RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
What to Say to Coaches and When: Guidelines on Your Communication With Coaches; The Art of the Restart; Chalk Talk: Official Opposite the Table Looks for Possession Arrow

Baseball
Wanted: Dead or Live: Actions That Result in a Dead Ball; Why You Miss Pitches – And How to Avoid It; Chalk Talk: Plate Ump Covers Home on Overthrow; Don't Overrun the Play

Softball
'Which Book Are We Using Today?' A Review of Some Rule Differences; Optional Positioning: Runner on Third Only; Proof Again That Teamwork is Invaluable; One-Knee Plate Stance

Soccer
Player Participation Gets a Boost: Substitution Allowances Headline NFHS Rule Changes; Ceremonial Versus Quick Free Kicks; Chalk Talk: Offside Position: Player Comes Back to Receive Ball

Football
You Can't Just Wing It: Linesman, Line Judge Must Work in Tandem; Cracking Down on Crackbacks; Inquiring Minds Always Want to Know ...; Timeout for Trivia

FEATURES:

No Safe Haven
No matter how wild the game was, how nuts the fans were or how mouthy the coaches and players got, you could always count on escaping it all back in the locker room, where you can get a breather and reflect on your performance. If you're not safe there, how safe are you anywhere?

You're Fired
Breaking up is hard to do, but when it's time to go, there are graceful exits and awkward send-offs. Who doesn't want things to end well? How an assigner or supervisor cuts ties with an official should be fair and professional.

Grandpa, Charlie Root and a Career Cut Short
Read the story of one boy's odyssey through and beyond youth baseball and the abrupt end of a great playing career (at age 12!), and how his gentle Grandpa and a long-dead pitcher guided his path.

You Are There: A Swing of the Bat
Juan Marichal and Johnny Roseboro – the names together conjure a striking image. The pressures of a tight pennant race combined with pitchers on both sides throwing heat near the heads of the batters all afternoon to lead to one of the most violent and unexpected outbursts in the history of Major League Baseball.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

The Gag Rule
'Yet Another Theory on Rockwell Painting'; 'Good Advice on Fights'; 'Complete the Uniform'

The News
First-Year NBA Ref to Resign; Two States Approve Assault Legislation

Back to Basics
Battle Through a Tough Start

Getting It Right
Get Kids Into Officiating With APREF

Take Care
Is It Better to Stretch or Warm Up?

Profiles
Refs Go Global in Texas

For the Record
MLS and United States Basketball League rosters

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

Last Call
This Guy's With Me