Take an Inventory

If my math is correct (and the internet gremlins don’t strike), this Ready for Play article will be published on August 8, 2024. Our association’s first varsity game in Colorado is August 23, 2 weeks and a day from today.

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to pull out your bag and take an inventory. If you’re like me, after you worked your final game last season you tossed your uniform in the washer and then stuffed (or neatly folded and placed) your items in a bag or box. In my case, my game bag and an extra tote for winter gear have lived in my closet for the past 8 months.

Don’t wait until a few days before your first game to go through your bag. You won’t have enough time to replace unserviceable items. If you’re like me, you told yourself last November (or December if you worked a championship game) that you needed to replace at least one uniform or equipment item. Well, now’s the time.

The internet says it takes 7 seconds to make a first impression. We need to look professional when we walk onto the field. Our uniforms and equipment should reflect our professionalism. Having faded gear doesn’t make us look “veteran;” it makes us look sloppy.

Don’t continue to wear hats that are sweat-stained or have turned brown. Buy a new pair of pants if they look worn or if the thigh area is shiny or discolored. Discard old, faded shirts. Replace your shoes if they are badly worn (and can’t hold a shine).

Ensure you have a can of shoe cleaner and a rag in your bag. If you work an early week game and then forget to clean your shoes at home to prepare for Friday Night Lights, you can clean them during your pregame. If you print your game cards, make sure you have enough in your bag for at least half the season. Make sure your pen works. If you use a 25/40-second timer or a separate wrist timer (to keep the game time on the field for sub-varsity games), change the batteries. Make sure your Ibuprofen and sunscreen are not out-of-date. Put a few water bottles and your go-to snacks in your bag. Referees, ensure you have your pregame binder ready with up-to-date information.

You don’t want to scramble to get everything in order the night before (or the day of) your first game. Worse yet, you don’t want to show up at the school only to find you failed to pack an essential item.

Randy (our association President), if you’re reading this, I want you to know I went to Honig’s this morning and bought two new long-throw penalty flags! (My 17-year-old flags have faded and the edges have frayed, so I will replace them. It will be a sad day when I retire those flags, but it must be done.)


Quiz

Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)

The score is Team K-20 and Team R-21. Team K is attempting a game-tying kick try following a touchdown as time expired at the end of the fourth quarter. The kick is successful and B30 is flagged for roughing the snapper.

  1. Team K can enforce the penalty on the first overtime play
  2. Team K can enforce the penalty half the distance from the R-3 and replay the try
  3. Team K must decline the foul if they want to keep the point to send the game into overtime

Review Rule 8-3-5

Click below to reveal the Quiz answer and accompanying explanations.