Officiating During The
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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 1 officiating during the 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.” 2 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. TAKE THE WORLD'S LARGEST officiating LIBRARY WHEREVER YOU GO Most training books in our huge library are now available digitally on your favorite devices. store.referee.com/digital 4 officiating during the 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.