(Note: This is my opinion. Please do not treat it as gospel. Everyone has a different high school officiating path. Choose your path, and then work hard to be the best (fill in the position) in your association.)
In my opinion, new officials should spend at least a few seasons on the wings before migrating permanently to the umpire. Don’t be too quick to move to the middle.
I’m not saying umpires are useful only to fetch the ball, put it on the ground, and get out of the way. Umpires are the “soul” of the crew and interact more with the players than any other official. (I’ve added an umpire lesson to the Art of Officiating website; please check it out!)
Here’s an analogy: Child development experts have indicated that babies should learn to crawl before using a walker.
Crawling helps strengthen the muscles in a baby’s arms, legs, back, and neck, which are crucial for developing motor skills like sitting, standing, and eventually walking.
Crawling promotes coordination between the brain and body. As babies learn to move their limbs in a coordinated way, they develop balance.
(Using comedian Jim Gaffigan’s voice): Hey, this is a football article; why is he talking about crawling?
There are developmental stages in football officiating, and I believe the wing positions provide the most significant opportunities to learn, grow, and develop the officiating “muscle.”
Wing officials are on the sideline close to the coaches. They learn how to best communicate with coaches and de-escalate stressful situations. They (should) become rules experts as they may have to answer a rules-related question at any time.
On most plays, wings determine forward progress and blow the whistle when the ball is dead by rule. Wings must accurately rule on the line-to-gain and goal line.
Wings must quickly transition from observing their initial key (tackle) to transitioning to their passing play key(s), to transitioning to blockers ahead of the runner, to transitioning to defenders tackling the runner.
Wings must learn to look out of bounds or in the end zone at players beside and behind them.
Wings work with the chain crew and ball persons.
After a few seasons on the wing, you can then move to the umpire or back judge (or even referee) positions with a solid foundation under you.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer.
A55 is the snapper. A61 is the left guard, and his helmet is breaking the plane of the waist of the snapper. A77 is the left tackle. A77’s helmet is not breaking the plane of the waist of the snapper, but his helmet is breaking the plane of the waist of A61. A55 snaps the ball. By rule, A77 is __________.
- a back
- a lineman
- None of the above. Team A is in an illegal formation
Review Rules 2-32-3, 2-32-9, 7-2-3