this weekend we will be working the eastern regional for pop warner here in virginia beach, i will be the white white hat, we will be introducing ourselves to each coach and the team before the coin toss, at this time should we go over any trick plays or special plays that they run. i would appreciate anything that will help us have a great pregame and i would like to get some insight on what some of the veterans white hats here go over in their pregame, any information would be greatly appreciated.


thanks

tim

When you talk to the coaches, don't use run-on sentences.

I have a checklist that I have on a laminated 3 x 5 index card that I take with me to speak with the head coaches. This is a list I have used for the past 10 years, you will have to decide if it is applicable for Pop Warner.
1) Are your players legally equipped? Do you need us to check any equipment or braces?
2) Are any players using shields? (Doctor's excuse & principle's letter)
3) Any players with casts? (Doctor's excuse)
4) Does everyone use a mouthpiece? (PIAA letter to excuse them)
5) Any plays or formations we need to be aware of?
6) Is the QB right or left handed?
7) Is the punter Right or left footed?
8) Is the place kicker Right or left footed?
9) Inform each coach on the length of halftime & tell them the official time and advise them who will have the 25 second clock if one isn't visible.
10) Verify the game balls and ask if they have their own ball boys.
11) Ask if they have any questions on overtime procedures or the mercy rule
12)Obtain the name of the sideline control coach
13) Captains names and numbers
14) Ask if they have made a decision yet, what their option will be if they win the coin toss.
15) Read the sportsmanship message to the captains and head coach. PA directive
16) Bid them good luck

Its a fairly comprehensive list but it doesn't take very long. Good luck

not a bad list but it seems to me redundant in questions 2, 3 and 4 to question 1.
as far as question 10 I simply tell them we won't check balls but if an officail tosses one off an illegal to not use it again.

thanks
 

thanks guys that is just what i was looking for


tim

Eye Shields? I don't know of any exceptions that would allow anything other than clear shields. Is this a state thing?

Same for mouthpieces. Another state variation?

Cowboy fan it may seem as if numbers two-three and four are redundent but in Pennsylvania we need answers and verification of all three questions if the athlete is going to play. If a player has a cast it must be padded and approved by the umpire before he is allowed to play. He also needs a letter from his physician allowing him to play. If a player has an eye shield it can only be clear (not tinted) and he must have a prescription from his doctor AND a Letter from his school principal allowing him to use the shield. If a player is not using a mouthpiece he must have a letter from the executive director of the PIAA allowing him not to use one. So as far as all the questions they all have a purpose. We always verify and mark the game balls, this way we know they are a legal ball and have the correct amount of air. It may seem a little tedious but over the years I've learned if you take care of the little things etc...etc....

I also ask if their team has a doctor/trainer, and if so, that person's name. I have the coach point him/her out.

Before the game begins, I introduce myself to the doctor/trainer. I have found this to be very helpful on those few occasions when a player is seriously injured and I need to speak with the doctor/trainer on the field about the extent of the injury.

I also then know if a team does not have such a person, and can inform the other side's doctor/trainer that they will be called upon for both teams.

You go thru all that in the pregame meeting?

All I do is ask the coaches about the player's being properly equip. I ask them about unusual plays and situations. We then check the game balls and end the meeting.

Now that is a simplification of the meeting, but you do not have to worry about trainers or names of the scorekeeper and names and linage of the captains. Maybe it is just me. I see all those questions as way too much. These guys want to coach, not talk to us. And in our state we were mandated to do the coin flip at 20 minutes before the game. So these meetings were kept short and sweet as possible.

Peace

Wow, the coin flip 20 minutes before game time!? No wonder you have to cut the discussion short. On the other hand, that certainly should give you some free time ten minutes or so before the game to speak to the doctor/trainer.

In KY, the flip is mandated at the 3:00 minute mark so that you go right from the flip to the game (unless the coaches both want to do it early).

As for the names, it goes a long, long way to be able to control the game if you are able to use the captain's names during the game. You'd be surprised how they pick up on little things like that. For example, "Captain Jones, your #32 is beginning to lose his cool. Please take of it."

Mine is short, sweet, and to the point.

1)Sportsmanship is a priority, your sportsmanship on the sidelines goes a long way in making tonight game a good one.
2)1/2 time length
3)normal formation, unusual formations, or trick plays
4)captains numbers and names of speaking captains
5)everyone legally equipped?
6)get back coaches name
7)we will check your game balls
This takes just a minute or 2 and we are done with them. I like captains names as well. It helps in communication and makes them feel more important.
I wish we had a mandatory time for coin toss. We have none in IA and it is chaos as a result. Some don't care, some want 30 minutes-no mock, some want a mock, some only at 3 minutes. The state tells us to do what they want, and if they don't care, they want a mock at 3.

You may ask for a conference to question a misapplication of a rule. You may not, however challenge a judgement call. If the ruling stays as called, you will be assessed with a TO.

I agree with JR. No sense making it a congressional hearing! We ask if everyone is legally equipped, get capts. numbers, ask about unusual plays, get game balls and wish them good luck.

Usually things like halftime length are known before the game is started. We will inform the coaches if they are not aware, but this is common knowledge. And things like whether a player is right handed or left handed is something I ask before the first snap of the first series for that team.

I always believe in KISS (Keep it simple stupid). I could not remember to ask all that stuff, let alone say it in a reasonable time.

Peace

How do you get all this on one 3x5 card??? :D