About Your First Downs - Introduction to officiating high school football
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.
Finding a Mentor in Your Early Years as a Football Official
Hey everybody, we took a week off from the podcast so Joel could celebrate his 30 year wedding anniversary in Alaska. We're back at it and in this episode Joel and Kirk Russell are joined by special guests Jerry Reimers and Joe Magnuson from the San Diego Football Officials Association. The focus of the discussion is on the importance of finding a mentor in the first few years as an official. Jerry shares his experience starting out as an official and the challenges he faced, while Joe provides insights on how to support and develop newer officials on the field. The episode also covers the role of technology in training and development during the off-season, as well as the value of attending camps and clinics to improve officiating skills. Take advantage of this insightful conversation for tips and advice on becoming a better high school football official.
18 Aug 2024
How To Be a Championship Quality Line Judge with D1 College Official Nick Brigati
In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by Nick Brigati, a D1 Line Judge from Ohio. They delve into the key differences between the wing position at the high school and college level, focusing on communication, confidence, and observational skills. Nick shares tips on effectively managing coach interactions, diffusing situations, and mastering the responsibilities of the LJ position. He also highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of different rules and situations, such as false starts, encroachment, and holding calls. The episode concludes with a discussion on transitioning from high school to college officiating, emphasizing the need to trust and rely on fellow officials for support and accurate officiating. Join in for an insightful conversation on excelling in the wing position as a football official.
12 Aug 2024
Mastering the Back Judge Position with Chuck Hickey
In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell sit down with Chuck Hickey, a seasoned back judge and three-time state championship official from Colorado. They discuss the importance of the back judge position and how to excel in it. Chuck shares his journey to becoming a back judge and the challenges and responsibilities that come with the role. They also address listener questions and provide insights into dealing with difficult situations on the field. Additionally, Chuck shares advice for new officials and highlights the importance of staying engaged throughout the game. Tune in to learn from one of Colorado's best back judges!
4 Aug 2024
Think you're ready to wear the white hat? How to become a referee with Dan Gilman
Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell interview Dan Gilman, a 40-year officiating veteran and current referee and crew chief. Dan shares his insights and experiences on becoming a referee, offering valuable advice for newer officials that aspire to the role. The conversation covers from the fun and challenging aspects of being a referee, the importance of confidence and body language, handling mistakes and building resilience, and conducting effective pre-game discussions. Listeners will gain practical tips for improving their officiating skills and preparing for leadership roles in the field. Don't miss this episode full of valuable wisdom from an experienced official.
29 Jul 2024
Becoming a Championship Wing Official: Insights from Ryan Rourke
In this episode, Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by Ryan Rourke, a multi-championship linesman from Northern Colorado. Together, they discuss how to become a championship-level wing official in high school football. They cover topics such as the importance of rule knowledge, communication with coaches and chain crew, spotting the ball, and managing sideline situations. Ryan also emphasizes the need to maintain composure and not escalate arguments with coaches. This episode provides valuable insights for new officials looking to excel in the wing position and advance to championship games.
30 Aug 2023
The Lost Episode: Getting through those first game butterflies with Megan and John
Our lost episode! Due to a technical glitch, this episode did not publish as scheduled in 2023. Like a fine wine, it's even better a year later! Tune in as Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by experienced officials John Armstrong and Megan Griesser to discuss how they overcame the nervousness and challenges of their first games as football officials. They share their personal experiences and offer new officials valuable advice on building confidence, interacting with coaches, and navigating the rulebook, mechanics, and philosophies of officiating. Joel and Kirk emphasize the importance of seeking help and learning from experienced officials and the need to embrace mistakes and continually strive for improvement. This episode provides a wealth of practical tips and insights to help new officials succeed in their journey.
23 Aug 2023
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.
16 Aug 2023
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.
9 Aug 2023
Navigating the Road to the NFL: Insights from an NFL scout
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 Gaussman, 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.
2 Aug 2023
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.
26 Jul 2023
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.
19 Jul 2023
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.
13 Jul 2023
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.
5 Jul 2023
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!
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