First Varsity White Hat Tonight

[NorCalMike]

The White hat I was working with for tonight hurt is back during a freshman game on Thursday so I was asked to step up. This will be my first time as the referee in a varsity game. And just to add to the pressure, my umpire is our assigner.

Pray for me. 

[NoVaBJ]

Practice your signals in the mirror, slow down before giving them, and if you have a microphone, think before you turn it on.  My first varsity white hat was in 1999; you'll do fine and enjoy many more in the years to come.

[JasonTX]

Tell your crew, "If you don't know the enforcement or the signal, then don't throw your flag."   

[waltjp]

Lean on your U.  Ask him to keep you out of trouble.  Take your time, don't rush the RFP, have fun.

[RMR]

Have Fun.

See The Ball.

[NorCalMike]

It went well. Of course we had a couple of crazy situations. 2 minutes into the game, B player kicks an A player in the shin. It was obviously on purpose. Ejection. 2nd quarter seemed like it took two hours. I think it was about 45 minutes.

Punt from the 20. Ball goes over the punter's head. Mad scramble for the ball as it goes into the endzone. Had to use my umpire skills to avoid the players. Punter recovers the below in the endzone where is his tackle. I give the sign for the safety as my back judge comes running up field blowing his whistle. B had 12 on the field during the play. Luckily I remember the signal for that. 

Game is a blow up with the home team up by 42 at the half. Lots of fouls.

After the game the only comment from my crew was that I should slow down when giving the signals. All-in-all it went well. Now back to my umpire position for playoffs. 

[VALJ]

Tell your crew, "If you don't know the enforcement or the signal, then don't throw your flag."   

I tell my crew (with a smile on my face) "if you're going to call something goofy, you better be able to tell me the signal and the enforcement, or I'm going to wave it off."  My first game as a WH (8th-grade game) , the very first flag thrown in the game was a dead ball foul for failure to wear a mouthpiece with the snap imminent.  I think I signalled "dead ball", "delay of game", "helmet contact". 

Lean on your U.  Ask him to keep you out of trouble.  Take your time, don't rush the RFP, have fun.

Great advice.  A good LJ will help with clock status after a penalty, too. 

After the game the only comment from my crew was that I should slow down when giving the signals. All-in-all it went well.

I'm still getting that comment myself.  I'm getting better though.  Glad it went well, Mike!

[FredFan7]

One way to slow down your signals is to pretend you're on the mic while signalling and verbalize your call..  That way, you'll slow down your signals.  "Holding (signal) on the offense (point to team).  Ten yards, repeat second (signal second) down."