Module 7 - Pre-Game Operations

In this module, we will cover:

1. Conducting Pre-Game Meeting

2. Lineup Card Review

3. Important Game Reminders for Players

• Next Module: Module 8 - Gameplay Overview: Offense & Defense

• Previous Module: Module 6 - Player Rotations

• See All Referee Training Modules

If you have any questions, please email training@nextlevelsports.com.

0:01 Next Level referees, Coach Bradley here today with a quick module on pre-game operations—what you need to do before every single game starts.

0:12 Alright, so before each game, teams will show up, meet their student coach, and they’ll start practicing.

0:19 Some practices are 30 minutes, others are an hour. When each team finishes their practice, they’ll head to the middle of the field.

0:26 The site director will get everyone fired up, excited to start the day, and give them their field assignments. For example, “Bears, Longhorns, you’re on field one; Trojans, Gators, you’re on field two.”

0:33 By this time, you should already be at your field and ready to go. When the teams arrive, ask, “Hey coach, send me a captain. Give me a player.”

0:44 At this point, one captain from each team will do a quick game of rock, paper, scissors (or Rochambeau).

0:52 It’s one game, not two out of three. The winner gets to choose whether they want to start on offense in the first half or defense.

1:01 And just like in the NFL, high school, or college, if a team starts on offense in the first half, they’ll start on defense in the second half.

1:08 After the Rochambeau game, the parent coaches can exchange their lineup cards with you.

1:16 Remember the training on rotations—this is very important. Parent assistants can talk about their Group A and Group B players, get organized, and get ready for the game.

1:27 Your job is to keep things moving and get the game started quickly.

1:33 At this point, give everyone a quick reminder: "Hey, there are only a few people who can touch the scoreboard. No players should be touching it." Only the referees, the site director, or parent assistant coaches can touch the scoreboard.

1:45 We don’t want little brothers or older sisters keeping score—they might mess it up. Tell the players, don’t touch the scoreboard.

1:52 It’s your job to flip the score, or the site director or parent assistant can handle it.

2:02 And most importantly, pre-game meetings should be quick. We need to start the games on time and stay on schedule.

2:08 Now, let’s talk about the lineup card. Again, this is the primary responsibility of the parent volunteer coach.

2:15 The parent coach should come up to you and the other coaches with their lineup cards, showing their Group A and Group B.

2:21 This card shows which players are starting on offense and which are starting on defense. Refer to the player rotation module to see a completed lineup card example.

2:31 Here’s an example of a lineup card on the left.

2:38 This should be completed during the practice period. Coaches shouldn’t be scrambling to fill it out right before the game.

2:46 Remind them, “Coach, this needs to be done before the game starts.” They can give it to you, or you can take a picture of it for reference.

2:51 The parent coach can use it during the game for substitutions. It also serves as an accountability system to prevent players from being unfairly substituted in as the best player every time.

2:57 We're using these cards to avoid that.

3:06 As a recommendation, after the game, if, for example, the Trojans beat the Gators, you can grab the lineup card, write in “Trojans” as the winner, and hand it to your site director. You’re then ready for the next game.

3:11 During your pre-game meeting, after the Rochambeau game and deciding offense/defense, remind everyone about a few other things:

3:25 "Hey, make sure everyone has their shirts tucked in. If their shirt is untucked, particularly if it's over the flags, that’s a flag guarding penalty."

3:32 All jerseys need to be tucked in with the flags on top. If someone is wearing a jacket or hoodie, the jersey should go over the top.

3:43 Regardless of the hoodie or jacket, it needs to be tucked in as well. This is a safety rule to prevent defenders from grabbing jackets or hoodies while going for the flag.

3:48 If a defender pulls someone down by their jacket, that’s flag guarding.

3:54 Also, remind players to check that they have three flags—one on the hip, one on the tip of the other side, and one on the tailbone.

4:03 At this time, I also recommend giving a “rule of the week.”

4:09 For example, you could say, "Today we’re focusing on no blocking on offense—no screens, no getting in the way. Offense, let’s play a clean game."

4:17 Use this time to highlight the rule of the week and always remind everyone to follow the rotation rules.

4:25 That’s your pre-game meeting—short and sweet—then get your game started on time!

4:31 See you in the next training!