[grantsrc]

This is great advice. I think many officials are either unwilling or afraid to bring things up to players and coaches when they see it. I see many officials that flag first then explain, when if you reverse the order, your night is much more enjoyable and smooth.

One thing I would like to add, any time you talk to a player about something, tell the head coach what you saw and your warning. Even if the coach sees it already or the player mentions it. This covers all bases because if the player does it down the road and you penalize him and say to the coach, "I mentioned it to him earlier and he did it again," the coach will be furious. Had it happen last year. If I would have mentioned it to him earlier it would have made my night a whole heck of a lot bettter!