After I started officiating football, my viewing of college football games significantly changed. Instead of focusing on the players, I started keying on the officials and performing pre-snap routines in my head. (I now actually count the players on television before many snaps!)
I’m a big fan of witnessing “what right looks like” before trying something myself. I like seeing how the experts carry themselves, use their tools and equipment, and respond to challenges.
I like playing poker, and I’ll keenly observe how my favorite players perform at the table: the hands they play in each position (relative to the button), their bet sizing, the amount of time they take to make decisions, when they attempt to bluff, and how they move their chips over the line.
As high school football officials, we can learn a lot by observing NCAA football officials.
It’s important to note their mechanics and initial keys may differ based on the number of officials on the field. But we can surely learn a lot by watching other mechanics and actions:
- Most notably, watch how smoothly and calmly they move when they mark forward progress. They don’t move frantically; they move with a purpose.
- Watch how they stay out of bounds until the ball is dead.
- Watch their sense of urgency when the ball is downed close to the line-to-gain or the goal line. They pinch to the ball until they meet resistance to “sell” their spot.
- Watch how they communicate a first down to the referee.
- Watch how the down judge interacts with the chain crew.
- Watch how they “sell” dead-ball pre-snap fouls. They quickly move onto the field toward the referee to communicate the foul.
- Watch how they do the same when a coach calls a timeout when the snap is imminent. They don’t remain on the sideline. Instead, they come onto the field and “make it big.”
- Watch how they interact with irate coaches. They’ll keep their cool and calmly work to de-escalate. They don’t ignore coaches and they take the time to clearly communicate.
- Watch how they handle belligerent players. Their physical presence is essential to help players calm down and separate.
- Watch how they work near the pylons. They maintain a cushion to have the best view of the play at the goal line.
- You will never see college officials with their hands in their pockets! (If your hands are cold, put on a pair of gloves.)
Before the college season begins, I encourage you to view a recent college game on YouTube and focus on the officials. When the college season starts, you’ll have lots of games from which to choose.
Watch with the plan to emulate what you observe. I promise it will help you improve your high school football officiating!
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s).
1/10 at the A-20. A50 and B10 are on the line and in the free-blocking zone. Quarterback A12 is under center. At the snap, A50 takes one step back and then blocks B10 below the waist. A12 has the ball on the A-18 when A50 initiates contact with B10.
- A50’s block is legal because the ball is still in the free-blocking zone
- A50’s block is a foul
Review Rules 2-3-7, 2-17-2, and 9-3-2