RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
Defining the Dribble: Detailing an Act Every Player Does; A Practical Pregame Process; Don't Anticipate the Call; Had Enough? Stop Sign 'Em; Chalk Talk: NFHS Disqualified Player Mechanic Changed

Baseball
Start With the Fundamentals: Basics of the Game Addressed in Several Rules, Game Over, Right?; They Got 'Em Right; Get the Angle; Five Minutes With ... Marvin Hudson

Softball
Umpire Like a CEO: Treating the Field as Your Place of Business; The Fine Line Between Coaching and Helping; Supplementary Signal: The 'Sweep'; Chalk Talk: Two Umpires: Potential Double Play

Soccer
'Call It Both Ways, Ref!': How to Handle All Levels of Dissent; Fouls at Higher Levels; Throw-in: Unfair Distraction; Chalk Talk: Throw-in: Assistant Moves to Get Goal Side of Thrower

Football
Danger: Sub Sightings: 'Free' Substitution Doesn't Mean Anything Goes; 'Death Moves' On and Off the Field; Signal Quiz

FEATURES:

Conduct Unbecoming
Consider these words: "Integrity is integrity. It's not a part-time thing. You either have it or you don't." Is it reasonable to hold officials to a higher standard? Should conduct away from the game interrupt – or end – an official's career?

The Top Stories
Officiating transitions at the highest levels of competition marked the year most visibly, but we've got it all here: instant replay, background checks, legislation and, of course, fans run amuck!

Court Presence
Marcy Weston has always been the right woman at the right time for the 20-year "explosion" of women's basketball. Tough and driven, but always self-effacing, Weston's journey from kilt-clad nurses' league ref to NCAA national coordinator of officials is remarkable.

Basic Training: Selling Yourself
Want to move up? Get better games? When it comes to promoting your skills, there are three overriding factors that should guide everything you do: 1) Don't be a pain. 2) Let people know you're interested in working. 3) Don't be a pain. Well, maybe there are just two factors, but the one counts double.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
I Fall Down!

The Gag Rule
'No-Brainer as a Great Teacher'; 'We Earn Every Cent'

The News
Georgia Replays Prep Game After Error; Fewer Penalties Mean More Points for Hockey Teams

Back to Basics
There's No 'I' in Crew

Getting It Right
Little League Ump in Big League Park

Take Care
What a Pain in the Butt!

Law
Manage to Avoid the Risks

Tools
Know Your Rules – Soccer CD-ROM; Baseball's Narrowest Door; Character Counts! Website; Official ID Stickers

For the Record
American Hockey League and MLS Cup officials

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics; Equipment/Apparel; Cyberspace; Books, Manuals, Cassettes; Computer Software; Supplies; Miscellaneous

Last Call
Fifth Time's the Charm