Sports Official how-to

How to Position for a Call

Good positioning leads to correct calls.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good positioning leads to correct calls. In short: know; anticipate; move, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Know your crew’s mechanics.

  2. Anticipate play.

  3. Move to the best angle.

  4. Keep play between you and another official.

  5. Stop moving when the call happens.

  6. Signal clearly.

Safety reminders for sports officials

  • Inspect fields and equipment
  • Stop play for weather such as lightning
  • Watch for heat illness
  • Leave venues safely after heated games

Mechanics · Signal · Crew · Foul · Advantage · Ejection: see the full sports official glossary.

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