Crews and positions

[cdnRef]

When allocating officials for games, I try to rotate the guys through all the positions and never keep a crew too constant. So, one could be a HR for the first game, move to HL for the second, then BJ for the last game.

Obviously, there are certain people who migrate to certain positions more frequently than others depending on experience and some personality considerations - but overall almost everybody hits every spot on the field at some point through the year.

After discussing this with a few other people, I've discovered that we seem to be one of the few associations that do this locally. I've personally done (and am doing it) both ways.

I'm wondering what people's experiences are and if anybody has any opinions on this.

[Mike Simonds]

For youth leagues its a good idea to rotate officials through all the various positions. Gives new officials a chance to find out what position they do best at and it gives the older guys a nice diversion trying something new every week.

For high school and upper divisions, I advocate placing each official in his best position and leaving him there for the season. Also, I think set crews work best instead of creating new crews every week.

[Sleeper]

For sub-varsity stuff, it's a dealers choice consideration. Everyone takes a position based on preference and desire, but nothing is assigned up front. In my experience, the veteran officals will put the less experienced officials at R during these games to help them learn enforcement and game management. Thursday JV games' decisions are driven by what the different people are doing on Friday night to help tune up. Friday nights are set positions and set crews that are eligible to rotate once a year, but can stay together indefinitely.

[JasonTX]

In my Chapter you choose a primary position and a secondary position. My primary position is R and my secondary is all the others. We are not put anywhere we haven't chosen.

[TXMike]

Our Chapter also uses primary and secondary positions in varsity games. Technically you should not get in a game in a posiiton other than those 2 but the reality is otherwise (although infrequently).

I predict you are going to find few associations that rotate guys around much during a single season. And I think there is a reason why...it is NOT a good idea.

[Edited by TXMike on Jul 29th, 2003 at 06:27 PM]

[Schultj]

Our chapter usually starts us out in underclass games at U because there are less calls there and less whistle usage. After that, the wings and then the white hat. For varsity, however, rookies start at BJ, then wings, then ump or ref. I think it would be good to get to all of the spots in youth games so you fully understand everyone's assignments and how they relate to your eventual position.

[JMN]

Our association is run by individual assignment vs. crews.

In all of our games (Youth, Frosh, JV, Varsity), we are assigned a position. These are flexible for the lower levels, but firm for varsity. Although we have a primary position assigned in the assignment software, it's not uncommon to be assigned any position except R for a game.

I get a chance at least once during the season to work every position.