[Mike Simonds]

Sleeper, I just want to say I am very impressed with your attitude and hard work. I'm sure any veteran referee will enjoy having you on his crew.

Here are some things to keep in mind: On the field you will be expected to keep the action in front of you at all times. You never want to turn your back to the play. And you never want to get too close to the play either.

Therefore, it is very important to be able to move quickly and comfortably in all directions. To this end, practice moving from side to side, backwards, and finally forwards. I would do this in short increments of 5, 10, 15, and 20 yards.

Umpires need quick feet in order to quickly move forward to the line of scrimmage on pass plays and to shuffle-step sideways when the hole opens right in front of them on a running play.

Slow and deliberate movements are the best. However, it is good to be able to move quickly if you have to especially if there is a long play of 20 yards or more.

One last point, train your eyes to always look around the ball. That is where the action is. Visualize what a good block and tackle looks like and the fouls will be obvious.

Physical conditioning is the key to keeping your mind fresh during the game. Mental sharpness, enhanced by physical conditioning, creates a positive impression on players and coaches. As Vince Lombardi was often quoted: "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Good luck with your season!