SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL – October 23, 2024
No Meeting This Week – Prepare each day this week. Review a rule for your crew. Study the Instructional Video and this Bull. Stay fit and healthy. Scout your teams and organize yourself and the crew for all logistics.
Banquet Stories – Our Banquet will be on November 6th, and we need stories. See Bob Hood or email him your video or story of our fun-loving mistakes from the 2024 season. Also, remember to attend as you’ve already paid for your dinner when you paid your dues! The banquet will start at 6:00pm and will again be at the Admiral Baker Golf Course, 2400 Admiral Baker Road in Mission Valley.
Game Check Weekend - Game Check Weekend was last weekend so make sure you submit your crew’s contributions to Mike Downing or Mike Gunzelman, or bring it to our last regular meeting a week from Wednesday (10/30). Crew that raises the most gets free dinner, up to $30/man, that following Friday. Not on a crew, new, etc. you can donate at SDYFF.org, any amount is accepted. Thanks to you all!
Golf Tournament - Sign up now! SDYFF.org is the sign-up hub. We are at, or near our maximum number, so sign up at the latest this week as we must have numbers and will close it out. Raffle prizes are needed, think about getting something to donate to raffle. The golf tournament raffle is separate from the Banquet raffle, so we always want everyone to leave the golf tournament with a memento. If you can donate something, please bring to tourney, or let Mike Downing know at docdowning@aol.com or 619-888-6430. Thanks!
This Was Not Our Finest Week – Well, it was bound to happen. We just had a rather poor week of games, and our officiating wasn’t always up to the test. It starts with the fact that we had fourteen (14) ejections and then multiple lists of plays to evaluate that showed that we were collectively not officiating up to our usual high standards. As a result, it is in our best interests to rally around our crew chiefs and ask that they lead us this week as we honestly evaluate our work, look for areas to improve, don’t make excuses or rationalize incorrect call into correct calls. Rather, start looking at your film with a critical eye. Settle on a few clear goals as individuals and as a crew. Concentrate on MECHANICS and CREW COMMUNICATION! If we are in the right positions, viewing the correct action, and communicating well as a crew we will operate again at our usual highest standards! Thank you, Crew Chiefs, for your leadership!
Excellent Mechanics Begins with Mid-Week Preparation – You get your assignments well enough in advance to prepare yourself for the mechanics required of you for the position that you have been assigned. Prior to your game, preferably mid-week, take out your manual and review your positioning for your Youth, Frosh, JV or Varsity position assignment, whether it is flag or tackle football. This is an expectation for all officials each week, each game!
Counting Every Down - No one disputes the importance of counting players EVERY down. But let’s take it to the next level, count EARLY EVERY down. Those that Referee at the college level count and signal while offense is in huddle or asap if they are using a “no huddle” offense. This allows both the R and U to move on thru there pre snap routine and prepare for the next snap. Same in the 4-man game, LJ and Umpire count the defense early. Many Umpires will then also count the offense, but the key is an early count and signal.
Flag Football – No Run Zones – A legal offensive formation in the NRZ requires no more than 3-players within 4 yards of the ball. Be careful not to assume that the QB is less than four yards from the ball, she may be exactly 4-yards back from the ball, and there could be a center and two linemen or backs allowed legally. Also, no runs allowed unless they are preceded by a forward or backward pass…no matter how short the pass is.
Flag Football – Option Plays – Many teams are adding these exciting plays to their offenses. The play develops into an option play similar to the ones used in Rugby. Just be alert to observe the teammate after she pitches the ball. I have seen film where the person who pitches continues to run beside the teammate who now has the ball. If this occurs, this may develop into a downfield block if the path of any defender is blocked by this teammate. Following the pitch, it is best if that player looks for the best way to exit the direction of the play, without interfering with any defender.
Finals Crews Are Being Selected and Notification Will Be Soon – Those officials who will be working the Championship games this year are being selected this week by our President, Bob Flavin, President Elect, Robin House, and our Assignor, Tom Ables. The emails will be going out soon and congratulations to all who will be working one of the eight (8) championship games. Semifinals Crews will be needed as well and those will be announced soon as well.
7-Person Mechanics Meeting – If you are one of those selected to work a championship or semifinal game, you will be working 7-Person Mechanics. All officials working a championship or semifinal shall attend a special 7-Person Mechanics Meeting on Wednesday November 20th at 7:00 pm at the Mira Mesa High School Library. Chain crews and timers are not to attend this meeting. You will receive credentials, game information, and then break out into position meetings.
