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Old Sun Mar 21, 2004, 03:29pm
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I have been officiating basketball for 3 years and baseball for 4. I am going to start officiating football next fall and am looking for a little advice. Every sport is different. I love doing basketball, enjoy the fast pace and quick decision making. I have cut back on baseball due to having 3 sons that play but umpiring to me is much different from officiating basketball. Both sports have their basic principles to being successful. Basketball for instance, call in your area, officiate the defense, get a good angle, keep focused during dead ball periods, use the principles of advantage/disadvantage when calling fouls etc. What are some of the basic principles to be aware of when starting out in football? What things do you really need to have a good grasp of before stepping out there for your first game? I will be attending a clinic before the season starts. Football always looked like it would be the most fun to do so I am really looking forward to the season.
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Old Sun Mar 21, 2004, 06:21pm
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Everything you said about basketball holds true in football. Being a good official of any sport requires good mechanics and knowing how and when to apply the rules.
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Old Sun Mar 21, 2004, 09:34pm
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In my opinion football is ALL about mechanics. Learning to see holds off ball and things like that you will gain from experience. Just work on your mechanics and work on looking good. Also football requires you to have better communication skills than in basketball(I do bball too). And in football the coach has longer breaks in between plays to talk to you. That's about it as of now. Most of it will come from experience.
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Old Mon Mar 22, 2004, 09:30am
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REPLY: Sorry for the long post, but here are some good principles to follow. I'm sure others can add more:

"Common Sense and Good Judgement Approach to Officiating."
Tested Principles of Football Officiating

by Anonymous Authors

1. If you think it was a foul - it was not.
2. Always be sure of a foul and never guess, as there are no phantom fouls.
3. If you did not see the approach - it is never a clip.
4. Pick up your flag if you realize the foul wasn't there.
5. Don't trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you.
6. Let the foul screech before calling it.
7. Never seek fouls or hunt trouble.
8. Keep officiating after you call a foul.
9. Judgment in the final analysis is the application of common sense, and common sense tells us that extremes are as undesirable in officiating as in anything else.
10. If it didn't affect the play, take an advantage of an opponent, or create a threat to player safety, it is not a foul.
11. Don't blow your whistle unless you see the ball.
12. Putting the hand on the face mask is not a foul. It must be grasped.
13. If you are in doubt, don't throw the flag or blow the whistle.
14. If a man is in motion and the quarterback is stepping back at the snap, this puts no one at a disadvantage.
15. Don't be picky or over-technical.
16. No fan ever paid to see an official officiate.
17. Know the rule book so you know the game - not so you can be over technical.
18. Let the play kill itself!
19. Concentration is knowing your responsibilities and mentally reviewing them before each down.
20. Don't call it unless you can hang your hat on it.
21. You call fouls to make a game fair and safe, don't just call fouls.
22. Never guess what may have happened.
23. Concentrate on each play - just one at-a-time. Down, distance, clock and team. The whole game will take care of itself.
24. Talking will get you in trouble.
25. When you see pass interference, don't let crowd noise help you call it.
26. If you're in doubt, the passer's arm was going forward and it is an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.
27. Be consistent in declaring the ball dead.
28. Concentrate your efforts on the point of attack, not away from the ball.
29. If in doubt, the block is legal rather than below the waist.
30. If it involves the safety of a player, call it.
31. Get involved, either physically or mentally, in every play.
32. Be slow and positive in declaring possession of fumbles.
33. Overriding principle: It is the purpose of the rules to penalize a player who by reason of an illegal act has placed his opponent at a disadvantage.
34. Help players, especially on muddy unmarked fields, who are possibly lining up in the neutral zone as split ends rather than having a penalty contest with the other flank official.
35. Forward progress and timing are the two most important aspects of the game.
36. Let the players settle the game; avoid technicalities the don't affect the game.
37. Don't see how fast you can count to 25 seconds, especially on the first play of the game.
38. Never anticipate fouls - "let it happen."
39. Officiate in a manner that no one will ask who the officials were.
40. Call fouls and continue to officiate.
41. Fouls inside the five-yard line should be called like fouls on the fifty.
42. On emotional plays where a team attempts to make a first down, bring out the chains and let them decide it.
43. The only part of officiating to emphasize is your signaling.
44. That substitute that is running of get off the field doesn't have to be watched until he is completely off. He has done that when he passes the flank official. It could be you missed the play while you had your back turned.
45. Never show annoyance, irritation or anger when enforcing a penalty.
46. Never "react" emotionally.
47. No "mystery" flags. Get it in the air where everyone can see it.
48. Avoid coaches before and after the game.
49. It can be understandable when an official doesn't see something - it is never understandable when an official calls a foul that wasn't there.
50. See the ball break the plane of the goal in player possession.
51. Your job is officiating - not coaching.
52. Don't worry about "water bucket" plays.
53. When you report a foul to the referee, you should also know the proper enforcement of that penalty. Check to see if is done correctly.
54. Avoid an air of belligerence.
55. It's an accepted fact that great coaches "out-prepare" the competition. (So do great officials).
56. How can you react correctly, if you're not prepared?
57. The best officials always seem to be in the best position to see things.
58. When you watch a great official, you'll always see great mechanics.
59. When in doubt, the pass is forward rather than backward behind the neutral zone.
60. When in doubt, the pass is backward rather than forward beyond the neutral zone or when there is no neutral zone.
61. Kicking plays usually decide the close games. Maybe these are the plays to "bear down" even harder?
62. When in doubt, the run has ended rather than a fumble.
63. Don't miss personal fouls.
64. "Holding" should either gain an advantage, or somehow place an opponent at a disadvantage or restrict him.
65. Be felt, not heard, as mush as possible.
66. In calling a foul, you must know whether the ball loose or in possession? Was it a live or dead ball? Where was the ball when the foul was committed?
67. Never sacrifice accuracy for speed in making officiating decisions.
68. Knowing what to look for and where to look are requirements of every official on every play. Some do - some don't. The great ones always know.
69. When in doubt - call time out for an injured player.
70. If an official questions your call, don't fence yourself in. Reverse the question - ask him what he thinks.
71. An officiating sin - to move the chains without orders.
72. Preventative officiating is your best weapon towards maintaining game control.
73. A word of warning at the right time goes a long way.
74. If a player is baiting or having words with an opponent, warn the player through his captain.
75. Officiating is a team game - you're all members of the same crew. The game is either well officiated or poorly officiated!
76. Go slowly…go slowly…go slowly. And when you reach the point where you’re going slow enough, slow down some more.
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Old Mon Mar 22, 2004, 11:33am
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That is quite a list. And some really good points. I printed it off for future reading. Thanks for that list.

I do have one question. Lets see what everyone else thinks. #14 on that list talked about a man in motion with a QB stepping back at the snap. It is true that nobody really was put in a disadvantage. What if the Qb was stepping forward at the snap? Was anyone at a disadvantage? I doubt it personally. That particular line, #14, might be the only one I kinda disagree with. There are other fouls that happen and maybe no disadvantage results, but a foul is a foul. I had a similar situation. Man in motion, Qb calling signals under center. QB says "down, set" and at this time the rest of the off line puts their hands down in a 3 point stance. Keep in mind, there was still a man in motion. This is an illegal shift. However, I really don't think that B was put into a disadvantage because of it. But you can bet that more than one flag was thrown.


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Old Mon Mar 22, 2004, 12:30pm
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REPLY: I can see what you mean about some of your points. The way I envisioned #14 is that the QB's foot is moving backward as opposed to his whole body. I envision his body as remaining still (relatively) behind the snapper. I can live with that. If he starts moving his whole body out before the snap, chances are good you'll have a false start.
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Old Tue Mar 23, 2004, 04:39am
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From the European Federation of American Football Mechanics Manual:

6. AXIOMS OF OFFICIATING
6.1 - When in doubt principles
When in>doubt:
1. it is a touchback rather than a safety; (See Rule 8-5-1-a.)
2. it is a touchback rather than a momentum exception;
3. the forward pass is incomplete rather than a fumble;
4. it is legal use of hands rather than holding or illegal use of hands;
5. the ball is accidentally kicked rather than intentionally; (See Rule 2-15-1.)
6. a departing player has left the field prior to the snap;
7. offensive players are legally on the line;
8. offensive players are legally in the backfield;
9. it is a legal block rather than clipping;
10. the passer has not intentionally grounded the ball;
11. the forward pass is catchable; (See Rule 2-19-4.)
12. the passer has thrown the ball rather than fumbled it; (See Rule 2-19-2-c.)
13. the defensive back has legally initiated contact in passing situations;
14. defensive signals are legal;
15. call timeout for injured players; (See Rule 3-3-5-b.)
16. players are legally moving rather than in illegal motion;
17. the pass is forward rather than backward behind the neutral zone; (See Rule 2-19-2-a.)
18. the pass is backward rather than forward beyond the neutral zone or when there is no neutral zone;
19. the forward pass was thrown from in or behind rather than beyond the neutral zone;
20. the ball is dead in the field rather than a touchdown;
21. the player is in bounds rather than out of bounds;
22. the block is legal rather than below the waist;
23. the back at the snap is not positioned outside the normal tackle;
24. the one second pause has been violated;
25. the foul is roughing rather than running into the kicker; (See Rule 9-1-3-a-8.)
26. kicking team members have interfered with a receiver in position to catch the kick;
27. as to touching the ball, a player has not touched it; (See Rule 2-10-4.)
28. as to disintegration of the clipping zone, it is intact;
29. as to caught or trapped, the forward pass is incomplete; (See Rule 2-2-7-e.)
30. as to a block in the back, the contact is below the waist rather than above; (See Rule 2-3-4-a.)
31. don't throw the flag;
32. don't blow the whistle.

6.2 - Points to ponder Always remember:
1. player safety is your number one concern after your own;
2. make the tough call;
3. don't get emotionally involved;
4. a pre-game conference is a must;
5. if you look like an official you'll perform like one;
6. count the players;
7. correct obvious errors;
8. see leather;
9. know the down and distance;
10. sell the call but don't over-officiate;
11. call what you see but see what you call;
12. don't guess - know;
13. if two officials are marking a spot, one could be doing something else;
14. let the mind digest what the eye has seen;
15. what affect does it have on the play?;
16. it's what you learn after you know it all that counts;
17. on the wings, don't get trapped inside;
18. in the backfield, don't get beat deep;
19. after throwing your flag continue to officiate;
20. 4th down, kill the clock;
21. take a second to take a look;
22. the three virtues of a good official are attitude, consistency and competence;
23. the only part of officiating to emphasise is your signalling;
24. be decisive - indecision (or is it indecisiveness?) gives the impression of uncertainty;
25. never stand still during an entire down - people will think you are lazy;
26. if officials are close enough to touch each other there is generally something wrong;
27. don't get mad and don't get even;
28. if the fans and coaches don't know your name or who worked the game, you've had a great game;
29. it is more important to get it right than to look good;
30. don't dillydally - if you are going to get it wrong it is better to get it wrong quickly than it is to get it wrong slowly, but it's still better to get it right;
31. false pride has no place in officiating;
32. there are probably 5 "big" calls per game -- make sure you get them right;
33. officials can influence people (affect their behaviour) because they have power (the ability to influence someone), and authority (the right to exercise power), but there can be no authority without respect for that authority and respect has to be earned -- it does not come automatically with the stripes;
34. you're only as good as your next call.

6.3 - Principles of effective officiating
All officials must:
1.be helpful (preventive officiating);
2. have a thorough pre-game conference;
3. be prepared to compromise;
4. avail themselves to other officials;
5. help fellow crew members as much as possible;
6. encourage less experienced officials to ask questions;
7. give advice when needed;
8. be on time;
9. know their position;
10. know that uniformity is important;
11. act in a professional manner at all times;
12. be aware of primary and secondary responsibilities;
13. be people watchers not ball watchers;
14. be clock conscious;
15. never miss a down;
16. give good signals;
17. not allow linemen to talk;
18. be in the position to make the call;
19. not converge on the ball;
20. not turn their back to the ball;
21. blow their whistle like they mean it;
22. keep their mouth closed around the goal line;
23. keep abreast of 3-man mechanics;
24. be able to control their sideline;
25. be able to cover situations far downfield;
26. be aware of tempo;
27. know penalty enforcements;
28. never alienate a member of their crew;
29. "make it be there" - no phantom calls;
30. "get the play right" - if there is doubt, discuss it.

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Old Tue Mar 23, 2004, 01:30pm
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Thumbs up Don't forget "rule 11".

Don't forget the most important rule of all:

Have fun!!!

And apply the golden rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself...

and demand from others the respect you display to them...

Be the Lamb always; but at the proper moments you have to be the Tyger also...

Remember, when you have fun: "Joy, bright spark of divinity, daughter of Elysium, fire-inspired we tread thy sanctuary..."

Make the gridiron your holy sanctuary, and elevate others with your example.
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Old Fri Mar 26, 2004, 05:53pm
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We have a saying here in Canada,

See The Foul,
Find The Ball,
Make The Call.
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