Varsity HL

[bbcof83]

Hello, I am filling in for a varsity crew at HL tomorrow night. This will be my first varsity contest. I am only in my second year, still learning the basics and I'm a little nervous. Can any HLs out there give me some tips/keys to remember? Also, does anyone have a link to a 5 man mechanics manual online (perhaps NFHS website) that I could study tonight and tomorrow?

[Jim D.]

Take your time with the chain crew, especially at the beginning of the game. Talk to your WH and make sure he gives you time to get them set up before he signals ready for play. You will give him a signal (pointing to him) when you are set (you can give this signal even while you are looking over your shoulder at the crew). If he signals RFP too early, don't be afraid to stop the clock and let the crew get set.

Make sure the down box moves and changes on your signal. Again, be extra careful at first until your sure they are doing things right. Don't be in a rush. Have them wait on a punt until you signal them to come down.

Tell them not to move if they see a flag down.

Have fun and relax.

[johnnyg08]

Slow whistle. Slow whistle. Slow whistle.

[whitehat]

-If you don't see the ball, don't blow the whistle.
-Get the out of bounds spot, hold it with your foot and continue to officiate action OOB.
-Stay wide on sideline or just outside it. new rule is for you. coaches need to stay out of the restricted zone when ball is snapped.
-Good communication with coaches. brief, professional, courteous.
-Don't move when ball is snapped. stay put and read the play for a second or so and then move downfield if needed.
-make sure you know who is eligible or not on your side.
-if you throw a flag know why you threw it and communicate this clearly to the R.
-if you have a nuetral zone violation or FS that is obvious go into R not straight in over the ball.
- relax, see your area of responsibility, act calm and controlled even if you don't feel that way ;-)
- be humble, ask the crew questions before game, at halftime and after. Accept criticism with a nod and a "Thank you." even if the guy giving the correction doesn't know what he is talking about...
-Enjoy yourself, thats why we do it!
-shine your shoes

[paxsonref]

There is no such thing as a HL for high school, it would be the Linesman, or L....

Get yourself some waterproof pants

[HLin NC]

There is no online manual for NF.
There is a copy of instructions for the chain crew you can print off.

Check out these links:
Chain Crew Instructions

Moving to "H"

[Ref inSoCA]

Originally Posted by paxsonref

There is no such thing as a HL for high school, it would be the Linesman, or L....

What?!?!?!

Of course there is a Head Linseman.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Slow whistle. Slow whistle. Slow whistle.

You must not have taken my advice.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

You must not have taken my advice.

Haha, yeah, shoot...

Needless to say, after that play I had NO whistle.

[johnnyg08]

Oh well...it was bound to happened at some time in your career...you got your's out of the way nice and early! You now have something to teach newer official!

There is some very good advice in this thread for your HL position.

Good luck and have fun

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Haha, yeah, shoot...

Needless to say, after that play I had NO whistle.

Slow whistle, no whistle. Fun stuff. My crew actually had about a half-dozen plays last Friday night where noone blew the whistle. None of the coaches said anything, and there was no extra-curriculars after the play was dead. Finally, some fan piped up as we were walking off the field, saying "Do your whistles only work on certain plays?"