A great way to start a game and set a positive tone is to have a good pregame meeting with each head coach. That required meeting is a time to discern important information. The meeting can also be used to build rapport with each head coach. Take the duty seriously and perform it professionally. Be to the point, yet cover everything you need to talk about.
Introduce yourself and the umpire to head coach. Shake hands and give them your full names. Even if you know the coach well, refer to him as "Coach." It is a business meeting as opposed to a social event.
Ask if players are properly equipped. The umpire asks the question with the referee as a witness. The umpire should also ask if any player's equipment, bandages or casts need inspection.
Provide a list of officials. Have a prepared list of officials working that game by position. Note who is working each sideline and indicate which official will report foul information. Use a small card with that information to give to both head coaches.
Get the names and numbers of the captains. Write down the information on your game card so you can give the data to the other officials. Ask the coach if he has a preference as to which captain will do the talking for his team at the coin toss or when a penalty option needs to be discussed.
You can also ask the coach to reinforce with his captains what choices he wants them to make if they win or lose the toss. That ensures that, if the captain makes a choice contrary to the coach's wishes, the coach will have no one to blame but himself and the captain.
Ask about anything uncommon. Suggested wording: "Coach, do you have any unusual plays or formations we should know about in order to better work your game?"
If a coach describes a play that involves something illegal, point out the problem. If the coach tries to argue the legality of the ploy or insists he'll run it in spite of your warning, end the conversation with a statement like, "That's your choice, Coach, but I want you to know that if you run it as described, we'll have to flag it."
If the team is one you haven't seen before, or if the coach is new to the job, you can ask for a brief overview of his offensive and defensive concepts. You don't need intricate detail, but if the coach says he uses a spread offense with an empty backfield, you can deduce that his is a passing offense. Communicate any information to the rest of the crew.
Remind the coach about the emphasis on sportsmanship. You can use the coin toss to talk to captains about sportsmanship; there's no need to have them present at the pregame meeting. Let the captains know that if you're having trouble with a talkative teammate, you'll give the captains first crack at correcting the problem if possible.
Ask for the name of the "get back" coach. Find out the names of coaches designated to keep players in the team box. Write down their names to tell the sideline officials who they can work with to help with sideline control.
Ask about the availability of emergency help. If a game requires medical personnel to be present before a game can start, ask the coach or game administrator to identify them for you and find out where they will be stationed during the game.
Confirm the start time. Make sure both head coaches know when the game is to start, when you want captains for the coin toss and when teams are to come onto the field. If a "sundown" rule is in effect or if a game has to be completed by a certain time, tell the head coach when the game will end.
Ask if they have any concerns or questions. Give the head coach an opportunity to ask a question or bring up an issue not covered. Understand many coaches will use the opportunity to try to influence how much attention you pay to actions of the opponent. For instance, a coach may say, "We played them four weeks ago, and number 70 held on every play." A suggested response is, "Thank you, Coach. We appreciate the heads up." Be polite and sincere, but don't promise to pay special attention to the matter or otherwise indicate you took the bait.
Some coaches will bring up plays from previous games and ask if they were handled correctly. Don't provide a lengthy interpretation or criticize another crew. Remember that some coaches will (inadvertently or purposely) leave out key elements of the play. Try to end that conversation with a non-committal statement such as, "I'd have to see it in person to give you a good answer."
Conversely, don't give the coach the impression you have preconceived notions about the game ahead. Even if you've had trouble with the team in a previous game, don't say anything that will imply you're starting with something other than a clean slate.
Depending on certain factors, there may be other things to cover, such as any contingencies for the game in case of weather problems. What's most important is for you to tailor your own list of what to cover in your pregame meeting with the head coach of each team. Be professional but be brief. Get the game off to a good start.
This column originally appeared in Youth Football 2006-07, published by Referee magazine, the National Association of Sports Officials and USA Football.