Your First Downs - Introduction to officiating high school football

Joel Pogar

Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are championship officials from the Colorado Football Officials Association. In this PodCast, Joel and Kirk explore all the aspects of becoming a high school football official. From finding your local association to fitness requirements and rules knowledge needed on the field. Learn how to become the best official you can be and advance to college or the NFL. It all starts here on the high school football field.

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Inside High School Football Officiating: A Journey from the Sidelines to the Field

Inside High School Football Officiating: A Journey from the Sidelines to the Field

Ever dreamt about stepping onto the football field, not as a player, but an official? Join us on an exhilarating journey into the world of high school football officiating with our hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell of the Colorado Football Officials Association. We'll share the nuts and bolts of becoming an official; from selecting the right association and undergoing the right training to managing expectations as you move up the ranks. We'll also emphasize the critical role of teamwork in officiating, essentially becoming a piece of the puzzle in every play situation.Beyond the whistle blowing and flag throwing, officiating is an emotional journey. We'll delve into handling the inevitable frustrations from coaches, developing a deeper understanding of the game, and appreciating the significance of football in the high school curriculum. We shed light on the evolving dynamics of officiating, with fewer educators on board and the impacts this shift has on the field.To wrap up, we'll explore the journey of self-improvement that officiating demands. From learning to accept coaching, developing personality skills, to finding your niche in the officiating world. We highlight the need to maintain physical fitness and the importance of striking a balance between athleticism and physical well-being. Plus, we'll share why having family support is crucial when embarking on this journey. Sit tight as we unpack the characteristics of a successful official, the art of quick decision-making, overcoming the fear of errors, and how making mistakes are stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks in the officiating world. Prepare to be inspired!

Episodes

Inside High School Football Officiating: A Journey from the Sidelines to the Field

Inside High School Football Officiating: A Journey from the Sidelines to the Field

Ever dreamt about stepping onto the football field, not as a player, but an official? Join us on an exhilarating journey into the world of high school football officiating with our hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell of the Colorado Football Officials Association. We'll share the nuts and bolts of becoming an official; from selecting the right association and undergoing the right training to managing expectations as you move up the ranks. We'll also emphasize the critical role of teamwork in officiating, essentially becoming a piece of the puzzle in every play situation.Beyond the whistle blowing and flag throwing, officiating is an emotional journey. We'll delve into handling the inevitable frustrations from coaches, developing a deeper understanding of the game, and appreciating the significance of football in the high school curriculum. We shed light on the evolving dynamics of officiating, with fewer educators on board and the impacts this shift has on the field.To wrap up, we'll explore the journey of self-improvement that officiating demands. From learning to accept coaching, developing personality skills, to finding your niche in the officiating world. We highlight the need to maintain physical fitness and the importance of striking a balance between athleticism and physical well-being. Plus, we'll share why having family support is crucial when embarking on this journey. Sit tight as we unpack the characteristics of a successful official, the art of quick decision-making, overcoming the fear of errors, and how making mistakes are stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks in the officiating world. Prepare to be inspired!

Getting Your First Game: Insights and Strategies for New Football Officials with Jerry Letofsky

Getting Your First Game: Insights and Strategies for New Football Officials with Jerry Letofsky

Ready to elevate your game as a new football official? We've got a treat for you. Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell sit down with Jerry Letofsky, a seasoned Colorado assigner, who offers his guidance and insights into embarking on an officiating journey. Jerry sheds light on the exciting world of assigning, reveals how to land your first games, and shares tips on leveraging technology to your advantage. As we navigate the process, we also delve into the challenge of juggling officiating with a full-time job, and the professional way to handle game cancellations.As we journey further, we delve into the nitty-gritty of confirming assignments and honing your officiating skills. Uncover the secrets to establishing rapport with host organizations and the mechanics of assignment confirmation. Get an inside look at the demanding role of the referee and learn how to upskill your rule knowledge for more significant games. We also underscore the essence of being an excellent crewmate and discuss professional growth strategies for sports officials. From the art of effective communication and owning your calls to the importance of being coachable and the value of post-game work, we cover it all. As a cherry on top, we engage in a stimulating discussion on the philosophies surrounding camps and clinics. So tune in and equip yourself with the tools to thrive in the world of football officiating.

Mastering the Game: Understanding and Applying Football Rules

Mastering the Game: Understanding and Applying Football Rules

In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by special guest Scott Lewis, a referee and crew chief from the Denver Football Officials Association. The focus of this episode is on understanding and applying football rules, especially for new high school football officials. Scott shares his insights and experiences in dealing with rules, mechanics, and philosophy on the field. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the definitions in the rulebook and offers advice on how to study the rules without getting overwhelmed. Scott also discusses the differences between live ball and dead ball fouls, as well as the importance of understanding the game from a high school perspective and differentiating it from college and NFL rules. The episode concludes with a discussion on test-taking strategies for officials who struggle with exams. Overall, this episode provides valuable tips and guidance for new officials looking to enhance their understanding and application of football rules.

Lessons Learned from the 2023 Camp: Movement, Money Lines, and Keeping Cool

Lessons Learned from the 2023 Camp: Movement, Money Lines, and Keeping Cool

In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Poger and Kirk Russell discuss the lessons they learned from the 2023 Colorado Football Officials association camp. They cover topics such as movement on the field, proper mechanics for wings and goal line officials, reading the play as an official, and the importance of rotating with the players. They also delve into the concept of money lines in football, which are crucial points on the field that teams need to achieve in order to be successful. Additionally, Joel and Kirk touch on preventative officiating, where officials address potential fouls before they occur, and how to handle coach interactions with professionalism and effectiveness. Tune in to gain valuable insights into becoming a better football official and handling the challenges of the game.

Breaking Barriers: Women in Officiating

Breaking Barriers: Women in Officiating

In this week's episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell sit down with Kaylinda Benell, one of the most successful female officials in the Colorado Springs area. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in the male-dominated sport of football officiating. Kaylinda shares her experiences and offers advice for new officials, emphasizing the importance of being open to learning and studying the rules. The hosts also address a listener question about crossfield mechanics and how wing officials communicate during a play. Finally, they explore the career path of female officials, with Kaylinda expressing her aspirations to officiate at the college level. This episode highlights the need for mentorship and support for women in officiating and encourages more women to get involved in the sport.

Navigating the Road to the NFL: Insights from a Seasoned Official

Navigating the Road to the NFL: Insights from a Seasoned Official

In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Poger and Kirk Russell from the Colorado Football Officials Association are joined by special guest Claire Gossman, a former high school official who has worked in various prestigious football officiating roles, including college football, college bowl games, and the NFL.Claire shares his wealth of knowledge and experience with new high school football officials, discussing how officiating has evolved over the years, the resources available to new officials today, and the importance of communication among officiating crews. He also emphasizes the need for commitment in order to progress in the officiating ranks.The hosts and Claire delve into topics such as watching the ball versus observing other positions, dealing with coaches and managing emotions on the field, opportunities for female officials, and the path to becoming a replay official. Claire provides valuable insights and advice for new officials on how to navigate their officiating careers and set goals for the future.Tune in to this episode for a comprehensive look at the roadmap to the NFL and valuable tips to help new officials succeed in their officiating journey.

Coaching Perspective: The Importance of Officials in High School Football

Coaching Perspective: The Importance of Officials in High School Football

In this episode, podcast hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell interview Coach John Shipley from Conifer High School in Colorado. Coach Shipley shares his thoughts on the role of officials in the game of football and the importance of their presence on the field. They discuss various topics, including the pregame interaction between coaches and officials, communication on the sidelines, dealing with fouls and penalties, and the role of parents in promoting good conduct. Coach Shipley emphasizes the need for respect, responsibility, and proper communication from all parties involved. He also highlights the value of having mentors and role models for new officials in order to improve their knowledge and understanding of the game. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights from a coach's perspective on the relationship between coaches and officials in high school football.

Become an "Officiating Machine" - An Interview With The Legendary Randy Campbell

Become an "Officiating Machine" - An Interview With The Legendary Randy Campbell

Join the conversation as we navigate the best practices of football officiating with veteran referee Randy Campbell. With an illustrious career including 20 postseason appearances, 18 FBS bowl assignments, and the 2013 BCS national championship, Randy is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical insights. He takes us through the maze of transitioning from high school to college officiating, underlining the importance of mentorship, understanding the rules, and mastering the mechanics.Beyond the whistle and the playbook, we delve into the less talked about, yet vital aspects of officiating. Fitness, physical appearance, mindset - all these play a crucial role in an official's career. Randy shares firsthand how looking the part can make or break an official's career trajectory. We also discuss the immense value of attending camps, clinics and college scrimmages to gain experience and exposure in the competitive world of officiating.In the final segment, Randy offers valuable advice for rookie. Balancing personal life with a demanding career is a challenge, and Randy candidly discusses how his wife's support played a pivotal role in his journey. He also highlights the importance of setting realistic goals, acquainting oneself with the rule differences between high school and college, and carving out daily time for the rule book. Tune in for an insightful episode packed with practical tips and sage wisdom from one of the best in the business and a legendary college official.