[Mike Simonds]

I want to be like him when I grow up... I consider myself small for an umpire; just 5'11" and 220 lbs.

His advice to use your voice and talk to the players when you are around the pile is so valuable. The umpire can do so much to control player emotions. A friendly, unbiased attitude towards both teams does wonders to make the game the enjoyable experience it should be but a stern warning at the right moment is also needed at the proper times.

Like my old buddies used to say: "Let 'um know you're there!!!" If the players know that you care about them and that you are watching them they are more likely to show respect for their opponents, the officials and the game in general.

My worst experience was 2 seasons ago when I turned to watch an off-tackle run and the back-side pursuit hit me in my right bicep and I got knocked down. I could not straighten my arm for about 2 weeks afterwards. Its so true that we heal more slowly as we mature but officials are like a good wine we are supposed to get better with age. So I just try to exercise a bit more, watch what I eat and get my rest.

As the years go by I have learned how to "stay" out of the way. I emphasize "stay" out of the way because my belief is that you always need to be in a good solid position to properly observe the play. If you need to move then a few deliberate steps in the right direction will take you out of harms way and you will still be able to keep your eyes and head level and stable in order to properly observe the action in your area.

I believe that the umpire position takes a few seasons to properly develop the touch and feel of where to be and how to move with an economy of effort. Its the most artistic of the officiating positions for this very reason in my opinion. Proper reflexes under control take a while to develop.

I would never tell my plans to the players. In fact, I try to vary my position depending on the situation. Most of the time I will stay over the gap of the center and guard, sometimes I go directly over the center. In my experience if I line-up over the offensive tackles then I'm more likely to be out of position. I always try to stay between and slightly in the back of the linebackers to avoid blocking them if they have to drift back into pass coverage.