First Year Ref at 18

[Scipio Africanus]

This year is going to be my first year as a NFHS referee in the state of CT. I am only 18 years old and just wondering what to expect. Will my age play a factor? I was told that I will be starting off as a wing official, either as a Linesman or Line Judge. Does anyone have any general tips? Any other young officials out there? Any comments are helpful!

[HLinNC]

Yes your age will be a factor, something you will have to acknowledge and deal with.
Just remember though, you will be keeping up physcially a whole lot better than those of us who have crossed the "wide Meridian".  The sky is the limit though.

  Apply yourself, study hard, see as many snaps as you can handle, stay in shape, learn to listen to those who know and show you they know what they are doing.  At your age and with the right stuff, there is no telling how far you can go.

See the ball and keep the whistle out of your mouth.

Purchase a Reddings Guide to NFHS Rules, watch as much video of your games as you can find, have a senior official shadow and observe you.

There is much to learn.   You won't digest it all for quite some time.

Have fun!

[VALJ]

Read rule 2.  Then read it some more.  Then read it again.  Then start reading it for real.  Rule 2 is the foundation for the entire rest of the book.  When you're sitting on the toilet, bring your rulebook and read rule 2.  It's not like you've got other things to do, right?

You'll probably experience some "growing pains" - no pun intended - because of your age, with coaches trying to manipulate you.  Stay calm, stay professional, and stand your ground.

Welcome, and best of luck!

[bama_stripes]

Practical advice:  If you're "baby-faced", don't shave on game day.

[bkdow]

I started officiating soccer at 14 and was doing high school varsity at 17 and college at 22.  I have people yelling about high school student refereeing college sports.  Trust your crew and don't be a nit-picker.  I said this in another thread yesterday:  It took me too long to realize that preventive officiating can occur on things when the ball is dead. 

Below are 10 things that I could rattle off that I have learned over the past 7 years and wish I had known them earlier:
1.  Listen to your mentor(s) (yes, find a mentor). 
2.  When you are with a crew, what they want you to do is the correct thing for that night.  Don't argue with one of them and prove how smart you are.  (politics plays a large roll in your success)
3.  Realize that not everyone that gives you advice is correct but see #1 for habits.
4.  Find the ball before blowing your whistle and you could be the first official without an Inadavertant Whistle.
5.  Slow Down and don't get too close.  You don't have be fast in making calls (except FST or DOF) and you don't have to get to the spot right away.  Being a bit off can often give you a better perspective (unless it's a goaline play)
6.  When the play ends, keep officiating.  You don't need to look at your foot to know where the spot is.
7.  Don't let coaches abuse you but do let them argue a little bit for a call
8.  You don't need to show up 1 hour before game time for a 9th grade game (you'll beat the team to the fiedl)
9.  It's ok to pre-snap manage your sideline for the entire game to keep you from throwing a flag
10. Watch any film you can get your hands on to go with the studying that is previously mentioned.

[AlUpstateNY]

Patience is truly a virtue.  There is a lot to learn and it will take time.  You WILL make mistakes, hopefully small ones, and the objective is to learn from each and avoid repeating the ones you make.  You'll receive a lot of advice, most of it helpful, likely some of it not.  Follow the advice that works and disregard short cuts and cut corners (eventually they'll bite you).

The more "snaps" you see, everything you're looking at will slow down.  You can NEVER see everything, so learn to focus on your assigned (by your position) areas and targets (keys).  Be polite, respectful and attentive on your sideline.  Follow the advice (from the movie "Roadhouse") and, "be nice, until it's time NOT to be nice", but even then be RESPECTFUL.

WHEN you have a "brain freeze" (you have a different down than the box, or some other "needs to be corrected" problem) STOP play from starting, go directly to your Referee, privately get things straight and go back to your position, NOBODY will KNOW what the problem might have been, and you'll avoid a possible mistake. 

Understand, that no matter how long you may chase perfection. as hard as you can, the best you can do is get closer.  Although you'll NEVER catch it, you'll really enjoy the chase.

[Etref]

Find several good officials and watch what they do. Don't try to be like any one of them. Instead take the best of all them and make yourself into a good official.

[Osric Pureheart]

Get used to hanging out with old men.  They're frequently grumpy, square, and annoying, but they do have plenty of things to teach you if you can get past that and pay attention.  (They were young once as well, you know.) 

If you can stick this out for a few years, you'll be much better suited to entering the workplace in a few years' time (assuming you're doing the college thing) if you're used to interacting with people outside your immediate age group.

[Ralph Damren]

It may seem overwhelming at first, officiating a game with players near your own age. Get assigned to as many sub-varsity, middle school and Pop Warner games as you can' where the players will all be considerably younger. Develop a strong , consistant work ethic and you will become known / remembered for your ability, not your envied youth.

I began my football officiating in Hartford, Connecticut back in 1968 .Connecticut then played under NCAA rules, our penalty flags were half red and half white, and over these 46 years have enjoyed my hobby very much. Welcome to the forum, Scipio, and keep us updated on your progress.

[NorCalMike]

I so wish I started officiating at your age. Starting that young opens up a world of opportunity. You have plenty of time to move up in the world of officiating. Maybe all the way to the Superbowl.

As several people stated above, find a mentor. Preferably one who is already working a level above you. Study year round. Maintain and improve your level of fitness. It's easier to maintain your fitness level than try to get it back after you lose it.

One of the problems you will run into is senior (read old) officials who have not kept up with the changers telling you that you are doing things wrong. Usually it's best to listen quietly, take the valid points and ignore the rest. Remember, never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.