New Officials Orientation

Florida High School Athletic Association

• How an inquiry to the FHSAA office leads to a registered official

www.becomeanofficial.org

Florida High School Athletic Association

What new officials should know up front• Comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act (local school

board)• Make contact and register with a local officials

association• Register online with the FHSAA on or after July 5th, 2012

(make them aware of deadlines)• Certify that he or she has never been arrested for or

convicted of a felony (if so, what to do next)• Complete the Online Rules Video Presentation• Complete the Online Rules Exam• Non participation fine/suspensions

Florida High School Athletic Association

Retaining new recruits• Let them know how much they are needed and

appreciated• Make sure they receive their NFHS Rules Books, etc.• Keep them in the loop, via email, of training

meetings, field clinics, etc.• Assign them a Mentor Official• Remind them to keep checking the officials page at

www.fhsaa.org/officials for important updates

Florida High School Athletic Association

Student Officials Program• Must be at least 16 years of age and still in high school• Can officiate middle school (6th-8th grades) and junior high

(8th-9th grades)• No financial penalties for non-participation of the online rules

video presentation and rules exam• Register at a reduced fee of $10 per sport• Use the same online registration form as all other officials (if

still in school and already at age 18, must contact Jana Horton to help them register)

Florida High School Athletic Association

Proper cancellation procedures• Official MUST notify the FHSAA Office in writing as

soon as possible and preferably before the rules video and exam fines become assessed. Notification to the local association is not enough. Only the FHSAA can cancel their registration online so that they are not fined.

• Encourage them to give it another shot next year or maybe in another sport.

Florida High School Athletic Association

Common questions that returning officials have

• Why am I suspended?• Am I eligible for a test exemption?• How do I take a leave of absence?• When was my last field clinic?

Florida High School Athletic Association

Types of Suspensions• 1 – No Rules Video Presentation• 2 – No Rules Examination• 3 – Felony Arrest Pending• 4 – Other (No Rules Video Presentation or

Rules Examination for other registered sport(s)

Florida High School Athletic Association

Resources• FHSAA’s New Officials Site www.becomeanofficial.org• FHSAA’s Contest Officials Page

https://officials.fhsaa.org/ • FHSAA Officials Guidebook

www.fhsaa.org/rules/officials-guidebook• Officials Program Log In https://officials.fhsaa.org/• National Federation of State High School Associations

http://www.nfhs.org/Florida High School Athletic Association

Tips for FHSAA to consider?

Florida High School Athletic Association

Questions?

Florida High School Athletic Association

Before you leave, please check your area to make sure you are not leaving anything behind.

Florida High School Athletic Association

Presented By: Jana Horton, Officials Registrar

Florida High School Athletic Association

I want to personally thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to our

Officials, Student Athletes and Member Schools!

GRACIE SAYS HAVE A GREAT YEAR GRACIE SAYS HAVE A GREAT YEAR IN OFFICIATING!IN OFFICIATING!

Florida High School Athletic Association