Coin toss speech

[stegenref]

I started working the White Hat position at the local youth football league a few weekends ago and even though I've heard a dozen or more guys give their little speeches at the coin toss, when I got up there to do it I completely froze and didn't know what to say. Does anyone have a script or a list of things they cover? Something I could memorize or type up on a little cheat sheet?

[jTheUmp]

My go-to spiel:

• Have captains shake hands.
• Statement about sportsmanship and how they need to police their teammates.
• Ask them to help us retrieve the ball on incomplete passes.
• Tell them we'll give them their options on penalties.
• Ask if they have any questions.
• Ask visitor for coin toss selection, go through coin toss mechanics.

Depending on the level of youth football you're talking about, I might skip 4 and 5 (and go straight to the coach for penalty enforcement selections when necessary).

[Snake~eyes]

You will eventually learn one impotant fact: No one cares what you have to say during the cointoss.

Shake hands, one obligatory comment about sportsmanship, THEN execute the cointoss.

Don't bore the captains, your partners, or the idiot parent who feels they have to be 3 feet away to take live action photos of the coin toss.

[JugglingReferee]

I will always ask in the first 2 weeks of a new season if there are any questions about the new rules.

I then certainly cover any oddities in the field. (Which is very rare.) The only one this year was a fence only 3 feet from the back of the end zone. As the CC that game, my ruling was that if a pass came to that part of the EZ, we were blowing the play dead before there was a safety issue, we'd purposely have an IW and we'd repeat the down.

A quote to promote sportsmanship. There's always a chance to remind players of such importance, since both teams could be playing for the last playoff spot, for example.

Then the coin toss.

[Lintner5]

I completely agree with the comments above (i.e., keep it short, cover the basics, don't think anyone will retain anything from it). Most importantly, you must get the coaches to verify their teams are legally equipped within NFHS specifications. That & the coin toss itself are the absolute necessities for me.

[ajmc]

"One size never fits all" especially if you handle both High School and Youth levels. One thing I've found helpful is to tell the Captains that I expect them to control their players, and we (the officials) will give them the opportunity to do before we get involved. I advise them it's a lot less expensive for them to calm a player down, or send him to the sideline if he's losing his composure, than for one of us to do so.

Thereafter I've found the response usually good when one of us tells a Captain, "Talk to (or calm down) # so & so, he's getting ahead of himself". Often juvenile justice works a lot more directly than standard protocol allows.

[JasonTX]

I agree that they aren't even listening to us. I use to tell them about sportsmanship etc, and then it would turn out they were the trouble makers in the game. So now I just have them shake hands, wish the both good luck, and then have the visitor choose heads or tails. I say what I need to say in one breath of air.

[Canned Heat]

Bringing captains walked in from their sideline..

"Gentlemen...all the way in.

Shake hands, and introduce yourselves.

We're looking for sportsmanship throughout....no taunting, etc...and stop at the whistle. As captains...lead by example. If we have a penalty, we'll be looking for you to discuss the options. If you do not understand the options, ask me to repeat...we want to make sure you get it right.

Any questions for us?

Show coin...both sides to Home team captain...both sides to visitor captain.
#72, What is your call going to be...? (Tails)
Tails is the call...we're going to flip and let it land.
Visualize head or tail.
Team that wins toss is announced and hand placed on shoulder of winning captain. Options are given.
Team either defers or receives...other elects goal to defend.
Have teams turn backs to goals they're defending.
Announce winner's selection and signal for defer or receive. Some do the defer choice immediately at selection of such.
Announce loser's selection (kick or receive if other deferred).
Gentlemen, shake hands again, and we'll get the game going shortly"....or announce time counting down on clock.

Obviously, this is modified for whatever level you're working and/or if you're miked up, and keeping it more simple. Some probably more complex...some short and sweet.

[GoodwillRef]

Just like to add if team winning the toss defers I just look at the other team and say, "you want the ball right!" Then I look immediately at the defering team and asked what goal they would like to defend. I am not going to give the kid a chance to screw up and kick both halves...that is not an option.

If it is a rivalry game I am a little more stern with my speech about sportsmanship and taking care of your teams.

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

Just like to add if team winning the toss defers I just look at the other team and say, "you want the ball right!" Then I look immediately at the defering team and asked what goal they would like to defend. I am not going to give the kid a chance to screw up and kick both halves...that is not an option.

If it is a rivalry game I am a little more stern with my speech about sportsmanship and taking care of your teams.

I failed to add that we bring both teams back to the middle for second half start-up (for Varsity games) and mention to keep the sportsmanship in check....during a tight game or a blowout.

I worked a game last weekend....35 to 40 mph winds the entire time.
Spokesman for team insisted on electing to kick after first team deferred....even after I tried talking him thru the choices. Stepped out of the pack and asked the coach. I agree, NEVER let a kid/player choose to let his team have to kick twice. Watched a crew let a team do that in a freshman game some years back and they still get talked about.

[Texas Aggie]

I disagree that they aren't listening to us. They listen to me. They might turn around and forget or ignore what I said, but they listen. I make sure of that.

It starts on the sideline. Before you escort them out, tell them what all we're going to do and make sure they know what they want to do if they have to make a decision. Have you umpire do the same thing. When you get out there, first thing I do is have them shake hands, then we flip. I have the V make their choice and H repeat it BEFORE the toss. NEVER, EVER have them call it in the air.

Once a winner is decided, I point at them and say, "you won the toss," and then shut up. At this point, I don't ask a question, I just wait for them to tell me what they want to do. The only 2 acceptable choices (except MAYBE in really bad weather) are receive or defer, but we can discuss that later. If the winner picks defer, I signal, then ask directly if the other team wants the ball. Then, you'll line them up, give the signals and maybe bring them back together -- if you've heard about potential issues or its a big rivalry game.

If you don't believe they are listening to you, they aren't. Perhaps you need to change how you talk to them. Take control from the outset.

[floridareferee]

I had a game several years ago where the visitors won the toss and the conversation was something like this:

Me- I give the visiting captain his options.
Player-We want to kick.
Me-Are you sure
Player-Yes
Me-Do you realize that you will be kicking off both halves?
Player-Coach said he wanted to kick.
Me-OK. I resume with the other options for the home team.

Teams go to sideline. The visiting coach hears the good news and looks at me and says, "DO YOU SEE WHAT I HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERY WEEK?"
The coach and I had a good laugh. The home team was ranked in the top five in the country at that time so the outcome of the game was never in question.

[Canned Heat]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

I disagree that they aren't listening to us. They listen to me. They might turn around and forget or ignore what I said, but they listen. I make sure of that.

It starts on the sideline. Before you escort them out, tell them what all we're going to do and make sure they know what they want to do if they have to make a decision. Have you umpire do the same thing. When you get out there, first thing I do is have them shake hands, then we flip. I have the V make their choice and H repeat it BEFORE the toss. NEVER, EVER have them call it in the air.

Once a winner is decided, I point at them and say, "you won the toss," and then shut up. At this point, I don't ask a question, I just wait for them to tell me what they want to do. The only 2 acceptable choices (except MAYBE in really bad weather) are receive or defer, but we can discuss that later. If the winner picks defer, I signal, then ask directly if the other team wants the ball. Then, you'll line them up, give the signals and maybe bring them back together -- if you've heard about potential issues or its a big rivalry game.

If you don't believe they are listening to you, they aren't. Perhaps you need to change how you talk to them. Take control from the outset.

Well put. This is also the very first step in the players (and coaches) knowing that you're confident of your abilities out there and that you are in control of the game....right from the start.