How to Start Officiating

[AW0352]

Is there a post somewhere that lists the best how to guide on starting officiating? If not can one be created and pinned at the top in this forum? 

[Bobref]

21 hours ago, AW0352 said:

Is there a post somewhere that lists the best how to guide on starting officiating? If not can one be created and pinned at the top in this forum? 

It’s really simple. The IHSAA website can explain how to get licensed. https://www.ihsaa.org/become-official But only other officials can teach you how to officiate. So, it is critical that you get hooked up with your local officials association. Here’s a list of associations. https://www.myihsaa.net/associations. You should also join the Indiana Football Officials Association. https://www.ifoa.us

Edited October 13, 2024 by Bobref

[rob]

This is my first year.

Register at https://www.ihsaa.org/become-official first.

There are three small books from NFHS:  Rules book.  Case book.  Game officials manual.  If you have to borrow last years version until you get yours that's fine.  Worked for me.  Read each cover to cover.  I have a long commute and would have loved an audio books version.  I borrowed mine from a contact of my assigned mentor (see registration above). 

Check out:  https://www.myihsaa.net/resource-library/d981d75f-a8f9-46ac-73c0-08d9fbbac143  The Officials Handbook is good.  It's a lot like the Game officials manual above.  See also "Now That I Have Registered - What Do I Do Next".

Read this too:  https://myihsaa-prod-ams.azurewebsites.net/api/resource-library/categories/ae986c23-f281-4845-0927-08d5f70ac583/documents/91603e36-5fcc-4e6f-670b-08d7de1c7c21/file

When you pick an association check the association directory.  Make sure they have a few officials in the sport(s) you're doing.  I picked my association based on geography only to find out they're mainly a basketball association and didn't have a single training session on football.

Keep an eye on https://www.myihsaa.net/events  Don't limit yourself to just your association.  I went to more than a half dozen clinics, sessions, etc hosted by other associations.  Some like in person, some do online.  Many are mandatory to get tournament assignments.  They are helpful.  Events may be dead this time of year but start keeping a close eye late spring/early summer.  Don't just search for "football".  One great clinic at South Adams forgot to put that in their title.

Register at https://officials.eventlink.com/  Make sure you fill out where to put direct deposits, etc  Don't consider yourself done until their test direct deposits hit your account.  Download their app for your phone.  Check it.  Don't limit yourself to just games assigned to you.  Look also at open assignments.  I got most of my bookings this way.

Order the uniform.  I use https://purchaseofficials.com/  Get:  long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, long pants, short pants, whistle and lanyard, velcro down indicator , 2 sided game card, black and blue down bags, penalty flag, mini pencil with plastic shield and clip, smart card game holder with writing pad, black hat, belt (follow their advice and order 1 or 2 sizes bigger to get that through your pants loops I'd go 2 and I'm only a size 38.  I've never seen a white hat at a JV/MS game.  I've also ordered: cloth chain clip, field shoes, cold hood (which I've yet to use), winter gloves (which I've yet to use), long sleeve mock, short socks and long compression socks

If you're ready for a varsity crew contact Kayley Howell at khowell@ihsaa.org  She helps crews find members and vice versa.  I do not do varsity as I keep busy keeping stats for East Noble varsity games.

 

[Bobref]

4 minutes ago, rob said:

If you're ready for a varsity crew contact Kayley Howell at khowell@ihsaa.org  She helps crews find members and vice versa. 

The IFOA also provides a service for officials looking to find a crew, and vice versa, among its many other services to football officials. https://www.ifoa.us

[rob]

Also, follow the Boy Scout motto and "Be Prepared".  I know of first year refs who ended up becoming the head referee at a subvarsity game.  Last MS game I worked the senior guy was only a second year and he became the head referee (his first time), I was the head linesman, and someone on his 4th game was the umpire.  And somehow we ended up with only a 3 man crew.  Anyways, you can't always hide under the radar.

[AW0352]

Thanks for all the replies to this.   I was going to register but it looks like it would be pointless to register before April 1st.   I’ll do that in April.   I officiated for 3 years back in 08’-11’ then had little kids.   My youngest just finished 6th grade youth (I coached) so now I am free again. Excited to get back into it.  

[HereComesTheBoom]

Is there still a pretty big shortage of officiating?

[JustRules]

3 hours ago, AW0352 said:

Thanks for all the replies to this.   I was going to register but it looks like it would be pointless to register before April 1st.   I’ll do that in April.   I officiated for 3 years back in 08’-11’ then had little kids.   My youngest just finished 6th grade youth (I coached) so now I am free again. Excited to get back into it.  

That is correct unless you were going to try some winter or spring sports. If you are only doing football there wouldn't be any games left this year you could work that requires a license.

[JustRules]

2 hours ago, HereComesTheBoom said:

Is there still a pretty big shortage of officiating?

Yes when you factor in all games at all levels. It's still a struggle to find someone to cover the sub-varsity, middle school, youth leagues, flag leagues etc. Somehow we are covering the varsity games each week. I didn't hear of many games that had to get moved off Friday due to a lack of officials. But I do know crews were scrambling to find subs some weeks, and I believe there were some who worked 4-man crews.

[Bobref]

6 minutes ago, JustRules said:

Somehow we are covering the varsity games each week.

The “hidden cost” of the officiating shortage is that we have some people working varsity games who really could use a season or two of sub-varsity football under their belts first. In the “old days” it was very much the exception to have a 1st year official working a varsity game. Now, it’s not at all uncommon. I see mistakes almost every Friday night that I’m confident are simply a consequence of inexperience.

[HereComesTheBoom]

I wasn't sure where to put this question - I noticed there was what looked like an extra official on the sideline of the Heritage Hills vs North Harrison game.  It looked like he was holding a notepad or clip board.  I haven't noticed that before and was curious what he was doing?   He looked like more of an observer but he would meet with the officiating crew at timeouts.  Anyone know?

[Huge Football Fan]

At the regional level crews can use a Alternate that does not have a flag or whistle. He can go under on a goal post on kicks but that is all. If someone where to get hurt during the game I think he could fill in but I'm not sure on that part? 

[HereComesTheBoom]

44 minutes ago, Huge Football Fan said:

At the regional level crews can use a Alternate that does not have a flag or whistle. He can go under on a goal post on kicks but that is all. If someone where to get hurt during the game I think he could fill in but I'm not sure on that part? 

Thanks!  Makes sense.  I noticed him while rewatching film and didn't recall seeing that before.

Edited November 19, 2024 by HereComesTheBoom

[Bobref]

53 minutes ago, Huge Football Fan said:

I think he could fill in but I'm not sure on that part? 

Yes, that’s correct.

[Yuccaguy]

1 hour ago, HereComesTheBoom said:

I wasn't sure where to put this question - I noticed there was what looked like an extra official on the sideline of the Heritage Hills vs North Harrison game.  It looked like he was holding a notepad or clip board.  I haven't noticed that before and was curious what he was doing?   He looked like more of an observer but he would meet with the officiating crew at timeouts.  Anyone know?

 

1 hour ago, Huge Football Fan said:

At the regional level crews can use a Alternate that does not have a flag or whistle. He can go under on a goal post on kicks but that is all. If someone where to get hurt during the game I think he could fill in but I'm not sure on that part? 

 

37 minutes ago, HereComesTheBoom said:

Thanks!  Makes sense.  I noticed him while rewatching film and didn't recall seeing that before.

 

29 minutes ago, Bobref said:

Yes, that’s correct.

And here's the "beauty" of all of that....  He (alternate official) DOESN'T get paid to be there!   It's volunteer.  

 

[Huge Football Fan]

On 11/19/2024 at 3:31 PM, Yuccaguy said:

 

 

 

And here's the "beauty" of all of that....  He (alternate official) DOESN'T get paid to be there!   It's volunteer.  

 

That part is NOT true

[Yuccaguy]

1 hour ago, Huge Football Fan said:

That part is NOT true

Was LAST week.  Not this week at our game, thankfully 

[Huge Football Fan]

37 minutes ago, Yuccaguy said:

Was LAST week.  Not this week at our game, thankfully 

I know for sure some got paid at the regional 

[JustRules]

From what I heard, the ones who got paid were paid separately by the home school and not reimbursed by IHSAA. Not sure if that's 100% true, but it may be why there are inconsistent answers if it is true.

[Yuccaguy]

1 hour ago, Huge Football Fan said:

I know for sure some got paid at the regional 

As I said, MY GUY did NOT get paid last week.  He was this week by the host school.  

Again, see what JustRules said before...that's the 'disconnect.  The IHSAA was/is paying NADA!   

Done multiple State Finals, they didn't pay there for the 6th.  

[Impartial_Observer]

I think I can clear up the confusion. The official in question is indeed a 6th member of the crew as they’ve had some ongoing health issues the last couple of seasons. I myself have worked with them as well. The official was paid $50 bucks for the game by game administration, no mileage, as well as each crew member chipping in a few bucks to have him there in the event he’s needed. Which given some of the health issues is ALWAYS a possibility. To earn his keep, he charts penalties for them. Good crew, multiple state finals. 

Edited November 23, 2024 by Impartial_Observer