I have just been put onto a varsity crew for next year, at the position of Umpire. I am a pretty big guy who played line in HS a couple of years back, so I have taken enough hits to be somewhat used to it.

What I was wondering is if there any other U's out there that have some words of wisdom; especially about getting out of the way of the inevitable Offensive Backfield train.

Also I want to here some good stories about partners, yourselves, getting knocked around pretty good.

That's about it, I look forward to some good ones!!

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My main position is wing, but I also work U quite a bit. I have found to mix it up as far as starting positioning. Some guys set up dead ahead of the center, but I am a step or 2 to either side. Being able to read the play helps BIGTIME! You having been a lineman should be able to figure out at least the direction the play is going and adjust from there.
One thing I hate is when the backs use the U as a screen or cutback item, things can get scary with LB's and DB's hunting for heads from your backside and you get caught up. Quick slant passes are crazy sometimes, too. Almost got my head taken off and I am only 5'8".
I have actually been nailed more on the wings than in the middle. The one hard one from the middle was a kid coming in late from behind me, getting shoved from behind right into the back of my legs. I did not see it, but the BJ did and flagged the A player for illegal block in the back as I ended up on top of the kid, just sitting there thinking, "I just got clipped".
It is a fun position to work, kinda like having the dish for baseball................have fun

Sorry to break off topic, but how do you get hit more in the wings than U? That's confusing.

Anyways one NFL game the U totally disappeared in the play, just covered by players and it wans't till everyone cleared out that you could see him. Move quick, get ready to dodge players and move up on the LOS on pass. ;)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Snake~eyes
Sorry to break off topic, but how do you get hit more in the wings than U? That's confusing.

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Being the fleet-footed one that I am, I work the wings way more. Crowded sidelines, not nessesarily getting hit like U will, but I have been too tight on plays near the sideline when the whole pile comes crashing at me. My bad on those, I did not let play stay ahead;o

that's why you need a good "get-back-coach" to get everyone out of the way on the sidelines, more breathing room!

Well, your first instinct when someone is coming at you is to get out of the way. Instead, as U, you have to stay still and let the back run around you. If you move and he cuts anticipating you will stay still, you could be leading the crew in forced fumbles.

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Oh sure!!! We all know that works for the whole game:) First season I was working the chains. Told them to drop and run if play is coming. Well, they did niether...sticks were just angled away from sideline, kinda like a low hurdle.......I cleared the obstacle, then "shared" my feelings......

Been there, done that. The key is to let the play get ahead of you, then over any coaches that get in the way on the sideline..hehe.

Rich is right. If you see a hole open up in front of you don't move. Let the play go around you because if you do move the play will go over you! The only time I've gotten knocked over at U was when I thought I could get out of the way. I could have dropped the kid for a short gain but I let myself go down. As it was the coach was yelling that I should stay out of the way. I must not have slowed the kid down too much because he still picked up about 35 yards before he was caught from behind.


[Edited by Matt-MI on Mar 7th, 2004 at 07:02 PM]

REPLY: Matt's post about "If you see the hole open..." is right on the money. Here's a story about what can happen if you <u>don't</u> see the hole open--or if you see it too late. I'm regularly a wing or BJ. I was working the U spot as a replacement in a varsity game. Play flow goes to the offense's left--my right. I take a short step to my left and turn right to watch the action at the point of attack. Out of the corner of my eye, I see an offensive lineman coming back toward the right (my) side of the field . I turn just in time to see him trapping the defensive end. Uh-oh! And guess who's standing smack dab in the middle of the <u>real</u> point of attack with no place to go??!! Well, the runner grabs me by the front of my shirt (at the zipper) to keep from knocking me over. He's running full tilt, and I'm backpedalling like hell as about five defenders hit us. I end up on the bottom of the pile. Wind knocked out of me, two cracked ribs, a broken pair of glasses, and a bloody nose. I finished the game, but couldn't sit up for the next two weeks because of the ribs. Lesson learned...look out for counter plays!

U for 34 years here---
Rich F is correct about those plays
where you have a very quick running
back and in a blink of an eye he is
right in front of you------ do not move !!
I've seen the runner's break a smile when
they see you there as a blocking "post"
for them.
Watch out for the quick slant passes---
I've never been hit, but have had a few
buzz by my ear.
I'm a big man (6'3"/270) and usually have
players bounce off me- but the bruises
seem to last longer as you get older !
One other important bit of advice----
do not bend down to pick up the ball
too quickly-- a player may not see you
and nail you with his helmet when he jumps up !
Use your voice to prevent "extra activity"
if the players know you are there, they are
less likely to try any "funny" stuff.
Keep the flag in your pocket for the BIG
things -- and have fun !!

Yup, I been hit with a couple of slant passes too. One receiver complained I wasn't moving close enough to the line after the snap. It seems they wanted to "use" me as that blocking post that SWFL mentioned. The coach asked me I could move quicker!

Backs
 

Do any of you pregame this when you meet with coaches/players b4 the game?

Do you Us have any type of meeting with the backs to tell them if they are making cuts around you that you are not going to move? Or does that just make you an extra blocker in thier minds.

I wouldn't tell players or coaches your plans. This would probably just lead to trouble when a coach asks you why you moved when you said you wouldn't.

I agree with Mike, they don't need to know. And if you block one of their players or knock over over their back then too bad, you're part of the field.

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.