Loose Ball During a Free Kick!

[JMN]

Coach GF,

An important component to officiating is positioning. Keeping up with the players is not necessarily a good thing. Congratulations for staying in shape, but don't overlook the obvious.

If you are too far downfield and passing other officials, then I would suggest that you are out of position. You are not doing your job! Who's doing the important job of officiating your area behind the play and dead ball officiating your area as players turn from the end zone and return to their benches?

Not sure I understand why you "crashed into the center of the field", but if you were a flank official, how did you keep the progress spot and why did you crash in? Was there a fight? If you crashed just to be first to the ball, I don't think that's proper mechanics and you could start to alienate your fellow crewmembers if you don't "fish in your own pond!" That's why we are called crews; each has to do his part for the team or we all break down.

Here are some words of wisdom passed on to me by an older, veteran official who saw me trying to beat a player to the goal line. He said, " #1, if you are a few yards behind the runner crossing the goal line, you are better off than being too close. You will see more and have time to get to the line to signal., #2 Get out of your mind trying to run with the players each season. Remember, each year you are a year older, but they remain 18 years old for as long as you officiate!"

True words and I humbly observe them. Good luck.