RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES:

Basketball
Verticality Technicalities: Understanding the Principle of Being 'Straight Up'; 2003-04 CCA Mechanics Changes; Chalk Talk: NFHS Halftime Positions Changed; Five Minutes With ... Cary Smith-McGehee

Baseball
An Obstruction Deduction: NCAA Rule Change Makes It a Delayed Dead Ball; Getting the Right Angle on Base Plays; Ground Rule Difficulties; Swinging Strike vs. Called Strike

Softball
Bats, Equipment Receive Attention: 2004 NCAA Rule Changes Announced; All About Time Plays; Obstruction Signals; Five Minutes With ... Dee Abrahamson

Soccer
It's a Recipe for Problems: Goalkeepers, Strikers Have Different Agendas; Setting the Caution Bar; Show Me the Money!; Hand Placement on Throw-ins; Five Minutes With ... Jair Marrufo

Football
Not Just Another Play: Punts Pose Unique Challenges; Oh, What a Tangled Web; Chalk Talk: NCAA Onside Kick Positioning: Five Officials; No Delay, No Chop Block

FEATURES:

You Think That's Funny?
TV commercials and magazine ads periodically poke fun at officials, making referees and umpires the butt of jokes to help sell their products. Goes with the position, right? It's good to have a sense of humor, but can it go too far?

No Bull
On the NBA courts, Mike Mathis was perhaps the last of his kind – a throwback to the old school days of officiating when referees took care of business without 16 network cameras scrutinizing their every move. He did't take crap and he earned respect, something he's still doing today working with – and living with – abused and troubled kids.

Expletive Deleted
You've heard about some of these zero-tolerance policies for foul language? Sounds like a good idea as long as everyone's in agreement on what actually constitutes "foul."

You Are There: 'The Catch'
There have been millions of catches in the history of football – most routine, some great. But there's only one that is forever revered and christened with respectful simplicity "The Catch."

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS:

Publisher’s Memo
Here's a Real Judgment Call for You!

The Gag Rule
'Reading Their Magazines'; 'Soccer Doesn't Use Instant Replays'

The News
Big 10 to Test Football Replay System; McNally Award Goes to Montgomery

Back to Basics
Giving Chilly Weather the Cold Shoulder

Profiles
The Tale of a Duck Call

Getting It Right
On the Wings of an Umpire

Law
Back Off! Court Rules on Reacting to Fans

Tools
Laws of the Game Made Easy; NCAA Officiating Videos; World Umpires Website; USOfficials; Muscle Wonder Spray

For the Record
NHL, FIFA Women's World Cup and Major Indoor Soccer League rosters

Classifieds
Camps/Clinics; Equipment/Apparel; Cyberspace; Computer Software

Last Call
She 'Saw' My Passion