Spent the last several days on airplanes so no time to blog. But, I spent a lot of time studying the rules for both HS and College. I've reached that place where I've spent too much time in the books and need to get back on the field.
Okay, here is my bitch this week - scheduling meetings. With all due respect for my association coordinator, the guy needs to understand how the other half lives. Many of the members of the association are school teachers, police officers, construction workers, etc. Essentially 8-5 kind of guys. I am not. I am a 'white collar' worker who is on call 24/7. I have to make arrangements with my boss to not be accessible during football games. I'm lucky to have a boss who is understanding and supports me, but since I am in management, I have a burden to my employer to ensure my area is covered (I am an IT manager).
So, I get this note from my crew chief stating there are no excused absences for meetings and the association has a minimum number of pre-season training hours. Well, this trip was planned and paid for since March. We were only told three weeks ago about the pre-season meeting schedule. How can missing the meeting be held against me? In the 11 years I've been part of the association, we have never met in July. In fact, in 11 years I've never missed a meeting. Further, I attend all the voluntary summer study meetings, worked the All-Star game I previously blogged about, and even worked a semi-pro game in June. I've put in the time and paid my dues. Literally ($75) and figuratively.
Our association complains about not having enough officials. Well, there needs to be some flexibility. It's one thing if I just didn't attend the meeting because I forgot or was lazy. There needs to be credit for my summer meetings or something.
The next meeting is Monday, so I'll see what this means. Maybe I won't get playoffs this year. That would be unfair and disappointing, but not the end of the world.
Are you a white collar working like me? What hoops do you have to go through?
Friday, August 3, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Ugly Side of the Game
Last month I was asked to work the so-called County All-Star game. I've worked several of these contest in the past and each year I say I'll never do them again. They are simply the poorest representation of what this game is all about. This year was no exception.
I only agreed to work the game if we could use NCAA mechanics and we could use this game as a training exercise. This seemed like a good idea since four of us were CCFOA candidates. All agreed and we decided to use seven-man mechanics.
I worked line judge (I typically work White Hat on JV/Fresh and Umpire on Var) which took a series or two for me to get my eyes back, so to speak. Holding my ground until the ball passed the LOS is not natural. This is not the same mechanic as five-man HS. Eventually, I settled in.
Even more challenging for me was trusting the field judge. Again, I was not used to having this help on passes to my sideline. We had one of those plays where the receiver danced the sideline. I saw feet in, but not the ball. I ruled catch, but the FJ saw the ball was not possessed in the field of play. I should have looked at him before killing the clock. Lesson learned.
All this was marred in the 2nd half of the game More than once we spoke with the team captains to get everyone under control and once we even brought both head coaches together to calm things down. Just a lot of pushing and smart mouthing. We ejected a player for throwing the ball at the opposite team's coach following a touchdown. It all finally came to a head when the benches cleared and there was a big brawl with about 4:00 remaining in the 4th. We tried for a good two minutes to get things under control. We'd get it stopped, then it would start-up again.
We finally ran off the field when fans entered the playing field. We were already being heckled and the losing side was looking for an excuse to take it out on us. When the cops came on the field, then I knew our jurisdiction was finally over.
All very sad since this game is for charity and these players are supposed to be 'all-stars'.
I only agreed to work the game if we could use NCAA mechanics and we could use this game as a training exercise. This seemed like a good idea since four of us were CCFOA candidates. All agreed and we decided to use seven-man mechanics.
I worked line judge (I typically work White Hat on JV/Fresh and Umpire on Var) which took a series or two for me to get my eyes back, so to speak. Holding my ground until the ball passed the LOS is not natural. This is not the same mechanic as five-man HS. Eventually, I settled in.
Even more challenging for me was trusting the field judge. Again, I was not used to having this help on passes to my sideline. We had one of those plays where the receiver danced the sideline. I saw feet in, but not the ball. I ruled catch, but the FJ saw the ball was not possessed in the field of play. I should have looked at him before killing the clock. Lesson learned.
All this was marred in the 2nd half of the game More than once we spoke with the team captains to get everyone under control and once we even brought both head coaches together to calm things down. Just a lot of pushing and smart mouthing. We ejected a player for throwing the ball at the opposite team's coach following a touchdown. It all finally came to a head when the benches cleared and there was a big brawl with about 4:00 remaining in the 4th. We tried for a good two minutes to get things under control. We'd get it stopped, then it would start-up again.
We finally ran off the field when fans entered the playing field. We were already being heckled and the losing side was looking for an excuse to take it out on us. When the cops came on the field, then I knew our jurisdiction was finally over.
All very sad since this game is for charity and these players are supposed to be 'all-stars'.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Now the fun begins
For anyone who has worked both High School and College Football, then I don't need to explain just how screwed-up your mind gets. I already find myself saying - oh crap, that's a HS rule. This is only my second season in the college rule book and I'm already feeling like I'm going to do something stupid.
For those who are not familiar with the 'distinctions' between the two systems, let me explain. In the Football Rule Differences 2007 book which outlines the differences between the two codes) there are 286 pages (after you exclude the index, table of contents, and other diagrams). Essentially, over 200 differences. Some are not that big of a deal - in HS you need shoes, but not socks. In NCAA you can kick barefoot but need socks otherwise. The number of panels on the ball, who can talk to the media. Simple things like that. Other rules are more complicated. In HS, no blocking below the waist except in the free block zone, but in NCAA, well this is a difference story depending upon who is doing the blocking, where it occurs on the field, and it which direction. This is blog entry in itself.
So, I paid my HS association dues ($75 bucks this year) and now have the 2007 HS books. I'm afraid to open them. I finally have what seems to be a fairly clear picture in my mind of what NCAA rules are and I'm going to cloud it all up with HS rules. The old timers tell me to not compare the two systems. But how do you avoid this?
My college mentor (who is a HS Crew Chief and a College White Hat) told me he worked HS for 15 years before he started college. When he first started college ball he said it was as if he never officiated before. It is a completely different game.
For those who are not familiar with the 'distinctions' between the two systems, let me explain. In the Football Rule Differences 2007 book which outlines the differences between the two codes) there are 286 pages (after you exclude the index, table of contents, and other diagrams). Essentially, over 200 differences. Some are not that big of a deal - in HS you need shoes, but not socks. In NCAA you can kick barefoot but need socks otherwise. The number of panels on the ball, who can talk to the media. Simple things like that. Other rules are more complicated. In HS, no blocking below the waist except in the free block zone, but in NCAA, well this is a difference story depending upon who is doing the blocking, where it occurs on the field, and it which direction. This is blog entry in itself.
So, I paid my HS association dues ($75 bucks this year) and now have the 2007 HS books. I'm afraid to open them. I finally have what seems to be a fairly clear picture in my mind of what NCAA rules are and I'm going to cloud it all up with HS rules. The old timers tell me to not compare the two systems. But how do you avoid this?
My college mentor (who is a HS Crew Chief and a College White Hat) told me he worked HS for 15 years before he started college. When he first started college ball he said it was as if he never officiated before. It is a completely different game.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Test Results
I met the crew at 5:30AM. I'm tired and have information overload. A lot of great information was provided by several D1 officials covering holding philosophy, mechanics, DPI, etc.
Or association reps reported back from a meeting with the coaches. There seems to be an open dialog between the coaches and the staff regarding rule interpretation and he as a group will be enforcing them. I think this is great idea, although I expect to hear the same thing I hear in high school - last week they didn't call that.
This is a topic I like some opinions on. How do you ensure consistency between crews when it comes to judgement calls? Obviously by their very nature they are somewhat subjective. Does your association provide you with judgement guidelines?
During the clinic we took two tests - 30 questions each. The first was fairly easy and I only missed one (and an easy one too) Prior to the snap from scrimmage kick formation the SJ and FJ should identify the numbers of the two eligible receivers on their side of the formation.. Well, duh... but I got that one wrong.
The second test was on penalty enforcements and I did not do as well. I passed but with a caveat.
I explain more on this next time.
Or association reps reported back from a meeting with the coaches. There seems to be an open dialog between the coaches and the staff regarding rule interpretation and he as a group will be enforcing them. I think this is great idea, although I expect to hear the same thing I hear in high school - last week they didn't call that.
This is a topic I like some opinions on. How do you ensure consistency between crews when it comes to judgement calls? Obviously by their very nature they are somewhat subjective. Does your association provide you with judgement guidelines?
During the clinic we took two tests - 30 questions each. The first was fairly easy and I only missed one (and an easy one too) Prior to the snap from scrimmage kick formation the SJ and FJ should identify the numbers of the two eligible receivers on their side of the formation.. Well, duh... but I got that one wrong.
The second test was on penalty enforcements and I did not do as well. I passed but with a caveat.
I explain more on this next time.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
So Late
Went for a run tonight in a feeble attempt to get back into shape. I can only seem to to any running two or three times a week. Better than nothing I suppose, but not nearly enough.
10:14 PM and I'm just now getting to sitting down at the desk. Having three kids really puts a damper on how much time you can spend on preparing. I'm really sicks being so tired and trying to pull knowledge most poorly written books I've every read. The rule are confusing enough let alone having many of them written in double negatives.
Better stop procrastinating, Now it's 10:29.
10:14 PM and I'm just now getting to sitting down at the desk. Having three kids really puts a damper on how much time you can spend on preparing. I'm really sicks being so tired and trying to pull knowledge most poorly written books I've every read. The rule are confusing enough let alone having many of them written in double negatives.
Better stop procrastinating, Now it's 10:29.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Next Steps
Completed the last college summer study meeting tonight. Watched some film. Reviewed the tests questions. Made plans to meet 5:30AM in order to get to the clinic by 7:45.
We had a long discussion on one of the new rules changes related to fouls by A on free kicks out of bounds. Can B elect to take the ball at the OB spot and tack on the five yard penalty. One side felt accepting the OB spot was one the penalty options and thus wiped out the distance penalty. You could not have both. At the end of the discussion, we determined that with the new rule, B could take the ball at the OB spot and tack on five yards. I'm sure this will get screwed-up several times and there will be many a coach who want an explanation.
I also learned tonight from my HS Crew Chief I was being moved to a new crew that needs some help. The crew I am currently on is very strong and we've been together for 10 years now. This is very disappointing for me. Three of us on the crew all came-up together.
We all knew this day was coming. There just are not enough officials to fill all the games and the crew system just doesn't work when you are thin.
We had a long discussion on one of the new rules changes related to fouls by A on free kicks out of bounds. Can B elect to take the ball at the OB spot and tack on the five yard penalty. One side felt accepting the OB spot was one the penalty options and thus wiped out the distance penalty. You could not have both. At the end of the discussion, we determined that with the new rule, B could take the ball at the OB spot and tack on five yards. I'm sure this will get screwed-up several times and there will be many a coach who want an explanation.
I also learned tonight from my HS Crew Chief I was being moved to a new crew that needs some help. The crew I am currently on is very strong and we've been together for 10 years now. This is very disappointing for me. Three of us on the crew all came-up together.
We all knew this day was coming. There just are not enough officials to fill all the games and the crew system just doesn't work when you are thin.
Summer School Ends
Tonight is the last local summer meeting before the association qualifying meeting this Sat. Last chance to ask questions and remove any doubt. Doubtful that will work.
The differences between High School ball and College are quite stark. It's still football, but in college there are so many exceptions to the rules. Some penalties are previous spot, some are spot fouls. Penalty enforcements are like 'all-but-one', but then again, not really. It reminds me of grammar class - why bother having a rule when there are so many exceptions.
It really isn't that bad, but it feels that way at the beginning. The study group has really helped stop the temptation to compare HS with College. You just have to let go of HS rules and look at the version of the game independently.
The differences between High School ball and College are quite stark. It's still football, but in college there are so many exceptions to the rules. Some penalties are previous spot, some are spot fouls. Penalty enforcements are like 'all-but-one', but then again, not really. It reminds me of grammar class - why bother having a rule when there are so many exceptions.
It really isn't that bad, but it feels that way at the beginning. The study group has really helped stop the temptation to compare HS with College. You just have to let go of HS rules and look at the version of the game independently.
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