[Bob M.]

Derock,

I read this board rather infrequently and may have posted to it only once or twice. But some of the threads below got my attention. Some of your theories about "game sense" vs. rules knowledge are disturbing. Why must the two be considered mutually exclusive?? The good (and successful) official must have a healthy helping of both of those qualities as well as human relations, mechanics knowledge, communication skills, professional demeanor and some other things. Don't try to weigh one against the other. Blend them all into a complete package. No official can be truly successful relying only on game sense any more than an official can survive relying only on rules knowledge.

I officiate HS and college ball and have been at this game for 24 years. I have a pretty good knowledge of both the Federation and NCAA rule books and I like to think I can apply common sense to game situations.

I have a friend who's a head linesman in the NFL. He didn't get there by accident. Does he know his rules? Probably better than you or I ever will. Does he employ a common sense approach to the game? If he didn't, he would never have reached the level at which he's now working, nor would he have worked in the playoffs for the last two years. He even conducts a clinic each season called "Common Sense Officiating" for our HS and college associations. The theme of his clinic: applying a common sense approach to officiating the game within the context of a solid foundation in the rules and mechanics.

Derock, as a new official, you might even be ahead of the game. Often, newer officials learn the rules and blindly enforce them without regard for how the game is proceeding or how a particular play is developing. It's only after a few years that they learn (often the hard way) to apply the God-given gift of common sense. But now, you need to learn the rules thoroughly. Common sense alone will only get you so far. If you want to progress beyond pee-wee or youth ball, you need to attack the rule book and case book in earnest.

One other thing that ALL good officials know: Never discount out of hand anything a more experienced official says. Hear it, evaluate it, test it out, and decide whether or not it works for you. Many of the guys who post here have been trying to get through to you on the value a a solid knowledge of the rules. To this point, it appears that you'd rather argue with them than listen. Swallow your pride, listen to them, study the rules, and apply your game sense next season with that knowledge to back up any decisions you make. Good luck and best wishes for a satisfying career in stripes.