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Congrats on making the transition from flag to tackle football. The first time you see a guy get tackled, you may be tempted to throw a penalty flag. Don't. Other than that, flag is a great way to learn a lot of the rules and mechanics of reffing football.
A few pieces of advice I have.
*Use this board.
*Watch as much football as you can. If you aren't working varsity games your first year, find out who is, call up the R and ask if you can sit in on the pre-game then watch the game from the field. You can learn a lot from the things you'll see and what you can ask the LJ/HL during the game.
*Know the rules. If you're starting off working PeeWee or similar football, learn the crazy local rules, too - that's what gets coaches the most ticked off.
*If you get the chance, work as the White Hat for a few of your games.
*Work as many games as you can. My local association, for example, required 1st year officials to work 3 free JV/freshman games to be evaluated. However, if you weren't assigned on a given afternoon, you could just go and work as a 4th (or sometimes 5th) man. Very few refs will turn down that extra set of eyes.
Best of luck, Mike. You're at a really good stage of your life to start reffing (I'm 23 and wish I could continue, unfortunately schooling comes first).
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"To win the game is great. To play the game is greater. But to love the game is the greatest of all."
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