OHSAA FOOTBALL OBSERVERSPROGRAM

9/25/13

They graciously volunteer their time!

1. John Crispino (SW) 2. Ron Fuller (NE) 3. Tom Graham (C) 4. John Keener (E/SE) 5. Ken Myers (NW)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS HELP!!

District Coordinators – Observers (DCO):

1. Class 1 OHSAA Football Official

2. Recommended by DCO

3. OHSAA State Tournament Football Official

4. OHSAA Football Official with 10 Years Experience as a Class 1 & 2

5. Attended OHSAA State Clinic for Observers

Observer Qualifications:

1. Assist in the recruitment of Observers.

2. Weeks 8 - 10: Determine availability of Observers for Weeks 11 -14.

3. Weeks 11 – 14: Schedule Observers to State Tournament Games -- their District only.

4. Notify Observers of their assignments.

DCO Responsibilities:

5. Attempt to assign 2 Observers to each game, if there are enough Observers.

6. Notify each Observer on Tuesday or Wednesday prior to the game that weekend.

7. Will identify the “Lead” observer when there are 2 observers.

8. Goal: We observe 217 of 217 games.

DCO Responsibilities:

1. Lead Observer will contact Site Mgr. (AD – Week 11) by Wed., via email, to confirm & ask about the PB, Parking & Officials Locker Room Location.

2. Due to PB size, there might be no seats or only 1 seat for the Observer. Do not bring friends & expect to sit in the PB. Determine PB location on HT or VT SL.

3. Highly recommend that if the weather is “ok” you sit in the stands away from the fans.

Observer Responsibilities:

4. Dress professionally – especially if sitting in the PB.

5. Contact the R midweek to see if it is ok to attend part of their Pregame.

6. Pregame (PG): Introduce yourself; confirm the crew names; answer questions only; listen to some of the PG; how does the R interact with crew; do NOT tell Crew what you expect.

Observer Responsibilities:

7. Pregame: No individual conversations with crew members.

8. CT: Coin tossed at 20 minutes?

9. Crew walks & inspects the field; talks with chain crew, ball persons, etc. (P.10- Gold Book). R seeks out Medical Professionals.

Observer Responsibilities:

10. PB: Be courteous to everyone.

11. PB: Do NOT talk to the Press.

12. PB: Be reasonable with food & drink.

13. PB: 2 Observers Conversing: Be VERY careful as to what you say. Talk Softly!!

Observer Responsibilities:

1. CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ONLY!!

2. Beginning 8/8/11 we NEVER again use the word criticism.

3. We are teachers, mentors, role models,

& educators.

Observer Overriding Thoughts:

4. We are there to HELP the officials rather than rate or evaluate them.

5. CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS ONLY!!

6. Print or Write Clearly on the OHSAA Observation Form so it can be read!!

Observer Overriding Thoughts:

1. ½ Time Adjustments (similar to a Coach). 2. Meet Crew & walk with them into the the LR.

3. Discuss IP, R&R then Flow, Signaling, & Communication only unless the Crew has questions for you.

4. Limit the number of constructive comments for each official to 2!

Observer Responsibilities: ½ Time:

5. Do NOT discuss judgment, controversial plays, or penalty enforcement unless they ask for your opinion. Save this for the Post Game Review (PGR).

6. Limit time to a maximum of 10 minutes. Adjust time if LR is far from the FB Field.

7. Spend time the 2nd half observing suggestions you made at ½ time – Did they listen & apply them?

Observer Responsibilities: ½ Time:

1. Post Game Review (PGR): Meet Crew coming off field & walk with them into LR.

2. Give them time to cool down, grab a drink, & some food.

3. If the chain crew are officials, invite them to be part of the PGR.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

4. If the Crew has fellow officials at the game, invite them in, if the Crew says yes.

5. If LR allows, ask the Crew to gather in a group (rather than spread out in the LR).

6. Find a chair or bench & sit down so a discussion can ensue instead of a lecture.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

7. Crew members give their undivided attention to the PGR – no undressing, etc.

8. Please treat the Crew as we would want to be treated.

9. If 2 Observers, the “Lead” does most of the Review & Discussion.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

10. Ask them “How the Game Went”. Ask them if they have any questions.

11. Give them your overall impressions, generally speaking, before specifics.

12. Be open & honest with them. They want & need your feedback to become better.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

13. Ask Questions on their IP & R&R for the Play Types. Do they know the Gold Book?

14. Be SPECIFIC: Comments such as “you need to hustle more” are too general!!

15. If you are an “atta boy” person & want to only be “buddy/buddy” with Crew, stay home!

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

16. Judgment Calls: We need to discuss them as “What did you see” followed by asking other “near” officials “What did they see”.

17. Then discuss it in the context of the Rule, Judgment, & Improved Mechanics. Be careful, we are usually a long way from the field!

18. Limit PGR to 15 to 20 minutes unless they really need your help.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

19. Yellow Copies are given to the Crew after the PGR – NO EXCEPTIONS!! Observers who do not will not be assigned to games.

20. Leave your email address/phone # with the Crew for any follow-up by them.

21. If you want to email the Crew a “cleaner” copy the following week that is ok.

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

22. Scan/Email (bmaurer.38@gmail.com) or mail white copy to the DOD at his home.

23. EMAIL SUBJECT: OHSAA GAME NUMBER will be on the State Tournament Brackets.

24. Mail it: Place OHSAA GAME # on Report.

25. DO NOT mail or email copies to OHSAA!!!

Observer Responsibilities: PGR

1. If only 1 Observer is assigned, check with another official, if qualified, to help you.

2. All observations & comments follow the OHSAA GOLD BOOK 100% - NO exceptions!!

3. Bring a hard surface to write on & 2 medium pens.

Tools for Successful Observing:

4. Bring 2 copies of each Observation Form (P. 1– Crew, R & U); (P.2 – LM/LJ/BJ).

5. Bring the Gold Book & NFHS Rules Book.

6. Refer to the Gold Book often (I do)!!

Tools for Successful Observing:

1. Record the Qt. & Time for Each Comment.

2. General Crew Observations are recorded in the Crew Column.

3. Goal: Observe the IP & R & R, then Flow, for each official a minimum of 8 – 10 downs.

Observing the Game: 1st Qt.

4. Plays: Run, Pass, GL, Reverse, KO, Punt, Try, FG, etc. You MUST know the IP & R&R.

5. Discipline: Observers tend to observe the position they work. Break that habit.

6. Discipline: Observers tend to watch the officials closest to them. Break that habit.

7. Abbreviations: Learn them & record them.

Observing the Game: 1st Qt.

8. Consistency: If the official’s IP needs help, watch him additional times. He might have been in the correct IP every time, but one. Forget the one time he was not.

9. Attempt to write a comment on every other down.

10. KO: Observe the U & BJ on 1 KO then the LM/LJ/R on the next KO.

Observing the Game: 1st Qt.

11. Ball Becomes Dead: Sweep the field – does each official immediately signal the next down? Do they officiate the DB Action?

12. GLM: Observe LM on a down then the

LJ on the next down.

13. Reverse: Same as # 12 above. R on EL?

Observing the Game:

14. 1st Down – Do all officials stop the clock?

15. Restricted Area: Is it being ENFORCED?

16. Do they know R&R1, R&R2, & R&R3 for Pass Plays? Do they R&R differently as they “read” a Pass Play versus a Run Play?

Observing the Game:

17. Signaling: Are the OHSAA Signals being used at all times by all officials?

18. Whistles: 1 or 2 OR TOO many? Listen. Whistle out of mouth until ball is dead during the down.

19. Discipline: 1st half -- usually watching specific officials rather than “the game”.

Observing the Game:

20. Game Management: How did the Crew in general & the R in particular manage it.

21. Glaring Judgment Calls: Record what happened to ask questions later after the game only during the PGR.

22. What Just Happened? Record Qt. & Time to review it later.

23. Handout: Excellent examples of reports.

Observing the Game:

1. Sit Together & Communicate. It is a MUST so no one else hears what we are saying.

2. “Lead” Observer records all observations (so he can read & understand his writing).

3. “Delegate” the plays: KO – 1 takes U/BJ & the other observer takes R/LM/LJ. Next KO – Switch.

Observing the Game: 2 Observers

4. GLM: 1 takes LM & 1 takes LJ. Then switch

on the next down.

5. Punt: 1 takes LM & 1 takes LJ. Then switch on the next punt.

6. Constantly ask the other observer “What Did You See”?

Observing the Game: 2 Observers

7. Communicate: Who are you observing?

8. Communicate: Who do we need to watch?

9. Lead Observer: Does all of the talking at halftime & most in PGR.

Observing the Game: 2 Observers

1. Injured Official: Contact the DOD on Sunday or Monday: Name, Position, Phone #, & Status of Injury.

2. Weak Official (Not qualified to work this level): Contact DOD on Sunday or Monday: Name, Position, Phone #, & Rationale. Also, Name & Phone # of the R.

3. MOST IMPORTANT: Check OHSAA Website for the FB Brackets – Determine the Game Number & Record it on the Observation Forms (hopefully!!!).

OHSAA State Tournament Games

The 2015 OHSAA Observers Clinic will be held on Sunday, August 9th, Site TBD.

Folks who have not attended an OHSAA Observers Clinic will meet at 9AM.

Observers who have attended an OHSAA Observers Clinic previously will meet at 10AM.

2015 Observer Clinic Date