First and Ten January 2015 Volume 9 Issue 1 66666 From the First and Ten Editors and the CFOA executive 1 First and Ten Mandate 3 First and Ten Editors 4 Tips for being a Better Football Official Contributed by Rob Christian 6 How Successful People Stay Calm Dr. Travis Bradberry 9 Video Analysis 15 2015 Rule Change Proposals 17 Outstanding Achievers 2014 Grey Cup Officials 18 Veteran CFL referee thrives under pressure Fresh off third Cup 19 assignment by Evan Radford Drinkwalter earned his stripes one game at a time by Ken Peters 21 Tony Corrente returns to Baltimore where his life was saved 24 by Mark Schultz CFOA executive 25 Football Canada 26 Working for the development of officiating and football in Canada in cooperation with 2 La version française du "First and Ten" va suivre chaque version anglaise. Ron Paluzzi, Vice président responsable de la traduction, sera responsable de s’assurer que chaque communiqué soit disponible en français dans les plus brefs délais. D’ici là, je demande à tous 3 First and Ten Editor Ron Hallock Co- editor Rob Christian As you prepare for the upcoming season (and it will be heresooner than you think) Remember the following found on (http://goodthingsgoingaround.com/) Last year is gone, it will be no more. So many experiences still to explore. And so welcome this day with a hurray. A new year has come, it’s given me wisdom To live each day without regret, to live with purpose and with zest to be my very best. What might you do to prepare for another year? Consider your conditioning, rules knowledge and mechanics. Think of using video your own, associations or First and Ten YouTube site https://www.youtube.com/user/MrRef204 Getting or talking with your mentor, or reviewing your journal to identify areas for improvement Remember that there are always areas you need to make improvement in. No one is perfect so make SMART resolutions you for your development in 2015 4 Rule change proposals due January 21, 2015 Anyone can propose change by submitting to local FOA . If the local FOA agrees it is worthy of submission, the President will sign it and submit it to Football Canada. LINK FOR FORM INCLUDED IN THIS ISSUE Check out video repository for training support https://www.youtube.com/user/MrRef204 5 Tips for being a Better Football Official PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS 1. Each position is of equal importance. We are team and we will work as a team. We will not criticize other members of our crew to other people and we will support each other’s efforts. If something needs to be said, say it directly to the other person or together with the crew or not at all. 2. We will adhere to the mechanics as presented from the CFOA to the best of our ability. Do not deviate just because you may or may not like a particular mechanic. If you don’t like something, bring it up. If we need to make a change, we will collaboratively. 3. Know your areas of responsibility and carry that out first, but be prepared to assist in those areas concurrent to yours. 4. Remember the sequence of plays in every series of downs. 5. Do not miss a down—ever. Check with a partner every play, every single play. 6. Work within the crew. If there is a question on a ruling, then stop the game before the ball is next put in play and discuss the situation. We will huddle as a group only when necessary, but this hopefully will not be often. Competence is compromised by numerous huddles. In the end, no matter how it looks, if we get it right, then we have a leg to stand on. 7. Football is an emotional game. Players and coaches are allowed to get excited. You are never allowed to be excited. You must remain calm. 8. Be alert for all friction between players and get between them at the first sign. If you decide to penalize, make sure you have seen all the action before you penalize one or the other. 9. Never miss the number of a player who committed a foul. 10. Never tell or threaten a player that he will be thrown out. Coach correctness if you can, but no threats. 11. Abusive language must be stopped immediately. You may want to ask the coach, “Would you like to repeat that, coach?” If he does, throw the flag. By the way, you don’t have to hear everything, but if it is abusive then stop it. 6 12. Do not get too close to the play, you see more from seven yards away then you do from one yard away. 13. When you have foul, throw your flag with authority and confidence. Bad body language can make a good call look bad. 14. Be slow and positive on recovery of a loose ball. 15. Don’t talk in front the chain crew about teams or other officials or anything that could be repeated for that matter. 16. Officials should not be too familiar with players, but should try to establish an air of respect and confidence. 17. We will not put an arm around a crewmate because it makes you look uncertain when you do. 18. We will not carry on idle conversations with coaches. 19. Know the captains. They will help us control the game. 20. Use common sense—it is your best asset. 21. Blow the whistle only when the ball is your responsibility. 22. Control your sidelines—use the get back coach—use the head coach. 23. Give advice when needed to crewmates, accept it and use it when it is offered to you. 24. Never turn your back on the ball or turn around to the sidelines after a play. 25. Listen before you talk. Successful officiating demands work in five areas. PROFESSIONALISM…Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I easily agitated or always complaining? Do I bark at coaches or players? Am I on time for everything and is my equipment ready to go? Do I look the part when I arrive in business casual, clean shaven, etc? Do I avoid drama? Can I accept criticism or do I act as though there is nothing I can learn? When things don’t go my way or I get a bad break, how do I respond? RULES KNOWLEDGE…How much time this week did you spend studying the rules and case book plays? Was it 20 minutes? 60 minutes? A couple hours? Did I participate in quizzes from the association? Do I rely on someone else to know the rules when I should? Would I be able to answer any question given to me from a 7 coach? MECHANICS…Do I know the mechanics for my position and the mechanics for other positions? Do I work them or do I think it does not apply to me? Do I accept the fact that the game changes every year, getting faster and wider, and the mechanics reflect that? When there is something new, do I immediately complain without trying it? DEDICATION…Do I readily work extra games, scrimmages, and help others out? Do I go to all the meetings or do I just do the minimum? Do I think that I have nothing to contribute and I did all that stuff in the past? Do I mentor anyone? Do I incorporate good time management so I can balance family, work, and football among my other values? When I’m called upon do I respond? PREPARATION…How much time off the field do I spend getting ready for what I’m going to do on the field? How do I spend that time? What could I do to be more prepared? Take great pride in the fact that your name is on our product. DON’T FORGET...Your game assignment actually begins well in advance of game day. Below is a list of important things to do as the assignment approaches: Verify the assignment. Confirm the time and location of the game and any special conditions that will exist. If you can, exchange cell phone numbers with the convenor, so you can inform each other of any last-minute problems all the way up to game time. Firm up your travel arrangements. The crew needs to know the driver, the meeting point, who will provide the snacks and so on. The good crew chief also insists that the whole crew has each other’s contact information. Check your equipment. Check everything in your bag well ahead of time in case something needs mending or cleaning. A good approach, if somebody besides you washes your uniform, is to have the person return it fresh from the dryer so you can check, fold and account for it going into your bag yourself. Do some homework. Opinions vary on how much you should find out about the teams before the game. You owe it to them and yourself to have at least some idea of how competitive and skillful it will be, plus what’s on the line for each team. Conversely, you don’t want to have so thick a book on the teams that you anticipate things that don’t actually occur. Check the weather on game day. If a monsoon or blizzard is in the forecast, consider padding your travel plans. Remember that one person’s short sleeve weather is another person’s visit to 8 the South Pole.