No Meeting This Week – This week is week #8 of the season and it sure seems to be flying by. More rivalries and more league battles! Keep up your fitness routine, study a rule, talk with your crew chief on the phone, and evaluate your crew’s work from last week. Set your own goal, and set a crew goal!
Attendance and Tests – As always, our general attendance and passing rates are exceptional! We will offer a make up meeting at Challenger Middle School on Wednesday November 20th at 7:00 pm If you end up one meeting short, I will consider credit for any extra clinics you attended. Your one clinic counts as a class! As for tests, they will be offered at each of the next two meetings. If you still end up short for some reason, you will need to write an email to the board sent to me (Coover) and I’ll forward your request for a one-year waiver. Important: If you’re not on pace to meet the requirements then you will not be eligible for playoff assignments. On pace means you will be able to meet the meeting requirements if you go to the banquet and all remaining meetings plus the makeup meeting if needed. Passing the tests is not optional for the playoffs considering the number of opportunities to take them! If there are extenuating circumstances, send Coover and email explaining to the board why you need an exemption from this policy. cooversteve@gmail.com
Hoodies – As of now they are not being considered an adornment, so they are legal. They are worn at the player’s own risk. If the defender uses it to pull him down a runner wearing a hoodie that is sticking out, there can be no penalty, and horse collar fouls would not be possible.
From the Observers: Communication - Crews are demonstrating good communication within the crew using both signaling and the 020 radios. Referees are still wandering too much before signaling the foul. Remember, everyone is looking at you already, so when you walk around that is what they see…you walking around. Just signal! Timers – Some of them get caught up in keeping the down and distance accurate on the scoreboard. Please include in your pregame with the timer to not stress about updating the info on the scoreboard, just start and stop the clock properly! Establish priorities. Sideline Warnings – Use them! There is no yardage attached to this infraction of the rules. Throw your flag making it clear that something bad has happened. Even the crowd will know the sideline is interfering with safe play. Then if you have to administer a 5-yard penalty, I guarantee you will get their cooperation. Remember, coaches who choose to go out on the field and demonstrate their dissatisfaction with a call must be assessed a 15-yard UNS. No questions asked. They know this is the rule and this is what the CIF supports! No big demonstrations on the field…ever. Separating Players – Keep hustling in to separate players which allows the game to flow more smoothly by preventing penalties. The observers are indicating that we’re doing well in this area. Keep it up. Measurements – If you have them (haha) referee is to face the pressbox when making initial judgment and signaling to the pressbox. If short, you face the hashmarks when walking the ball and chains to reset the ball at the hash marks.
Players Properly Equipped – We are winning the war on illegal equipment, don’t give up the little battles each week! Last week one the top teams had players identified in pregame and those same players were sent out when they tried to play without legalizing their uniforms from warmups. Good job of sending them off! Guess what, they started wearing their equipment properly!
Catch/Recovery – Be slow! Past videos have shown officials quickly judging possession and the ball subsequently continuing to be loose. These plays call for demonstrated control of the ball.
Counting Offense and Defense –Primary responsibility for counting the offense lies with the Referee with back up by the Umpire. Primary responsibility for counting the defense lies with the Back Judge with support from the Line Judge. Every play! If we miss even one, there is no explanation possible. Be consistent. Thank you.
Flanks Pre-snap Signaling – Great example in last week’s video of flanks using their signals to communicate the legality of the formation. That is optional for us in San Diego, but use them if and when necessary. Work this out with your partner opposite you!
Ball Mechanics – I’m liking what I see from our umpires! You are making your crews more effective and more professional looking with your hustle. The game tempos have improved partly because of the 40-second play clock in addition of the incredible hustle of the umpires. Thank you for your hustle and hard work umpires!!
More on the Umpire – In addition to the hustle we’re seeing, the umpires are now more involved in the game due to their pivoting following all passes. Last week’s video showed an umpire penalizing an illegal block in the back which could have gone unnoticed by the flank and back judge. Way to pivot…and great job of officiating the blocks, catches, or illegal hits after you pivot.
Back Judges – Stay Involved and Active – Are you helping get the old ball out on all free kicks and punts? This allows the umpire to focus on getting the new ball via the ball boys, flanks, or sideline (hopefully not the center!). If the new ball comes in properly we should have the old ball on the ground with the BJ ready to take it out as the new ball arrives quickly. Flanks, get that new ball in! BJ’s should also be involved in every major penalty by either holding a spot or covering a flag. Every major penalty!!!
Disciplining Officials – The SDCDOA will not discipline officials by removing them from their scheduled games for errors in judgment or implementation of the rules. A mistake like that must be learned from and removing officials from the game would take away a critical opportunity to learn and show improvement. The Association does have the right to implement progressive discipline should a member’s character and/or behavior become a concern for the association, schools, teams and players.
Refreshments – If you are thirsty at halftime of any game, be prepared to pay for your halftime refreshments. They are not part of the game fee or our contract with the CIF. So, PLEASE, don’t assume that you get refreshments. Comments like, “Make sure it’s one of the cold Gatorades” can easily be interpreted as arrogant and demanding. Remember, these funds are used to pay for school athletics and we are being offered something that is taking money from their profits. Thank you!
Never Re-Assign Yourself and Keep Your Availability Current – If you are unable to work an assignment, never re-assign the game yourself! Turn the game back in by declining in arbiter or call Tom or your youth assignor. Only our assignors can assign games. Period! Update your availability as playoff games are coming up.
Game Clock – Reminder, at the beginning of our dead ball routine we must all check the game clock for accuracy. When we are questioned about game time (maybe the clock continued to run when it wasn’t supposed to) and we don’t have an answer we lose our credibility with fans, players and coaches. Much of this happens inside of 5 minutes in the half or the game, but you can’t just turn on and off this responsibility. You have to do it each and every snap. Finish observing the action of the players at the end of each play, then a quick look at the clock to check its status. Have a plan each week on how you will communicate with the clock operator so we can quickly reset the game clock if necessary. Resetting the game clock can demonstrate our thoroughness and our professionalism.
From Earl Totty, Tom Ables, and Tyler Lindsay – A great big “Thank You!” to all the youth and freshman referees who work with our first-year officials for extending our instructional program out onto the field. You do a great job of giving time and instruction to the rookies and we deeply appreciate it. That extra 10-15 minutes after the youth game means the world to them as you reinforce the lessons the game presented your crew. Thank you for your time, patience, and proper guidance.
Golf Tournament – This year’s golf tournament will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at Riverwalk GC in Mission Valley. Shotgun start at 11:00am. $125 covers golf, cart, and lunch. $145 gets you all that plus drink tickets and a chance to win lots of great prizes at the raffle. You can play as a crew, foursome, or play as an individual. Golfers of all abilities and guests are welcome. Contact Ed Blick, Mike Downing, or Jake Minger with questions or go on-line to check out the details and register at www.SDYouthFootballFund.org
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 2019 season. We need a few more!! Also, remember to attend the banquet as you’ve already paid for your dinner with your 2019 registration!
