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Many of you know that I officiate football as well.
In the Canadian football scene, there are two rulebooks: one for amateur play and one for professional play (CFL). 99.9% of the football officials in Canada only need to focus on one rulebook. Kids at 6 years old play with the same rules as those at the CIS level (equivalent to NCAA).
In the Ontario basketball scene, high schools and club basketball play with Federation rules. CIS men's play modified NCAA men's rules and CIS women's play with modified FIBA rules. Having done two pre-seasons of CIS basketball, I can tell you that there is considerable time taken to ensure that officials transfer from one level/ruleset to the next. I think now CIS women's might play modified NCAA women's rules.
With every rule, there is the spirit and philosphy behind the rule. Beginning officials working the 10-year olds hear the philosophy and have the on-field experience with the philosophy without having to change to a new ruleset.
This time taken for re-training doesn't exist in Canadian football. I agree that it doesn't take much to learn new rulesets and those moving up to a new level of officiating have already shown aptitude with the philosophies of that next level. However, my observations tell me that the model that Cdn football has (1 ruleset) produces officials that are ready to move up to the next level quicker.
IOW, I think our football officials are better than our basketball officials. Does having one ruleset help? Yes. How much? Dunno.
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Pope Francis
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