AFM Home | The Staff Report | Oct 2003

Before becoming involved as a television announcer for WWE’s “Raw,” which is cable television’s highest-rated program, I spent 18 years as an official in Oklahoma. In that span, I covered everything from high school sports to college and I’ve heard it all. Here are four tips that could make your next experience with an official a more pleasant one:

1) Pay Attention - You can often make quick decisions by paying close attention to where the official marks the ball and by looking at the feet to see where the ball is going to be placed. The feet will tell you if you need to be discussing plans to for a first-and-10 or fourth-and-one situation. The spotting of the ball is a big thing, so pay attention and be prepared to act.

2) Be Respectful - Officials don’t mind a little help if the presentation is not abrasive. In other words, you will get a more active listener if you are not talking to the official like a government mule ... and don’t kiss someone’s backside because that comes across just as negatively as abrasive comments. For example, I have had coaches tell me, “Hey, J.R., the tight end is holding my defender.” I would say, as would most officials, “We will look at it, thank you.” And believe it or not, by being respectful and polite, most officials will not only listen to your concerns, but they will also be appreciative and watchful.

3) Know the Rules - Understand the enforcement spots. In other words, what penalities occur behind the dead ball spot, or marked-off at the end of the play or at the spot of the foul ... simple things like this will help you stay in front of the officiating process. If a coach has to wait for the referee to make the final signal before he is prepared to move on to the next play then he has already put his team in a hole. The official will give a preliminary signal, so having a working knowledge of the rules, enforcement spots and mechanics of the process is critical. For example, if your defensive lineman is being held, who do you want to talk to? The umpire. If your tight end is being held, who? The back judge. By understanding the entire process, everything will be smoother.

4) Move On - If you see the laundry drop and you see the preliminary signal then your wheels should already be turning for your next move, because you will not change anyone’s decision – ever. So be ready to move on.

By Jim Ross
WWE Television Personality &
18-year Officiating Veteran
JR.WWE.com