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I agree on using a second down indicator. Has saved me from brain cramps several times after incomplete passes.
Also, don't forget to work to the LOS on pass plays. You don't want to be the one with the blank stare when the white hat comes up after a rollout and asks you if the passer was past or behind the LOS when he threw the ball.
You'll get a lot of opinions here on whistle work. Some white hats despise members of their crews with whistles in their mouths. Many here love their hand whistles. For me, I keep a lanyard whistle in my mouth until the snap to signal false starts or snap infractions, then drop it from my mouth once the play starts.
Never signal a touchdown. That's the wings' job. You can help them out if both are screened by saying "Unless either of you have the ball down before the line, I have the ball in the end zone." We have a guy with 23 years as an umpire, and he admits he's never thrown his arms up once.
Vary your position. If you stay in the same place, the offense will figure out how to use you as a screen.
Finally, the biggest role you can play as an umpire is controlling the players' emotions during the game. Treat them like adults and pros from the get-go, and you'll have a lot less to deal with. My talking includes:
- Always calling them "gentlemen" so they'll behave like one. "Up easy, gentlemen." "Play's over, gentlemen" "Push off the ground and not other players, gentlemen." Works wonders.
- Kill cross talk as soon as it starts. "White, you talk only to white; Red, you talk only to red."
- Good linemen will try and work you. "Ref, can you keep an eye on No. 50, he's holding on every play." My answer is always "I'll look for it." Nothing more.
Have fun. Always support your white hat. Oh, and as previously mentioned, always know your enforcements to help him out. I'm going to be making flash cards for this summer so I can prep myself.
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