I'm asked all the time, "How did you get started in officiating?"
In most cases, another official encourages or helps someone get started. Athletic directors or coaches also can help by supplying contact information for their leagues' officiating scheduler.
Anyone who has considered becoming an official needs insight into the process of getting started and what this exciting position entails.
A veteran can guide a new official through the registration process with introductions to local, state and national associations. New officials need to be informed of fees, equipment costs and a time commitment before beginning the exciting and rewarding journey of officiating the world's greatest sport.
With that in mind, officials working on the youth through middle school levels earn approximately $25 to $40 per game. High school freshman and junior varsity games will draw $25 to $50 per assignment. High school varsity games command $50 to $80.
Steps to get started:
- Contact your state's high school athletic association
- Contact your local officials association
- Complete the registration process, which may require fees as high as $75
- Fulfill the requirements of your state - attending clinics, rules meetings, tests and background checks
- Ask about equipment requirements and how to obtain new or used equipment
- Attend local association meetings for instruction on rules interpretations, mechanics and sound officiating philosophy
- Introduce yourself to the youth and sub-varsity assignor in your area
- Participate in scrimmages to learn basic mechanics
- Study rules tests with veteran officials for rulebook interpretations
- Ask the assignor for video of youth and sub-varsity games to study mechanics
- Be prepared and arrive early for meetings, scrimmages and games
- Network with local association officials to gain their officiating insight
Equipment
New officials incur costs to purchase equipment. A new starter package may cost $200. Most local associations offer programs to help new officials buy used equipment. Veteran officials donate used lanyards, flags, knickers, bean bags and striped shirts to help defray your expenses.
Basic Training
A shortage of football officials and a low retention rate has spurred the formation of new and excellent training programs. These introduce new officials to the rules, mechanics and philosophy behind the rules in both classroom and on-field settings.
Most training programs meet once per week from four to eight weeks prior to the season. Among the topics covered are rules definitions and penalty enforcements. Test questions are used as discussion topics to reinforce what officials have read in the rulebook. Officials need to learn the philosophy behind the rules and when to pass on minor infractions that have no impact on a play's outcome. Video and PowerPoint presentations offer dynamic ways for new officials to study and learn this great craft.
Officiating football is a tremendous way to get even closer to the game we love, and you never know where it may lead you.
Tony Michalek is USA Football's officiating director. An NFL umpire since 2002 and part of Super Bowl XLII's officiating crew, Michalek also officiated in the Big Ten for five years, earning Fiesta and Cotton Bowl assignments.
