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ORANGE COUNTY FOOTBALL IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE PREMIER PROGRAMS IN THE STATE AND THE NATION
OC football produces many Division 1 players and the Orange County Football Officials’ Association produces many top-flight officials who go onto college and the NFL. If you’re enthusiastic about football then officiating is an excellent outlet. Earn extra money, give back to a sport you love, and develop a second career with a chance to advance to the highest level. High school football in Orange County is some of the best in the nation. We think Orange County football officials match that level of excellence.
What Type of training will I receive?
The OCFOA, as a unit member of the California Football Officials Association, provides a training program for new and returning members.
Training classes specially tailored to 1st-year officials start in the Spring and continue through the season. Training includes classroom as well as on-field instruction. Starting in May and going up to your first high school game in August, you will have many opportunities for on-field training. Both classroom and on-field training are taught by veteran officials.
The association also meets at least six times before and during the season typically on Wednesday nights. These meetings are a combination of association business and instruction. Typically, there’s one meeting in July; one in August; one in September and two in October. There are also non-mandatory springtime meetings held prior to August. These meetings will for the most part be single subject training (i.e. Pass Interference, New Rules, Holding). Training includes classroom as well as on-field instruction. Starting in May and going up to your first high school game in August, you will have many opportunities for on-field training. Both classroom and on-field training are taught by veteran officials.
Our initial focus for first-year officials is on mechanics. We will explain what to do and then why you do it. If you would like to see an example of this type of training, watch this YouTube video from the OCFOA YouTube Channel that covers dead ball mechanics https://youtu.be/YPAtZaux8Zo
Where Will I Officiate?
OCFOA football officials work both public and private school games throughout Orange County typically on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons and evenings. OCFOA uses a scheduling tool known as Arbiter. Using Arbiter you will be able to indicate the areas of Orange County you prefer to work.
Pop Warner and Junior All-American games are not directly associated with our association but are assigned by members of our chapter. These games, typically on Saturdays, provide great training for new officials and offer the opportunity to make some additional income. We encourage you to work Flag football, Junior All American, and Pop Warner. The more snaps you get the quicker you will become a proficient official.
How Can I Begin Working Varsity Football Games?
OCFOA members advance based on attending officiating instructional meetings and examination scores as well as camps, clinics, and passing league participation. Additionally, on-field evaluations affect rankings, too. During your first couple of seasons, attempt to work as many scrimmages, freshman, and JV games as you are assigned as well as youth-level games. You are also encouraged to “shadow” crews during evening varsity games. Be there for the pregame, possibly work the chains, observe from the sidelines, and be present for the postgame wrap-up.
Why Become A Football Official?
You need not be an ex-player or coach to become a great official and have a memorable officiating career.
Working around student-athletes at all levels of football is gratifying, plus you will develop lifelong friendships with other officials who share your passion for the game. Prior officiating experience is good but not required. Our training program will prepare you for an enjoyable and successful officiating career. Officiating football is also a great way to stay in shape, be a positive role model for student-athletes, retain your competitive edge, and earn additional income.
What is My Time Commitment?
As a first-year official, you’ll be expected to accrue at least 18 hours of training. Wednesday night training meetings and study rules related to classroom discussions. There is a 100 question test that is geared to first year officials. You will have multiple opportunities to get a passing grade of 80% . Testing is done online and you can retake the tests as many times as you need to in order to pass. There will be testing group study sessions that will help you pass the tests and begin to become familiar with the rules.
Freshman and JV level games are scheduled Thursday through Saturday. The freshman and JV games begin around 3:00 pm and each game will be 1-1/2 to 2 hours. As a first-year official, you have the opportunity to work games, and you’ll decide how much you want to work depending on your desire and availability and the number of game assignments that are available.
During the season, you will be asked to work games in a variety of stadiums and schools throughout Orange County. This distribution of games will help you become familiar with and receive training from many of our veteran officials.
Officiating is fun, it’s the best seat in the house, it’s rewarding and the game doesn’t get played without us. Almost every OCFOA member regrets waiting to start training to become a football official. Don’t make their mistake and wait another season to start the process of becoming an Orange County high school football official.
For more information fill out the form below or reach out to Paul Caldera, our instructional chairman directly.