THIS MONTH’S HIGHLIGHTS RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES: Review the rules regarding fair catches in this month’s football article “What’s Fair About a Fair Catch? Rule Differences Abound When It Comes to Kick Plays.” Three rules of officiating help soccer officials decide what to do when the Laws give them the flexibility to select alternatives and when the Laws are silent or unclear on issues. Find out more in the soccer article “Safety, Skills and Standardization: Follow the Three Rules of Refereeing.” Some of the terms used in baseball rulebooks have an everyday meaning that is different from their baseball meaning. It’s important for umpires to understand those differences and to be able to make the necessary distinctions on the field. Review those terms in the baseball article “Common Terms You Must Understand: Not All Simple Baseball Words Have Simple Meanings.” Get some feedback on the pitching lane lines in the softball article “Mixed Feelings on Pitching Lane Lines: Some Say Markings Are Useless, Others Feel They Serve as a Reminder.” An old adage says the great officials know when to interfere with the game. Learn how and when in the basketball article “An Ounce of Prevention: Give the 'Problem' Player the Extra Attention That's Been Earned."
FEATURES: The NFL sharing officiating ideas with college football coordinators? Not so long ago, such an idea would never have gotten off the ground. But an influx of NFL officials into the college coordinating ranks has led to a new spirit of cooperation and sharing. Learn how both entities are benefitting in “Coordinated Effort.” How much does your state pay relative to the other states and how do you get paid? A 2009 Referee survey reveals state-by-state officiating fees for regular-season and state tournaments, along with other game fee information, in “Special Report: High School Game Fees.” Referee also examines how high school officials are paid depending on their location or the leagues they work in “Pay Day.” Mills Lane’s human qualities, his sharp wit and ability to inspire others, make him a natural choice for this year’s NASO Gold Whistle Award. Read about this year’s award recipient in “Gold Whistle Award 2009: Mills Lane.” Aside from the challenges of getting the call right, officials are prone to vocal jabs from fans. A few veteran officials weigh in on how they handle the outbursts in the heat of battle in “Basic Training: Sticks and Stones.”
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS: Our “News” section leads off with coverage on the shutdown of PaymentsFirst. “Back to Basics” emphasizes the importance of education in “Get the Most Out of a Camp, Clinic.” In this month’s “Last Call” article “Full Court Press,” a reporter who is also a basketball official shares how he melds his two professions.
