Manitowoc County Sports Officials Association

9/12/07 Football Meeting

Announcements / Games

Quick Quiz• Which of the following is an illegal pass?

A. A backward pass thrown after a change of possession.B. A shovel pass thrown forward when the passer is behind the line and the receiver is beyond the line.C. A forward pass thrown by an ineligible receiver. D. None of the above. E. All of the above.

• D (NFHS 7-5-2)

• Fullback A1 bursts through the line and is grabbed around the legs by defensive tackle B2. Linebacker B3 uses his arm to put A1 in a side headlock and without grasping A1's facemask or a helmet opening succeeds in helping bring A1 to the ground.

A. Legal.B. B3 fouled.

• A (NFHS 9-4-3-h)

• A1 is running for an apparent touchdown. Just before he reaches team B's goal line however B2 knocks the ball out of A1's grasp. The ball rolls into team B's end zone and across the end line.

A. Team A scores a safety; B2's bat provided the force or impetus.B. Touchback for team B; the fumble provided the force or impetus.

• B (NFHS 2-13-2, 8-5-3-c)

Play Review

Batting

• 9-7-2 No player shall bat a loose ball other than a pass or a fumble in flight…..

• Exception: A K player may bat towards his own goal line (the one they are defending) a grounded scrimmage kick which is beyond the neutral zone……

• Penalty: 15 yards

4400

4400

5500

Communicating with Coaches;

Customer Service

Courtesy WSOA - Todd Wittlinger & Mike Carr

Why is good customer service so important?

• It's simply because customers (COACHES) are turningtheir backs to businesses (OFFICIALS) that do not deliver value. And good customer service adds value!

• There's no way around it. No shortcuts. Customers (COACHES) demand value for money, or they are out of the door. Usually, forever!

• And if that customer (COACH) feels bad about howhe has been treated, they will tell there friends (other coaches, ADs, commissioners) about it.

• Before you know it, you (and/or your crew) are out of business (blackballed from the school or conference)!

• Our crew uses the “term” Customer Service throughout the pre-game and during the game to remind each other of why we are on the field and to help keep “cool heads” during stressful situations.

• Here are some thoughts that we utilize to help in minimizing those stressful situations and keep our crews “customer service record” positive.

PRE GAME

• Did you send a note ahead of time reminding AD of crew names, arrival times, time clock instructions, Chain Crew instructions etc…?

• Did you incorporate a crew weekly pregame (Before you get on-site)?

• Are you prompt on arrival to game site- properly dressed?

• Thoughts for your pre game meeting with coaches– Identify or introduce side line official on there

respective sideline - puts a name and face and starts dialog for communication

– Let them know you expect all communication to happen between them and your sideline official

– Set the tone early for sideline expectations– Let the coach know you expect them to set the

“tone” for good sportsmanship-– Tell them you will make sure there is

communication on all penalties and “strange situations” however it may not be immediate depending on the game situation.

• Where is your crew positioned during pre game?

– Are you all huddled on one teams sideline or are you equally spaced out covering both teams on both sidelines?

– Are members of your crew engaging in light conversations with players, coaches or fans? What is your crew philosophy?

Game Situations

• KNOW THE RULES- if you don’t know it – you better not call it- if you call it you better know how to explain it.

• NO EXCUSE for not knowing the rules- we have all told a coach – “I am not sure……” but you should follow that statement with “…. I will find out and get back to you….”

And follow through with your promise.

Consistency • Discuss during pre-games- what is holding, late

hit, PF, USC, OPI, DPI, etc… call it the same way throughout the game.

• Use video to observe crew- point out inconsistencies – look at certain plays during a pre-game and post-game discussions- observe video of each and every game you work.

• Not “nit picking rules”- letting a player know that he better put his mouth guard in- helping wide outs find the LOS or backfield.

• Use time outs, breaks between quarters and halftime to discuss rule interpretations with others on your crew. If a rule or enforcement was incorrectly applied - make sure the coach is made aware of the mistake- you owe that to the coach (and to your fellow officials whom could be dealing with the same rule/issue the following game) don’t make up rules - enforcements- excuses!

IMAGE is Everything

– Do you look the part of an official?

– Are in the right place to make a call (i.e. on the goal line – prior to the ball crossing)?

– Are your mechanics sharp and crisp?

On Field Communication

• Do you communicate with your crew? How and why?

• Are you communicating to the players- do the players understand what you’re telling them?

• How is communication relayed to coach?– “….25 held” or “Coach- #25 grabbed the shirt of 67,

the penalty was accepted and it will be 2nd and 12…”

– Don’t have long conversations with coaches- what will the other coach think?

Communicating with Coaches

Have some “prepared lines” to use

with coaches and anticipate the

questions or concerns that coaches

will bring up-for example:

Coach sees the play very differently than the official.

• “Coach, if that’s the way it happened/what you saw, then I must have missed it. I’ll take a closer look next time.”

• “Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw [short explanation].”

• “Coach, I had a great look at that play, but I understand your question and I’ll have the crew keep an eye on it.”

Coach believes you’re missing persistent illegal acts

by the other team.

• “Ok Coach, we’ll watch for that.”

• “Coach, we are watching for that on both sides of the field.”

• Communicate with your crew just to let them know what you are having to listen to.

Coach is questioning a partner’s call.

• “Coach, that’s a good call, as a crew we have to make that call.”

• “We’re calling it on both sides.”

• “Coach, they were right there and had a great angle.”

• “Coach, they had a great look, but if you have a specific question, I’ll ask them when I have a chance.”

Coach is very animated, gesturing, or on the field.

• “Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing.”

• “Coach, please return to the coaching box where I can then try to answer your question”

Knowing the difference between a comment and a question

Officials must KNOW the difference

between a question being legitimately asked

and a COMMENT that is being directed at an

official – most comments require NO

response and should be left alone.

“This is ridiculous………”

“That’s a dumb rule……”

“I can’t believe you called that…”

SOME comments may require a response and or further action

• “This is f*#Xing ridiculous….”

• “This is the worst crew I have ever seen…….”

• “You’re trying to help them get to state…..” or “of course they get the breaks- they are undefeated….”

Crew Philosophy

You and your crew should know and have a philosophy of when the line has been

crossed - your credibility is being questioned and how will you handle these

situations.

Common Sense

Dealing with coaches often calls for applying common sense. All officials have seen participants get upset and act in a manner that is inconsistent with their normal behavior. Often, the coach or player is wrong and the official has made the correct call. Regardless of who's right and who are wrong, officials must take the lead role in settling the situation.

Common sense says that, if an official has made a mistake – the coach should be heard- however not given a “free ticket” to say whatever he wants or act in an unsportsmanlike manner.

Diffuse the situation and using a comment like “Coach… WE made a mistake” can work – beware of using that line more than once a game.

Getting Help Whether the issue is a rule or a judgment call, the coach may ask you to get help from a partner or crewmate. Don't be bullied into such a discussion, but if you are unsure and believe another official can help, go for help.

Be sure the conversation is brief and takes place out of the coach's earshot. When the discussion is over, explain to the coach why you're sticking to your guns or are changing your call. In the latter case, be sure to explain the ruling to the opposing coach.

Summary

• Prevention of a problem is much easier than resolution of a problem- do what ever is possible to prevent questions or concerns.

• Discuss with your crew philosophies around handling coaches- and what will be tolerated and what is considered “crossing the line”.

• Plan for common questions that come from the coaches and how you or your crew will handle those questions.

• Practice using “prepared dialog” for use in dealing with coaches questions

• Expect the unexpected- coaches react differently- and are unpredictable.

• Set goals to provide the best “customer service” every time you step on the field.

Discussion?

PSK• When is the last time you reviewed PSK?• What is the PSK Window? (2-16-2h)

– Foul by R• Beyond the expanded neutral zone• Before the end of the kick

– Punt crosses the expanded neutral zone– R has the ball at the end of the play

• Basic spot is the end of the kick– Where R gains possession or the ball becomes dead

• Enforcement under all-but-one– Basic spot– Spot of foul if behind basic spot

One More Time…….• New rule on B fouls during touchdown plays

– Can be carried over to PAT or kickoff– If also a foul on PAT, only one carried over

• A must decide which one to carry over– DOES NOT APPLY TO DEAD BALL FOULS

• Must be penalized at the succeeding spot– Cannot be carried over to next half or overtime

• Foul only on PAT– Old rule – can be carried over to kickoff– CAN BE carried over to next half or overtime

• Foul on field goal– Old rule – can be carried over to kickoff– CAN BE carried over to next half or overtime

• Expect changes next year

Odd Plays / Questions

Next Meeting

• October 3 - 7 p.m.

• Manitowoc County Office Building

• Good Night!