Pregame Procedures
Meeting 3: 2003 Season
Pregame activities are varied and depend upon the referee to organize.
As in baseball a good rule is to “cover all bases”
To start:
Upon arrival:
R and U seek out the home team’s game administrator and/or head coach and let them know you are present!
Take care of the pay slip for the game officials at that time!
Find out who gets the pay slip!
Chain crews may come later so organize getting their pay slip to the proper administrator.
Locate dressing facilities and get situated.
Dress and check all equipment
Pregame!
Best to all drive together as part of the Pregame can take place during travel
If not, work with who is with you them follow up at the game site.
Prevention is the first order of Business
1. Do not rely on a coach’s verification of players not wearing casts, special equipment, etc!
2. While the teams are warming up – stroll and observe the players (record numbers)
Good policy
Physiological impact (presence of the officials)
i. Abraded/torn up sod
ii. Obliterated markings
iii. Low spots (soggy or slippery sections)
iv. Drainage culverts off the field (covered with padding?)
v. Yard lines checked for straightness
vi. Visible hash marks?
vii. Pylons – accurately laid out with respect to:
1. Goal line
2. Hash marks
viii. Legality of the coaching area
ix. Chains (L’s job)
x. Other field markings (soccer markings – can confuse)
xi. Team benches – at least 5 yards off the field
i. Score board
ii. 25 second clock – if present
i. If Pregame activities (band, player/family activities…)
1. Don’t let the clock run down below a minute
2. Cut it off at 60 seconds and then begin it again when teams take the field for the kick off
3. Half-time interval:
a. Don’t start until both teams have left the field
b. 5-man crew – let the BJ start the half-time clock
i. Introductions and other formalities
1. Coordinate watches
ii. Give each head coach a card with the names of the officials
iii. ID the wing official for each head coach
iv. With the Home Team Head coach:
1. Confirm game starting time
2. Pregame ceremonies?
3. Half time ceremonies?
4. All players legally equipped?
a. Taping, wrappings, casts?
5. Review weather conditions if applicable
a. Severe weather
b. Lightning in the area?
c. Loss of lights or score board clocks
6. Captains names and numbers (record)
7. Where do the teams go at half time?
a. Can be a problem at some locations?
8. Half-time activities?
9. Unusual plays, sets, or formations
a. Special plays
b. Quick kicks
c. Onside kicks
d. Swinging gates
e. Type of ball
f. Ball boys and exchange of game ball during the game
10. Medical staff in attendance?
a. Certified trainers
b. EMS?
c. Keeping players hydrated
· Exchange relevant information pertaining to the game times, home team activities, etc.
· Repeat the same protocol for the visiting team head coach
i. Review marking the ball and ball placement
ii. Handling the ball
1. Incomplete passes
2. Wet ball handling
i. Get with your respective ball boys and discuss ball handling
All of the above points are in addition to the crew going over coverage’s for:
1. Kick Off (new mechanics this year)
2. Running Plays
3. Passing plays
4. Goal line coverage
5. Punt coverage
6. Counting Offensive and Defensive
7. Field goals and extra point coverage
a. Break downs
b. Swinging gates
8. Close first downs
a. LJ stopping the clock…”Close…close”
b. Marking the ball for measurement
c. Moving the ball to the hash if needed
9. Clock watching (BJ – R)
10. Extending the period
11. Tie Breaker rules
12. And others……….