SC Football Officials Association — District 3

Congratulations and welcome to one of the most rewarding roles in high school athletics! You have taken the first step toward joining a brotherhood and sisterhood of officials who love the game, serve their communities, and make a real difference in the lives of student-athletes every Friday night. We are genuinely excited to have you with us.

Before we dive in — officiating is far more than slipping on a striped shirt and walking out under the lights. It demands rules mastery, precise mechanics, sharp concentration on every snap, and the humility to keep improving. The good news? We will help you every step of the way. That is what District 3 does.

Pro Tip: Your first few games may feel like a blur — that is completely normal. The game slows down over time. Trust the process, lean on your mentor, and enjoy the ride.

Why Become a Football Official?

Still on the fence? Here are some of the best reasons our members suit up every week:

  • 🏈 Love of the Game — You are on the field for every single play, not watching from the parking lot.
  • 🤝 Lifelong Friendships — Officiating is a brotherhood. The bonds built on a crew last for decades.
  • 💪 Stay Fit — Running the field two or three nights a week is a great motivator to stay in shape.
  • 🌟 Be a Role Model — You model fair play and sportsmanship for young athletes who are watching.
  • 💵 Earn Extra Income — Sub-varsity and varsity game fees range from $40–$100+ per game. A full schedule adds up.

Football also faces a growing officiating shortage — your decision to step up genuinely matters for the future of the game.

Before You Begin — Three Questions Worth Asking

A mentor with over 40 years of SCHSL officiating experience — and more than a decade as Commissioner of Football Officials — offers this advice to every new official. Before you go any further, take a moment to honestly answer three questions:

  • Why do I want to become a football official?
  • What do I hope to get out of it — what are my goals?
  • What am I willing to invest to become the best official I can be?

There are no wrong answers. What matters is that you go in with clear eyes and genuine commitment. We will meet you there.

Getting Started: SCHSL Registration

Here is how to make it official (pun intended):

Step 1 — Email us first. Reach out to us at the contact information on this site. We will submit your name to the SC High School League, and you will receive a welcome email from Arbiter to complete your registration. Please forward us the confirmation once done.

Step 2 — Wait to register until you are fully committed. First-time SCHSL officials (including out-of-state transfers) will undergo a background check as part of registration. The registration fee is not fully refundable, so please do not register until you are ready. We recommend committing no later than the end of July.

Insider Tip: Before registering, try to attend at least one of our preseason meetings or a scrimmage. It is the best way to make sure officiating is the right fit for you — and to meet the folks you will be working alongside all season.

Registration fees are as follows:

  • SCHSL Registration Fee: $75
  • Local District 3 Dues: Amount set at the annual business meeting

Physical Exam — A pre-participation physical exam is no longer required by SCHSL, but we still strongly recommend one before you begin officiating. Officiating is physically demanding, and getting cleared by your doctor is smart insurance for a long career on the field.

Out-of-State Transfers & Returning Officials

Welcome back — or welcome to South Carolina! If you are transferring from another state or returning after a gap of more than one year, we simply need a bit more background before assigning you.

Please have your prior District Director or association leader email us directly with the following:

  • Position(s) worked — Varsity and/or Sub-Varsity
  • Total years of experience, including any college officiating
  • Your standing within the organization at the time of your departure

If you have a prior SCHSL rating on file, please include it — that information helps us place you fairly and get you into the right games quickly.

Required Exams

Two exams stand between you and your first assignment — and both are very manageable with proper preparation:

  • NFHS Certification Exam — An online exam administered through SCHSL that certifies you to officiate state-sanctioned games.
  • SCFOA Rating Exam — Determines your officiating rating for the season, which drives your game assignments. New officials take a tailored version of this exam.

Study Smarter: The Redding Study Guide to NFHS Football Rules is the gold standard for rules study among high school officials nationwide — organized by phase of game, not just by rule number. Pair it with the NFHS Rulebook and visit www.ruletool.info for rules organized in an easy-to-review format with embedded video examples of fouls and rule topics.

Your Mentor: A Built-In Advantage

Every new District 3 official is paired with an experienced mentor — someone who has been exactly where you are and genuinely wants to see you succeed. Your mentor will:

  • Work scrimmages on the field alongside you
  • Provide guidance on rules study, uniform standards, mechanics, and on-field conduct
  • Attend varsity games with you so you can observe how experienced officials operate at the highest level

Consider also connecting with other new officials at your same experience level. Officials who study and work together in their first year build confidence faster and develop deeper roots in the association. If you receive conflicting advice from different officials, always default to your mentor — or bring the question straight to your District Director.

Requirements to Earn Varsity Assignments

Every new official in District 3 — regardless of prior experience — starts on the same page. Here is what you need to check off before we can put you on a varsity crew:

To be eligible for varsity assignments, you need to accumulate fifteen (15) points across the season, drawn from several categories. Eight (8) points come from meetings. Two (2) points come from scrimmages worked — that is the minimum, though working three or more is strongly encouraged. Another two (2) points come from any combination of additional meetings or scrimmages beyond the required counts. The remaining three (3) points come from attendance at the annual meeting and completion of the rating exam. Our Monday sessions are designed specifically to blend classroom rules instruction with on-field mechanic drills.

Your mentor will weigh in before we submit your name for varsity work. And here is the honest truth: even if you knock every box, varsity assignments in your first year depend on SCHSL’s overall needs. But sub-varsity games are not a consolation prize — they are where every great official builds their foundation. Work them like they matter, because they do.

When you are not assigned to a scrimmage, check the schedule anyway. If a crew looks short-handed, reach out to the crew chief and offer to fill in. Every extra snap accelerates your development. Keep your uniform in your car on game days — last-minute calls happen more often than you might expect.

Preseason Schedule & What to Expect

Here is your early-season roadmap:

  • May — Preseason meetings begin. Monday sessions are tailored for newer officials and run concurrently with veteran meetings. Meetings are also offered via Zoom for maximum flexibility.
  • First full week of August — Scrimmages begin, with dedicated slots for new officials.
  • End of July — Your complete uniform must be assembled and ready.

Every session combines classroom rules instruction with on-field mechanic work — theory and practice side by side.

One rule we enforce firmly: No new official (1–5 years of experience) should miss a meeting. Once you fall behind on instruction, it is hard to catch up. Ask every question you have. Take notes. Study between sessions. The officials who excel in Year 1 are almost always the ones who show up to everything.

Uniform & Equipment

Hold off on purchasing gear until after you have registered. You will not need a complete uniform until the end of July, and your mentor can help you source what you need — including donated pieces from veteran officials looking to pass along equipment.

Here is the full checklist of required uniform and equipment:

  • Shirt — Official SCFOA 2-inch striped shirt with SC logo (the SC-specific shirt is required — not a generic official’s shirt)
  • Pants — Black with white stripe
  • Belt — Solid black with a non-descript buckle
  • Hat — Black fitted cap with white piping (Referees wear white hats, but that is not the position you will start in)
  • Shoes — Black with black shoelaces; white accents are acceptable; solid black socks required
  • Undershirt — Solid black (a solid black turtleneck is acceptable in cold weather)
  • Whistle — Black, Fox 40 recommended, with a black lanyard
  • Penalty Flag
  • Bean Bag — Black or white; blue bean bag required for Back Judges and Line Judges (used to mark the end of kicks)
  • Down Indicator
  • Game card and pencil
  • Wristwatch with countdown timer

Estimated startup cost is approximately $275. Veteran officials may be able to help you offset that — just ask.

On the Field: Standards & Professional Conduct

What does a great official look like? The most effective officials share a few qualities:

  • They blend into the background — and step forward only when the game demands it.
  • They are decisive. Hesitation gives the impression of uncertainty and erodes trust from coaches and players alike.
  • They stay composed under pressure — projecting poise and calm even when the sideline is not.
  • They use preventive officiating: a calm, well-timed word can prevent a situation from escalating far more effectively than a flag.
  • Their signals are deliberate, crisp, and visible from across the field.

Here is what officiating is — and just as importantly, what it is not:

  • It IS rules mastery, physical and mental preparation, and the discipline to do your job on every single play.
  • It IS knowing where to be before the snap so you are in position to make the call if needed.
  • It is NOT making yourself the center of attention or the focal point of a game.
  • It is NOT applying rules as you interpret them rather than as the NFHS rulebook defines them.

Preparation & Game Day

Preparation does not start at the pre-game conference — it starts days before. By game time, you should already be ready. A few standards that every District 3 official upholds:

  • If you arrive exactly on time, you are late. Build in a buffer.
  • Packing your bag — every item on the checklist — is your responsibility alone.
  • Shoes are to be cleaned before arriving at the pre-game site.
  • Remove your striped shirt before leaving the game site. Post-game, your uniform draws attention you do not want.
  • Accept every assignment you are offered. Never turn down a game. Last-minute requests go to officials who have a reputation for saying yes.

Interacting with Coaches, Players & Fans

This is where new officials often need the most guidance. Follow these principles and you will be fine:

  • Coaches — Always be professional, regardless of how they behave. Never threaten or talk down to a coach. Let them vent, and when you have heard enough: “That’s enough, Coach — let’s play.”
  • Information — Only tell a coach what you know for certain: the foul, the player number. Never explain or justify a fellow official’s call. That is not your job.
  • Players — Never touch a player, even in a fight situation. Stand back, maintain your composure, and record jersey numbers.
  • Fans — Officials have zero dealings with fans: no comments, no gestures, no reactions. Social media posts about games, teams, or players are strictly off-limits.

Remember: SILENCE CAN’T BE MISQUOTED. This applies equally to coaches, players, fans, and media. When in doubt, say nothing.

Off the Field: Conduct & Record-Keeping

Your reputation as an official is built 24/7, not just on Friday nights. A few reminders:

  • Assume anything you say or do at a game site may be captured on someone’s phone. Conduct yourself accordingly.
  • Avoid socializing with coaches, players, or spectators before, during, or after games.
  • Never share information that could give a team an edge against a future opponent.
  • Keep a detailed log of every officiating activity: meetings, clinics, scrimmages, and games. This is valuable both for tracking your own development and for tax purposes as an independent contractor.

Resources & Continued Learning

The District 3 website is your home base. Once you are registered, request access to the member portal, where you will find:

  • Meeting calendar and event sign-ups
  • Scrimmage and event registration
  • Rule presentations and training videos
  • Study materials and administrative policies

Beyond the district site, here are additional resources we recommend:

  • NFHS Rulebook — Know it. Study it. Reference it constantly.
  • The Redding Study Guide to NFHS Football Rules — The go-to companion study guide used by officials across the country.
  • www.ruletool.info — Rules organized by topic with embedded video illustrations of fouls and rules in action.
  • NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) — NASO.org — The only nationwide officials support organization; offers liability insurance coverage and a wide range of member benefits.

Insurance

Because officials are classified as independent contractors, you are responsible for your own insurance coverage. Before being assigned games, you will sign a waiver confirming you carry medical coverage — or acknowledging that any injury sustained while officiating, or while traveling to or from an assignment, is your sole responsibility.

Liability insurance is available through NFHS or NASO and is strongly recommended. Do not wait until the season starts to sort this out.

Looking Ahead: Year One and Beyond

Finishing your first season is a genuine accomplishment — and just the beginning. Once the season ends, remember to pay your annual dues on time (a notice will come from the District secretary) and continue attending off-season training sessions. Those sessions are not just for staying sharp; they are what opens doors to better assignments as your career progresses.

The most successful officials in this district — and in the country — share one trait: they never stopped studying. In-season, off-season, every year. Set goals from Day 1 and be patient with your growth. As one veteran put it: “the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

You are not just joining an officiating district — you are joining a community of people who love football, serve student-athletes, and hold each other accountable to the highest standards. We are glad you are here.

We look forward to meeting you, watching you grow, and working alongside you on the field. Welcome to the officiating family — now let’s get to work.

Sincerely,

Frank Perri
SCFOA District 3 Director
fsperriii@gmail.com