RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

BASEBALL
The Money Pitch: Best Umpires Get the Low, Outside Strikes; Chalk Talk: Two Umpires: Fly Ball to Right; Road Trips Require Time Management; Time is of the Essence

SOFTBALL
How the Crow Hops: Umpires Must Watch for Illegal Pitching Moves; Crow Hops, Leaps Aren’t Same Violation; When the Game is Over — It’s Over!; A Request Not Granted; Flash vs. Snap-Thud

SOCCER
Should You Reach for the Card? How to Climb the Ladder of Misconduct; Sell the Score; Chalk Talk: A Wide View of a Free Kick; Wandering Goalkeeper: It’s Your Call

BASKETBALL
Realistic and Reachable: Attainable Goals Are the Only Way to Climb the Ladder; Chalk Talk: Three-Person: Transition After a Turnover; On the Ball; That’s a Travel (I Think); Granting Timeouts

FOOTBALL
Let the ‘Computer’ Do Its Job: Your Mind Must Process Info Before You Throw a Flag; Fumbles vs. Muffs; Chalk Talk: Don’t Pull the Punch Too Soon; It’s a Rule, Not a Policy: Keep the Sideline Clear

FEATURES:

Indisputable Video Evidence
Instant replay as an officiating tool has been a part of the NFL for more than 20 years, but it is fairly new at the college level. Regardless of the league, the people involved are expected to do the seemingly impossible. They are in search of that most elusive of conclusions. In the business it’s known as indisputable video evidence.

Can You Work Tonight
Dale Kelley might be the most powerful man in NCAA Division I men’s basketball officiating. He’s got games. He needs to fill them. And he’s all business. To be sure, he’s a power broker, but he does it all from a small down-home Tennessee town — a speck on the map that reflects his roots, his values and his commitment to the people who live there.

The Biggest Stories of 2006
Labor settlements and media-fueled officiating controversies were at the forefront of the officiating industry last year. From scandals to lawsuits to deaths, we ranked the biggest 11 stories of the year in a countdown to number one — the top story of 2006!

You Are There: Bobby Knight Throws a Chair
To the Indiana faithful, he’s a hero. To millions of college basketball fans, he’s either loved or hated for his incredible success and his fiery temperament. To many officials, he’s just that jerk who threw a chair.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
The Geography of Power

The Gag Rule
Sound Advice for Crew Chiefs

The News
Riese Says Technical Glitch Led to Replay Controversy; Officials Angered by Felon Allowed to Coach

Back to Basics
We All Make Mistakes; Reach for Your Goals; Pause Before Responding

Take Care
The Eyes (and the Teeth) Have It; Ways to Reduce Stress; Fight Off That Cold

Tools
MyReferee; Refstripes.com; Officiating & Technology; Ultimate Referee Shirt

Getting It Right
Quietly Efficient in Two Important Roles; Cliff Keen Helps With Makeover; Gotta Have Heart

Law
How to Stay Clear of the Courtroom; Injured on the Job; Get Wise About Weather

For the Record
Continental Basketball Association roster

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Leadership Resources; Miscellaneous; Cyberspace

Last Call
The Larry Experience: “He called it a memento from Larry — a giant pair of briefs with a massive rip where the sun don’t shine.”