10/06/09

Interested in Becoming a Football Official ?      

Prospective new officials often have concerns and questions.  Below are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions we hear.  If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Why become a member of District 11 Football Officials Association?

• Because you LOVE football

• To experience camaraderie with other officials and form lifelong relationships

• To have a competitive outlet 

• To be positive role models to the community

• To get in and stay in shape

• For extra income in difficult economic times

I'm interested in officiating football. How do I join?
We typically start meetings in April and they continue until July and you can come there to join.  All meetings will be held at the Myrtle Beach Police Annex on the old Air Force Base.  You can also join by completing a New Member Application and mailing that to us at the address below or emailing us. You will also have to have a physical exam completed by your own physician. 

Common Document Downloads

• Become a State Member (state application)

• Become a District 11 Member

• Our Current Bylaws

• Statewide Directory & Constitution

Do I need prior experience as a football official?
Prior experience is good but is NOT required.  We conduct a thorough training program for new officials at no cost to you. Further, a clinic is offered for officials the Saturday prior to the test date in Columbia, SC.

What time commitment must I  make to officiate football?
District 11 hosts preseason training meetings and regular membership meetings (1 per week during the preseason).  Actual weekday games (non-Varsity) typically kick off around 5:30pm. Subvarsity games are played Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so no one is required to work games every day. You can work as much or as little, depending on your desire and availability.  However, it behooves you as a new official to work as often as possible and see many snaps.

Where do we do officiate?
In Horry, Williamsburg and Georgetown Counties, along the Grand Strand in northern South Carolina.  However, varsity officials are called on to officiate up to 75 miles from their home (although you can limit your mileage).
    
How do you join?
    a. New member dues are $52..Payable by early-August.  Dues are $40 if you have officiated another sport in SC during the current    academic year.
    b. Complete and submit the SCFOA Application…due by early-August
    c.  Local application and local dues ($35) are also due at the same time.
    d.  If you choose to not officiate on the varsity level, only local dues will be collected.
 
What kind of training do we offer?
    a. Combination of classroom and on-field scrimmages
    b. Work with experienced officials
 
What can you expect for the upcoming season?
    a. A lot of FUN…as much work as you want and your rating score allows!!
    b. Mandatory Monday night training from April through August
    c. Thursday, Friday nights, and Saturday mornings for middle school, freshman, and junior varsity games on field
         i. Not expected to work every night
        ii. Are expected to work at least two sites a week
        iii. Are expected to travel to the areas outside the immediate Myrtle Beach area
    d. Depending on your position and rating score, you may work varsity games early in your career

How do you progress in the SCFOA and District 11?
Via a rating system.  Earn up to 100 points for
     1.  Rules & Mechanics Exam score (40 pts).  Statewide exam held in Columbia on the third Saturday July
     2.  Officials Peer Rating score (25 pts).  Ratings submitted on a 1 - 10 scale (then multiplied by 2.5).  Grades <7 are documented.
     3.  District meeting attendance (15 pts)
     4.  SCFOA experience credit (15 pts).  2 points given for first 5 years; 2.5 points given for years 6 & 7.  Experience from other states must be documented by former state's athletic governing body.
     5.  Cooperation with District Director (5 pts)

 What are the costs involved?
    a. $52 for state dues… payable in early-Aug.  Local dues are $35
    b. Approx $100-$200 for equipment
 
What does it pay?  The Executive Committee of the SCHSL has approved the following three (3) classes of fees for varsity games set forth by the South Carolina Football Officials Association:

The South Carolina Football Officials Association, thru the local district will book junior varsity and junior high school football games played on days other than Friday when requested by a member school or a conference. The fees will be $34.00 plus travel for each official for junior varsity games and $27.00 plus travel for each official for junior high school games. Travel allowance for each official will be $0.45/mile with a minimum of $9.00
 

How do I get paid? At each game site you will be required to complete a document to submit to the administrator at that site.  Each school district processes those sheets and has a check made out to you or mails a check directly to you. 

Is my officiating income taxable? As an independent contractor, each official is responsible for the reporting of the income, typically on a schedule C of their IRS tax return.  Most all of your expenses are also reportable and they will reduce the amount of actual income taxable by IRS.

Important dates to remember
    a. Meetings: each Monday at 6:30 at the Myrtle Beach Police Annex.  Bring applications and dues
    b. Summer Pre-Clinic: Saturday, July 11 in Columbia at Gateway Baptist Church near Dutch Fork at 9am.
    c. Clinic & Exam:  Saturday, August 8, 2009 at White Knoll HS at 10am

How do I receive pre-season scrimmage assignments?
Prior to the beginning of the regular season there are scrimmages. This is a great opportunity to practice and hone officiating skills before the real games begin.

How do I receive game assignments? District 11 and the SCHSL and SCFOA use The Arbiter (a scheduling website) as its scheduling mechanism for all subvarsity, varsity and middle school games.  Officials all must block any dates they will not be available. It is not a good idea to decline games that you are assigned.  You will also receive periodic emails advising a new opportunities as they become available.

If you are a new official to football or just moved to the area, we'd love to add you to our roster.  Please submit your personal information to the District Director and we'll have someone get in touch with you about joining the District 11 Football Officials Association.