Colorado Springs Football Officials Association 2008 Football Season

Please repeat after George…… I (State your name) will not blow my Unless I can see the

Reminder NO CSFOA MEETING NEXT WEEK. Next meeting is on September 9 th.

Overview of Today’s Activities Game time Arbiter – Steve Samuels Legal Issues in Officiating – Bill Robers Force – George Demetriou

CONFIRMATION Call your schools and confirm time and location. Assure the school that the crew will be there. White hat – call your crew Crew – call your white hat Use of Arbiter does not change our procedure of confirming the games and contacting your crew members.

6 Man Games – Deer Trail HS Just a reminder that the CSFOA website has a handout on the rule differences for 6 man football.

Arbiter – Steve Samuels

Legal Issues in Officiating Bill Robers

Legal Issues in Officiating—2008 Rights, Responsibilities and Risk Management Bill Robers

Disclaimer THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE!!! NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP ARISES FROM THIS TALK I am an attorney, but not yours!

LEGAL ISSUES IN OFFICIATING ATTORNEY’S NUMBER 1 QUESTION: “CAN I GET SUED IF ______________?” I permit certain equipment? I don’t call enough fouls? I call too many fouls? I don’t eject someone? I start a game in inclement weather? I don’t start a game? I eject someone? I don’t permit certain equipment? I provide first aid? I don’t provide first aid? I talk too much? I don’t talk enough? For making a call? For not making a call? For warning an athlete? For not warning an athlete? YES

How to Protect Yourself from Liability  Know the Rules Safety first  Watch behavior issues and keep them from escalating  USE COMMON SENSE  Carry liability insurance (NASO)

Pregame Duties  Do not give the appearance of impropriety  Know the rules  Be on the field at the required time  Inspect the field  Inspect equipment  Weather  Coin Toss

Pregame Duties cont. (Flanks)  Headlinesman Properly instruct your chain crew Make sure the chain crew works OUTSIDE the sideline  Line Judge Properly instruct your ball boys/girls Make sure they know NOT to go on the field unless instructed Never let a play start with a ball boy/girl on field  Both KEEP THE SIDELINES CLEAR

Rules and Safety  Bad officiating  anti-social behavior  injuries  lawsuits  Penalize anything that might engender ill will  DO NOT warn a player that “next time, that will get a flag” Tells the world that you let one go

Game Control  Mechanics Keep all 22 players under observation  Anticipate Problems Watch players after a score, hard hit, boundary plays, etc.  Keep Control Let players know you are there—use your voice Go with players out of bounds Keep sidelines clear Referee—always have someone with you when speaking to a coach

Injuries  Treat them all as serious  Do not fail to stop play and do not resume too soon  Supervise both teams  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TREAT AN INJURY  Do not allow teammates to attempt to move a player  Do not discuss the injury or its cause with anyone  If “apparently unconscious,” do not allow to return without doctor’s note (MUST BE DOCTOR) Keep the written authorization

Postgame Mechanics  Immediately take the lanyard off your neck  Never leave a man behind  Do not get detained by anyone on your way out  Do not make comments about the game with anyone except your crew  File postgame reports quickly, if necessary Do not give commentary Indicate that officials followed proper mechanics and enforced the letter and spirit of the rules Stick to the facts

Legal Issues Questions?

Force George Demetriou