I had a chance to speak with NFL Referee and Super Bowl veteran Mike Carey about his perspective on all things football officiating. Here are some highlights from his interview.
ON MENTORS:
I believe we all mentor each other. It happens at every level and between any two people who communicate with each other. There are those who are extraordinary, but I believe it happens on a peer level as well as an experienced-to-inexperienced level. That’s one of the strong points about officiating…everyone is there to help out.
ON BUILDING A CREW: If I can find your strength, your weaknesses will diminish. Their strengths will give them the confidence to smooth out their weaknesses. It only happens if they believe you care enough about them as an individual for them to give up their individuality for the best interests of the crew. That’s a delicate balance.
ON PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT:
One of the biggest improvements officiating has brought me is in terms of character development is the ability to look inside and be honest with yourself about what you did on a particular play. To be honest with yourself about your performance is very important part of this game and about being a good official.
ON FITNESS:
The level of play from high school to junior college takes a pretty good step. The athleticism is higher, the intensity is higher, and there is more at stake. Then from junior college to the Division I level everything takes another good leap forward. The professionalism, the organization, coaching, speed, size, talent is all more congealed as a professional presentation. But I don’t think anything prepares you for making the transition from college to the NFL. It’s like skipping from Pop Warner to Division I.
ON RULES:
If I can get to the fundamental and philosophy of the rule it puts me in position to understand any isolated case that comes my way. Use all available resources to help get your mind into the spirit of the rules, the mechanics of your position, and the rules that support your decision on a particular play.
ON VIDEO REVIEW:
When I first got into the NFL, they gave me a tape of the calls a top NFL official had the year before. I took the tape and watched it over and over again and I still couldn’t see what was called. I watched hours and hours of tape in the beginning trying to get better and because there was a foul called and I couldn’t find it on tape. That was a great learning experience. When I first entered the NFL, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it. If I couldn’t see the calls on tape and at a slower speed, how was I going to be able to make that call at full speed? But after watching it over and over, you ingrain those actions in your head and it becomes part of your mental muscle memory. I’m known for knowing the rules, but I spend much more time on film than on rules.
Note: Mike’s full one hour interview is available as a bonus to the Forward Progress book. You can get more information at www.forwardprogressbook.com
I have loved watchin Mike Carey ref for many years!! I hope he refs 2011 super bowl!!
Comment by sara — January 23, 2011 at 7:24 pm