OHSAA CERTIFIED FOOTBALL OBSERVERS PROGRAM

1. OHSAA CERTIFIED FOOTBALL OBSERVERSPROGRAM “The difference between the impossible & the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Tommy Lasorda 6/22/19

2. District Coordinators – Observers (DCO): • They graciously volunteer their time! • 1. Ron Fuller (NE) • 2. Mike Harbison (SW) • 3. Tom McNerlin (E/SE) • 4. Ken Myers (NW) • 5. Terry Williams (C) • THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS HELP!!

3. Certified Observer Qualifications: • 1. Current Class 1 or Retired OHSAA FB Official. • 2. 8or More Years Experience as an OHSAA Class 1 & 2 FB Official. • 3. 1 or More Years Experience as an OHSAA State Tournament FB Official. • 4. Recommended by the DCO. • 5. Reviewed the OHSAA State Observers PPT.

4. DCO Responsibilities: • 1. Assist in the recruitment of Observers. • 2. Weeks 8 - 10: Determine availability of Observers for Weeks 11 -14. • 3. Weeks 11 – 14: Schedule Observers to State Tournament Games -- their District only. • 4. Notify Observers of their assignments.

5. DCO Responsibilities: • 5. Attempt to assign 2 Certified Observers to each game, if there are enough Observers. • 6. Notify each Observer on T or W prior to the game. • 7. Will identify the “Lead” Certified Observer when there are 2 observers. • 8. Goal: We observe almost every game.

6. Observing & Officiating: 1. Years of Officiating or # of State Playoff Games Does Not Equate to becoming a Good Observer. 2. Becoming a Good Observer has a different “skill set” versus a person’s officiating skills. 3. Our ability to concentrate on the 5 or 6 Crew Positions, GB Knowledge, & Ability to RELATE to the Crew Being Observed – YES!!

7. Observer Responsibilities: • 1. Lead Observer contacts Site Mgr. (AD – Week 11) by W, via email, to confirm the PB, Parking, & Officials Locker Room Location. • 2. Due to PB size, there might be no seats or only 1 seat for the Observer (s). Do not bring friends & expect to sit in the PB. Determine PB location on HT or VT SL. • 3. Highly recommend that if the weather is “ok” you sit in the stands away from the fans.

8. Observer Responsibilities: 4. Dress professionally – especially if sitting in the PB. • 5. Contact the Rmidweek to see if it is ok to attend part of their Pregame. • 6. Pregame (PG): Introduce yourself; confirm crew names; answer questions only; listen to some of the PG; how does the R interact with crew; do NOT tell Crew what you expect.

9. Observer Responsibilities: • 7. Pregame: No individual conversations with crew members. • 8. CT: Coin tossed at 20 minutes or earlier? • 9. Crewwalks & inspects the field; talks with chain crew, ball persons, etc. R seeks out Medical Professionals.

10. Observer Responsibilities: • 10. PB: Be courteous to everyone. • 11. PB: Do NOT talk to the Press (“No Comment” if asked question about the game). • 12. PB: Be reasonable with food & drink. • 13. PB: 2 Observers Conversing: Be VERY careful as to what you say. Talk Softly!!

11. Observer Overriding Thoughts: • 1. CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ONLY!! • 2. We NEVER use the word criticism. • 3. We are teachers, mentors, role models, & educators. • 4. CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ONLY!!

12. Observer Overriding Thoughts: • 5. We are there to HELP the officials rather than rate or evaluate them. • 6. Print or Write Clearly on the OHSAA Observation Form so I can read it!! • 7. Do NOT ask Site Manager to Bring Friends & get in for free.

13. Observer Responsibilities: ½ Time: • 1. ½ Time Adjustments (similar to a Coach). • 2. Meet Crew & walk with them into the the LR. • 3. Discuss IP, R&R then Flow, Signaling, & Communication ONLY unless the Crew has questions for you. • 4. Limit the number of constructive comments for each official to 2!

14. Observer Responsibilities: ½ Time: • 5. Do NOT discuss judgment, controversial plays, or penalty enforcement unless the Crew asks for your opinion. Save this for the Post Game Review (PGR). • 6. Limit your time to a Maximumof 10 minutes. Adjust time if LR is far from the FB Field. • 7. Spend time the 2ndhalf observing suggestions you made at ½ time – Did they listen & apply them?

15. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 1. Post Game Review (PGR): Meet Crew coming off field & walk with them into LR. • 2. Give them time to cool down, grab a drink, & some food. • 3. If the chain crew are officials, invite them to be part of the PGR.

16. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 4. If the Crewhas fellow officials at the game, invite them in, if the Crew says yes. • 5. If LR allows, ask the Crewto gather in a group (rather than spread out in the LR). • 6. Find a chair or bench & sit down so a discussion can ensue rather than a lecture.

17. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 7. Crew members give their undivided attention to the PGR – no undressing, etc. • 8. Please treat the Crew as we would want to be treated. • 9. If 2 Observers, the “Lead” does most of the Review & Discussion.

18. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 10. Ask them “How the Game Went”. Ask them if they have any questions. • 11. Give them your overall impressions, generally speaking, before specifics. • 12. Be open & honest with them. They want & need your feedback to become better.

19. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 13. Ask Questions on their IP & R&R for the Play Types. Do they know the GB? • 14. Be SPECIFIC: Comments such as “you need to hustle more” are too general!! • 15. If you are an “atta boy” person & want to only be “buddy/buddy” with Crew, stay home!

20. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 16. Judgment Calls: We need to discuss them as “What did you see” followed by asking other “near” officials “What did they see”. • 17. Then discuss it in the context of the Rule, Judgment, & Improved Mechanics. Be careful, we are usually a long way from the field! • 18. Limit PGR to 15 to 20 minutes unless they really need your help.

21. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 19. Yellow Copies are given to the Crew after the PGR – NO EXCEPTIONS!!Observers who do not will not be assigned games. • 20. Leave your email address/phone # with the Crew for any follow-up by them. • 21. If you want to email the Crew a “cleaner” copy the following week that is ok.

22. Observer Responsibilities: PGR • 22. Scan/Email (bmaurer.38@gmail.com) or mail white copy to the DOD at his home. • 23. EMAIL SUBJECT: Indicate Week #, Crew #, Division #, Home Team, & Visiting Team. • 24. EXAMPLE: Week 13, Crew 14, D- I, Gahanna vs. Hilliard Davidson. • 25. DO NOT mail or email copies to OHSAA.

23. Tools for Successful Observing: • 1. If only 1 Observer is assigned, check with another official, if qualified, to help you. • 2. All observations & comments follow the OHSAA GB 100% - NO exceptions!! • 3. Bring a hard surface to write on & 2 medium pens, Dark Blue or Black ONLY. • 4.Keep your personal thoughts to yourself.

24. Tools for Successful Observing: • 4. Use the “G/” Abbreviation Extensively. (See Clinic Handout for examples). • 5. Bring 2 copies of the Observation Form, the GB, & the NFHS Rules Book. • 6. Refer to the GB often (We do)!! Do not make a comment unless you are absolutely sure it is stated in the GB.

25. Observing the Game: 1st Qt. • 1. Record the Qt. & Time for Each Comment. • 2. General Crew Observations are recorded in the Crew Column. • 3. Goal: Observe the IP & R & R, then Flow, for each official a minimum of 8 – 10 downs. Remember the R has to adjust his position sometimes based on Backfield Formations.

26. Observing the Game: 1st Qt. • 4. Plays: Run, Pass, GL, Reverse, KO, Punt, Try, FG, etc. You MUST know the IP &R&R. • 5. Discipline: Observers tend to observe the position they work. Break that habit. • 6. Discipline: Observers tend to watch the officials closest to them. Break that habit. • 7. Abbreviations: Learn them & record them.

27. Observing the Game: 1st Qt. • 8. Consistency: If the official’s IP needs help, watch him additional times. He might have been in the correct IP every time, but one. Forget the one time he was not. • 9. Write a comment every 2or 3 downs. • 10. KO: Observe the U & BJ on 1 KO then the HL/LJ/Ron the next KO.

28. Observing the Game: • 11. Ball Becomes Dead: Sweep the field – does each official immediately signal the next down? Do they officiate the DB Action? • 12. GLM: Observe HL on a down then the LJ on the next down. Do they move off the SL? • 13. Reverse: Same as # 12 above. R on EL?

29. Observing the Game: • 14. 1st Down – Do all officials stop the clock? • 15. Restricted Area: Is it being ENFORCED? • 16. Do they know R&R1, R&R2, & R&R3 for Pass Plays? Do they R&R differently as they “read” a Pass Play versus a Run Play? 17. Signals: Are OHSAA Signals being used at all times by the officials?

30. Observing the Game: • 18. Whistles: 1 or 2, OR TOO many? Listen. Whistle out of mouth until ball is dead during the down. • 19. Discipline: 1sthalf -- usually watching specific officials rather than “the game”. 20. Game Management: How did Crew in general & the R in particular manage it.

31. Observing the Game: • 21. Glaring Judgment Calls: Record what happened &ask questions later after the game only during the PGR. • 22. What Happened? Record the Qt. & Time. Review it later. • 23. Handout: Excellent examples of reports.

32. Observing the Game: 2 Observers • 1. Sit Together & Communicate. It is a MUST so no one else hears what we are saying. Complete 1 set of Forms, NOT 2 sets!! • 2. “Lead” Observer records all observations (so he can read & understand his writing). • 3. “Delegate” the plays: KO – 1 takes U/BJ & the other observer takes R/HL/LJ. Next KO – Switch.

33. Observing the Game: 2 Observers • 4. GLM: 1 takes HL& 1 takes LJ. Then switch on the next down. • 5. Punt: 1 takes HL & 1 takes LJ. Then switch on the next punt. Then 1 takes the BJ & 1 takes the R on the next punt. • 6. Constantly ask the other observer “What Did You See”?

34. Observing the Game: 2 Observers • 7. Communicate: Who are you observing? • 8. Communicate: Who do we need to watch? • 9. Lead Observer: Does all of the talking at halftime & most in PGR. • 10. Do NOT have 1 Observer take 2 or 3 officials during the game. We are a team!!

35. OHSAA State Tournament Games • 1. Injured Official: Contact the DOD on Sunday or Monday: Name, Position, Phone #, & Status of Injury. • 2. Weak Official (Not qualified to work this level): Contact DOD on Su or M: Name, Position, Phone #, & Rationale. Also, Name & Phone # of the R.

36. 2020 Observer Clinic Date • The 2020 OHSAA Observers Clinic will be held on Sunday, August 9th, Site TBD. 1. Officials who have not attended an OHSAA Observers Clinic will meet at 9AM. 2. Observers who have attended an OHSAA Observers Clinic previously will meet at 10AM.