CREW TRAINING PROGRAM HOUSTON CHAPTER TASO

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CREW TRAINING PROGRAMHOUSTON CHAPTER - TASO

• Presented by
• Mike Atkinson Bill Stevens

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INTRODUCTION

• Mike Atkinson Referee for 16 years
• Houston Chapter for 31 years
• Bill Stevens Umpire for 7 years
• Houston Chapter for 18 years

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E-MAIL ADDRESSES

• Mike Atkinson atkinsonfarming_at_yahoo.com
• Bill Stevens bstevens_at_environeeringinc.com

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PRE-SEASON TRAINING

• CONDITIONING

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CONDITIONING

• Get to your ideal weight
• Start a regular weight training program
• Start a regular aerobic training program
• You should be able to hustle during the entire
  game
• You should not be winded after any plays

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PRE-SEASON TRAINING

• RULES KNOWLEDGE

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RULES KNOWLEDGE

• Learn the rules of the game
• Concentrate on penalty enforcement
• Have a working knowledge of the 3 and 1
  Principle
• Use study aides like Rogers Readings book
• Develop detailed pre-game conferences
  incorporating rules of the game

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PRE-SEASON TRAINING

• GAME FILM REVIEW

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GAME FILM REVIEW

• Get a game film made of every game you work
• Each crew member must study each film
• Have a crew discussion of each game film
• Referee must be able to break down a game film
  and critique each crew member including himself
• Have a thick skin

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GAME FILM REVIEW(Continued)

• Constructive criticism of an individual is only
  meant to make the crew better
• Work spring games and get a game film for review
• All 5 must work these games for the film review
  to be meaningful

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PRE-SEASON TRAINING

• STATE AND CHAPTER TRAINING

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STATE AND CHAPTER TRAINING

• Attend as many training seminars and meetings as
  possible including state meeting, June rules
  clinic, and chapter meetings
• Go to the training sessions at the state meeting
  and participate
• Chapter meetings will focus on football
  officiating this year BE THERE

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PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES
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PRE-GAME PREPARATION

• Crew should arrive 2 to 2½ hours before game. Be
  at the stadium before the coaches and players
  arrive.
• Referee and Umpire should get in uniform shortly
  after arrival at the stadium.
• Referee and Umpire should meet with Head Coaches
  before they start their pre-game duties.
• We often start our pre-game crew meeting before
  meeting with the coaches.

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PRE-GAME PREPARATION

• Finish the crew pre-game meeting after R and U
  return from coaches pre-game.
• Each crew member should help with the admin
  duties of the crew.
• We have one guy responsible for recording and
  reporting fouls.
• We have one guy responsible for completing the
  pay sheets.

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PRE-GAME PREPARATION

• Have a good pre-game meeting. It can be on
  rules, mechanics, or both.
• Make sure everyone is thinking football and not
  personal problems, or work or family issues.
• Conduct a practice pre-game coaches conference.

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PRE-GAME PREPARATION

• Referee and Umpire should review with the crew
  any comments, plays, or situations that both
  coaches discussed during the pre-game conference.
• Make sure all crew members have the same uniforms
  and they look new with polished shoes.

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PRE-GAME DUTIES

• All crew members walk the field beginning 45
  minutes before kick-off.
• Referee and Umpire walk through both teams
  checking for proper equipment.
• Wingmen and BJ should walk the entire boundary of
  the field checking for proper markings and field
  safety.
• HL and 6th Man should check the chains and down
  box.

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PRE-GAME DUTIES

• This is not the time for the crew warm-up.
  Pre-game stretching should be done in the locker
  room.
• Dont stretch and run on the field.
• When finished with pre-game duties, leave the
  field. We like to say, Out of sight, out of
  mind.

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PRE-GAME DUTIES

• Prior to coin toss, LJ and BJ should get the
  choices that each coach wants. Do not let the
  game captains make a mistake.
• Make sure each team is on the field in time for
  the National Anthem, mock coin toss, and kickoff.
• Make sure officials are present if both teams use
  the same area to enter and leave the field.

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PRE-GAME DUTIES

• Make sure the LJ and BJ stay between the teams if
  they have to enter or exit the field at the same
  location. Prime examples are Clear Creek
  District and Tully Stadiums.
• Other officials may need to assist with this
  duty.
• Hustle to assist with teams exiting at halftime.

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GAME DUTIES

• BALL HANDLING

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GAME DUTIES

• Get the ball back in play and spotted so the R
  can make the ball ready in 12 to 14 seconds after
  the ball was dead.
• Make all passes between officials short and
  underhanded.
• Each official must know his throwing range.

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GAME DUTIES

• Have a plan for when to change the ball and when
  not to.
• For example, for a running play that ends outside
  the numbers, get the ball to the wing man so he
  can spot the ball at his feet. The wing man will
  get a new ball and relay it to the R or BJ to
  relay to the U.

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GAME DUTIES

• U will make sure the ball is suitable for play.
  U must decide when a dry ball is needed. Have a
  signal so wingman will know a new ball is needed
  after the next play.
• U to tell each center that he can request a new
  ball at any time, and that U will have a towel
  for him to dry his hands on.

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GAME DUTIES

• Ball handling is a very important element in
  calling a good game.
• The better your crew handles the ball, the better
  they will be perceived to be.
• Make sure you do everything possible to keep the
  ball dry during inclement weather.

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GAME DUTIES

• Instruct coaches, RBs, and WRs to hand the ball
  to an official and not to leave it on the ground
  during rainy weather.
• U should cover ball with towel until the offense
  breaks the huddle, then set the ball down and
  move to his position.
• Do the same for both teams.

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GAME DUTIES

• ATTITUDE

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GAME DUTIES

• Act like you want to be at this game and only at
  this game regardless of who are playing.
• Our attitude is, The most important game in the
  State of Texas is the game we are calling
  tonight.
• Be friendly to everyone you see from when you get
  out of your car until you leave the stadium.

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GAME DUTIES

• Smile and speak to everyone you see. They could
  be the AD, maintenance man, or school board
  member.
• When on the field before the game, be friendly to
  all coaches.
• Tell them hello and good luck. Do not seek them
  out for conversation.

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GAME DUTIES

• If they want to talk, be polite but keep it
  short and sweet.
• Do not have a lengthy or belly laughing
  conversations.
• The other coaching staff will be watching your
  every move
• You must treat both sides the same.

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GAME DUTIES

• Always address any coach as Coach or Coach with
  his last name.
• Never use his first name no matter how well you
  know the coach.
• Do not smooze any coach before a game.
• The best way to get another game from that team
  is to work a good game.

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GAME DUTIES

• HUSTLE

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GAME DUTIES

• Always hustle, but never rush.
• You can hustle effectively if you are in good
  physical condition.
• You have to be as fresh in the 4th quarter as you
  were in the 1st quarter.
• Many coaches have told us that officials that
  hustle is very important to them.

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GAME DUTIES

• If you hustle and are in good shape, it is much
  easier to be in the proper position for each play
  so you can make a good call.
• This also means you have to know your position
  mechanics well.
• It also means you have to know where the other 4
  men will be on each play.

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GOOD PREGAME TOPICS

• Mechanics each man discusses his position all
  types of plays.
• Running game
• Passing game
• Kicking game
• Overtime
• Penalty Enforcement

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PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• DO NOT RUSH PENALTY DECISION OR ENFORCMENT.
• Do not let the players screw up a decision.
• We dont let the captains decide penalty
  acceptance/declination.
• The wingman on the side the penalty decision
  rests will explain the options to the Head Coach.

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PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• An official not involved in the penalty should
  always cover the flag. This is usually the Back
  Judge or Wingman.
• You need a plan for who will cover the flag, and
  who will keep players and coaches away from the
  Referee and the calling official(s).

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PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• The wingman will convey the decision to the
  Referee.
• Do not rush the coach into a decision allow him
  to talk to his assistant coaches.
• After decision is made, Referee must let the
  Umpire know what the decision is. The Referee
  should tell him what the enforcement is. The
  Umpire should communicate his agreement/disagreeme
  nt.

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PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• Referee will give the preliminary signal. He
  should clear himself of all players and
  officials.
• Stop and collect your thoughts. Give good, crisp
  signals.
• Umpire should not mark off the penalty until the
  Referee is finished with the preliminary signal.

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PENALTY ENFORCEMENT

• Line Judge should stay at the enforcement spot
  until the enforcement is completed.
• Head Linesman should move to the spot where the
  penalty leaves the ball.
• The Umpire should confirm with HL that they both
  have the same spot.
• Sixth Man must keep the down box at the previous
  spot until the penalty enforcement is complete.

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TREATMENT OF PLAYERS

• Always remember that the game is for the players.
• Always treat them with respect. Never talk down
  to a player.
• It is our responsibility to help each player have
  fun and enjoy the game as much as possible.

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TREATMENT OF PLAYERS

• Remember that they love the game as much as you
  do.
• Help make their memories of playing days as good
  as possible.
• You should talk to the players. Dont interfere
  with their game duties
• Establish a rapport with key players on both
  sides of the ball.

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TREATMENT OF PLAYERS

• The Referee should have a good relationship with
  the quarterback.
• The Umpire should have a good relationship with
  the center and middle linebacker(s).
• These are the players that will tell their
  coaches how the officials performed.

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POST GAME

• Have a post-game meal so you can discuss the game
  especially any controversial plays or calls.
• Dont have these discussions at the stadium. You
  dont always know who will be listening.
• Implement changes from things learned during the
  game and discussed afterwards.