REPLY: Years ago, I was the white hat in a HS game in Westfield (NJ) when Dave Brown (AZ Cardinals) was the QB. He threw a pss to the TE who was scraping along behind the defensive line. The pass hit my umpire square in the forehead and falls incomplete. Brown asks me, "What was that?" I answered, "Assault and battery, I think." Umpire survived...but with quite a lump on his head.

SW FL guy is my idol!
 

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.

I have had a few collisions in my day but I have learned that the better my report is with the players, the more likely they are to try to avoid the collision. I have good communication with the LB's and DB's. I instruct the safety to talk to me if I set up in a bad spot, etc. I make sure that everyone unpiles in a gentlemanly manner and protect the RB's and QB. They know and remember this when they shoot the gaps. If a runner is coming right at me, I pivot out to one side and let him pass on by. Kinda like opening a door for someone. Has worked well for me.

For HS we run 5 man and I set up opposite R. In college I move around a little but stay between the guards.

Keep your R straight, he has a tough job and it can become confusing. Listen for accuracy, to what options he gives the offended team captain. Listen when you can to what your partners report to him. Know what distances you should mark off and from where.
Let him know if the clock should be wound or not on the ensuing RFP. Count the Offense every play and signal to your R that you have the proper number, closed fist signals 11 players. My R and I hold up a One (index finger) to each other if we have only 10 and hold up a Two if we have twelve. We both know right then what the other has; no confusion. Count the huddle for breaking with more than 11.

Other things will come to you from others in your assoc., crew and from your R and what he looks for. Have fun together and take care of each other.

U's can be a Godsend or not......
 

So true. I was the R and during the pregame, the U and I walked across the field to talk with the coaches (we work assignments, not crews). One of the receivers had his knee pads tucked above his knees with the knees exposed. I indicated to the U that we need to make sure the pads cover the knees.

As we walked up to the head coach for the pregame discussion before I can say anything, the U blurts out, "IF YOU THINK THAT KID IS PLAYING, THEN FORGET ABOUT IT!" Well, you can guess that the coach didn't receive us warmly. Maybe the iciest chat I've ever had. He also didn't know what the U was talking about. After I got the kids (coach and U) to calm down, I simply shared what the rules required and asked the coach to ensure that his player was equipped according to rule. Fine.

Prior to the kickoff, I told the U that you attract more flies with honey than vinegar. He didn't get it!

Re: U's can be a Godsend or not......
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JMN
[B]Unless my WH asks me if I have anything to add or any questions for the coach in our pre-game discussion, I stand there looking friendly and KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT!

When I was a senior in HS back in the fall of '77, our team was taking it to our opponent. On one play we had a wicked pass rush, the QB saw us coming and fired the ball right up the middle of the field hoping to connect with his receiver.

The umpire must have been looking away because he never saw anything. He took the hardest pass I've ever seen right in the johnson. When he went down he looked like a pine tree going down in the forest. He spent the rest of the game on our bench with an ice pack on his crotch. Lesson: a cup, steel toed Spotbilts and a swivel for a neck.

Have to agree with "don't move when the hole opens", and get steel-toed shoes!!! You'll get stepped on sooner or later.

When you read pass and rush to the line, watch for the tight end dragging over the middle....he'll win, you'll lose.

Also, when the lineman start blocking the defensive player toward you, make sure you're not caught in front of a linebacker and can't get out of the way. Lost a knee from that two years ago and I'm still paying for it today.

I agree with an earlier comment that it takes time to become a good umpire. I was seeing things my third and fourth seasons that I never even thought to look for when I first moved to U.