Pre-Game Poll

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by packersowner

Any suggestions on a conversation starter?

Yes.

"What are one (or two or three) incorrect things you observe other officials do that you hope I don't do on this game tonight?"

Then I give my top one or two or three. One might even be something I've seen the other guy do which isn't good, but since it's spoken without any one in particular noted, it's not apparent as a personal criticism. And real change has occurred with that official.

That initial "venting", when of a constructive nature, has been welcomed by all I've done it with over the past three or so years. It's helped purge our area of several chronic problems as valid "pet peeves" become expressed in pregame meetings and done so in a way that are not direct criticisms of others specifically but general observations about things seen deserving improvement.

With about six of us in out area doing this with our various partners, we've pretty much done away with the illegitimate "on the floor!" act of shooting foul calls and improved off-ball surveillance appreciably, to cite only two things.

May not work in all areas, but it seems to have worked well here.