RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

BASEBALL
Get Into the (Checked) Swing of Things: Intent? Across the Plate? What Determines a Strike?; Stretching the Limits: Baseball’s Elastic Clause; Secret Signals; Five Minutes With … Tony Maners

SOFTBALL
The Tools of the Trade: Proper Use of Equipment Enhances Onfield Image; Don’t Assume — Communicate; Catcher’s Interference? Whoops, Make It Obstruction

SOCCER
Defense Gets Down on the Ground: Learn the Fundamentals of Slide Tackles; How Can You Use Your Assessment?; Keep Your Head in the Game; Chalk Talk: Substitute, Substitution, Substituted

BASKETBALL
Race to Judgment: Racial Bias Study on NBA Referees Lacks Credibility; NFHS 2007-08 Mechanics Changes and POEs; In the News; Did You Know?

FOOTBALL
Why Can’t They Just Block and Tackle? Legal or Illegal, Trick Plays Won’t Go Away; Casebook Becomes the Playbook; Liven Up Your Pregame; Use the Media to Recruit Officials

FEATURES:

Gold Whistle Award: Jerry Markbreit
From his extraordinary contributions in mentoring other football officials to his larger-than-life presence in the officiating community as a speaker, actor and author, former NFL referee Jerry Markbreit continues to make an impact on the officiating industry that is unmatched.

Readers' Choice Awards
Imagine if more than 500 Referee readers sat down at a bar after their games to talk about officiating over a cold beer (or soda). The topics might range from the sports they work to the places they go for gear to their favorite officials on the court or field. How would some of the best and brightest in the avocation — you — rank all things related to officiating? We asked you to share your likes and dislikes, your haves and have nots and more.

Rites of Passage: 5 Assignments That Can Mean More Than the Game Itself
Some assignments are milestones. You can’t pass through to the next phase of your officiating career without them. Be ready to make your mark when the time is right.

You Are There: Big Mac vs. Slammin' Sammy
Ballparks were packed with frenzied fans, television viewers hung on every pitch and a horde of media members documented every move made by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. It was the race for the long-ball crown … and everybody was watching.

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
He Needs No Introduction

The Gag Rule
Words Impact a Community; ‘Complete Package’ is Right

The News
New Law Lets Youth Soccer Referees Get Paid; Danish Fan Attacks Soccer Referee

Back to Basics
Use Your Sense of Humor Wisely; There’s No ‘I’ in ‘Referee’; Avoid the Green-Eyed Monster

Getting It Right
Cancer Survivor Inspired By a Friend; Mat Money; Helpful Blog

Take Care
Roll Out Muscle Pain and Fatigue; RICE Anyone?

Profiles
Refereeing: A Family Affair; A Summer Pastime; Award-Winning Mayor

Tools
Dalco Athletic D830P Football Shirt; Powrnaps Renuz 20-Minute Power Nap CD/PlayAway; umpIDea; Winning With People

For the Record
MLS and Minor League Baseball rosters

Law
Cracked Helmet Could Pose Problem; Safety First; Judgment Calls Stand Up in Court

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics/Schools; Equipment/Apparel; Miscellaneous; Publications

Last Call
They’ve Got My Number: “I told my supervisor to hold on for a minute while I checked my schedule. After a brief pause, I had the nerve to say ‘I can’t work the Holiday Bowl because I have a girls’ JV volleyball game that day.’”