First white hat assignment!

[VALJ]

I've also posted this on another site, so apologies to those of you reading this twice, but I'm looking for as much input and advice as I can get...

I just got my JV schedule for the year, and I've been assigned three games at referee for the first time. Other than the obvious answer of "buy a white hat", any advice for an aspiring referee?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by VALJ

I've also posted this on another site, so apologies to those of you reading this twice, but I'm looking for as much input and advice as I can get...

I just got my JV schedule for the year, and I've been assigned three games at referee for the first time. Other than the obvious answer of "buy a white hat", any advice for an aspiring referee?

Buy 2 white hats?

Know your rules inside and out. Memorize all the signals and penalty enforcements. And slow down. And slow down more.

[3SPORT]

Get a veteran umpire to work the games, they can save your butt on penalty enforcements.

[VALJ]

Consoldiating comments on all the replies into one (more) post...

Originally Posted by 3SPORT

Get a veteran umpire to work the games, they can save your butt on penalty enforcements.

Already checked that, I've got the same long-time vet for both of the first two assignments. There were a few guys I would have requested if I had been given the choice, and he's on the list, and (hopefully) he can keep me out of trouble.

Originally Posted by ppaltice

Write down what you are going to ask the coach. Use a cheat sheet if necessary. Make sure coach confirms that everyone is legally equipped. Make sure he understands the new rules, particularly the restricted area one and the 3 minute warmup one. Get captain's numbers. Make sure home team knows he is supplying the chain crew (can be problematic at some smaller schools).

I've seen a thread (don't remember if it was here or somewhere else) about using a cheat sheet for the pregame conference. Can anyone cut-and-paste (or perhaps PM or email me) a copy of a sheet they use?

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I stand even farther back -- probably 12-15 yards, a bit wider than the RT (for a RH QB). My eyes can close that extra 5 yards better than I can backpedal. And I look more relaxed if I don't HAVE to backpedal.

I have 2 Eisenhower dollars. Go to a coin store and spend 2-3 dollars for one. Perfect flipping coin, although I sometimes use a 50-cent piece I got in Australia.

Keep a good pace, but slow down. Wait for a box before winding on first downs. Make sure the box is right before giving a RFP. Try to be in position before a RFP -- no need to be up at the LOS and then have to scamper back.

I've worked WH a couple times in scrimmages with a long-timer that I trust (who happens to be involved with our training class), and he pointed the same thing out about positioning. I was lining up about 10 yards deep and really wide, and he pointed out how badly I'd be out of position on a running play to the far side. He suggested 15 yards, one step wider than the tackle, and that seemed to work nicely.

Our association has our own coins (a center standing over the ball ready to snap, with the tails end of the coin being.. well, his tail). I've already decided to steal a line from one of the WH I worked with years ago about "this side is heads, and I think you all can recognize which side this is" that broke the tension with the team captains.

That bit about the box is probably going to be the toughest part for me to remember. I think it was another board that I mentioned that our Commish wants all of his referees to have a year at HL before switching over, and I think this is part of the reason. I'm working HL all year on Friday nights, so hopefully I won't have much trouble remembering this!

Originally Posted by Reffing Rev.

Buy a data-wallet with signals in it, or at least copy and carry those, because chances are your first or second game someone will bring you an aiding the runner call or failure to wear required equipment call.

Even though its a sub-varsity game do a pre-game with your crew.

During warm-ups learn the number of each team's passers and kickers and whether they are right or left handed/footed, so you can set on the correct side of the formation.

I got a new wallet for my game cards last year that has two laminated cards in it - one is basically a copy of the page in the rulebook with the penalty distances, and the other is all of the signals. Knowing that the only signal and penalty that aren't on those is the HC, I think I'll be OK. I've already had the nightmare about not remembering any of the signals to use!

I definitely plan on a pre-game. I've got at least one (maybe two) officials in each game whose name I don't recognize, so he's probably a newer official. I'l definitely be trying to make sure we're on the same page.

Thanks for all the tips, guys. Please - keep them coming!

[ppaltice]

Get a decent flipping coin.

Stand back around 10 yards from the NZ. I thought it seemed too far back when I first started, but you will definitely want to be back a ways. I stand about 10 yards back behind the RT for a righty.

Take your time when you signal. Stop moving. Go a little slower than you think you should.

Let your umpire and wingmen work for you. If your umpire is getting the ball, let them. You will want to relay the ball in from the sidezone if it is out a ways, otherwise, don't feel obligated to touch the ball or be in the pile.

Be sure to follow sweeps to the side zone and OOB.

Don't watch the QB. Watch the defenders near the QB. That is where the action is.

Study, study, study. Be sure to talk out what you are going to do with the U and make sure he agrees. Go over the signals.

Don't forget to give a prelim signal on a penalty. Once you get the penalty information, tell your U to get the appropriate captain while you give prelim signal to the pressbox.

Know what side the pressbox is located. Seems obvious, but you don't want to signal to the wrong side.

Write down what you are going to ask the coach. Use a cheat sheet if necessary. Make sure coach confirms that everyone is legally equipped. Make sure he understands the new rules, particularly the restricted area one and the 3 minute warmup one. Get captain's numbers. Make sure home team knows he is supplying the chain crew (can be problematic at some smaller schools).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ppaltice

Get a decent flipping coin.

Stand back around 10 yards from the NZ. I thought it seemed too far back when I first started, but you will definitely want to be back a ways. I stand about 10 yards back behind the RT for a righty.

Take your time when you signal. Stop moving. Go a little slower than you think you should.

Let your umpire and wingmen work for you. If your umpire is getting the ball, let them. You will want to relay the ball in from the sidezone if it is out a ways, otherwise, don't feel obligated to touch the ball or be in the pile.

Be sure to follow sweeps to the side zone and OOB.

Don't watch the QB. Watch the defenders near the QB. That is where the action is.

Study, study, study. Be sure to talk out what you are going to do with the U and make sure he agrees. Go over the signals.

Don't forget to give a prelim signal on a penalty. Once you get the penalty information, tell your U to get the appropriate captain while you give prelim signal to the pressbox.

Know what side the pressbox is located. Seems obvious, but you don't want to signal to the wrong side.

Write down what you are going to ask the coach. Use a cheat sheet if necessary. Make sure coach confirms that everyone is legally equipped. Make sure he understands the new rules, particularly the restricted area one and the 3 minute warmup one. Get captain's numbers. Make sure home team knows he is supplying the chain crew (can be problematic at some smaller schools).

I stand even farther back -- probably 12-15 yards, a bit wider than the RT (for a RH QB). My eyes can close that extra 5 yards better than I can backpedal. And I look more relaxed if I don't HAVE to backpedal.

I have 2 Eisenhower dollars. Go to a coin store and spend 2-3 dollars for one. Perfect flipping coin, although I sometimes use a 50-cent piece I got in Australia.

I don't touch the football unless I have to. In 4-man, it's more often cause my umpire will go downfield to get a ball if needed and I'll spot it. If you're going to spot the ball, make sure you know where it goes. As a new white hat, I'd recommend letting your U spot every ball.

Keep a good pace, but slow down. Wait for a box before winding on first downs. Make sure the box is right before giving a RFP. Try to be in position before a RFP -- no need to be up at the LOS and then have to scamper back.

On prelims. I do NOT signal a prelim on penalties that occur prior to the snap (false starts, encroachment, substitution (dead ball), delay). It's awkward signaling those twice, since 99% of the time it's going to be accepted (the distance aspect). On the ones where it makes sense to decline the distance aspect, you'll know to ask. Otherwise, let the umpire step it off and signal the pressbox once.

This year I'd take any off days and find a game with an experienced WH and watch him work. Pick up all the little things he does.

[Texas Aggie]

slow down

The best advice so far.

10 yards is nowhere near enough at any level over jr. high. We're doing 15 pretty much all the time except maybe on obvious kneel down plays. There's no good reason to be any closer than 12 yards at the snap otherwise.

Practice your signals in front of a mirror, and I'd get flash cards with the foul on one side and the signal on the other. Go through them until you know them forward and backwards. If you give good signals, everyone will assume you are a good R.

We don't wear white hats in subvarsity, including JV. Check to make sure you do.

I always get the coin flip call before a toss, have the other captain repeat, and say "If I drop it, we'll do it again." Practice that.

Otherwise, just have fun.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

We don't wear white hats in subvarsity, including JV. Check to make sure you do.

I agree with 15 yards. That's about where I go for everything. I know some find that deep, but with a 15 yard cushion at the snap, you don't have to move on a short drop -- nothing says you have to maintain a 15 yard cushion all the way through.

When I started in TN, we only wore WH on Friday nights. Here someone always wears a white hat. I would prefer keeping the WH clean for varsity games, but instead I usually get 3 new ones for each season as for about 75% of my games I'm the R.