Fryowa
Administrator
You can lecture me all you want, but I’ve been a high school and Legion baseball official for a looooooong time and a football official not nearly as long. Also a high school coach in Iowa. I’ve talked to more coaches and officials in my life than you could shake a stick at. I also know what your duties and responsibilities are as an official, and nowhere in those duties is it stated or implied that your job is to keep the game “flowing.”Do me a favor next year before the season starts. Take the referee test! Get in a referee some games. Its a great way to learn the way to talk to referees that grabs our attention. When a coach doesnt use "slang" when they talk to me, they've got my attention because then I know they know what they are talking about.
Whatsoever.
Your job is to adhere to the mechanics of the officiating manual and make calls as apparent to you as they happen. Not coach kids. In fact, one of the hallmarks of a hack official is he or she trying to coach kids during games and point out infractions. Officials like yourself do so to because they’re insecure in their abilities and have a need to demonstrate to people that they know what they’re talking about. That’s why you came here to comment for the first time in 13 years of membership to bust out the ol’ spiel about over the back phraseology.
I’ve taken 5 NFHS “referee tests” in 3 states to officiate baseball, 2 states for football. I’ve umpired NAIA and division III baseball which were more “referee tests.” Your use of the term “referee test” tells me you definitely haven’t done any officiating past your podunk town’s 3rd grade rec league.
So “do me a favor” next year before the season starts and get your coaching certificate. Or don’t. I’m not too worried about it.