CREW TRAINING PROGRAM HOUSTON CHAPTER - TASO

CREW TRAINING PROGRAMHOUSTON CHAPTER - TASO Presented by Mike Atkinson & Bill Stevens

INTRODUCTION • Mike Atkinson – Referee for 16 years Houston Chapter for 31 years • Bill Stevens – Umpire for 7 years Houston Chapter for 18 years

E-MAIL ADDRESSES • Mike Atkinson – atkinsonfarming@yahoo.com • Bill Stevens – bstevens@environeeringinc.com

PRE-SEASON TRAINING CONDITIONING

CONDITIONING • Get to your ideal weight • Start a regular weight training program • Start a regular aerobic training program • You should be able to hustle during the entire game • You should not be winded after any plays

PRE-SEASON TRAINING RULES KNOWLEDGE

RULES KNOWLEDGE • Learn the rules of the game • Concentrate on penalty enforcement • Have a working knowledge of the “3 and 1 Principle” • Use study aides like Rogers Reading’s book • Develop detailed pre-game conferences incorporating rules of the game

PRE-SEASON TRAINING GAME FILM REVIEW

GAME FILM REVIEW • Get a game film made of every game you work • Each crew member must study each film • Have a crew discussion of each game film • Referee must be able to break down a game film and critique each crew member including himself • Have a thick skin

GAME FILM REVIEW(Continued) • Constructive criticism of an individual is only meant to make the crew better • Work spring games and get a game film for review • All 5 must work these games for the film review to be meaningful

PRE-SEASON TRAINING STATE AND CHAPTER TRAINING

STATE AND CHAPTER TRAINING • Attend as many training seminars and meetings as possible including state meeting, June rules clinic, and chapter meetings • Go to the training sessions at the state meeting and participate • Chapter meetings will focus on football officiating this year – BE THERE

PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES

PRE-GAME PREPARATION • Crew should arrive 2 to 2½ hours before game. Be at the stadium before the coaches and players arrive. • Referee and Umpire should get in uniform shortly after arrival at the stadium. • Referee and Umpire should meet with Head Coaches before they start their pre-game duties. • We often start our pre-game crew meeting before meeting with the coaches.

PRE-GAME PREPARATION • Finish the crew pre-game meeting after R and U return from coaches pre-game. • Each crew member should help with the admin duties of the crew. • We have one guy responsible for recording and reporting fouls. • We have one guy responsible for completing the pay sheets.

PRE-GAME PREPARATION • Have a good pre-game meeting. It can be on rules, mechanics, or both. • Make sure everyone is thinking football and not personal problems, or work or family issues. • Conduct a practice pre-game coaches conference.

PRE-GAME PREPARATION • Referee and Umpire should review with the crew any comments, plays, or situations that both coaches discussed during the pre-game conference. • Make sure all crew members have the same uniforms and they look new with polished shoes.

PRE-GAME DUTIES • All crew members walk the field beginning 45 minutes before kick-off. • Referee and Umpire walk through both teams checking for proper equipment. • Wingmen and BJ should walk the entire boundary of the field checking for proper markings and field safety. • HL and 6th Man should check the chains and down box.

PRE-GAME DUTIES • This is not the time for the crew warm-up. Pre-game stretching should be done in the locker room. • Don’t stretch and run on the field. • When finished with pre-game duties, leave the field. We like to say, “Out of sight, out of mind”.

PRE-GAME DUTIES • Prior to coin toss, LJ and BJ should get the choices that each coach wants. Do not let the game captains make a mistake. • Make sure each team is on the field in time for the National Anthem, mock coin toss, and kickoff. • Make sure officials are present if both teams use the same area to enter and leave the field.

PRE-GAME DUTIES • Make sure the LJ and BJ stay between the teams if they have to enter or exit the field at the same location. Prime examples are Clear Creek District and Tully Stadiums. • Other officials may need to assist with this duty. • Hustle to assist with teams exiting at halftime.

GAME DUTIES BALL HANDLING

GAME DUTIES • Get the ball back in play and spotted so the R can make the ball ready in 12 to 14 seconds after the ball was dead. • Make all passes between officials short and underhanded. • Each official must know his throwing range.

GAME DUTIES • Have a plan for when to change the ball and when not to. • For example, for a running play that ends outside the numbers, get the ball to the wing man so he can spot the ball at his feet. The wing man will get a new ball and relay it to the R or BJ to relay to the U.

GAME DUTIES • U will make sure the ball is suitable for play. U must decide when a dry ball is needed. Have a signal so wingman will know a new ball is needed after the next play. • U to tell each center that he can request a new ball at any time, and that U will have a towel for him to dry his hands on.

GAME DUTIES • Ball handling is a very important element in calling a good game. • The better your crew handles the ball, the better they will be perceived to be. • Make sure you do everything possible to keep the ball dry during inclement weather.

GAME DUTIES • Instruct coaches, RBs, and WRs to hand the ball to an official and not to leave it on the ground during rainy weather. • U should cover ball with towel until the offense breaks the huddle, then set the ball down and move to his position. • Do the same for both teams.

GAME DUTIES ATTITUDE

GAME DUTIES • Act like you want to be at this game and only at this game regardless of who are playing. • Our attitude is, “The most important game in the State of Texas is the game we are calling tonight”. • Be friendly to everyone you see from when you get out of your car until you leave the stadium.

GAME DUTIES • Smile and speak to everyone you see. They could be the AD, maintenance man, or school board member. • When on the field before the game, be friendly to all coaches. • Tell them hello and good luck. Do not seek them out for conversation.

GAME DUTIES • If they want to talk, be polite; but keep it short and sweet. • Do not have a lengthy or belly laughing conversations. • The other coaching staff will be watching your every move • You must treat both sides the same.

GAME DUTIES • Always address any coach as Coach or Coach with his last name. • Never use his first name no matter how well you know the coach. • Do not smooze any coach before a game. • The best way to get another game from that team is to work a good game.

GAME DUTIES HUSTLE

GAME DUTIES • Always hustle, but never rush. • You can hustle effectively if you are in good physical condition. • You have to be as fresh in the 4th quarter as you were in the 1st quarter. • Many coaches have told us that officials that hustle is very important to them.

GAME DUTIES • If you hustle and are in good shape, it is much easier to be in the proper position for each play so you can make a good call. • This also means you have to know your position mechanics well. • It also means you have to know where the other 4 men will be on each play.

GOOD PREGAME TOPICS • Mechanics – each man discusses his position all types of plays. • Running game • Passing game • Kicking game • Overtime • Penalty Enforcement

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT • DO NOT RUSH PENALTY DECISION OR ENFORCMENT. • Do not let the players screw up a decision. • We don’t let the captains decide penalty acceptance/declination. • The wingman on the side the penalty decision rests will explain the options to the Head Coach.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT • An official not involved in the penalty should always cover the flag. This is usually the Back Judge or Wingman. • You need a plan for who will cover the flag, and who will keep players and coaches away from the Referee and the calling official(s).

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT • The wingman will convey the decision to the Referee. • Do not rush the coach into a decision; allow him to talk to his assistant coaches. • After decision is made, Referee must let the Umpire know what the decision is. The Referee should tell him what the enforcement is. The Umpire should communicate his agreement/disagreement.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT • Referee will give the preliminary signal. He should clear himself of all players and officials. • Stop and collect your thoughts. Give good, crisp signals. • Umpire should not mark off the penalty until the Referee is finished with the preliminary signal.

PENALTY ENFORCEMENT • Line Judge should stay at the enforcement spot until the enforcement is completed. • Head Linesman should move to the spot where the penalty leaves the ball. • The Umpire should confirm with HL that they both have the same spot. • Sixth Man must keep the down box at the previous spot until the penalty enforcement is complete.

TREATMENT OF PLAYERS • Always remember that the game is for the players. • Always treat them with respect. Never talk down to a player. • It is our responsibility to help each player have fun and enjoy the game as much as possible.

TREATMENT OF PLAYERS • Remember that they love the game as much as you do. • Help make their memories of playing days as good as possible. • You should talk to the players. Don’t interfere with their game duties • Establish a rapport with key players on both sides of the ball.

TREATMENT OF PLAYERS • The Referee should have a good relationship with the quarterback. • The Umpire should have a good relationship with the center and middle linebacker(s). • These are the players that will tell their coaches how the officials performed.

POST GAME • Have a post-game meal so you can discuss the game especially any controversial plays or calls. • Don’t have these discussions at the stadium. You don’t always know who will be listening. • Implement changes from things learned during the game and discussed afterwards.

CREW TRAINING PROGRAM HOUSTON CHAPTER - TASO