The worst feeling in the world as a rookie official is probably the thought of being the weakest link in the crew. There may be uncertainty due to a lack of experience. In their mind, the main goal for many first-year officials may be to stay out of the way. I think everyone has been there. I’m sure there are a few who are still there. That feeling of being the one to sink the crew is not a good mentality to take the field with. In fact, the proper mindset should be the exact opposite. Rookies, believe it or not, already have all the right tools to save the crew. Here are 5 things a rookie should know in order to save the crew.
#1 – KNOW THE STATUS OF THE GAME CLOCK
The easiest thing to remember is game clock status. Look at the clock after each play to see if it is running properly and that some time has elapsed since the beginning of the play. Use proper mechanics and signal to stop the clock or wind the clock on sideline plays. Know if the clock should start on the ready-for-play whistle or on the snap after penalty enforcement. Be aware of any special timing rules at the end of each half and prepare for those situations with your crew. Every second of every game matters to both teams.
#2 – KNOW WHERE THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IS
Knowing where the line of scrimmage is on every play is important because it is a potential penalty enforcement spot. The line of scrimmage establishes where the free blocking zone and expanded neutral zone is length wise on the field. These are important areas when it comes to the legality of certain blocks or the status of linemen downfield. Different rules also apply to blocking downfield based on screen passes that are caught at or behind the line of scrimmage.
#3 – KNOW WHO YOUR ELIGIBLE RECEIVERS ARE
This is going to be an introduction to the idea of putting the pieces of a puzzle back together. There are potentially 6 eligible receivers that can receive a forward if you count the quarterback. All officials on the field have an eligible, or eligible receivers, that they are responsible for depending on the offensive formation. However, shifts and some numbering exceptions can lead to confusion, especially on gadget plays. The best way to combat this as a crew is to identify each eligible receiver at the snap by their jersey number and position. Short wings can confirm whether any receiver(s) detached from the line of scrimmage are on the line or in the backfield and communicate that with their cross-field partner. If every official (minus the umpire) can ID their key, every eligible on the field will be accounted for (7-1 = 6). Refer to your association’s mechanics for specifics on keys and special formations.
#4 – KNOW HOW MANY TIMEOUTS REMAINING
Each team is allotted a specific number of timeouts per half. Our job is to make sure no team gets an extra timeout. Best practice is to record each individual timeout, confirm with the crew, and inform the team of timeouts remaining. Most rule books will specify to inform the coach when there is one timeout left. Get in the habit of doing this for all charged timeouts. An extra stoppage can prove paramount for a team making a comeback. During any break in action, go over the timeout information with the crew so you all are not caught in the heat of the moment and grant a phantom timeout.
#5 – KNOW THE DOWN AND DISTANCE
The most important of all is knowing the Down and Distance. In its simplest form, being aware of the current down prior to the snap and how far the offense must go seems easy enough. The down box marks the down and the front stake marks the line to gain. However, a lack of focus and failure to communicate can have even the most veteran crews doubting themselves or worse, miss a down.
For example, a poorly communicated penalty that comes with a loss of down can sink a crew. 2nd and 10 for the offense and the quarterback throws the ball away. The play is blown dead and ruled incomplete. The box man naturally flips the down marker to 3rd down. However, after some late discussion by the referee and a wing, it is ruled that there was a penalty for intentional grounding. Not noticing that the down marker was already flipped, the referee relays the penalty information to the sideline and the box flips again. Now it is 4th and Long and the offense has lost a down. Remember that the Down and the Clock belongs to EVERYONE!
CONCLUSION
As you can see, it is not the complicated nuances of scheme that can turn a game sour for an officiating crew. It is ultimately the breakdown in fundamentals that sinks a crew. Who better to save the crew using fundamentals than a rookie?
