OFFICIATING QUICK TIPS

Ask 10 officials for the secrets to his or her success, and you'll likely get 10 different answers. Here are five tips that most every official would agree merit consideration.

• Arrive at each game mentally and physically prepared.
  

• Practice preventive officiating.
  

• Learn from others in your field.
  

• Develop interpersonal communication skills.
  

• Make every game the most important one.
  

Always Carry Two Beanbags

All deep officials should be in the habit of carrying two bean bags during games. On certain plays, especially scrimmage kick plays, there is a potential of the need for two bean bags. For example: A deep official would drop a bean bag at the placekick spot to designate the end of the kick. On the same play, a fumble occurs where the same official would need to drop a bag for the fumble.

Close to the Goal-line

On a snap inside the 5-yard line:

• Prior to the snap, point to the goal line. Start on the sideline.
  

• At the snap, immediately move to the goal line, 3-4 four yards out of bounds.
  

• If progress is short of goal line, move back, square off and mark progress.
  

• If progress is tight but short of goal line, pinch hard in field of play as you mark progress.
  

• If the ball breaks the plane, give a slow, composed touchdown signal and observe deadball action.
  

2-Minute Drill

Time, not inches, is most important in the 2-minute drill.

Umpires:

• When a two-minute offense is run at the end of each half, you are responsible for ball retrieval from sideline to sideline. 
  

• If the ball is dead in the side zone, hustle to retrieve the ball and have the opposite short wing mirror the spot. 
  

• Spot the ball using the opposite wing’s spot and get back into position. 
  

Preserving time is critical, not inches.

Working the Clock

Who's responsible for working the clock? If you are on the field and in stripes, then you are!

All crew members are responsible for the clock. Here are a few tips to practice:

• After the ready for play, glance at the clock to make sure it matches the result of the last play.
  

• Everyone mentally note the time after a score, prior to and after a kickoff.
  

• The calling official should write down the time after a foul.
  

• Line judge, umpire and back judge should be giving clock status after a penalty. Head linesman and line judge should signal to crew and observe game clock after close sideline plays.
  

During the Dead Ball

When in a dead ball situation it's important to know where to be and what to do. Dead ball officiating involves awareness and presence. 

Awareness is consciously working at knowing the down, distance, yard line and clock status before and after each live ball play.  This takes conscious repetition so it becomes an unconscious act. 

You can be more involved physically by making your presence felt around players.  Players who know you are watching and involved in the total game will be less likely to taunt, bait, and take that extra shot at their opponent. 

Don't hesitate to step between players, talk and interact by encouraging players to "play smart".  Players and coaches appreciate this preventative officiating. 

Taking a proactive and positive approach will show the players respect is a two-way street and make your life between the lines a lot easier on game day.