Meeting with coaches in locker room?

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by BktBallRef
We also get to the game site by 6:00 pm for our 7:30 kickoff. I read and heard of others who only send the R and the U to the meeting with the coaches. Why? Most of our coaches want to me the wing official because they want to know who will be on their side of the field. Also, we all get the captains names and numbers and hear about any trick plays at the same time. They don't have to be relayed to the other 3 of us later. As for checking the field, there's plenty of time to do that. There's plenty of time to meet with the chain crew, ball boys, and timer. That 30 minutes from 7:00 to 7:30 is enough time to do all of those things. I just really don't see any reason why everyone can't attend the meetings and still complete their required tasks. To each his own I guess.

To answer your question as to why R and U only meet with the head coaches. By rule R with U as witness must ask if players are legally equipped. Often, it is difficult to get to the head coach when we are all together as he is busy getting ready for the game.

Also, here on Long Island for Saturday games many officials work morning games before afternoon games and arrive at the site as late as an hour before. And, when I was in California there were JV games before the varsity game.

Result is in order to get all the preliminaries in you divide the crew duties as much as possible.