Wings will work with at least one ball runner during the game, and the head linesman will work with three or four additional people on the chain crew.
I mention this many times in the Art of Officiating lessons and the Ready for Play articles: One of our responsibilities as officials is to properly manage the game and facilitate game flow.
The ball person(s) and chain crew members will help or hinder our efforts. Attentive and competent ball persons and chain crew members let us focus on the game and the players and help keep the game in rhythm. Disinterested and careless ball persons and chain crew members can be a nuisance, can slow down the game, and invariably add an extra level of stress.
Obviously, we want attentive and competent helpers. How do we facilitate and encourage this?
It begins during the pregame when we learn our helpers’ names and write them down. (It doesn’t help to hear their names and then quickly forget.)
The Valens clinic says, “A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. It is the one way we can easily get someone’s attention.”
Google AI says, “A person’s name is a direct way to connect with them and acknowledge their importance. It can be especially effective when someone is distracted or not paying attention. It makes them feel valued and helps you build rapport. Using someone’s name can make interactions more positive.”
If we don’t use our helpers’ names during the game, it may hinder our connection with them which may result in less-than-optimal performance.
We should use our helpers’ names often during the game.
- Prior to a fourth-down scrimmage kick: “James, you’re with me. Get ready to give me a clean ball.”
- During a quarter change: “Jenny, you’re on the 37 yard line. Pete, you’re on the 47. Jenny, you go first. Pete, you and Jenny will swap ends.”
- During penalty enforcement (speaking to the box person): “Megan, don’t move until I wave you.”
- When a chain crew member needs to stretch the chains: “Paul, give me a good stretch!”
Praise often (especially the young ball runners). Use their names as you praise them.
I think you’ll find they’ll work harder for you when you use their names (and treat them with respect).
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s). (Choose all that apply.)
3/5 from the A-30. B40 tips A12’s pass at the line of scrimmage. A15 then shoves B50 to the ground from the side at the A-40 and catches the pass.
- No foul
- A15 is guilty of offensive pass interference
Review Rules 7-5-7 and 7-5-9