Any Advice For A Rookie?

[Ref inSoCA]

Having taught new officials for the last 10 or so years, I offer these from experience---

Study, study, study.

Keep your mouth shut and listen to what people tell you. Be a sponge. Don't tell your mentors what you know about officiating because you don't know anything yet.

You already learned that it's easier to officiate while watching TV. That usually gets the talkers to be quiet.

Don't watch the ball.

Keep the whistle out of your mouth.

Work as many snaps as you can. If you work multiple Youth games on a day, work on something each game.

Keep the whistle out of your mouth.

Always hustle. Treat every game the same. That Mitey-Mite game is just as important to the parents/players as any NFL/NCAA game is to the participants.

Keep the whistle out of your mouth