Seeking help from whitehats...

[dumbref]

My decision was similar to yours. We do not work crews, but by exclusive position. I had been the #1 rated L for several years and received many play-off and championship games because of that. It wound up being a decision for the association/chapter for me than rather than a personal one. We needed someone to step up to the position. We lost a couple of WH due to relocation and had a couple that were going to retiring with in a year or two. The timing was just right for me – I stepped back in the pecking order for those two years but jumped to up to 1-2 @ R as soon as those guys retired.

Some people see WH as a status symbol. I think we need great officials at every position and no position rates above the other. You are obviously highly rated in your current position and should not feel selfish for remaining where you have earned that respect. Work some JV games at WH, take a look at the quality/age of WH’s in your association and ultimately, your knees will tell when to make the move!

[Forksref]

Hopefully, you've already done a lot of R at subvarsity levels so you know that you like it and that is not an issue.

Going from BJ or any other position to R is like going from asst. coach to head coach and I've done that too. There is a huge difference. The responsibility is on you. Trust me, there are very few non-R's who know the rules well and you will be expected to be the expert so don't expect much help. You will be the leader of the "team" and that can be very rewarding. Experience at all of the positions will also be valuable to you so when I do subvarsity games, I like to do the other positions to keep sharp in all areas. All eyes will be on you and you must be ready for the responsibility.

You have to be the judge of whether the move matches your goals and if you will be enjoying officiating just as much if not more.

[parepat]

It seems like you are answering your own question. You are getting great assignments. You love working with this crew. So long as you are physically able to continue at your present position, I would think long and hard before making the move.

I made that move 4 years ago and it has worked out great for one reason. The guys on my new crew are awesome. If you have worked on a crew that doesn't have fun together you know what I mean. My old crew got great games, but there was not good chemistry. We did not even eat together after the games.

The other important thing to consider is that Ref position is not as physically active as BJ, LJ, L. I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that I'm not all over the field like I used to be as a wing. I initially found it confining and frustrating.

In the end, if you are working with great guys, it may be better to stay where you are and wait out your turn on your own crew. Good luck with this tough decision.

[With_Two_Flakes]

Originally Posted by parepat

The other important thing to consider is that Ref position is not as physically active as BJ, LJ, L. I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that I'm not all over the field like I used to be as a wing.

I think I would disagree with that statement. I cover more distance as a White Hat than I do as HL or LJ. I have to be prepared to work sideline to sideline. If a play goes OOB or into a sidezone, I am the 2nd man there, who else can be? If we are lucky enough to have a BJ, he too should work sideline to sideline, but any play that makes negative yards or small positive yards, again I am the 2nd man there.