Game Management for High School Football Referees FHSAA Spring Football Officials Clinic May 18, 2012 Jefferson High School

“A football weekend is a business trip that allows for a little fun, not a fun weekend that allows for a little football” - Don Lucas, Sun Belt Conference Football Supervisor High School translation reads: “A football Friday night is a business appointment that allows for a little fun, not a fun night out that allows for a little football” Question: If your game assignment is a “business appointment” then who is in charge of ensuring that the game itself is run smoothly, efficiently and effectively? Answer: You are! The Manager of the Game.

Effective Management Consists of: Consistent and Constant Communication Genuine and committed Leadership

Consistent and Constant Communication Start before the season: Set crew standards and goals Distribute a written pregame guideline and ask for crew input Keep your crew informed of rule changes, administrative changes, etc.

Consistent and Constant Communication Weekly communication actions: Send out game notices to officials and schools Distribute a game day itinerary Write a weekly rules quiz Publish a foul report

Consistent and Constant Communication Communicating at the game site: Locate and have a discussion with the school Athletic Director and/or game administrator Locate and review pregame and halftime performances with the band director Pregame conferences with coaches should be kept to a minimum. Use a scripted set of questions/issues to cover

Consistent and Constant Communication Communication during the game: Short and concise Listening is a form of communicating Get uniform numbers of players committing fouls to the sideline Use the wing officials as the primary communicators Communicate on-field issues to the team captains

Genuine and committed Leadership Organize rules reviews and study sessions prior to the beginning of the season Set-up a test preparation meeting for your crew Set crew goals for individual and aggregate exam scores

Genuine and committed Leadership Delegate crew duties: Appoint a travel coordinator Assign a crew member to compile, publish and distribute foul reports on a weekly basis that show game by game break-downs as well as game-to-date averages

Genuine and committed Leadership Make a goal to be the fittest member of your crew. Challenge others to do the same. Establish a goal for each crew member to be the “rules expert” of your crew. Challenge them to become a game “go to guy” when it comes to rule interpretations and applications.

Genuine and committed Leadership Contact the game site school each week: Confirm your locker room and pregame facilities (showers, security, meeting space) Confirm the game start time Confirm that a chain crew will be available Check to see if any special events will be taking place that could affect the game (homecoming, parents night, booster presentations, etc.)

Genuine and committed Leadership Dress at the game site Shower afterwards Begin to set positive perceptions early – “Fool’em as long as you can”

Game Management for High School Football Referees Manage your game assignments smoothly, efficiently and effectively by employing and practicing: Consistent and Constant Communication and Genuine and committed Leadership