Football Through a Referee's Eyes

I referee throughout the year. Football for High school, NCAA Division III, and Arena Football 2. I also officiate High School wrestling and some basketball. I created a blog on the game from an official's eyes.

I recently just finished my high school football season by doing a playoff game this past weekend.

Here's an idea of what it is like from start to finish from an Official's eyes.

There are 5 officials for a high school game. For the regular season we officiate on a crew with the same guys every week with the exception of a couple games when we might have a sub.

Our games typically start at 7:30p on a Friday night. We arrive at the school's locker room at 6p. We just kind of talk at first but then it's time for pregame. Go over keys, communication, and responsibilities. Any unique situation that may come up or any that our peers may have had in one of their games.

We get dress and then hit the field a half hour before the game begins. We talk to the visiting coach first and get his captains numbers. Then we head over to the home team and do the same thing. Twenty minutes before kickoff we get the captains and do the coin flip. After this we check the field and talk with the ball boys and chain crew to make sure we're all on the same page. Next thing you know, it's kickoff time.

My position on Friday nights is the Line Judge. The other positions are Referee, Umpire, Head Linesman, and Back Judge.

Most people probably think officials are there just to throw flags and that's it. Actually it's very far from the truth. We're there to administer the game and enforce the rules along with other responsibilities.

For example here is my sequence pretty much every play. After the kickoff, get a new ball in from the home team's sideline if they are on offense. Then I line up on the line scrimmage. I count the defense and signal good to the Back Judge if I have 11 players. Then I look over to the Head Linesman on the other side of the field and signal how many guys I have on the line of scrimmage on my side of the Center. If I have a receiver on my side on the end and he's off the line of scrimmage I signal with a closed fist that he is off the line. Read the play to see if it's a run or pass and then read my keys.

Second down do it all again. Kickoffs, punts, field goals we have certain responsibilities and keys to watch.

The game I had this weekend featured two of the traditional powers out of Ohio battling in a first round playoff game. Let me tell you it was intense and a defensive battle. It's a pleasure and a honor to be able to officiate.

As stated earlier I'm done with high school football this year. I have one college football game left and then it's right into basketball and wrestling season.

As awesome as football is, wrestling is actually even more intense. We are out there on a island officiating kids that are giving there all on the mat against each other.

But that's another hub. We'll talk about that another day.

Appreciate any feedback or comments you may have.

If you want to here or learn more you can check it out my ref blog here:

www.the3rdteam.blogspot.com