Cheat Sheet

[SoGARef]

I have been a referee for over 20 years and during that time I have always had a card that listed everything I wanted to cover with the coach. I have never had a coach negatively comment about the use of the card, actually, some have stated that they wish every referee was as thorough and concise. This year I have moved to umpire so that I can help train a new young referee. I offered him my card and he chose not to use one. During our conference with the coach something will almost always be forgotten to be mentioned. That forces me to bring it up, which in my mind makes the referee look bad. One final observation. How many head coaches have you seen that don't have a sheet with them at the game.+

[umpirebob71]

Originally Posted by SoGARef

I have been a referee for over 20 years and during that time I have always had a card that listed everything I wanted to cover with the coach. I have never had a coach negatively comment about the use of the card, actually, some have stated that they wish every referee was as thorough and concise. This year I have moved to umpire so that I can help train a new young referee. I offered him my card and he chose not to use one. During our conference with the coach something will almost always be forgotten to be mentioned. That forces me to bring it up, which in my mind makes the referee look bad. One final observation. How many head coaches have you seen that don't have a sheet with them at the game.+

So, you moved from referee to umpire. Congratulations on the promotion.

[Forksref]

Originally posted by SoGARef
I have been a referee for over 20 years and during that time I have always had a card that listed everything I wanted to cover with the coach. I have never had a coach negatively comment about the use of the card, actually, some have stated that they wish every referee was as thorough and concise. This year I have moved to umpire so that I can help train a new young referee. I offered him my card and he chose not to use one. During our conference with the coach something will almost always be forgotten to be mentioned. That forces me to bring it up, which in my mind makes the referee look bad. One final observation. How many head coaches have you seen that don't have a sheet with them at the game.+

And I also see a lot of QB's now with printed plays on their wristband.

[rockyroad]

As a varsity coach, I have a card with things on it that I want to go over with the crew when they come to talk with me. Doesn't bother me in the least if they have a card or sheet also - quite often the things on the two cards match up pretty well.

[parepat]

Good topic.

I use a card that I refer to at the end to make sure I covered everything. Once I finish my spiel I introduce the wing sho will be on that coaches sideline. While he is giving his spiel, I refer to the card. If I missed anything, I will address it when the wing finishes up. I always felt kind of funny about it. I like the idea of having the umpire hold it, but, if he has to step in and remind you, then you will probably look worse than if you looked at the card in the first place.

With respect to pre games, some of our crews are just having the umpire and ref talk to the coaches. Do any of you do this? And, if so, what are the advantages?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by parepat

Good topic.

I use a card that I refer to at the end to make sure I covered everything. Once I finish my spiel I introduce the wing sho will be on that coaches sideline. While he is giving his spiel, I refer to the card. If I missed anything, I will address it when the wing finishes up. I always felt kind of funny about it. I like the idea of having the umpire hold it, but, if he has to step in and remind you, then you will probably look worse than if you looked at the card in the first place.

With respect to pre games, some of our crews are just having the umpire and ref talk to the coaches. Do any of you do this? And, if so, what are the advantages?

It doesn't feel like you are ganging up on him. We try to be quick, yet thorough. 2 of us makes it a lot easier to accomplish this than all 5 of us.

We used to have all 5. I'd have the wing give the rating card to his sideline, talk about back foot to the receivers, etc. and I eventually found this to be too long of a process. The coach is in the middle of pregame prep and as long as we cover everything, he would prefer (I think) for it to be handled crisply and quickly so he can get back to his team.

[BuckeyeRef]

Originally Posted by parepat

Good topic.


With respect to pre games, some of our crews are just having the umpire and ref talk to the coaches. Do any of you do this? And, if so, what are the advantages?

Once again the referees trying to hog the spotlight and leave the real workhorses on the crew out in the dark.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeRef

Once again the referees trying to hog the spotlight and leave the real workhorses on the crew out in the dark.

You must be kidding, right?

Do other position people really feel that being the WH is an *easy* job? I had two guys on the crew like that -- I solved that perception by putting them in the R position during JV games and watching them struggle from a wing or the BJ position.

While I'm primarily a WH these days, I pride myself in being able to competently work any of the 5-man positions at any time. And I have at the varsity level.

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by parepat

With respect to pre games, some of our crews are just having the umpire and ref talk to the coaches. Do any of you do this? And, if so, what are the advantages?

No card for me. I keep it pretty short and simple so the coach can get back to doing what he wants to be doing before the game (which amazingly is NOT chit-chatting with me). It's not that hard to keep memorized.

And yes, it's just me and the U. The other guys have their own pre-game stuff to do anyway. If there's anything special to pass along to the other guys, I do that in our short meeting before the toss. Just like they can tell me if the clock operator knows his stuff, if the chain crew is ready and if the field has any problems. There's just no point in the whole herd travelling together to talk to coaches.

[RMR]

In La., for district games, it is just the R and the U. For pre-district games and for playoffs, the coaches are supposed to be introduced to the whole crew.

[Forksref]

I make up my own game cards and on the back I have the names of our crew to introduce and I have my list of questions to ask the coach. I have no problem doing this. The object is to get it right. And when I have it out, it's just a continuation of the front of the card where I write down the captains' numbers as the coach gives them to me. I also have a business size card with our association, crew names and contact info so coaches can give us feedback.

[ref1986]

My crew has been together a long time and our varsity schedule is typicially 11 games from the same 15 schools. We know all the head coaches and most of the assistant coaches, and very often we know the visitors too. Some coaches some of us know professionally or socially as well. So all six of us come on the field about 45 minutes before the game and say hello. If we don't know a head coach, all of us will introduce ourselves. Sometimes it's just the U and I who have the meeting with the head coach, sometimes one or more of the other officials will be there. It depends whom they're talking to at the time. The meeting with the coach covers all the important stuff, but it's pretty informal.

[eventnyc]

Would anyone care to share their list?

[Ken H]

Being a first year WH I use mine every time. I keep it in my official wallet with my other cards. it has the following.

Intro of officials
Captains #'s
Players legally equipped- Casts or braces
Sportsmanship
Sideline Control
Special plays/formations
Game ball
Ball boy
Wing officals will mark back of ball for receivers
Questions
Talk to other team then get flip out of way

[Edited by Ken H on Sep 17th, 2005 at 03:55 AM]

[schwinn]

Halftime activity is another to add to the list.