How to Prepare Each Week
One the most important things a football official needs to do is prepare well for the game every week. Some newer officials, or some officials that might not know better or might not care, think it is enough to just show up to a game and that is it. No! There are things you need to be doing each and every week to prepare for your game. I will walk you through what a week should look like so you can be prepared and ready to be at the top of your game. I also guarantee that if you prepare well, you will finish the game and feel much better coming of the field and going home. If you read this and think I forgot something or should add something, please let me know! And as always, let me know if you have any questions.
1. Watch game footage from previous week (if possible)
If there is any way that you can watch footage of your previous game, you need to do it! Watch your mechanics and think to yourself if you are in the right position or how you look giving your signals. Are you consistent in the signals you give? Do they need to be higher? Additionally, look at the plays that you had a flag on. Do you agree with your flag? Also try to think about times you thought you almost had enough for a flag. Review those to see if you think you should throw your flag next time or you like your decision. Overall, we have the ability to watch ourselves and improve from it, so take advantage of it.
2. Wash uniform and prepare it for next game
Washing your clothes may seem like a no brainer to do every week, but you also need to clean your shoes! Make sure they don’t have dirt or paint all over them. If you come with dirty shoes, coaches will think you don’t care about the game and you will not have their respect. It is something easy to do that makes you look like a professional. Additionally, after everything is cleaned, do a preliminary check to make sure you have everything you need for the week.
3. Throughout the week, review what you need to
During a game you may realize that you really need to brush up on a rule or penalty enforcement. That is okay! Just take the time to look it up so you are an even better prepared official for the next game. The rule book is large, it is hard to know everything perfectly. Focus on a certain thing each week and try to test your rules knowledge and watch film on that topic.
4. Check to make sure your crew is confirmed for the game
This may be something for a crew chief (referee usually) to do each week, but everyone should be aware. Make sure if you have an alternate that you contact them and confirm they are coming to the game. If they can’t make it, it is better to catch it early in the week than when you are at the game one person short.
5. Scout teams
To prepare well every week, you need to look into the teams playing. What are their records? Are they a run or pass team? How are the defenses? If you can find it out, how many penalties do they average? What are the coaches like? What are the coach’s names? Are the kickers and quarterbacks righties or lefties? Do the teams like to run any special plays? There are other important questions to think through but this is a good list. Ultimately, you just need to be prepared for what the game may look like. If it may be lopsided, you might need to brush up on your unsportsmanlike conduct fouls to prepare for a chippy game.
6. Prepare any cards or things
Go ahead and fill out your game card before you get to the game. This will show you have prepared and reflect well on you. Have the teams playing and the coach’s names. There may be other things you fill out depending on the game and crew you are assigned so just be aware and get them done early.
7. Make sure you are in physical shape to go out on the field
With pregame factored in, you may be out standing and running on the field for three to four hours. Make sure you are able to do that without getting exhausted because that will only take your focus away from the game. Also, try to practice running. You are on the field with some speedsters and you shouldn’t look like a complete to tortoise compared to them! Finally, make sure you get some sleep the night before the game. It can be a long day with travel and you can’t be falling asleep!
8. Determine how long it will take to drive to the location of the game
This should be common sense, but map out how to get to your destination and determine how long it should take. Plan ahead for this and be ready to go. If your crew lives in the same are, try to carpool to save money.
9. Show up early
You might be shocked at how many people are late to games or at least pregame crew meetings. Don’t be that person. Show up early and it will reflect well on yourself as well. People will once again see you care about the game and are ready to go. Also, dress up. Try at least business casual. Once again it shows you are a professional and take your responsibilities seriously. If a coach sees you on your way to the locker room and you are in a dress shirt and khakis, the coach will respect you much more that strolling in late in a pair of shorts and t-shirt.
10. Have a pregame
As a crew, you need to have a pregame meeting. Talk about different situations and how you will handle them. If there was a weekly rules quiz put out, print it off, do it before hand, and talk through it as a crew. Getting the communication started and football gears turning is always helpful before a game. Also, make sure to stretch! Don’t go hurt yourself out on the field!
I hope you found these helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comment, please let me know!
1. Watch game footage from previous week (if possible)
If there is any way that you can watch footage of your previous game, you need to do it! Watch your mechanics and think to yourself if you are in the right position or how you look giving your signals. Are you consistent in the signals you give? Do they need to be higher? Additionally, look at the plays that you had a flag on. Do you agree with your flag? Also try to think about times you thought you almost had enough for a flag. Review those to see if you think you should throw your flag next time or you like your decision. Overall, we have the ability to watch ourselves and improve from it, so take advantage of it.
2. Wash uniform and prepare it for next game
Washing your clothes may seem like a no brainer to do every week, but you also need to clean your shoes! Make sure they don’t have dirt or paint all over them. If you come with dirty shoes, coaches will think you don’t care about the game and you will not have their respect. It is something easy to do that makes you look like a professional. Additionally, after everything is cleaned, do a preliminary check to make sure you have everything you need for the week.
3. Throughout the week, review what you need to
During a game you may realize that you really need to brush up on a rule or penalty enforcement. That is okay! Just take the time to look it up so you are an even better prepared official for the next game. The rule book is large, it is hard to know everything perfectly. Focus on a certain thing each week and try to test your rules knowledge and watch film on that topic.
4. Check to make sure your crew is confirmed for the game
This may be something for a crew chief (referee usually) to do each week, but everyone should be aware. Make sure if you have an alternate that you contact them and confirm they are coming to the game. If they can’t make it, it is better to catch it early in the week than when you are at the game one person short.
5. Scout teams
To prepare well every week, you need to look into the teams playing. What are their records? Are they a run or pass team? How are the defenses? If you can find it out, how many penalties do they average? What are the coaches like? What are the coach’s names? Are the kickers and quarterbacks righties or lefties? Do the teams like to run any special plays? There are other important questions to think through but this is a good list. Ultimately, you just need to be prepared for what the game may look like. If it may be lopsided, you might need to brush up on your unsportsmanlike conduct fouls to prepare for a chippy game.
6. Prepare any cards or things
Go ahead and fill out your game card before you get to the game. This will show you have prepared and reflect well on you. Have the teams playing and the coach’s names. There may be other things you fill out depending on the game and crew you are assigned so just be aware and get them done early.
7. Make sure you are in physical shape to go out on the field
With pregame factored in, you may be out standing and running on the field for three to four hours. Make sure you are able to do that without getting exhausted because that will only take your focus away from the game. Also, try to practice running. You are on the field with some speedsters and you shouldn’t look like a complete to tortoise compared to them! Finally, make sure you get some sleep the night before the game. It can be a long day with travel and you can’t be falling asleep!
8. Determine how long it will take to drive to the location of the game
This should be common sense, but map out how to get to your destination and determine how long it should take. Plan ahead for this and be ready to go. If your crew lives in the same are, try to carpool to save money.
9. Show up early
You might be shocked at how many people are late to games or at least pregame crew meetings. Don’t be that person. Show up early and it will reflect well on yourself as well. People will once again see you care about the game and are ready to go. Also, dress up. Try at least business casual. Once again it shows you are a professional and take your responsibilities seriously. If a coach sees you on your way to the locker room and you are in a dress shirt and khakis, the coach will respect you much more that strolling in late in a pair of shorts and t-shirt.
10. Have a pregame
As a crew, you need to have a pregame meeting. Talk about different situations and how you will handle them. If there was a weekly rules quiz put out, print it off, do it before hand, and talk through it as a crew. Getting the communication started and football gears turning is always helpful before a game. Also, make sure to stretch! Don’t go hurt yourself out on the field!
I hope you found these helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comment, please let me know!
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