How tough is it to be a ref? (1 Viewer)

[nxmehta]

After the game yesterday, I was thinking about how hard it is to be a ref and how much pressure is on these guys. They have literally fractions of a second to see something, recognize what it is, and then make a decision. We have the benefit on seeing things in slow-mo on TV, but without an official replay these guys don't. Then their rulings are judged by millions of people. I mean, that seems kind of tough.

This isn't to apologize for a blown call by a ref, but I wanted to know for those of you that have experience, really how hard is it? What percentage of calls do you feel you can definitely get right? What situations do you feel are the toughest to call?

It really seems like the NFL should hire full times refs. They have the $$$...

 

[brettdj]

I have 7 years of High school experience. I typically have 3 games/week. 5 rules tests throughout the year and a fitness run(easy). Overall it can be quite difficult. I am hoping to move up next this spring into Division 2/3 college.

Easy calls, usually false start(WRs near the sideline can cover up your view of the tackle )

,spot of forward progress/down( best view is the HL/LJ)

Harder calls, Holding(it needs to impede and the player being held needs to be trying to get loose, not dancing with his partner)

A lot of it is easier from the camera views. No players in your way.

FullTime refs will probably not make them any better.

These guys are basically working full time during the season. A typical week is Arrive at game city Saturday. Have an evening meeting with crew, go over last weeks quiz, video and mistakes. Meeting Sunday morning at hotel, get to site 3? hours before game. Meet with coaches, have pregame meeting, head to field. 3 hours the public sees.

Post game meeting, receive game DVD, write report on all flags thrown. Fly home(review DVD on plane).

Monday, conference call with crew for self performance review.

Tuesday, receive NFL report on performance, receive weekly quiz.

Wednesday Conference call with crew on NFL report

Thursday turn in quiz

If you are the crew chief(referee) you have an additional conference call or 2 with the NFL.

Their offseason has multiple weekend clinics and tests. They have a fitness expectation. These guys usually know the rulebook inside and out.

College quizes are play situations. Highschool tests are T/F almost always a line straight out of the rulebook.

Give it a try sometime.

starting point

 

[daveR]

I do high school basketball and soccer. To me, the hardest part is being in the right position to SEE the play. So many times, you're right there and right at the critical moment a player passes between you and the play. 9 out of 10 times the fouls are easy to call, not borderline.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I have officiated football, baseball, basketball, and softball since 1992......I am 38 years old....

refs are expected to be perfect and make split second decisions....the best thing is to hustle and try to be in position to see the whole play.....

refs get slammed a lot here and in other places, but for the guys that make it to the pros....they have to be the best......every play is scrutinized......even on plays you wouldn't think amount to much.....

I am baffled by how easy it is that these guys get thrown under the bus......we never hear anything when they make a great call on a tough play....we only harp on the ones they miss.....but I guess thats what the expectations are.....don't miss any....

the amount of time even your average high school official puts in to this "hobby/occupation" is quite a bit.....time away from family, etc.....

what really sucks is when their integrity gets called into question......you don't last long even at the lower levels if you have issues in this area.....your peers won't allow it......

it's amazing how many split second calls these guys get right in almost every sport.....are they going to miss a few...sure but most of the time, they get it right....

officials like to say sometimes.....as sooon as you coach a perfect game, or as soon as you play a perfect game, you let me know.....kind of goes for all jobs I guess.........

it's great being a part of the game and as an ex-athlete, it is a great way to stay involved.....and I have met some of the greatest people/friends because of officiating....

I'd say it's harder then you think and then all of the off field work......meetings, tests, clinics...makes it even harder

 

[brettdj]

I have officiated football, baseball, basketball, and softball since 1992......I am 38 years old....refs are expected to be perfect and make split second decisions....the best thing is to hustle and try to be in position to see the whole play.....refs get slammed a lot here and in other places, but for the guys that make it to the pros....they have to be the best......every play is scrutinized......even on plays you wouldn't think amount to much.....I am baffled by how easy it is that these guys get thrown under the bus......we never hear anything when they make a great call on a tough play....we only harp on the ones they miss.....but I guess thats what the expectations are.....don't miss any....the amount of time even your average high school official puts in to this "hobby/occupation" is quite a bit.....time away from family, etc.....what really sucks is when their integrity gets called into question......you don't last long even at the lower levels if you have issues in this area.....your peers won't allow it......it's amazing how many split second calls these guys get right in almost every sport.....are they going to miss a few...sure but most of the time, they get it right....officials like to say sometimes.....as sooon as you coach a perfect game, or as soon as you play a perfect game, you let me know.....kind of goes for all jobs I guess.........it's great being a part of the game and as an ex-athlete, it is a great way to stay involved.....and I have met some of the greatest people/friends because of officiating....I'd say it's harder then you think and then all of the off field work......meetings, tests, clinics...makes it even harder

 

[Sean Baca]

I officiated football for five years at many different levels and while I agree that the job is difficult, it's far from the toughest job you will have. The difficulty comes when there is a judgement call because everyone will see it a different way, also dealing with the constant whining and complaining from players and coaches can really test your patience. The fact is each official has but a small area on a football field that is actually his to watch over. The best officials read the play as if they were on defense and know how to get into position which is perhaps why ex-players make better officials.

The fact is that officials are no different than players, coaches or anyone else for that matter and each one has a personality of their own. Some want the spotlight cast upon them ( you can tell that when they are flailing their arms twenty yards down file and pointing out the guilty party in a demonstratively way, trying to be seen) and others are there to do a job and not interfere with the players ability to decide the outcome. Officiating is also about teamwork, no different than football itself, and the better a crew works with one another the better the game. The game gets faster as an official as well, the same way a rookie quarterback must adapt to the speed at every level so must the official, but once you are accustomed to the speed the game moves slower and things become easier. That is why I agree that the officials should be full time because an influx of new officials only causes the process to slow down for the entire crew as a new guy tries to come up to speed.

Officials do a great job and are right far more that they are wrong. The microscope is on every official, every player, coach and owner, so performance is a must no matter what level of the game you are at. There are very few thing that an official at the pro level has not seen yet and there is only a portion of the field that is their responsibility, so like I said the job is not easy but it is also not the toughest job ever. The better your crew, the better the calls, teamwork makes the dream work.

 

[daveR]

I always tell the teams I coach not to complain about the refs. In my opinion, that just puts the focus on the wrong place. The only thing we can do as a team is to practice hard(er) and put forth maximum effort on the field. Making excuses about things we can't control only detracts from that effort.