SKOOL OF THOUGHT
The Day I Realized Being the Crew Chief Meant More Than Wearing the "R"
When I was a younger official, I had better games working with veteran crews.
Not because I was better. Because they made me better.
They'd walk into the locker room with this quiet confidence. Like they'd already seen every situation 100 times. It made me believe we'd be fine no matter what happened.
Then I started getting crew chief assignments.
And something weird happened.
Games I thought would be easy (crews I knew, gyms I'd worked before) started feeling... off.
We'd miss rotations. Disagree on a call. Have that awkward moment where no one's sure who's got what.
And it was only happening when I was the R. 🤔
Ever felt like that? Like something changed the moment you became responsible for leading the crew?
I didn't want to blame my partners. So I asked myself: What's the difference?
The Answer Hit Me Hard
When I wasn't the crew chief, someone else was running the pregame. They were setting the tone. Getting us aligned. Making sure we were ready.
When I was the crew chief? I was winging it.
I'd cover the basics. Talk about matchups. Maybe mention a rule or two. But I wasn't leading the room. I was just... talking.
Perhaps my crews could feel it.
We talk about preventative officiating with players all the time. Why wasn't I doing the same thing with my crew?
So I Got Intentional
I started treating the pregame like film study. Breaking it down and improving my structure. Making sure we covered what actually mattered (not just what felt easy to say).
It took a lot of trial and error, and I’m still working at it.
But here's what I learned:
The best pregames aren't the longest. They're the clearest.
And the officials who move up? They don't wing it. They walk in with a plan.
That's Why We Built This For You 🎁
We created a resource that gives you and your crew everything you need to be ready for tip (without having to re-read the entire rulebook).
Features include new rules, POEs, and reminders that actually matter. All in one place.
It's the pregame system I wish I had when I was earning my stripes.
Walk into your next game like the vet you're becoming.
Your crew will feel the difference.
