R without a mic

[SouthGARef]

Originally Posted by whitehat

I have found that a good preliminary signal is something too many Rs forget or simply don't do. As soon as the foul is reported to me I give a prelim signal, before I even start considering enforcement options, so coachs can have an idea of what's up.

Agreed. This, in my opinion, is especially a problem when the foul is called on the visiting team's sideline. I see way too may Rs coming all the way across the field before giving the preliminary signal. This can sometimes take some time.

As soon as you get the penalty from the crew, give the prelim. This does two things. 1) It speeds the process up, as time is wasted waiting for you to get to the press box side of the field. 2) Everyone's dying to know what the penalty is. Let 'em know.

[Texas Aggie]

I always verbalize a call whether I'm doing a jr. high game or a varsity game with or without a mic. Sometimes people hear me, sometimes they don't, but I wanted to be fully prepared when I did have a mic attached.

Think about this: you are doing smaller school games at the R without a mic for, say, 2 years. Then, boom, you get a playoff assignment with that same set of schools but in a bigger stadium with all the bells and whistles. Pregame, the stadium admin hands you the mic. You want your playoff game to go smooth, so you need to be prepared.

Remember guys, whether its officiating or any other professional endeavor, work the game/job like you're working the level you want to get to.

[JRutledge]

I always verbalized calls when I was a Referee. Now my current Referee (who is a mentor of mine) also verbalizes calls which is where I got it from. It slowed me down and helped me be more deliberate. And as a basketball official that is what we do in that sport, so it comes naturally on some level with when signaling in football.

Peace