Officiating During The

officiating during the

COVID-19Crisis For now, the gyms are silent. on the other side. We are can use this unexpected The courts and fields stand sport officials. We are offseason to sharpen our unused. The COVID-19 stronger than most. We rely officiating skills. In this pandemic has put a halt on our courage, character special newsletter, Referee to sports at all levels. It is and commitment, and those magazine and the National a challenging time, and traits will see us through. Association of Sports our thoughts are with the Hopefully it won’t be long Officials (NASO) offers thousands of officials who before we’re back calling some words of inspiration normally work spring balls and strikes, signaling and articles of officiating sports. net faults, reporting fouls, wisdom that will have you We will endure these and issuing yellow cards. ready to get back onto the difficult times and emerge In the meantime, we field, court or pitch.

HOW TO STUDY YOUR RULEBOOK

hen James Naismith wrote the described as a rules expert among association I joined also spent endless original rules of basketball, experts. In 22 seasons wearing the hours talking about the rules and Whe rambled on for 10 whole white hat, he said he misapplied a situations they had in games. I took lines on a single sheet of paper. Today, rule only once in more than 400 NFL all that information and categorized it more than a century later, the NFHS games. “Rules are the most important in my brain.” rulebook describes 20 “fundamentals” things in officiating because they tell Start at the beginning – When of basketball alone. The problem for you subliminally how to officiate,” you’re just getting started (or if it’s officials is that while the rulebooks he said. “In order to become an been awhile since you cracked the get bigger, our modest brains stay the expert official you have to become good book), breeze through the entire same size. And we only have a finite an expert rules person and an expert rulebook once to familiarize yourself amount of time in our hectic lives to mechanics person.” with the structure and organization. keep up with the changes. How do we Markbreit began eating up the “I recommend to a new official to make most effective use of that time rules when he started working high start at the beginning of the book and to learn the rules? school games in the Chicago area in when you get to each section, go back Jerry Markbreit, the retired four- the 1950s. “I took that rulebook and I and forth between the rulebook and time Super Bowl referee, is often ripped it apart,” he recalls. “The local the casebook,” said Markbreit, who

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COVID-19Crisis added that you should keep at it until studying. After you’ve jotted down you understand all the possibilities of your quiz question, look up that same what might happen and how to rule rule application in your casebook and upon them. read through it, making adjustments Markbreit said to constantly talk as needed in your quiz questions. to other officials you respect to aid your learning. Pick their brains. “I You should study where you must have spent thousands of dollars feel comfortable and when you can calling other officials and talking be undistracted. When Markbreit rules with them when I was in the to that rule and visualize yourself was officiating, that time wasn’t NFL. Norm Schachter (who lives in applying the rule. always passed in a retreat from Los Angeles) and I talked all the time friends and family. He would read for years on a regular basis. He and 2. Quiz yourself in brief increments during idle time (the late) Cal Lepore really helped me After visualizing a play, write while waiting for a plane, waiting learn the rules when I was getting down a short quiz question related to on a client or even while in the started and then on through the the rule and the play you visualized. bathroom. But he, like the others, years.” That will not only re-enforce the always made the time. Identify key areas and rule in your head by writing it down, Despite his knowledge, applications – Schachter, 89, entered but you’ll also have a handy quiz for Markbreit said he can’t quote many the NFL in 1955 when the rulebook later review after every rules study rules verbatim. “I don’t remember was still very thin, but he quickly session. rules based on the verbiage,” became the acknowledged expert Markbreit explains. “I memorize the over his 20-year career. That led 3. Cross-reference rules as I expect them to play out on to him being the originator of the Have your casebook handy when the field.” weekly rules exams that are now a staple for NFL crews. The rulebook’s grown over the years but he said the key to learning it and any other rulebook is to understand the principles. “Don’t think that you can start rules of rules study at page one and go to the back time WITH ROGERS REDDING … after time until you know it,” he cautions. Identify a situation like Rogers Redding recently retired as The importance of definitions – pass interference and read through the national coordinator of college 3“Constantly refer back to rule all the sections in the book that deal football officials, a position he held 2 (football) for definitions. Also, with it, is the way Schachter explains since 2011. He also served as the be aware that rule 2 has much it. Markbreit added that even when NCAA secretary-rules editor from more than just dry definitions; you know the answer to a case in 2008-2017. His college football for example, much of penalty the book go back and read the rule officiating career started in 1988 in enforcement is in rule 2, as well as the Southwest Conference. Here’s rule 10.” anyway. Often it will connect you what he said about rules study: to other rules that you can still learn Reiterate the rule in different more about. Get a sense of the big picture 4ways – “For each penalty, Now the real studying begins – 1before sweating the details – make up your own examples as For each category of the rules “When reading the major rules illustrations. Or paraphrase a rule (Definitions, Live Ball/Dead Ball, (such as rule 2, rule 3, whatever), I by re-stating it in your own words Fouls and Penalties, etc), here’s a find it helpful to read the rule first (or both).” step-by-step guide for maximizing like a novel; then go back and dig in retention: with serious study.” Don’t get locked into strict 5rulebook organization – 1. Visualize Plan for set studying sessions – “Organize your thinking and “Get into the rulebook at least studying around phases of the For every rule and subsection of 2 twice a week year ’round – more game (kicking, passing or scoring every rule, immediately after reading during the season -for no less than for example) rather than just around it, imagine a specific play related half an hour each time.” rule 4 or rule 5.”

officiating during the

COVID-19Crisis Great Eight: The Benefits of Exercise xercise can help you make the most 3. Calorie burn balance and posture as well as your of the body you were born with. You’ll burn calories even when breathing. EWheaton Franciscan Healthcare you’re relaxing. Exercise increases offers eight reasons why you should muscle mass and muscles burn far 6. Improved flexibility exercise, especially now. more calories at rest than body fat. As Don’t skip stretching before and you build muscle, you increase your after exercise. It helps your muscles 1. Disease prevention resting metabolic rate. become more elastic, which improves Regular exercise decreases the risk overall range of motion and flexibility. of illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, 4. Reduced stress osteoporosis, high blood pressure and Exercise stimulates the release 7. Improved concentration more. Exercise strengthens your heart of hormones into your body Exercise increases the flow of blood muscles, helps control cholesterol, — endorphins and adrenaline. and oxygen to the brain and balances reduces the risk of stroke and heart Endorphins improve your mood and essential hormones. That increases disease, improves circulation, lowers general sense of well being. Adrenaline your ability to stay focused. blood pressure and, along with diet, increases blood flow, carrying more controls obesity, which can lead to oxygen to the brain. That makes you 8. Recovery diabetes and other illnesses. more alert, which helps you effectively When the season starts again, you’ll deal with stress, including while in recover more quickly if you get sick 2. More energy confinement. or injured. Exercise helps your body When you exercise, more blood and repair itself by building muscle tissue oxygen flow to your working muscles. 5. Increased strength and increasing white blood cells. That Your metabolism also increases. That Regular exercise strengthens all of helps you heal quicker and reduces gives you a burst of energy that lasts your muscles and connective tissues, inflammation as a result of injury or throughout the day. strengthens bones, and improves surgery.

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COVID-19Crisis 9 reasons to pick up another sport onvincing someone to put gym, lace up the sneakers, and Plus, many new officials find on the stripes these days is a even eat a little wiser. Plus, the their main experience at the Cchallenge all on its own. The second sport may be one that will recreation league level. You’d be downward spiral of sportsmanship require extra in-game cardio by helping new officials with basic at sporting events has made the itself. principles while you work a new officiating scene a challenging one. Also, you can open yourself sport in order to help your local However, if you’ve managed to get up to injury with the repetitive communities, too! your feet wet enough in one sport, motion of your specific sport’s perhaps you can stay in the game mechanics. Mix-up those baseball 7. Networking a little longer each year. Here are season squats behind the plate Working in multiple sports nine reasons you should consider with some hardwood sprints allows you to meet more people learning to officiate an additional during hoops season. with more experience that can sport. help you grow your passion for 4. Thickening officiating. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to 1. Game Management Your “Stripes” know the right people at the right It’s a universal practice among With sportsmanship becoming time. You never know when an all sports officials. Being able to more and more absent, you may evaluator could end up being an manage a game on any level is be hoping to acquire some thicker acquaintance. Good networking a top priority. A new sport will skin. Each sport helps toughen you could mean the difference allow you to see things with a up in different ways. between working the JV schedule new set of eyes as you learn how Think it’s tough listening to and getting time on the varsity to administer rules properly, fans as you go up and down a fields. understand the mechanics of your basketball court, just wait until position, have a strong whistle and you get the experience of being 8. Second Source of Cash commanding voice when owning behind the plate of a softball game Getting to know the right your calls, and most importantly, where the fans are just a few feet people will come in handy for keep control of the game. away behind the backstop for two number eight on our list. One of full hours. In other words, thicker the main reasons officials will 2. Professionalism resume equals thicker skin. moonlight in other sports is having Presenting yourself in a a little more cash in their pockets. professional manner, on and off 5. Avoiding Burnout Getting to know the right officials, the field of play, can make or break Just like with a full-time job, no associations and tournament an official. From working on the matter how much you love it, it is sponsors is a huge plus when it posture in your mechanics to easy to get burned out over time. comes down to finding extra work handling controversies like a true What do you do if you begin to in any sport as the seasons roll by. business transaction, all sports encounter burnout in any other require that professional touch. phase of your life? You shake 9. Because You Love It Working a second sport in your things up! In the end, no one wants original sport’s offseason will keep The new rules, mechanics, and anyone to work a job if they don’t practicing your trade a little longer day-to-day nuances of a second enjoy it. Life is too short. than just a couple of dozen nights sport may be just enough to give a season. your officiating life a second wind. If you truly love sports and all they offer, doing more than 3. Mind, Body and Whistle 6. Giving Back one sport will grow that desire to Reason three is staring you Most recreation leagues need learn more about the avocation. right in the waistline. When the help calling games in all sports. It will help keep your passion for whistle comes off, the gut goes on. This is a great way to give back competition alive during more Picking up a second sport to to the profession, help your months of the year. Pick another officiate is something that will community, and pick up another sport that interests you and be a likely be a motivator to hit the sport at the same time. part of it all.

5 officiating during the

COVID-19Crisis More ways to get ready for game day ight minutes remain in the third part of the day to simulate the time 5. Train with pace quarter of a football game. Not a when games are played. It will help In the college football world, most Ecloud in the sky to save you from your body adapt to the elements. plays last anywhere from six to 12 the scorching sun. You are starting seconds. Kicks can send a soccer to think you should have spent more 3. Train on your ball up and down the field regularly. time preparing your body during the game day surface Some basketball teams use a high- offseason. If you are a basketball official, try to energy, fast-paced offense. Here are five training methods finda gymnasium or harder surface. Use a stop watch to manage your to help prepare for the upcoming If you work football or soccer, try work/rest ratio similar to what you season. to find a grass or turf field. Training will see on game day. If you can the body to react to those surfaces is recreate those intervals in your 1. Use weights vital to your success. training, it will no doubt carry over Running is the easy answer. But to your game management. weight training to strengthen your 4. Move like you Find a fellow official in your area legs will help relieve pressure from and schedule some training, perhaps your joints. Weight training coupled would on game day connecting over video chat. It is with cardiovascular training helps Focus on the elements you’ll use. If not as much fun as happy hour, but you focus on the task at hand with a you are a deep wing or center judge when it is time for your preseason high heart rate. in football, work on backpedaling. camp, your coordinator or assigner If you work baseball or softball, will appreciate the hard work you 2. Training when you perform squats to simulate the have put in, as will the coaches. would be working stance you will take when you call Do not wait for the season to If you work an outdoor sport, that pitches. start; make a plan now and get to means training during the hottest work. success starts here GREAT FOR ALL what to expect in the first SPORTS 12 months of your officiating The first year is the most critical for all sports officials. This guide is perfect for anyone thinking about becoming an official, rookies on your crew or as part of the welcome packet for new members of your local officials association.

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COVID-19Crisis ‘Our Strengths will give others strength’

By Barry Mano, NASO president school district, conference, league This hiatus is also an ideal time and club has had to cancel all of to reach out to the media to give write to you today to lift your their events. Imagine the severe them insights on how the impact spirits, and mine too. What we burden on each of them. Makes our of the virus has impacted amateur I are collectively going through in burden a little easier to bear. Yes, sports officials. They are looking sports officiating is so unfortunate. we together share difficult times. for things to report on and this Yes, first and foremost comes our There is little we can do to would be an excellent topic for health and that of all of us in our replace the lost money income but them. communities, towns, cities and at the same time there are things It could almost go without countries. That comes first. we can do to continue to benefit saying but I will say it anyway: We of course tend to focus on from the psychic income officiating sports officials are special because those things important to us and gives us. of their character, commitment one of those is officiating. We love We can take the time off to and courage. Today, more than to do it. We feel terrific in lending study rules, mechanics and game ever, we need those three our expertise to make the games administration. We can reach strengths in full measure and our what they are intended to be. We out to those in the officiating community is uniquely positioned also engage in officiating because it community to have remote to share those. We can continue provides both psychic and money impromptu meetings, just to keep to be role models in and out of our income. We need both. Now, in touch. Consider short conference Industry. Our strengths will give because of the cessation of games calls with your crew or local others strength. being played, we lose out on both members to chat about what is We want you to remain hopeful of those. That is the hand we have happening. Build that community about your officiating. Times like been dealt. bond stronger than it is today. these can test us. They are testing The postponement or We can focus on our families us. Yet, together, as a crew, we will cancellation of virtually all and loved ones — giving them time come through this standing tall sporting events over the next that we just do not have during and ready for the next assignment. month or two reinforces the point the hectic times of our active Keep believing. Stay safe. Tend to that without games there are no schedules. There are things we your health and those you love. If refereeing opportunities. We are can do to make this time away you need us for something, please along for the ride on that score. from active refereeing still provide reach out. Keep in mind that every school, benefit to us and those around us. We are here for you.