The word is out. Monday, August 24th at 9 am EST I will host a LIVE teleseminar where I will interview SEC Commissioner of Football Officiating and NCAA Rules Editor/Secretary; Rogers Redding.

I hosted a small contest to see who could guess what I was up to. Several good answers but only one correct response.

AND THE WINNER IS: RON DIVINEY

Ron will receive a consolation prize from ProFootballReferee.com (I just need some time to come up with something impressive!)

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so easily at www.profootballreferee.com/teleseminar/rogersredding

Can’t make that time? No worries! A replay of the interview will be available but you must register to get on the notification list. I’ll also be hosting the call on the upcoming podcast next month. Stay tuned for more details on that!

Film Doesn't Lie

I have set a lofty goal this year. No, not work the state playoffs (although that is one of my long-term goals), not get an NCAA DII playoff game, or make it to the NFL.

I want to receive game film from 70% of my high school games. Assuming I get 10 regular season games, that equates to 7 DVD’s. Should be easy, huh?

As many of you know, getting game film can be a difficult task. I had a comment from a reader inquiring about formatting the DVDs so I thought I’d add my plan of attach to the blog and see if anyone else has any unique strategies or techniques they have found successful in getting game film for review.

• Here’s my plan of attack:
• Call the AD of the school the day prior to the game
• Stress the film is need for the officiating to IMPROVE
• The film is being used for training purposes
• Have a stamped, addressed envelope ready.
• Deliver it to the AD and/or Coach prior to the game (usually when I arrive at the locker room/dressing area)
• If not the coach, I take the time to have the R,U or LG mention it to the Head Coach during the pregame meeting or on the sideline. (just a reminder that we have requested the game film)
• I also take a $5 bill and put it in the envelope for the guy making the copies. I tell the AD its for the copy guy too.
   

So that’s my master plan. The $5 bill idea comes from Allen Baynes, NFL Side Judge and former CUSA deep official. He found the AD’s to be more appreciative and willing to follow-up on the DVD after the fact because we offered a small token of appreciation. I also like the idea of stressing the importance the video makes in improving the level of officiating. Coaches and AD’s alike understand that mentality.

So what are your ideas? Leave a comment, or email me at todd@profootballreferee.com

Getting On The Field

I left home at 9 am Monday morning to drive about 350 miles to attend my first WVIAC scrimmage of the 2009 season. I must say this one worked out better than my Charleston scrimmage did…I managed to get two hours of work under my belt topping the four plays I had my first go-around! (he he)
It was scorching hot Monday – temperature showed 91 degrees in the West Virginia mountains.

HOT! But despite the extreme heat, it felt really good to get some snaps and work 7 man mechanics for a few hours.
Since it was a Monday the crew didn’t hang around and socialize, most opting for a quick shower and head for the house.

So I followed suit and got on the road about 6:15 pm. A few stops and 5-1/2 hours later I arrived home in KY. EXHAUSTED!
So I’m getting ready for my opening NFHS game Friday night. I already  have my self addressed DVD mailer complete with a blank DVD ready for the Athletic Director.

My goal is to get game film from all 10 games this  year. In order to do that, I have to get Game #1. Wish me luck on that quest!

I saved the best for last — Stay tuned for a sweet deal to listen in on my next interview. I’ll be sending out the details on Thursday and giving you a chance to listen to me interview a prominent D1 Supervisor of Officials. You will all most certainly recognize this person. But Idon’t want  to let the cat out of the bag just yet. Remember to check  any email you get from me Thursday for the scoop.

Until then,

Be the Best on the Field

Todd Skaggs

I have some REALLY BIG NEWS. I mean in the world of Todd Skaggs – Aspiring High School and College Football Official – REALLY, REALLY BIG.

I’ve been invited to attend a few spring football scrimmages this year. Well, invited is probably not the right word… I mean I if you consider me begging, groveling, pleading for the opportunity to work some snaps then…”Allowed” might be a better description (smile).

So I will be taking some snaps at the University of Louisville’s scrimmage on March 28th as well as spring games in the Mid South Conference and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. I’m also going to shadow one of my mentors as he attends an Ohio Valley Conference scrimmage at either Western Kentucky or Eastern Kentucky.

I think back to years past when I only heard about these spring activities and only after they were long since over. I used to ask my peers what they knew about the college scene, we talked about it before and after games, meetings and at the local watering hole following our Friday night games. But no one really knew. We just speculated. Looking ahead in your career is sometimes discouraged for newer officials. While I understand the senior officials want us to focus on being the best at our current level, I also see the newer officials get quickly discouraged by this stance. I mean everyone likes to dream a little right?

So I’m telling you this because I want you all to understand why this book is important to me. Whether you want to get your first varsity game or work in the SEC, there shouldn’t be any mysteries. You should be able to not just know the requirements to advance at all levels, but I believe you should not reinvent the wheel. We should examine the paths that successful officials blazed before us and learn from them. As I interview NCAA and NFL officials, numerous similarities arise as well as countless unique and insightful moments but one very important truth stands out. They all took their own path.

Its much like a Chinese buffet. You pick what you like and leave what you don’t. You are not required to eat a bit of everything. You actually don’t have to eat anything specific. You taste, sample, find something you like and add that to your plate. Some stuff is good, some is not. But if your family ate together, you might find that each plate is just a bit different. In the end everyone leaves full and satisfied but they all took different paths (or plates) to get there. (Maybe a poor analogy, but I think you get my point.)

So here is my definite major purpose: I want to closely examine the concept of advancement and continuous improvement as it relates to football officiating and share with anyone interested in improving their football officiating craft; every tip, technique and idea that I uncover. As we proceed down this path, if one football official gets to a Friday night game one week faster or gets that first college assignment one season earlier, then I will consider this a raving success.

In my next post, I will share with you why I think I actually get the chance to participate in the upcoming spring scrimmages. It all started with a very conscience decision I made in July of 2007 when I gave up chocolate. But more on that later.

Until next time,

Be the Best on the Field.

Todd

Picture this: you have in the room a group of veteran NFL, NCAA officials and NCAA conference supervisors. They are at your beck and call. They will share any and all information with you, all you have to do is ask.

• What information would you like to know?
• Who would you most like to talk to and why?
• What questions would you ask these guys?

Please post those comments and you can help me on this book project.

By the refs, for the refs.