The Sports Officials Thread

[Omaha 680]

There seems to be a lot of angst online this morning about the fumble-touchback rule after it bit the Vikings last night. I don't get the complaining. If you understand the nature of the end zone vs the field of play in the rules, there can be no other result for a fumble out of the end zone. If you want to have the offense retain possession after a fumble through the opponent's end zone, do you also want to have it not be a safety when the offense fumbles it out of their own end zone? What if Jefferson had fumbled in the field of play at the 2 yard line and an Eagles defender muffed the recovery, forcing the ball out of the end zone? Should that also not be a safety? The lesson of the fumble-touchback rule is not that the rule is dumb. It's that the goal line is the most important line on the field and the offense needs to take care of the damn ball next to that line whether they are backed up against their own goal line or challenging their opponent's goal line.

[BigPiney]

It has been another good soccer season. Both local high schools, boys and girls, made the playoffs this year, so last week was busy with playoff games every night during the week.

Tonight I get to be assistant referee on the boys game this evening which is the semifinal. Long drive for the visiting team (5 hour drive). Playoff games are fun.

[Omaha 680]

I just registered for football after taking last season off due to work demands. I almost skipped again this year. But work has started to lighten up a bit and I was worried if I skip two years in a row I will never go back to it. I do enjoy it generally and would like to keep at it if it works for me. I'll just see how the season goes.

[Pelado]

I just registered for football after taking last season off due to work demands. I almost skipped again this year. But work has started to lighten up a bit and I was worried if I skip two years in a row I will never go back to it. I do enjoy it generally and would like to keep at it if it works for me. I'll just see how the season goes.

Utah only?

[Omaha 680]

Utah only?

Yes. Which I prefer.

[Omaha 680]

I haven't worked yet this season. Apparently because I took last season off re-registering didn't get me visible to the assigners and I had to be reactivated with an additional step in the system. That has been rectified and I started getting assignments. First is a JV game tomorrow. I typically work LJ/HL only but when I re-registered I noted I'd like to learn backjudge so they are putting me there on JV games. I'm looking forward to relaxing 25 yards beyond the line of scrimmage but not looking forward to being hyper-fixated on the clocks.

[Copelius]

I haven't worked yet this season. Apparently because I took last season off re-registering didn't get me visible to the assigners and I had to be reactivated with an additional step in the system. That has been rectified and I started getting assignments. First is a JV game tomorrow. I typically work LJ/HL only but when I re-registered I noted I'd like to learn backjudge so they are putting me there on JV games. I'm looking forward to relaxing 25 yards beyond the line of scrimmage but not looking forward to being hyper-fixated on the clocks.

Where's it at. I will come and heckle.

[Bo Diddley]

Where's it at. I will come and heckle.

Haha. That would be fun.

[Shaka]

I haven't worked yet this season. Apparently because I took last season off re-registering didn't get me visible to the assigners and I had to be reactivated with an additional step in the system. That has been rectified and I started getting assignments. First is a JV game tomorrow. I typically work LJ/HL only but when I re-registered I noted I'd like to learn backjudge so they are putting me there on JV games. I'm looking forward to relaxing 25 yards beyond the line of scrimmage but not looking forward to being hyper-fixated on the clocks.

You've got to cover the deep throws as well. I ran a lot when I received. back judge assignments. A lot of the schools now have play clocks but you should still have a watch with countdown ability. Mine would do the countdown and then vibrate with the play clock had expired.

[Omaha 680]

You've got to cover the deep throws as well. I ran a lot when I received. back judge assignments. A lot of the schools now have play clocks but you should still have a watch with countdown ability. Mine would do the countdown and then vibrate with the play clock had expired.

Yeah Backjudge can run a lot but not in the JV games I covered. They had trouble completing passes or even throwing downfield so it was pretty boring out there but not having a coach in my ear was worth it. I did Backjudge for about 5 JV games and have been on my normal wing position for varsity games.

I have stayed mostly in SL County which has been nice but have also gone to Heber and Coalville. Next week is the last week of the regular season. Hoping to go at least 2 rounds into the playoffs. I don't expect to go further being I took last year off.

[BigPiney]

Doing soccer again this season. I just got the assignment to center ref the big rivalry game next week. The two local teams are first and second in the standings. Game is up at 7,000 ft and they are expecting a bit of snow over the weekend and it will be about 36 at game time. I am cold just thinking about it.

[Pelado]

I've been feeling cold a lot more lately. I wonder if it's because of not having as much insulating fat or just because it's winter.

[BigPiney]

I have stepped up and am going to do football this year. I just hope not to suck as much as this crew normally does. We have so few officials, I may be doing varsity games week one. We only have 8 guys willing to do if for 120 miles in any drivable direction.

[Bo Diddley]

That's awesome. Be sure to keep us updated on how it goes.

[The_Tick]

I have stepped up and am going to do football this year. I just hope not to suck as much as this crew normally does. We have so few officials, I may be doing varsity games week one. We only have 8 guys willing to do if for 120 miles in any drivable direction.

And that crew is trash. I've sat through too many of those games.