(Survey) Pregame meeting with Head Coaches
 

How many crews meet with the head coaches...

A) In street clothes
B) In uniform on the field
C) Both

If A or C, what do you discuss before you hit the field?

Thanks!

B but it is just the R and U, not the crew.

How can it be C? Do you mean you have multiple meetings or are you wearing both sets of clothes?

B

Wearing your civvy slacks and stripes. Or,
Wearing your dress shirt with knickers.

B. Always.

B. Just our R and U meet with the head coach of each team. Prior to this season, we all met as a crew, but I saw that as time-wasting and a bit awkward (5-on-1).

B. The R & U meet with each head coach and ask all questions outlined in the NFHS mechanic manual.

I have never met a coach in street clothes. I do not even see how that would be possible. My answer would only be B.

Peace

B. Whole crew

B, just me and the U. The HL & LJ introduce themselves to their coach once the teams get to their sidelines after warmups. The BJ is usually up in the box hoping the clock operator eventually shows up.

B. All as a group, though I think this is a little unnecessary for all 5 of us, maybe R/U and that Sideline official?

On a side note/question, where do people meet;

On the field, if so how soon before the game?

In the Locker Room

I've been on crews that have done it each way -- R and U in street clothes before teams go on field; R and U only on field before game; all 5 crew members before game. My preference is all 5 -- we can all hear what the coach says about his plays or other comments; we get a chance to ask any follow-up question; we all get to meet and know who the head coach is. As a BJ on a crew where only R and U met the coach, I didn't know who to look to when a coach on the sideline was calling a TO. As a flank official when R and U only met with the coach, I had to waste his pregame time introducing myself to the coach on my sideline and may have no idea who the head coach is on opposite sideline (though that's not important for my duties, it's helpful and informative).

I guess we are the exception here. We (whole crew) meet with our shirts and ties immediately upon arrival at the game site prior to changing. We will also check game balls and cast and walk the field at this time also.

Always B. R and U but I always took the wing official to meet his coach. More relaxed that way rather than the wing trying to introduce himself just peior to the game.

B, but it's just the R and U.

B. Entire crew.

In uniform, R and U. No exceptions. I'd like to meet them in the locker room with the wing on their side (only for a quick intro and sideline control instructions, then the wing leaves), but we do it on the field a lot.

In uniform on the field with the R and U. We used to do all 5, but thought that was too much.

Ditto

B the whole crew. As the referee I have the wing that is on that coaches sideline go over certain aspects with the coach, such as sideline communication and communication with the wideouts.

As for wasting time, there is a lot of time to waste prior to the kickoff.

We get on the field 30 minutes prior to kickoff. The U and I (the R) go to the teams (and after check in the footballs) while the LJ and L walk the field, moving pylons, checking goalpost pads, measuring the chains, etc. BJ goes to the booth to talk to the timer.

10 minutes later (6:40PM), we have the coin toss.

After the toss, we meet and we (the U and myself) give everyone else the captains numbers, etc., and then we split up -- 2 of us on each end watch the teams run their sets to see if we can get any insight. The L talks to the chain crew and both wings talk to the ball boys (or girls). With about 2 minutes on the clock before the introductions / anthems, we meet at the 20 at the side we will have the receivers, opposite the pressbox for the anthem. We line from the 25 to the 20 on the sideline for the anthem, R in the middle.

There's plenty of time, but we manage to use it all up without being bored.

Re: pregame surveys
 

We as an entire crew meet the coaches in uniform on the field, I agree very awkward. Another thing we do that I do not like is that the wing officials do the talking to their respective coach ("legally equipped, captains etc).

I can see why you don't like that: you've got a serious liability issue later if a kid gets hurt and the coach denies that he answered the "legally equipped" question.

Sorry to think like a lawyer. You've heard of people who were raised by a pack of wolves? I was raised by a pack of lawyers. Roughly comparable in some ways...

Another Question
 

How long before the kickoff are you meeting with the coaches?

We meet on the field with all five of us approximately 30 minutes prior to the game. After meeting with both coaches we conduct the toss. More and more in our are are moving to the R and U only meeting. MY thoughts:

1. The coaches hate one meeting let alone 2. Get it all in at one time.

2. Occasionally a coach will have a question that involves specific duties of one official or rule application. I find it better to have everyone available.

3. It's easier for the wing to meet the coach in a more relaxed atmosphere than the chaos of the last minute or two prior to the kickoff.

We get on the field 30-40 minutes before the game. We walk the field then all five of us meet with each coach. After that we get captains and flip. Then 3 of us on the home side and the other two on the other side. I've never thought it awkward. The coach gets to meet all of us that way.