Rookie

[jTheUmp]

Been awhile since I've worked LOS... but...

Stay on the sideline while the play is in progress... don't wander out on to the field. Keep your sideline clear of spectators, coaches, and subs.

If the play goes away from you, watch for troublemakers on behind/away from the ball. If the play goes toward you, watch the blocks at the point of attack.

When the play comes towards your sideline... back up. Directly backwards if you're on the goal line, otherwise in the direction of the offensive backfield. The only time you want to be ahead of the runner in this situation is if you need to be on the goal line.

Pre-game with your LOS partner about how strict you want to be on formation fouls... nobody wants to see you throw 17 illegal formation or offside flags.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Been awhile since I've worked LOS... but...

Stay on the sideline while the play is in progress... don't wander out on to the field. Keep your sideline clear of spectators, coaches, and subs.

If the play goes away from you, watch for troublemakers on behind/away from the ball. If the play goes toward you, watch the blocks at the point of attack.

When the play comes towards your sideline... back up. Directly backwards if you're on the goal line, otherwise in the direction of the offensive backfield. The only time you want to be ahead of the runner in this situation is if you need to be on the goal line.

Pre-game with your LOS partner about how strict you want to be on formation fouls... nobody wants to see you throw 17 illegal formation or offside flags.

Thanks again man its nice having some feedback.

[HLin NC]

Develop your pre snap routine and repeat every down.

Get your team count, probably defense, 11 every play.
Anybody come off your sideline, anybody come on?
ID your widest receiver, is he a back, is he an end? What's his #?
Is your end "covered"?
Who is your tackle? What's his number?
4 in the backfield/7 on the line? Signal your opposite partner.
Watch the LOS. Anybody flinch, anybody jump, snapper twitch the ball?
SNAP
Cover the play.
Spot or mirror spot.
Repeat

Never let a player behind you without knowing where he went and what he did.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by HLin NC

Develop your pre snap routine and repeat every down.

Get your team count, probably defense, 11 every play.
Anybody come off your sideline, anybody come on?
ID your widest receiver, is he a back, is he an end? What's his #?
Is your end "covered"?
Who is your tackle? What's his number?
4 in the backfield/7 on the line? Signal your opposite partner.
Watch the LOS. Anybody flinch, anybody jump, snapper twitch the ball?
SNAP
Cover the play.
Spot or mirror spot.
Repeat

Never let a player behind you without knowing where he went and what he did.

This list was something I really wanted. Thanks man!

[Welpe]

There is tons of advice I could give but you being an official already will give you a good idea of how to carry yourself on the field. I will emphasize that just like in basketball, our job does not stop when the play is over. Dead ball officiating is just as important in football.

Another thing that travels over well from basketball is not being a ball hawk. You need to have a general awareness of where the ball is but you need to ensure you're focusing on your area so that things don't get missed. This is especially true if you're cleaning up a play from behind. Don't focus on the ball carrier, focus on all of the players trailing the play. That's when the cheapshots happen.

Lastly, the whistle should never actually kill the play, only announce that it is already over. The point behind that is: Do not blow your whistle until you know the ball is dead. If you see a runner down but have no idea if he has the ball in his possession, don't blow it dead. It may be loose and bouncing around. You will want to use the whistle to protect the players and that's fine to a point but even young kids seem to have a good understanding when the play is over. Don't be too quick to blow the whistle.

I don't want to overwhelm you with information so if you want to know more, keep asking! And welcome to the prolate spheroid game.

[BigT]

I have enjoyed your comments on the basketball forum and appreciate them here too.

No that is really good. I want as much as I can get until told to bug off.

Some of my pee wee games this weekend have 2 ref slots or 3 so I am more nervous my coverage areas and calls that need to be made will be overwhelming.

Looking forward to watching a Varsity game tomorrow and hopefully will give me a feel for general play to play responsibilities and movements...

Any more things would be helpful!

[HLin NC]

Looking forward to watching a Varsity game tomorrow

If the R allows, see if you can sit in on pre-game and stay on the sideline during the game. Shadow the HL with the chains.