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Getting Started:
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Fact:
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All
Football Officiating Organizations that provide for accreditation
and certification are administered at the State level.
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Fact:
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Local
meeting locations
for achieving recognition as a football official can be obtained through
the State.
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Fact:
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Sourcing
information for
officiating certification in every state can be located on the web here: www.refs.org
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Fact:
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Find a
Partner –Make your
move into football officiating easier and more fun by partnering with
another “newbie”. You can find a
partner, or group of partners, at the first required meeting of the local
official’s association.
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Fact:
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You have
to learn the rules
- There are three basic sets of rules for American Football: High School or
“Federation” rules; College or “NCAA” Rules; and, Professional most
commonly thought of as “NFL”. You
will start with the Federation Rules. You will be tested on your
knowledge of the rules. (Note: in some states, games are played with less
than 11 players and the rules are modified accordingly.)
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Fact:
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Positions
- High School games
are usually officiated by a five-person crew. Colleges hire 6/7-person
crews. The NFL utilizes a 7-person
crew. When getting started, you may
work a 2, 3 and 4 person crew at the “Pee Wee” and Jr. High level. For simple explanation, a high school
crew would consist of referee, umpire, head linesman, line
judge and back judge
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Fact:
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Mechanics
- You must learn
the “mechanics” of each position. Mechanics—what to do, when to do it—where
to do it.
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Fact: 
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Uniform
and Equipment - Yes,
you are a “Zebra”. Shoes,
Socks, Shorts,
Knickers,
Shirt, Cap, Bean Bag, Yellow Flag and Whistle. I suggest that you do not over buy
equipment. Make sure you are in it
for the long run before over stocking equipment. You will be made aware of
other aids that you can carry. My
advice is not to become a hardware freak.
Your best “down counter” is a simple elastic band. Someone will show you.
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The
Beginners Guide for Football Officiating