The Referee Assault That Became National News
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the February 1996 issue of Referee under the title “Incident in Black and White.” It recounts a...
Avoid Match Problems With Solid Communication
As crazy as this might sound, have you ever thought of volleyball referees being in the customer service business? One might advance the notion...
Wing Officials Are Coach Conduits For Crew
Wing officials face the constant challenge of the game in front of them and having to communicate with coaches who are behind them.
Control of the sideline is important...
Jake O’Donnell: The NBA Referee Who Walked Away at the Top
It’s been almost a year since the legendary Jake O’Donnell officiated his last game. It was strange not seeing him in the NBA Finals...
Football Ballhandling Keeps The Game Moving
It was the championship game for the local semi-pro league with a crew of six officials. A pass was intercepted and the down ended...
Two Batters, One Pitch and a Wild Cubs-Cardinals Brawl
In a 26-year career as an NL umpire, totaling 3,743 regular-season games, Terry Tata says few stand out. Aside from the high-profile, postseason and...
Bob Delaney: From Undercover Cop to NBA Referee
You’re used to seeing 14-year NBA veteran Bob Delaney on the court with Shaq or the Mailman. But long before his officiating career ever...
Game’s on the Line
Officiating volleyball is much different than officiating any other sport. There are many reasons for this, but this article is going to focus on...
Pam Postema: Her Fight to Reach the Major Leagues
Anyone who doubts that Pam Postema is a strong person should take a close look — at her picture and her story. In fact,...
Red Cashion: The Story Behind “First Dowwwwwnnn!
Psychologists call it word association. They say “peanut butter,” you say “jelly.” They say “mother,” you say “father.” They say “Red Cashion,” you say,...
Poor Signals Lose Time
By Gerry Grunska
Recently I witnessed a victory that was essentially accomplished through timing errors by the officials. The process went like this. Time was running out for team...
When Not To Be Subtle As the Second Referee
Communication between first and second referees is essential in communicating decisions to players, coaches, assistant officials and spectators. Precisely executed, established signals indicate the referees are competent and in control of...
Crew Harmony: The Key to Officiating Success
Why Crew Harmony Matters
When any game assignment arrives, all sorts of questions usually race through an official’s mind. First, who’s playing? Great teams? A...
Five Holes for Crew of Five
The most frequently utilized crew size for high school varsity contests across the country consists of five people. As stated in the NFHS Football...
Can You Read the Game Before Trouble Starts?
Once a referee reaches the point where they know the Laws of the Game well and have learned effective mechanics, what comes next to...
Official/Player Communication Influences Conduct
Trying to manage a football game would be nearly impossible without effective and pointed communication. Although managing players is primarily the responsibility of the coaching staff, officials can facilitate the...
Shorten Your Learning Curve
As a young or newer referee works to master the art of officiating, she or he soon finds out that, while the rules are...
Don’t Leave Your Coin Toss to Chance
The coin toss is the first visible and formal chance to make everyone comfortable the game will be fairly administered.
Associations and other authorities have...
The Art and Science of Sanctioning Bad Behavior
Deciding when to issue a card during a match is a delicate balance of art and science. Some situations require immediate action, while others...
Skokie to the Super Bowl: Jerry Markbreit
Walking Away
Jerry Markbreit doesn't know what he's going to do next.
He does know that when the 1998 NFL football season ends, he'll walk off...
Things No Official Has Ever Accomplished
There are a few things that no official has ever accomplished. By fully understanding the following feats cannot be accomplished, officials will gain a better understanding of how to...
Discretion Available For Dangerous Play
T
he prohibition against engaging in play that is dangerous or likely to cause injury to oneself or an opponent has been a part of...
Jim Garman: The Best Umpire in College Baseball
Relying on faith and family, Jim Garman has found success throughout his life. In umpiring, he has 50 NCAA postseason assignments, including eight trips...
1966 World Cup: The Wembley Debacle That Gave Soccer Its Card System
The World Cup provided one of soccer’s most historic matches on July 23, 1966. Both teams were unbeaten after three preliminary rounds as England...