HS Varsity Crew Sizes

[OverAndBack]

And schools would balk, right?

As far as I know, we have 5 man varsity crews in Arizona. Below that, it's four (more running for the wings). The season-opening game, between Arizona's big school champion and Nevada's, used a seven-man crew (with two from Nevada).

Illinois had five, but we also had five below varsity.

[Rich]

5 for Varsity in Wisconsin, all the way through the playoffs, too.

3, 4, or 5 for subvarsity depending on the school. I will not take my crew to work 3-man anymore, those days are done. Since we get games directly from the schools at the subvarsity levels, I simply turn down any requests for 3-man.

I would go to 6-man in a heartbeat, although my umpire would immediately tell me to find another umpire since he was going to work a deep wing.

[GPC2]

In Louisiana we use 5 for varsity games. Once the playoffs start, we still use 5 except for the "Dome crews", who have 6. All of the state championship games (Dome games) are officiated with 6.

[RMR]

Originally Posted by GPC2

In Louisiana we use 5 for varsity games. Once the playoffs start, we still use 5 except for the "Dome crews", who have 6. All of the state championship games (Dome games) are officiated with 6.

Well sort of - don't forget that 6 man crews are mandated for all quarter-final and semi-final games also.

[FredFan7]

I don't understand states that expand crew size for the playoffs or the championship game. It has to be difficult to adjust mechanics for 1-3 games after a whole season working one way. If states go from 5 to 6 man crews in the playoffs, at least 2 of the 6 will be working a different position and it will impact all officials' coverage zones.

Why mess with mechanics during the playoffs? How much do the benefits of increased coverage outweigh and difficulty of adjusting the mechanics?

[OverAndBack]

Major League Baseball does it. You tell me.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by FredFan7

I don't understand states that expand crew size for the playoffs or the championship game. It has to be difficult to adjust mechanics for 1-3 games after a whole season working one way. If states go from 5 to 6 man crews in the playoffs, at least 2 of the 6 will be working a different position and it will impact all officials' coverage zones.

Why mess with mechanics during the playoffs? How much do the benefits of increased coverage outweigh and difficulty of adjusting the mechanics?

In the case of football, I honestly do not see this as a big deal. Working 7 Man is much easier than working 5 man. Working 6 man contributes a lot more work for the Umpire but doable. If you have extensive training, you really make the work easier for the individual official to work the games. With teams passing much more than ever, I have no problem with added officials for that purpose in critical games. All the deep wings really do is help cover passing plays and deep runs. And they help the short wing on sideline plays. I do not see this hurting the game.

Peace

[chymechowder]

Originally Posted by OverAndBack

Illinois had five, but we also had five below varsity.

Five for subvarsity? wow.

in MASS, we have 5 for varsity. Mostly 3 for subvarsity. but some conferences only use TWO officials for subvarsity.

[bisonlj]

Originally Posted by chymechowder

Five for subvarsity? wow.

in MASS, we have 5 for varsity. Mostly 3 for subvarsity. but some conferences only use TWO officials for subvarsity.

We have a couple schools around Indy that will hire 5 for JV but most do 4

[jTheUmp]

Originally Posted by chymechowder

in MASS, we have 5 for varsity. Mostly 3 for subvarsity. but some conferences only use TWO officials for subvarsity.

Same thing in MN. I do have one JV game on my schedule where they've scheduled 4 officials, but I'm pretty sure that was an error on the part of our association's schedulers.

My subvarsity stuff is about half 3-man and half 2-man.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Same thing in MN. I do have one JV game on my schedule where they've scheduled 4 officials, but I'm pretty sure that was an error on the part of our association's schedulers.

My subvarsity stuff is about half 3-man and half 2-man.

We have it good here. I never work less than 4-man and have all the work I could possibly want. If a school asks us to send three, I reply we only work 4-man and up and they can pay for 4 or find another crew. I've only had to tell one school that in 3 years and they were happy to pay for my entire crew (5!)-- they just thought they couldn't get more than 3 so that's what they asked for.

[jaybird]

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

Same thing in MN. I do have one JV game on my schedule where they've scheduled 4 officials, but I'm pretty sure that was an error on the part of our association's schedulers.

My subvarsity stuff is about half 3-man and half 2-man.

We use 4 on all sub-varsity and 5 on all varsity. If the school wants fewer officials they are SOL.

[Canned Heat]

5-man for Varsity FB here in WI...4 minimum in an emergency, I guess. Have yet to see a Varsity game with 4. 4 are recommended and 3 required for JV or Frosh games. Work AAYFL youth league games that use their own mixed with Fed rules and we've been trying like he11 to get 4 man mandated, but there's enough upside down offciating that they won't vote it in due to inconsistencies.....like QB's throwing the ball away under pressure and a white hat saying: "No, he was out of the pocket." Ouch.

I have heard of JV games getting worked with guys and their regular 5 man line-up, but that's rare and I don't see a trend to that. I've never worked a 6 or 7 man, but would be interested in seeing how it worked out. I ump on most Friday night JV/FR games and white hat the rest.

TWO...? Are you kidding me...?...and "kidding" is not the word I thought of here..

[Mike L]

4 man for everything below varsity.
5 man for varsity.
7 man for the SD Section semi-finals & finals.

[Berkut]

In section 5 of NY, we use 5 man for all varisty, but only 3 for JV. Which is a joke, quite frankly. You cannot officiate a football game with 3 people.