[Back In The Saddle]

IMO, you need to spend time on all of it. In order to properly call the game you need to know the rules. So finish reading the rules book, realizing that many words and phrases you'll encounter in rules 5-10 have very specific meanings as defined in Rule 4. So get in the habit of flipping back to Rule 4 to look up definitions as you proceed. Read the case book along with the rules, if you can.

But to make calls, you've got to see the plays. That means knowing where to be and what to watch. So spend some time in your mechanics manual and watching games to observe the refs.

Of course, once you blow the whistle, it's show time. How you communicate, as you know all to well from your life as a coach, has a lot to do with how your call is received. So get in front of the mirror and work on your presentation.

If you've got 2 months, then I'd work up a rough schedule to help you balance your preparation time, spending some of it regularly on each aspect.

And keep bringing your questions here.

Just my $0.02