First Varsity Game, and I'm at U
 

Gentlemen,

I have my first varsity game coming up this saturday. I'm the umpire. I have a couple of questions

1. Any quick tips for the position, mechanics (5-man) wise?

2. What sections of the rule book should I look over during this upcoming week? things that I will deal with specifically in the U position.

thanks,

I actually had my first varsity game at umpire. Now, I am a referee.

Your mental preparation is the key. Hopefully, you have very strong referee on the game to guide you through any tough situations.

Talk with your R, but here are a few things to do:

Prep-snap:
1. Snap infractions on the center
2. Illegal numbering ( live ball foul)
3. False starts on the center, guard, and maybe tackle.
4. Count A.


After snap:
1. Know your keys, read run or pass.
If pass, come to the LOS.
Watch for holding, also make sure the QB doesn't go beyond the LOS and throw
If run, try to stay out of runners way. This is actually an art form. Don't necessary run backwards all of the time. Sometimes you want to step up towards the runner ( he will make a move away from you).

You don't really need to know ALL the rules in the book provided that your referee has good understanding.

For any critical spots there may require a measure. Make sure that the ball gets placed at the Wing officials feet.


This is just a start..... any questions?

Keep the flag in your pocket or wherever you stash it--- make sure it is something really bad for you to toss it. Make sure you are there to spot the ball--keep the game flowing.
Above all--use your voice-- "play's over"/"ball's away"/"roll of a man and push off the ground" etc.
Make sure you are there and the players know it.
You'll do fine !
(in my 38th season--most games at U)

Also, "Don't touch the snapper," on scrimmage kick formations. We've never had roughing the snapper when our U has said this to the defensive team.

Have fun out there. The U position is one where you can have the most interaction with the players, particulary the defense.

Thanks for the responces.

any sections of the rule book I should look over?

Most important, stay out of the way & don't get hurt. You'll spend some time in the beginning just trying to adjust to the speed of the game. Your crew will help you the most, so seek their advice. GOOD LUCK..;)

Hopefully your first varsity game goes better than mine did last week. We had an hour and forty-five minute lightning delay. After that was over, we got drenched by a heavy rain.

One thing missed here - if this is your first varsity game, and you're at U, you are probably unaware/unfamiliar with the pre-game routine. Make sure you go over this with your R - this differs across the country a bit, but you will most likely be involved in the pre-game interaction with the coaches, perhaps responsible for game-balls, etc.

For me, it was the pregame stuff that was most different from the Sub-V I'd been working.

Double check with R how many yards you are marking off and in which direction. That is time you are most visible and mistakes are most easily seen. If it was first and 10 and there was a false start it had better now be first and 15 and not first and 14.

I got an email from the WH today to the crew asking us to prepare a presentation about our "areas of responsibility pertaining to game situations"

he doesn't know that this is my first game, but no matter what I still want to make the presentation, what should I talk about, 5-10 min tops

Go through all the types of plays and what you will do: kickoff, punt, field goal or try, running play, passing play, goal line. Also cover odd things like measurements and be sure to cover penalty enforcement. That gives you a minute for each subject on average.

Remember your gear! In addition to the regular equipment, I always bring for the
pre-game:

2 different colored MagicMarkers (permanent) to mark the balls
Air pressure gauge
Hand-pump

And for the game:
Extra towels - solid white of course (I always carry 3 to the game - 1 on me, 1 on the sideline, 1 in the locker room for half-time)
Extra coin - seems some WHs can't remember - but not all

Good luck and enjoy!

rules to concentrate on
 

Always study rule 2, always.

Rules 9 and 10 are also "U" rules.

The presentation, I would concentrate on my mechanics. Go over your mechanics for the coin toss, KO, running plays; up the middle with the ball dead at your feet, sweeps, pass plays, punts and place kicks.

This will refresh your memory of your study and let the others know what you are doing on each play.