The temperatures are heating up and the ice has thawed from the offseason. Although the season is a little over 3 months away, some of us are getting a little bit of Spring Football to whet our appetite. Even though the Spring Game is designed for coaches to see what they have going into the summer break, it is also an opportunity for officials to get their bearings together. Some guys make take the check and go through the motions while others may forego the snaps altogether. For all officials, however, this is great chance to get a head start on the new season and address many different issues. Here are some examples of how to take advantage of Spring Game assignments.
New Rules/Mechanics
New Rules and Mechanics are usually addressed during offseason meetings and by early Spring, states have a pretty good idea if any changes are going into effect for the fall. There are also instances where some states or associations will be test subjects for proposed rules and mechanics changes. Regardless of confirmed or experimental changes to rules and mechanics, the Spring Game is a perfect opportunity to implement and provide feedback to your local association with permission.
Crew Assessment
Following up with implementation of new rules and mechanics, the Spring Game is a great time to fine tune your crew if you are a referee or assess your situation as a member of an existing crew. In the weeks leading up to a Spring Game, referees should contact their crew and have an official briefing of sorts (if one was not done at the end of the previous season). Referees and their crew should address the pros and cons, what worked and what didn’t, and any thoughts or concerns going into the next season. A Spring Game can confirm or deny any intuitions about crew members and continuity in general after a few months away from the field. For some crews, following a Spring Game, changes will be made. For other crews, it will mark the start of another strong year together.
For floating officials, or officials with less experience, working a Spring game is a good way to show any current or new referees what you have and get your name in that mix for a spot come fall. Remember that change is inevitable. Officials get promoted, they retired, they peak, they regress, they get injured, or quite frankly stuff happens. The important thing to note is that the real work and jockeying for position actually takes place between the Spring, any Summer Training, and Fall Preseason assignments. Take this opportunity to boost your value.
Fitness Check
In my opinion, the most important aspect of the Spring Game is the ability to gauge your own personal health and fitness. When the final whistle of the season is blown, the combination of mental and physical fatigue along with age may lead some officials into hanging up their stripes. The offseason and an opportunity to rest up may lead them to reconsider that early retirement. One way to find out if the heart, mind, and body are in sync is to go out and take some snaps. Afterwards, another self-assessment may be more accurate since this Spring Game will be in a vacuum. It will also give you an idea of what needs to be done to get in peak conditioning for the fall if you choose to stay on the field or a head start if the choice is to work in a different capacity like clock operating or training.
For those that are not of the retirement age, the Spring Game is the first opportunity to get reacclimated to football weather as temperatures are starting to rise. For example, in Louisiana, temps reached 90 for the couple of weeks of Spring Football. After 50-70 snaps, an official will have a pretty good idea if they need to step up their cardio for the summer or spend more time outside in preparation for August and September. Remember that there is no perfect simulation for the real thing but knowing how far off you are can really help when charting out the Summer Workout Plan. The idea is to hit the ground running come Week 1.
Final Thoughts
The Spring Game is a vital tool as it bridges the gap between seasons. It allows us to reassess our careers, our crews, and our fitness while giving us a chance to fine tune and prepare for the next season. It is not just a check but an opportunity. Take advantage. Do not lollygag or take plays off. Push yourself to simulate the real thing. Some might scoff or laugh but the results will pay off when it counts. There is no offseason when you take yourself seriously.
