[Bob M.]

REPLY: I agree with prosec34. Learn the rules and latch onto the Mechanics Manual. But be aware of one thing: There are two dimensions to proper mechanics. In general, the Mechanics Manual concentrates on one dimension of technique--it tells you what to do. The other dimension is the more difficult one to learn, that is learning how to do it. For this second dimension, watch the NFL or D1 officials on television. (Yeah, I know...a week late.) Sure, their mechanics are different, but watch how they move, how they signal, how they communicate, how they cover the goal line. Watch how they synchronize and communicate with each other when there's a pass deep into the corner of the endzone. Watch how they clean-up when the ball leaves their area of responsibility or goes away from them. Watch how they mark a forward progress spot. When do they come in hard; when do they stay back. When do they look for help across the field for a progress spot. Watch especially how they officiate immediately after the ball becomes dead. Heads are on a swivel scanning the area for dead ball action. Watch how all officials close down on the dead ball spot when the play ends (the "accordion"). Watch how they handle a play that goes into a bench area. There's a whole bunch of "supplementary material" that can be gleaned from watching a pro game as an extension of the classroom.