Sideline Officials Cannot Just Wing It
R
eferees have a great deal on their plate. Before the opening kickoff they perform organizational duties, and conduct the pregame meeting and onfield...
Referee Magazine Madness Crowns Its Champion
In celebration of 50 years of publishing, Referee magazine launched Magazine Madness, presented by RefReps, a bracket-style tournament to determine the most iconic...
Barry Mano: Interview from Referee’s 25th Anniversary Issue
“We’ve learned ... Hitting people over the head with a two-by-four doesn’t do anything but knock them out, and then they wake up...
2026 FIFA World Cup to Feature 11 PRO Referees
The World Cup will feature 170 referees from 50 countries, including 11 from PRO.
NFL Referee Clay Martin
Martin is a few months removed from finishing his 11th season in the NFL and eighth as referee and crew chief.
Barry Mano, Founder of Referee Magazine and the National Association of Sports Officials, Dies...
RACINE, WI — Barry Mano, who founded Referee magazine and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), giving sports officials worldwide a platform and a...
Don Koharski: Growth, Grit and a Life in NHL Officiating
Beloved by his peers on the NHL staff, who refer to the veteran as “Koho” and “Big Ko,” Don Koharski has compiled one...
Hank Nichols: 1936-2026
Nichols’ career spanned two Olympic Games, six NCAA title games and 10 Final Fours.
How to Identify and Address Taunting on the Pitch
How many times have we heard the “sportsmanship” complaint? The conversation usually starts with comments about the fans, coaches, and players and morphs...
Detecting When a Player is Hit by the Pitch
Determining whether a batter was hit by a pitch can sometimes be a challenge for the plate umpire. Sometimes an umpire will have...
Dave Parry: The Best of Both Worlds
When Dave Parry refereed intramural basketball games at Wabash College in the mid 1950's for $1 a game, he recalls, "It paid for...
Rehearse Fundamental Judgments
Officials can develop healthy habits when they rehearse fundamental judgments. Many sports have repeated practices or habits that you can rehearse in preparation...
4 Tips for Talking to Coaches
Talking to coaches is not an exact science; they are as different as anyone else you would encounter in another forum. What works...
NHL Officials Honor Scotty Morrison With Patch
Scotty Morrison was a former NHL referee and Director of Officiating for the league.
History in Alaska
Kyla Dinkel, Wendy Newman and Zosha Krupa are the first all-female crew to officiate an Alaska state tournament championship game.
Que Tucker to Retire as NCHSAA Commissioner
Que Tucker will retire as Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, effective October 1.
Harry Wendelstedt: He Touched All the Bases
One would be hard-pressed to find a position in professional umpiring that Harry Wendelstedt hasn't held. After a colorful, workhorse-like career and a...
High School Soccer Rule Changes
Several rules updates were approved in high school soccer for next school year, including new guidance on carding.
Proper Three-Person Rotations Rely on Science and Art
As more states and officials’ associations transition to three-person mechanics, lead officials need to become more active and recognize when to rotate ball side.
Gone are the days...
USA Field Hockey Announces National Umpire Forum
Built by umpires, for umpires, with umpires, the Forum centers on the realities of umpiring.
Steve Javie: One Stand-Up Guy
Watch Steve Javie work a basketball game and you'll recognize him as an official who is clearly in control. The same can be...
Ron Foxcroft to Receive Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award
Foxcroft is a staunch supporter of officiating across multiple sports, including Canadian football, at the grassroots and amateur levels.
Make the Most of Your Postmatch Conversation
After finishing a match, what is the next obligation of an official? Should you have a postmatch conference with your team, or should...