RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
No Kick-Ball Allowed: Changes in the Kicking Rule Make It Easy to Call; Staying Focused on the Little Ones; Tradeoffs in Position Mean Better Coverage; NFHS: Timeout Administration Addressed

Baseball
Truth is Stranger Than Fiction: When Incorrect Rulings Lead to Chaos; Covering Subsequent Throws in the Two-Umpire System; Keep Quiet and Work Your Games; Keeping the Ball Dry; Five Minutes With ... Troy Fullwood

Softball
ASA Changes Obstruction Rule: Regulations for Bats and Helmets Also Altered; What Should a Pregame Meeting Include?; Chalk Talk: Hit to Right Not Caught, Snap Throw to First; Five Minutes With ... Linda Hoover

Soccer
Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say: Let Match Participants Know Your Expectations; Angles, Proximity and Teamwork; Five Minutes With ... Kermit Quisenberry

Football
Let's Go to Plan B: Linesman Steps in for Injured Referee; Substitution: Green for Grier; Say What? They Scored a One-Point Safety?; Keeping a Mental Pre-Snap Checklist

FEATURES:

Do You See What I See?
You keep hearing about these "observers," shadowy figures blending into the crowds somewhere up in the stands. In a lot of ways they control your officiating fate. Who are they? Why are they there? And what should you expect if you ever meet one face-to-face?

2004: Top Stories
What impacted the officiating world the most last year? Everything from a labor protest to assault legislation to officials at the highest levels embroiled in scandals. Oh, and don't forget the naked guy at last year's Super Bowl!

Put the Call Out
When a referee doesn't show up by game time or an umpire goes down with an injury, what's the plan? It's time to scramble, launch contingency plans and make phone calls. Everyone from the amateurs to the pros has to deal with alternates, standbys and working short once in awhile.

Basic Training: Play It Safe
We hold player safety in such high regard. How about our own health and well-being? When people get out of control and start looking to the officials to "express" some of their anger, you'd better know what to do.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
An Incredible Experience

The Gag Rule
Renewed Effort to Sportsmanship; Advertising Officials as Thieves; 'Were the Officials Blameless?'

The News
Honig Steps Off Field; Referee Suspended After Incident With Owner

Back to Basics
Who's Worth Watching?

Getting It Right
Blind and True Blue Umpire

Tools
NBA Referees Website; 'The Finisher' Court Shoes; NFHS Baseball Methods Course; Super Swivel Flag Set

Law
Get Your Legal Facts Straight

Take Care
The Cold Truth of Pain Relief

For the Record
National Basketball Development League roster

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources; Nutritional Programs; Cyberspace; Collectables; Computer Software

Last Call
Hanging By My Fingertips