Let’s talk about pregame communication with coaches and school staff. Some people think we just walk the field and referee the game, right? Incorrect !! Today I will talk about the pregame routine and all the details that we covered as a high school football team.

As a general rule, we like to be on the field at least 35 minutes before the start time. During this time, crew members should meet with the head coach of each team and follow these communication rules:

The white high school football hat (referee):

* Talk most of the time

* He is your ‘General’; allow him to maintain that level of respect and professionalism.

* Introduce the crew members

* Everyone shakes hands, showing respect to the head coach.

* The referee asks the head coach if all players are legally equipped. Do all players have the right playing equipment?

* Are there players who have casts that require a doctor-approved note to play?

* Do any of the players have bandages or braces that need to be examined for metal or sharp edges and adequate padding (safety concerns)?

* If there are casts, bandages or braces, the referee instructs the referee to check them to see if they are properly padded.

* Does the team carry out special formations or trick plays so that the team knows in advance that they should keep an eye on them?

* Does the team quarterback throw with the right or left hand (so the referee knows which side to be on for the quarterback’s protection)?

* Is the team’s field goal kicker left-handed or right-handed (so the team knows their positions on field goals or extra points)?

* The referee indicates any special points of emphasis this year: clearance on the players’ bench, horse collar, etc.

* Does the home team have any special activities before the game or during halftime that may take extra time?

* The referee will give the coach a card with the names and positions of the crew.

* The referee will ask the coach who the ‘recovery’ coach is – this is the coach who helps the sideline referee control the team area.

* The referee will ask the coach to identify the person playing the ball.

* The referee will ask the coach if he has any questions for the crew.

The high school football referee:

* Help the referee when meeting with the coaches

* Allows the referee to speak most of the time.

* Review any documentation, that is, the doctor’s notes for players with casts or wraps.

* Review padding for casts, bandages or braces to assess adequate protection for the player’s safety.

The high school football linesman

* Check the “line to win” team for various things

* Check that the chains are actually 10 yards (or 15 yards for 6 men) (don’t laugh, sometimes the chains are too short!)

* The linesman communicates with the chain team:

• Explain what they should and should not do.
• It tells them never to move unless the umpire or linesman is signaling to move to the next ball spot.
• He tells the person in the box down to move to his observation foot down each time.
• He tells the person in the box below to handle the chain clip (for measurements) every first down
• Tells the person in the box below where to place the chain clip
• Tells the entire chain team to never move the chains or box down if they see a penalty marker
• He tells the entire chain team to drop the chains (another reason for the clip) if the game is presented to them.

* Do the chains have a piece of ribbon directly in the middle at the 5-yard mark?

* Now why would you ever need a piece of duct tape in the middle of the chains?

• Help the linesman and referee determine if the penalty will result in a first attempt.
• The tape makes it easy to tell if a 5-yard penalty or a penalty within 10 (half the distance) will give you a possible first try.
• As a referee, you don’t have to guess, you can watch the tape and know if a 5-yard penalty gives you a first try.
• We make sure to replace that tape every game

The high school football linesman:

* Secure and check game balls.

* Communicates with the person carrying the ball to always be close to the linesman and linesman for quick rotation of the ball when a ball is needed.

* Communicates with the person carrying the ball to always retrieve the balls from the game when they go out of bounds during plays.

* Communicates with the person carrying the ball to place a ball behind the goal posts before an extra point so the ball is ready for the team.

* Check the start time

The High School Football Backstroke Judge:

* He is responsible for the timing of the game

* It is responsible for the 25-second clock: time in which “ready to play” is indicated

* Responsible for the 45/15 second clock for time-outs and between scores

* Is responsible for:

• meeting with the watch operator
• communicate the signals to the watch operator
• communicate overtime procedure with watch operator
• communicate to turn off any speakers at the end of the time period
• Contact the clock operator to find him to start half time.

As a team, you need to make sure everyone knows their pre-game responsibility. This will help you maintain credibility with coaches and school officials, leading to a much smoother game for everyone.