what posistion do I want?

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by ljudge

Just my opinion here...Having played MLB you are very well suited to work the U position. But honestly you should try to work all positions if you're just starting out and see what works best for you. You'll probably be working sub-varsity games where you don't have set crews and can try each position.

BTW - I'm up that way all the time to visit relatives just off Continental Blvd (exit 11). I wouldn't mind going to a Nashua v. Merrimack game.

Joe,

I agree, try all the positions, this will make you more marketable when you want to get on a crew.

[irefky]

The best advice I can give you is to start at either wing position. This will allow you to learn both as they are similar in so many ways. A lot of folks mentioned, learn them all, but there's so much to learn and it will just be too much at one time.

I do agree however, you may want to work the four first and see which one you feel comfortable at.

There's much more to learn than just the rules, mechnics, the way you handle yourself as an official, be mature and professional. Conduct yourself in a professional manner and you will gain much respect from the other officials and coaches. When I walk onto a playing surface, I keep my chin up and eyes wide open. I always introduce myself and tell the coach were I'm from.

Learn preventative officiating techniques, stay on top of the game by frequent stops here and purchase some resources to read. Most of all, take it a game at a time and have fun, remember to read rule 2.

Good luck

[ref18]

You've gotta work all the positions and find which one you like.

Up here you typically start on the sides, then after a few years there try other positions.

I like workin the U, but then again I've only worked the sides and the U and R, so I still need to work deep at some point, but I think the U is for me.

Either way we don't have set positions so one can work HL one game, R the next then back to LJ etc...

You just need to find where you like to be.

[JRutledge]

I started out as a LJ. I moved to HL the next season on the same crew. When I moved to my current area, I become a back judge. When the crew I was on later got rid of the Referee, I was asked to be the white hat. When I worked my first playoff game, I was assigned the Umpire. I just left a crew I was on for about 6 or 7 years and I joined a new crew, I am now a Back Judge.

You should have an understanding of the game where you can work any position. The only position I do not want to work is Umpire. Also umpires are people who really want to be there most of the time. The other positions can be interchangeable depending on what people are used to.

Peace

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The only position I do not want to work is Umpire.
Peace

this brings up another question of mine, I can understand why someone wouldn't want to be in the middle of all that controlled chaos all the time, but is this division present everywhere? do most people pick one a spot and stay there most of their games?

Joe

[irefky]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

this brings up another question of mine, I can understand why someone wouldn't want to be in the middle of all that controlled chaos all the time, but is this division present everywhere? do most people pick one a spot and stay there most of their games?

Joe

In my situation, yes and I think a lot others on this board more than likely remained at their position to become proficient then went to another. I have primarily been HL my entire career. I actually broke this down last year, HL 73%, LJ 15%, BJ 6% and R 6%. I really do not like the Umpire position, I am in a period of chaos the entire time. I done a scrimmage there last weekend, nothing has changed. I will be in my first year of college officiating this year, alternate, bought all plackets but two, R and U!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

this brings up another question of mine, I can understand why someone wouldn't want to be in the middle of all that controlled chaos all the time, but is this division present everywhere? do most people pick one a spot and stay there most of their games?

Joe

I've worked at the varsity level at all positions except U. I've worked U for JV/Freshman games and will do it more this year to give my backup white hat more experience.

All my varsity games are as the R now, although I've worked a few seasons at BJ and a few seasons on the wings. We have set crews and it's up to me who works and what position they work. We have 6 guys and 5 take the field every Friday night.

Scrimmage Friday, we open on the 24th and 26th this season (with the Friday off).

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

this brings up another question of mine, I can understand why someone wouldn't want to be in the middle of all that controlled chaos all the time, but is this division present everywhere? do most people pick one a spot and stay there most of their games?

Joe

I do not like the middle because I feel like I do not have enough to do. Some will disagree, but it got boring for me personally. Now what I have found is the officials that played the game as a lineman or a linebacker position, they seem to fit very well at the umpire position. I was a wide receiver and defensive back, so I like the reading fact of a back judge and watching the passing game as a wing. It comes down to what part of the game you understand the most and enjoy officiating.

Peace

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not like the middle because I feel like I do not have enough to do. Some will disagree, but it got boring for me personally. Now what I have found is the officials that played the game as a lineman or a linebacker position, they seem to fit very well at the umpire position. I was a wide receiver and defensive back, so I like the reading fact of a back judge and watching the passing game as a wing. It comes down to what part of the game you understand the most and enjoy officiating.

Peace

I once heard that a Referee runs the game; the Umpire runs the crew. I was never a lineman either, but I love Umpire! I don't U higher level games because I'm 5'10" & 170#, but I do enjoy U.