Top 8 Things to do to be a Great Official and Move up the Officiating Ranks

Naturally, people want to move up or get promoted in what they do. Usually it means more money, more important job and all the rest that comes with a promotion. Football Officiating is the same way. There are some Football officials who are happy officiating high school football and that’s all. From what I have noticed, that is usually people who start officiating at an older age. These people are usually some of the best high school officials around and people that you really want to get to know so they can help teach you what they know. Getting knowledge from them can be a huge help to your betterment as an official. Listen to theses officials and take what they have to say seriously.

Yet many officials, especially those that start at younger ages, want to progress up to officiate higher levels. Whether that is going up to DIII college football, DII, DI, or even things such as the NFL, Canadian Football League (CFL), and even different Arena Football Leagues, they are all goals some football officials strive for. But for all of these “promotions” we can call them in football officiating, it is just like in the real world. What matters is how prepared are you, how good of an official are you and who you know. So here are some things that may help you out when trying to move up. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here.

1.     Prepare for everything well

It doesn’t matter what you have coming up. It could be the season, a game, a clinic or even just a meeting with other officials. Always prepare for it. Look over your rules and get football back in your head. Watch some videos of different fouls to be thinking about the game. Know where you have to be and when for whatever it is. Make sure you are there early with the materials you need.

All of these things are ways that will show others around you that you care about what you are doing and care about getting better. This will make others take notice and you would be surprised just how much a few fellow officials thinking highly of you could help you. They may know other supervisors well and recommend you for games at a higher level. Or, being well prepared may just help you perform well.

2.     Perform well

Officials understand that all officials will make some mistakes. That goes with the territory of being an official. But you need to make sure you are doing everything possible to stand out as a great official. Make sure you get the easy things right. Easy calls, make sure you get them. Make sure you are in the right position which everyone can see and if you are in the right position, people will think you are more often right. If you are going to get something wrong, try and make it a judgment call such as a defensive pass interference that there was some contact but not a lot. You may easily get that wrong, but that is judgement and you just need to know why you through a flag for it.

3.     Get to know others/Network

Networking is not refined to just the business world, or maybe football is the business world. The more people you know, and more importantly know you, the better. Unless it is for a bad reason, but try to avoid that. When people know you and know your name, make it for a good reason so that people talk about the potential you have. When you have people that think highly of you, it is only so long until supervisors start hearing your name and start to pay attention to you. That is the best thing that can happen if you want to move up.

4.     Get in contact with supervisors

If you want to move up in officiating, the only way that will happen is if supervisors know who you are. If you want to move into a specific college conference, find out who that supervisor is and see if there is any way you can contact them. obviously don’t bug them, but if you have submitted and application, go ahead and reach out and introduce yourself and talk about your experience and maybe what you are officiating this coming season so they can try to watch you. The other great way to meet supervisors is at clinics.

5.     Go to clinics

It is possible that someone has told you to go to a clinic, and you thought, travel and pay a lot of money, no thank you! Well if you want to move up, thing again! Clinics are ways to not only improve your skills, but also a big networking event for officials. Officials from elite college divisions and sometimes NFL officials are usually running and helping lead clinics in the summer. Supervisors are also usually at clinics scooping at new talent. Make these clinics somewhere that you showcase your abilities as well as meet other. Introduce yourself to supervisors and other officials and try to let them get to know you some.

6.     Practice and improve

If people are giving you tips on how to improve, you are watching film and notice things to improve or are taught things at clinics you don’t already do, practice them so you can improve! You should always be practicing and studying to get better.

7.     Take as many opportunities as you possibly can

If opportunities come up, always try to take them. There are some instances where you might get a call on game day morning asking if you can fill in for someone who got sick. If you can, jump on the opportunity with enthusiasm and appreciation. Then use the opportunity to show you belong on that stage.

8.     Keep track of what you do

There may be times people want to know what games you have worked and for how long. Make sure you are keeping track of all your games at all levels to show supervisors what experience you have. Even if they don’t ask, offer it. It once again is a way to show you are prepared and ready for the opportunity they may be tempted to give you.

Overall, it all comes down to being prepared for everything that is thrown your way. Make sure to prepare early so you are ready to take advantage of the maximum number of opportunities to showcase yourself and set yourself apart from others.  

janitorial service broward