you screw up and enforcement and will help with all signals. and (2) pretty soon, you will be the most senior guy showing up for a Subvarsity Game -- and someone will have to referee -- and it will probably be you.  So, let's do it know while I can help you out.

  They are typically apprehensive but thank me when we are done.

[Tom.OH]

When I started 16 years ago I usually worked a wing. One JH game I was told I would work R. The other officials were the instructors in the class I took. They helped me when I needed it but for the most part I did ok.

[Ralph Damren]

When I started 16 years ago I usually worked a wing. One JH game I was told I would work R. The other officials were the instructors in the class I took. They helped me when I needed it but for the most part I did ok.

Morale of Tom's story : If you have a rookie white hat, don't have a rookie umpire!