My first game this week

[mcrowder]

1) See it before you call it.
2) Really ... see it before you call it. Get the number and be sure. No peripheral vision fouls.
3) Don't get caught up in the play - you can't see anything if you are in the middle of the action.
4) Don't get stuck focusing on the ball - 90% of the action is NEAR the ball, but not AT the ball - watch the area you're responsible for. Don't look up to watch a ball in flight - focus on the players.
5) Look good. You can stink your first several games, and if you look good doing it (meaning being dressed right, and not sloppily, hustling, and looking like you should be there), you'll be all right. And if you are PERFECT your first several games, but look like a slob doing it, all they'll remember is that you were a slob.
6) Watch the play for a good 3-4 seconds after the play is over. Don't focus too much on getting ready for the next play - there is usually plenty of time for that, and you might miss something extracurricular after the play.
7) Work with your partners, not against them.
8) Did I say see it before you call it?
9) Don't blow the whistle unnecessarily, or too early, or if you aren't sure the play is dead. If you can't see the ball, it might not be where you think it is. Remember - the play kills the play. Your whistle (except when you decide forward progress has been halted, or when the ballcarrier steps out of bounds and no one but you saw it) shouldn't be the thing that kills the play.
10) Don't mention to the coach that this is your first game. He'll eat you alive.

[wisref2]

Good stuff from mcrowder. A few of my own:

Watch the game, don't watch for fouls.
Keep your eyes moving - prevents tunnel vision.
See it before you call it.
It's your first game, so the most important thing is to have fun (as it is in your next game, and every game after that).
Ask questions of your crew at halftime and after the game.
See the ball EVERY TIME before you blow the whistle.
See it before you call it.
As umpire, you probably don't have to blow the whistle - so don't. The wings will take care of the whistle.
See it before you call it.
And of the best lessons I ever learned was in a clinic this summer (as I'm going into my 24th season!) - don't complicate the game. You'll understand this better after a few seasons. But it means don't make complicated calls when a simple one will do. ie - receiver catches the ball just as he gets hit, the ball comes out - don't complicate it by ruling catch and fumble, just rule it incomplete.
And finally, see it before you call it. No guessing.

[ToGreySt]

I also should mention that this is going to be a 3-man crew, any extra suggestions?

joe

[wisref2]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I also should mention that this is going to be a 3-man crew, any extra suggestions?

joe

Now that's a different animal!!!!

Go to the NFHS website and review 3-man mechanics. Have a good discussion with the rest of the crew prior to the game to make sure you're all on the same page as far as mechanics and coverage of runs to the open side, passes, kick plays, etc.
Have your running shoes on.
Hustle - don't hurry.
You will have to blow your whistle in a 3-man crew - more important to see the ball before you blow it.
Remember to work wide - you have a lot of room to cover.
Talk to your association and encourage them to contact the league about using 4-man crews. 3-man can't cover today's game. Offer to take a pay cut, if necessary. It will pay off in the end.
See it before you call it.

[ToGreySt]

most games we do are 4 or 5 man, but this is a freshman game, so the school is not going to pay for four guys, crews will sometimes grab an extra guy and take a cut, which is worth it for me if I'm the U that day

[AndrewMcCarthy]

On a lot of plays you'll have to be working an Umpire-Back Judge combo position. A lot of what you've learned about the Umpire position in 4- and 5-man crews goes out the window.

[wisref2]

So how did it go? 3-man is an awful way to learn, but at least you get to see a lot in one game.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcCarthy

On a lot of plays you'll have to be working an Umpire-Back Judge combo position. A lot of what you've learned about the Umpire position in 4- and 5-man crews goes out the window.

When I lived in TN, we worked a R with 2 wings -- if the ball was downed in the side zone, the R would spot it. I still prefer this method for 3-man, although we take 5 to every game these days and won't accept an assignment unless they pay for at least 4.

[Ref inSoCA]

Originally Posted by ToGreySt

I also should mention that this is going to be a 3-man crew, any extra suggestions?

joe

Wow. This had not appeared when I responded.

My response was for 4- and 5-man. Didn't know anybody used 3-man or 3-man with a U anymore.

We use 3-man for 5-6 yr old PW Flag only. We use an R/HL/LJ formation.

[ToGreySt]

Originally Posted by Ref inSoCA

Wow. This had not appeared when I responded.

My response was for 4- and 5-man. Didn't know anybody used 3-man or 3-man with a U anymore.

We use 3-man for 5-6 yr old PW Flag only. We use an R/HL/LJ formation.

I would actually prefer this formation, it seems really hard to break to the sideline to cover it. I did move to the wing for any goal line plays or try's, this was just something that was suggested by the R.

Joe