The other day I attended an all day clinic with the Minor League Football group. This will either be the beginning of something really big; or a really big flop. I really do think big things are coming for MLF and the COA group. More posts on this later this month.
Saturday will be the first game of the season. I'm excited about getting back on the field, but it's going to be an ugly game. Put six guys on a game who have never met before and throw in that most of these guys have never worked a game using NCAA rules... this will be interesting.
What is more interesting are the rules. The MLF conferences we are working this year use modified NCAA rules. Modified in the sense that the game is managed like NCAA, uses High School blocking rules, but includes the NFL Touching rule (or down by contact. The teams get four time-outs per half, instead of the normal three, but we will be allowed to wind the clock on change of possessions. Very weird.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Semi-Pro Update
This Minor League Football opportunity I mentioned last post has turned into something very real and very interesting. I'm actually very excited about the season. This is partially due to the fact that the gentleman who runs the Community College association has endorsed the Football Officials of America (FOA). This speaks highly of the FOA.
This Saturday the FOA is conducting a day long clinic with both classroom discussions and field work. Our field work will be filmed and evaluated. This is very welcomed and brings a lot of legitimacy to the FOA.
My first exposure to Minor League Football was a game last April. The caliber of the play was decent I suppose, but what really struck me was the amount of passion in the play. These guys love this game and play with heart. This is something I rarely see in High School and never see at the Community College level.
Regarding the Community College, I received the official,"your in" contract from the association. I still have to meet all the requirements to be assigned games, but at least this means I no longer have a label of Prospect or Candidate.
What are the Requirements?
> Attend summer study meetings
> Attend the training clinic
> Get at least 80% on the test
> Attend preseason scrimmages
> Get your doctor to sign off on a physical
> Pay your annual dues
And study like hell during off season.
I'll let you know how the FOA clinic goes on Saturday.
This Saturday the FOA is conducting a day long clinic with both classroom discussions and field work. Our field work will be filmed and evaluated. This is very welcomed and brings a lot of legitimacy to the FOA.
My first exposure to Minor League Football was a game last April. The caliber of the play was decent I suppose, but what really struck me was the amount of passion in the play. These guys love this game and play with heart. This is something I rarely see in High School and never see at the Community College level.
Regarding the Community College, I received the official,"your in" contract from the association. I still have to meet all the requirements to be assigned games, but at least this means I no longer have a label of Prospect or Candidate.
What are the Requirements?
> Attend summer study meetings
> Attend the training clinic
> Get at least 80% on the test
> Attend preseason scrimmages
> Get your doctor to sign off on a physical
> Pay your annual dues
And study like hell during off season.
I'll let you know how the FOA clinic goes on Saturday.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Moving Up to the Semi-Pros
For anyone still following along, I appreciate your patience. It has been far too long since my last report.
The week following my last season game the post-season assignments were issued. One of the rules for the association is no post-season assignments unless you have been on staff for at least two years. As I was only a Candidate, I have another two season before this is even a possibility.
But what is very encouraging is everyone from my local group was assigned a bowl game. There are five bowl games and then a State Championship game. One guy from my local group with about five years on staff was assigned the State Championship game. It's great to know I am in a strong group. My Regional Rep has told me more than once he feels we are the best within the association. I think these assignments speak for themselves.
Something else you may not know is every year after the season ends you get 'fired'. The association sends a note stating something to the effect that our relationship is severed, thanks for all the help, see you next year - maybe. I am technically no longer part of the association. Each year we have to attend all the meetings, take all the tests, attend all the clinics, etc. before you can be hired back on staff.
I was recently asked to work some Minor League Football (sometimes called Semi-Pro Football.) The assigner says there are 110 games during the season that runs from March through May. Then May through July is playoffs.
My wife is thrilled.
But as I explained to her, you never know who is watching and it never hurts to see more snaps. Plus, this will help pay for the Football Officials camp I will be attending mid-year.
I guess the off-season is over. Back on the treadmill and back to the rule books.
The week following my last season game the post-season assignments were issued. One of the rules for the association is no post-season assignments unless you have been on staff for at least two years. As I was only a Candidate, I have another two season before this is even a possibility.
But what is very encouraging is everyone from my local group was assigned a bowl game. There are five bowl games and then a State Championship game. One guy from my local group with about five years on staff was assigned the State Championship game. It's great to know I am in a strong group. My Regional Rep has told me more than once he feels we are the best within the association. I think these assignments speak for themselves.
Something else you may not know is every year after the season ends you get 'fired'. The association sends a note stating something to the effect that our relationship is severed, thanks for all the help, see you next year - maybe. I am technically no longer part of the association. Each year we have to attend all the meetings, take all the tests, attend all the clinics, etc. before you can be hired back on staff.
I was recently asked to work some Minor League Football (sometimes called Semi-Pro Football.) The assigner says there are 110 games during the season that runs from March through May. Then May through July is playoffs.
My wife is thrilled.
But as I explained to her, you never know who is watching and it never hurts to see more snaps. Plus, this will help pay for the Football Officials camp I will be attending mid-year.
I guess the off-season is over. Back on the treadmill and back to the rule books.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Final Season Game
Saturday's contest was the final regular season game and was the most competitive to date. A classic, back and forth struggle, played in the rain with several key turnovers. Final score was 34-28.
Again, and I still find this so hard to believe, but there was no chain crew until moments before the game started. At half time we had to get another chain crew. The 25 second clock was not working either. High School Freshman games are more organized that this. I worked seven venues this season and this lack of administration has been symptomatic of well over 30% of the fields.
I was run into several times by linebackers during this game. A huge bruise on my right shoulder can attest to just how hard one of these collisions was. At least I was not knocked down.
I threw a flag for holding. I actually think this was my first holding flag this season. The center was clearly holding, twisting the defenders shoulders.. but I held my flag until the ball carrier sprinted by them. The center finish off the foul by taking down the defender. I'd love to see this one film because what may have happened is the defender actually fell on the center rather than the center pulling him down. At least on film it will look like a take down.
I also threw a flag for an illegal forward pass on a blocked Try. The defense picked up the ball and began a return. When the ball carrier was stopped he lateraled, then the next guy lateraled, and the third guys lateraled - just forward this time. The Field Judge also threw a flag that hit the ground about the same time as mine. It always looks good when there are two flags on a penalty.
The only other weird thing was a roughing the center during a Try. The Visitors would line a guy right over the Center. Never a good sign. At the snap, the defender would shoot the gap, but not contact the Center. The offensive Guard would block down and drive the defender into Center. After the play, the Center was pissed off and said "He cannot line-up in front of me!" I tried to explain that the defender can line-up wherever he wants, he just can't make contact for one second. Of course the Center wasn't listening since all he knew was he was being contacted. The second time this happened he had the coach talk to me. I gave him the same answer. But the third time, the defender did drive through the Center. Of course, I heard "he's been doing that all game." Ah, no he didn't, but whatever.
As a crew we did have a blunder. We got it right, but it looked really bad. On a punt return the receivers fouled during the loose ball. For those unfamilar with penalty enforcements, a foul under these conditions will be enforced at the end of the kick... not the end of the run back. This is called the Post Scrimmage Kick spot or PSK spot. Very few non-officials understand this. Well, the Field Judge did not put a bean bag on the ground to indicate this spot. There was a long 40 yard run back on this play and the holding occurred 20 yards in behind the end of the run back. Since we did not have a bean bag we kinda had to guess where the kick ended. The problem was this just took way to long and we did not look like we knew what we were doing.
Overall, I think my performance was good during this game and the best for the season. After the game one of the seasoned officials said, "Good job Duane. You couldn't tell this is your first season."
Let's hope the association feels the same and I am offered a staff position. Stay tuned.
Again, and I still find this so hard to believe, but there was no chain crew until moments before the game started. At half time we had to get another chain crew. The 25 second clock was not working either. High School Freshman games are more organized that this. I worked seven venues this season and this lack of administration has been symptomatic of well over 30% of the fields.
I was run into several times by linebackers during this game. A huge bruise on my right shoulder can attest to just how hard one of these collisions was. At least I was not knocked down.
I threw a flag for holding. I actually think this was my first holding flag this season. The center was clearly holding, twisting the defenders shoulders.. but I held my flag until the ball carrier sprinted by them. The center finish off the foul by taking down the defender. I'd love to see this one film because what may have happened is the defender actually fell on the center rather than the center pulling him down. At least on film it will look like a take down.
I also threw a flag for an illegal forward pass on a blocked Try. The defense picked up the ball and began a return. When the ball carrier was stopped he lateraled, then the next guy lateraled, and the third guys lateraled - just forward this time. The Field Judge also threw a flag that hit the ground about the same time as mine. It always looks good when there are two flags on a penalty.
The only other weird thing was a roughing the center during a Try. The Visitors would line a guy right over the Center. Never a good sign. At the snap, the defender would shoot the gap, but not contact the Center. The offensive Guard would block down and drive the defender into Center. After the play, the Center was pissed off and said "He cannot line-up in front of me!" I tried to explain that the defender can line-up wherever he wants, he just can't make contact for one second. Of course the Center wasn't listening since all he knew was he was being contacted. The second time this happened he had the coach talk to me. I gave him the same answer. But the third time, the defender did drive through the Center. Of course, I heard "he's been doing that all game." Ah, no he didn't, but whatever.
As a crew we did have a blunder. We got it right, but it looked really bad. On a punt return the receivers fouled during the loose ball. For those unfamilar with penalty enforcements, a foul under these conditions will be enforced at the end of the kick... not the end of the run back. This is called the Post Scrimmage Kick spot or PSK spot. Very few non-officials understand this. Well, the Field Judge did not put a bean bag on the ground to indicate this spot. There was a long 40 yard run back on this play and the holding occurred 20 yards in behind the end of the run back. Since we did not have a bean bag we kinda had to guess where the kick ended. The problem was this just took way to long and we did not look like we knew what we were doing.
Overall, I think my performance was good during this game and the best for the season. After the game one of the seasoned officials said, "Good job Duane. You couldn't tell this is your first season."
Let's hope the association feels the same and I am offered a staff position. Stay tuned.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Another Week, Another Weak Game
This week was game number seven for me and week 10 for the season. Next week is the last regular season game. As cliche as it sounds, the season has really flown by.
Yet another lopsided games ending 58-14. The score is deceiving because the halftime score was 51-0. The victors, who are undefeated in conference, could realistically score at will. The defeated team, who was winless in conference, was lucky to make a first down. They were also winless on the season. In fact, this was the team's 45 straight loss.
The White Hat for this game is the veteran assigned as my college mentor. He is also a White Hat in the HS association I work for. He has a laid back, low-key, let's-just-get-the-game-over-with demeanor.
We had another 'observer' at this game. Before the game began he introduced himself, but not as our observer, and ask me if there was any equipment problems. I thought he was the AD for the school and simply stated I saw a few adornments but nothing critical. Then I looked at the tag he had around his neck and realized he was the observer. I have no idea if I stuck my foot into my mouth or not.
On the first play of the game, I threw a flag for twelve on the field. There were only eleven. I killed the play right at the snap and then when I placed the ball back on the ground I placed it a yard ahead of the LOS. The Lineman stopped the play and I had to reset the ball. I'm sure that really looked good to the observer.
I had a player complain to me several times that the opponent was head-slapping. I must admit I wasn't watching for this. I caught a glimpse of him with his hand the the face mask, but it was only for a brief moment. Nothing flag worthy.
Another player asked me to watch the high-low blocks (i.e., chop block). In fact, the Lineman came in and told me the coach in the press box was concerned about the high-lows. I watched. I saw them. And they were legal. The key issue is delay. If the high-low occur simultaneous by adjacent linemen then this is legal. All of these block I observed were simultaneous.
I did throw a flag on a Try when a defender jumped over leaped over the LOS and landed on top of a an opponent.
I did not throw a flag when a player took his helmet off while on the playing field and threw it to the ground following a touchdown. Technically, this is a Unsportmanslike foul. But at this time the score was 51-0. There were no opponents around him and he was near the number next to his sideline. Yes, a foul, and I could be convinced I should have penalized him, but in a way no one was harmed by this act of frustration.
I did stop the White Hat from calling a Block in the Back during a scrimmage kick return. I saw the contact and it was not a BITB. He agreed with me but because the guilty player went after the victim we decided to go with a Person Foul for unnecessary contact away from the play.
Overall, this was a hard game to work. It was hot and we spent more time focusing on dead ball officiating than live ball officiating. I always find these games mentally challenging. And then we had a 2.5 hour drive home. I was drained and went straight to bed when I got home.
Next week is last game. Then I guess I'll find out if I good enough to become a staff member officially become a NCAA Football Official.
Yet another lopsided games ending 58-14. The score is deceiving because the halftime score was 51-0. The victors, who are undefeated in conference, could realistically score at will. The defeated team, who was winless in conference, was lucky to make a first down. They were also winless on the season. In fact, this was the team's 45 straight loss.
The White Hat for this game is the veteran assigned as my college mentor. He is also a White Hat in the HS association I work for. He has a laid back, low-key, let's-just-get-the-game-over-with demeanor.
We had another 'observer' at this game. Before the game began he introduced himself, but not as our observer, and ask me if there was any equipment problems. I thought he was the AD for the school and simply stated I saw a few adornments but nothing critical. Then I looked at the tag he had around his neck and realized he was the observer. I have no idea if I stuck my foot into my mouth or not.
On the first play of the game, I threw a flag for twelve on the field. There were only eleven. I killed the play right at the snap and then when I placed the ball back on the ground I placed it a yard ahead of the LOS. The Lineman stopped the play and I had to reset the ball. I'm sure that really looked good to the observer.
I had a player complain to me several times that the opponent was head-slapping. I must admit I wasn't watching for this. I caught a glimpse of him with his hand the the face mask, but it was only for a brief moment. Nothing flag worthy.
Another player asked me to watch the high-low blocks (i.e., chop block). In fact, the Lineman came in and told me the coach in the press box was concerned about the high-lows. I watched. I saw them. And they were legal. The key issue is delay. If the high-low occur simultaneous by adjacent linemen then this is legal. All of these block I observed were simultaneous.
I did throw a flag on a Try when a defender jumped over leaped over the LOS and landed on top of a an opponent.
I did not throw a flag when a player took his helmet off while on the playing field and threw it to the ground following a touchdown. Technically, this is a Unsportmanslike foul. But at this time the score was 51-0. There were no opponents around him and he was near the number next to his sideline. Yes, a foul, and I could be convinced I should have penalized him, but in a way no one was harmed by this act of frustration.
I did stop the White Hat from calling a Block in the Back during a scrimmage kick return. I saw the contact and it was not a BITB. He agreed with me but because the guilty player went after the victim we decided to go with a Person Foul for unnecessary contact away from the play.
Overall, this was a hard game to work. It was hot and we spent more time focusing on dead ball officiating than live ball officiating. I always find these games mentally challenging. And then we had a 2.5 hour drive home. I was drained and went straight to bed when I got home.
Next week is last game. Then I guess I'll find out if I good enough to become a staff member officially become a NCAA Football Official.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Football on the Wrong Side of the Tracks
I once took a class in college... Sociology or Psychology... some kind of 'ology' where the issue of nature vs. nurture is a major point of discussion. I've had countless classes at work dealing with the issue of 'diversity' and other related topics. I even have a step-daughter who is of mixed ethnicity. I honestly make no judgments about a person relative to which side of the tracks they come from. But after working seven community college football games I can say I this - the quality of the games, the integrity of the players, and the class of the coaches are relative to where the teams come from.
This weeks game was almost as appalling as the All-Star game I worked earlier in the year and was by far the hardest game mentally. And having a score of 63-40 didn't help matters much either.
Before the game started a gentleman introduced himself as our 'observer'. This means we were being rated. I have no idea how we get rated or what exactly we get rated on, but this would certainly be an interesting game to see how we did.
The first quarter was pretty clean and fast. Then things went to hell.
Both sidelines were given sideline warnings during the second period. Countless times I had to get between players and break-up conflicts. All of us except the Linesman had some kind of Unsportsmanlike or Personal Foul call.
Things really got out of hand midway in the 4th quarter. During a Try, I threw a false start on the left tackle. The players had begun to engage one another once again so I stepped in to clean-up. Apparently, someone was on the ground and a player and kicked someone with both his feet. I never saw this as I was looking at another player who had thrust both his hands into the chest of an opponent. I threw my second flag. Both these players were ejected from the game. Naturally, neither coach like this.
What I'm sure happened is the 'victim' taunted the guy and he retaliated by shoving him. If I had heard the taunting, this also would be an ejectionable foul. But, as the old saying goes, we only see the 2nd guy.
The next play, recall this is still on the Try, there was a roughing the kicker. Then, the Try was made. Before we got the subsequent kick-off started, we had another Unsportsmanlike foul. This was pretty ugly.
With about 2:00 remaining one of the players asked me, "blue, can we just get this game over with?' My reply was, 'no shit, lets get out of here.'
Between both teams we threw seven unsportsmanlike fouls and had two ejections.
When we were ready to leave the locker room following our showers we heard a some noise outside. Fans from the losing team had entered the home team's locker room and started a fight. Then we heard a knock at our door. It was a Security escort.
Not a comfortable feeling at 11:00PM, 2.5 hours from home in a city which is on the wrong side of the tracks.
Its good to be home in suburbia.
This weeks game was almost as appalling as the All-Star game I worked earlier in the year and was by far the hardest game mentally. And having a score of 63-40 didn't help matters much either.
Before the game started a gentleman introduced himself as our 'observer'. This means we were being rated. I have no idea how we get rated or what exactly we get rated on, but this would certainly be an interesting game to see how we did.
The first quarter was pretty clean and fast. Then things went to hell.
Both sidelines were given sideline warnings during the second period. Countless times I had to get between players and break-up conflicts. All of us except the Linesman had some kind of Unsportsmanlike or Personal Foul call.
Things really got out of hand midway in the 4th quarter. During a Try, I threw a false start on the left tackle. The players had begun to engage one another once again so I stepped in to clean-up. Apparently, someone was on the ground and a player and kicked someone with both his feet. I never saw this as I was looking at another player who had thrust both his hands into the chest of an opponent. I threw my second flag. Both these players were ejected from the game. Naturally, neither coach like this.
What I'm sure happened is the 'victim' taunted the guy and he retaliated by shoving him. If I had heard the taunting, this also would be an ejectionable foul. But, as the old saying goes, we only see the 2nd guy.
The next play, recall this is still on the Try, there was a roughing the kicker. Then, the Try was made. Before we got the subsequent kick-off started, we had another Unsportsmanlike foul. This was pretty ugly.
With about 2:00 remaining one of the players asked me, "blue, can we just get this game over with?' My reply was, 'no shit, lets get out of here.'
Between both teams we threw seven unsportsmanlike fouls and had two ejections.
When we were ready to leave the locker room following our showers we heard a some noise outside. Fans from the losing team had entered the home team's locker room and started a fight. Then we heard a knock at our door. It was a Security escort.
Not a comfortable feeling at 11:00PM, 2.5 hours from home in a city which is on the wrong side of the tracks.
Its good to be home in suburbia.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Week 8 Malaise
No game for me this week, which I am frankly okay with. Three games a weekend for the past 8 weeks. Sometimes I just need to take a break. I'm not physical drained, as much as I am mentally. I notice the most when I White Hat HS games. I'm getting the rules between HS and College mix-up which is becoming very annoying.
It doesn't help when many of these crews I White Hat with are just thrown together and their skill level is less than par. Trying to do my job and then mentor these yahoo's while coaches are screaming they are not making calls - which is true. All I want is a simple, clean, fast game. This rarely happens. And then my confidence gets weakened.
Every season about week seven or eight I begin to lack confidence. I'm not exactly sure why, but I'm pretty confident (pun intended) its due to the number of mistakes I've made. I know I make them -- mostly calls I didn't make but should have. None of these mistakes made a difference in the outcome of the game and most are based upon my own self-critical high standard. Hardly anyone would know. But they are there and I don't forget them until about mid-January.
But maybe its not a lack of confidence and much as it is a weakened spirit.
I think this malaise is partially due to the games being boring. Not as boring as my day-job mind you. And certainly not as boring as watching Oprah. But most of these games are one-sided and pretty much over by halftime. The quality of play is okay I guess, but what I don't see much of is the beauty of the well oiled machine. It's just raw football action with no finesse. As much I love football, this type of play is just not exciting.
The next three weeks, which happen to be the last three weeks of the season, are going to be a pain in the ass. Next week the game is 100+ miles away and does not start until 7:00PM. I won't get home until after midnight for sure. The following week, the game is over 150 miles away. At least this game is at 1:00PM. Which means I'll have to leave the house by around 8:00AM and won't get home until 7:00PM or so. My last game, another 1:00PM start, will be over an hour away.
I'm not complaining. This is still better than my day job.
It doesn't help when many of these crews I White Hat with are just thrown together and their skill level is less than par. Trying to do my job and then mentor these yahoo's while coaches are screaming they are not making calls - which is true. All I want is a simple, clean, fast game. This rarely happens. And then my confidence gets weakened.
Every season about week seven or eight I begin to lack confidence. I'm not exactly sure why, but I'm pretty confident (pun intended) its due to the number of mistakes I've made. I know I make them -- mostly calls I didn't make but should have. None of these mistakes made a difference in the outcome of the game and most are based upon my own self-critical high standard. Hardly anyone would know. But they are there and I don't forget them until about mid-January.
But maybe its not a lack of confidence and much as it is a weakened spirit.
I think this malaise is partially due to the games being boring. Not as boring as my day-job mind you. And certainly not as boring as watching Oprah. But most of these games are one-sided and pretty much over by halftime. The quality of play is okay I guess, but what I don't see much of is the beauty of the well oiled machine. It's just raw football action with no finesse. As much I love football, this type of play is just not exciting.
The next three weeks, which happen to be the last three weeks of the season, are going to be a pain in the ass. Next week the game is 100+ miles away and does not start until 7:00PM. I won't get home until after midnight for sure. The following week, the game is over 150 miles away. At least this game is at 1:00PM. Which means I'll have to leave the house by around 8:00AM and won't get home until 7:00PM or so. My last game, another 1:00PM start, will be over an hour away.
I'm not complaining. This is still better than my day job.
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