For several years after I retired from the Air Force, I worked as a contractor supporting Space Force exercise planning. In that world, we spent a lot of time talking about Mission Essential Tasks, or METs.
The concept was simple: What specific tasks must this organization be able to do to accomplish its mission?
An organization might have dozens of responsibilities, but not all of them are mission essential. METs identified the tasks that absolutely had to be performed successfully. Just as importantly, those tasks had to be measurable. We needed to determine whether the task was performed to an established standard, not simply whether someone felt good about how it went.
I think there is a useful lesson there for football officials.
We have an enormous amount to learn: rules, mechanics, philosophies, positioning, communication, game management and judgment. All of it matters. But we can’t carry a mental checklist of hundreds of essential tasks into a football game. The challenge is to distill everything our position requires into a manageable number of Mission Essential Tasks that define what we must be able to do successfully.
As an example, consider these Mission Essential Tasks for a line-of-scrimmage, or “short wing,” official:
- Officiate the line of scrimmage and action at the snap. Correctly rule false starts, encroachment, illegal formations, shifts, motion, and other action involving the neutral zone.
- Rule forward progress and maintain an accurate spot. Determine where the ball becomes dead, obtain the proper spot, and maintain an appropriate cushion.
- Execute line-to-gain and goal-line mechanics. Recognize these situations before the snap, get to the appropriate line, and be stopped and in position when the play arrives.
- Officiate eligible receivers and pass plays. Identify keys, maintain appropriate coverage, and rule catch/no catch, inbounds/out of bounds, and relevant contact.
- Officiate blocking at the point of attack in your area. See the entire block, recognize illegal action, and avoid officiating outside your area of responsibility.
- Maintain proper positioning and eye discipline. Maintain appropriate distance and angles, transition as the play develops, and keep your eyes on your primary responsibilities.
- Manage the sideline. Establish expectations, keep the restricted area clear when required, address problems early, and use appropriate warnings or fouls when necessary.
- Communicate effectively. Provide concise, accurate information to coaches and crewmates without allowing conversations to interfere with officiating responsibilities.
- Recognize and properly report fouls. See the entire action and provide the referee with the information necessary for enforcement.
- Execute dead-ball and between-down responsibilities. Continue officiating after the ball becomes dead, observe players, manage substitutions, and prepare for the next snap.
These aren’t simply ten areas a wing official should “be good at.” Each can be broken into specific, observable standards that allow us to evaluate performance.
Take goal-line mechanics. “I know my goal-line mechanics” isn’t a measurable standard. Did you recognize the situation before the snap? Did you get to the goal line before the ball? Were you stopped and in position when the play arrived? Did you make the correct ruling?
Those are things we can observe and evaluate.
That is the real value of identifying Mission Essential Tasks. They turn “I need to get better” into something we can actually train and measure.
Ask yourself: What are the 8-10 tasks I absolutely must be able to perform successfully at my position for our crew to successfully officiate a football game?
Then establish a standard for each one. How will you know whether you performed it successfully?
Maybe film shows that you repeatedly arrived late at the goal line. Maybe you allowed the sideline to creep into the restricted area throughout the game. Maybe you looked into the backfield at the quarterback while your key ran a route downfield.
Now we’re not evaluating feelings. We’re evaluating performance.
Identify what you must be able to do. Establish the standard. Mentally rehearse what meeting that standard looks like. Keep the standard in mind during the contest. Then evaluate and debrief: Did I meet the standard?
Because when Friday night arrives, the question isn’t whether you feel prepared. The question is whether you can perform your Mission Essential Tasks to the required standard when the game demands them.
Quiz
Note: This explanation includes philosophies outlined in the Redding Study Guide.
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer. (Choose all that apply.)
3/8 from the B-30. A12’s forward pass is caught by A88 at the B-15. While the pass is in flight, B44 commits defensive holding against A22 at the B-25. A88 advances and scores a touchdown.
- No foul because A22 was not A12’s intended target
- Team A must decline B44’s foul to keep the touchdown
- Enforce the penalty for B44’s hold from the try
- Enforce the penalty for B44’s hold from the succeeding spot (following the try)
Review Rules 7-5-11c, 8-2-2, 9-2-3c