First White Hat

[jk97301]

This week I'll be the White Hat for the first time ever. I was wondering if anyone has any tips so I don't make a fool of myself. I've been reading up on my mechanics and enforcements.



PS. NEW to Forum

[Rich]

Originally Posted by jk97301

This week I'll be the White Hat for the first time ever. I was wondering if anyone has any tips so I don't make a fool of myself. I've been reading up on my mechanics and enforcements.



PS. NEW to Forum

The key is to slow down and don't do anything unless the crew knows exactly what you're doing. Oh, and focus on your responsibilities at the referee position.

It's a process. I've been a white hat for 10+ years and I still find ways to improve every week.

[MD Longhorn]

Stay back. Then when it's time to move forward, stay back a little longer. Get a wide view, read your keys, and protect your QB.

And KNOW YOUR SIGNALS!!!!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Stay back. Then when it's time to move forward, stay back a little longer. Get a wide view, read your keys, and protect your QB.

And KNOW YOUR SIGNALS!!!!

I see a lot of white hats running up to the football on every play, essentially ping-ponging back and forth. Move when you need to help move the football or be a presence, but otherwise, stay wide and deep. I give the RFP from at least 10 yards back and wide.

Always wind the clock with the arm facing the press box. You don't need to chop down and then wind, just wind. You don't need to wind the clock on a snap (one of the guys on my crew does this when he WHs the subvarsity games and I always get on him for that).

[ppaltice]

Main mistakes I see with new white hats:

1. Getting too close to LOS. 12 yards is about as close as you want to be. Your state may have specific mechanics for scrimmage kicks, you should know what they are.

2. Going too fast or moving when you signal. Set your feet before you signal (RFP and penalty). Give your penalty signals to the pressbox in slow motion.

3. About the only time you have the spot is on a sack. So stay back. You can help relay the ball in on short runs that end in the side zone or spot the ball on long incompletes (when your U goes to relay the ball in). Otherwise, stay back and deadball officiate.

4. I would prepare a pregame. We usually only give pregames for Varsity games (and I spend a little time talking to younger officials). But having a pregame prepared helps you understand what you and your crew will be doing in certain situations. Especially know what to do on penalty enforcements and measurement (all eyes on you for these situations).

5. Go ahead and prepare what you are going to tell the coaches in the pregame meeting and the captains at the coin toss. I also would go get at least a 50c coin for the toss.

6. Make sure you have an official that is assigned to watch the game clock when your back is to it (usually U).

[JRod37]

Know that your crew will want to do a good job for you. As the others have said, just be slow, calm and cool. You'll remember from when you first started doing this that taking a little extra time on things isn't as long as it feels. What feels like 10 minutes is in reality only about 2 seconds. Allow yourself time to get it right.

Also, don't talk down to the other guys on your crew just because you're in charge now. Support them, and they'll support you.

[With_Two_Flakes]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I see a lot of white hats running up to the football on every play, essentially ping-ponging back and forth.

Yep, what RichMSN said - many White Hat's feel the need to go up to the ball to signal the RFP and also they do the same for a 1st down.
It's a 1st if you signal it from next to the ball, it's a 1st if you signal it from 10yds away.

Sometimes you do need to get to the pile, but more often it is one of your buddies who will do that and you should hang back and take a wider view of stuff and pick up dead ball action.

[BigFarns]

I just found out I'm going to be white hat for a JV game for the first time too. I'm nervous already and I've got 2 weeks yet to prepare. I am interested to hear how your game goes and anything you did before/during that helped or hurt. The perspective of a nervous newbie like me will be interesting.

I've read everyone else's suggestions to you also. Great advice all around. It's interesting to me that the suggestions for every position include go slow, stay calm, watch keys. It's a good fall back for me when I'm on the field in any position especially if the game is getting good. If I feel before a play that the excitement is starting to infect me I'll repeat something like that to myself or talk to myself about who my keys are on this play.