One Down, Six to Go

Well, successfully completed my second college game. This score-fest ended 54-32.

Both wing officials and the Side Judge were from my local area and I've worked many high school games with these three officials. Whether real or imagined, I felt the eyes of scrutiny would be more severe during this game than my first game last week. At this stage, I think it's almost easier working with guys you don't know.

I had never met the White Hat. This always make the pre-game a bit strange. The Referee and Umpire have a unique relationship. There is a lot of give-and-take as far as how the game will be run. As I gain more confidence at this level, I can see where I will soon be saying something along the lines of 'this is how I plan on doing X' and the WH can override me if he wishes. Right now, I'm taking the approach of 'how would you prefer me to do X'. In some cases the WH asks me what I would like and then we go with my preference. Clearly, you need to able to adjust to the crew you are working with.

Although the WH is the boss, I have control over most of the game adminstration - how fast the ball gets set, relay the ball from the sideline, marching off penalties, doublchecking the ref does not do anything foolish, confirming with the Linesman on penalities, digging for fumbles, often helping on short passes over the middle, etc.

I only made two mistakes I am aware of. The big one was on a long punt where we had two live ball fouls and did a re-kick down back around the 10. I put the ball on the wrong hash mark. My down indicator indicated the left hash, but I put the ball on the right hash. On some plays where a lot of things happening, the balls gets rushed in, the WH rushes the 'ready', some players asks me a question, etc I may forget to reset my marker. I second guessed myself when I reset the ball. I was wrong and should trust my ball marker next time or ask for help.

The second one was minor. On a change of possession a ball was marked on sideline. When placing the ball on the field, because players were blocking my view, I used cross-field mechanics to put the ball down. But, when the ball marked on the field I should have used the ball and not cross-field. Make sense to me and easy to fix going forward.

The White Hat told me more that once I showed 'good hustle' and I made his job easy during the game. I never told him I was a Candidate and this was only my second college game. I take this a compliment.