[JRutledge]

ga314ref,

Let me educate you on something that takes place in the real world. Not all of us work in the same state. Your state office is the organization that sets the standards (or gives it to the local associations).

The best example or more popular example is IAABO, who not only has their own books but has their own take on what the NF does and if you read there are people that will clarify things they do in IAABO states that they do not do in other parts of the country.

My state does not use the NF Official's Manual at all in any sport and what is said in it might be the basis for our mechanics, but we feel free to have our State decide to do something different as a state organization and often have made specific changes or mandates. The best example is we do not bounce the ball on the end line ever in our mechanics. The reason, many Trails and leads get out of position before they give the thrower the ball and our head clinician wanted to get us out of a lazy practice.

As it relates to this issue specifically, we have a procedure we must follow and we do not have the option to have a meeting with the coaches and then the captains separate in any sport as stated in the NF Manual. All pre-game meetings must involve a sportsmanship talk and must involve the head coach and captains (basketball and football this is a strict guideline). So if the NF changes something in that book that is their right as the NF not only does not expect the rest of the country to follow it (I personally asked), but many states are not what they call 100% members as it relates to the officiating side of things and my state is one of them. If the NF does not expect states to do everything they do, why should you? Again we work for the state offices, not the NF. The NF often is behind the times and does not change a lot of issues that might change based on incidents or circumstances, heck the book is produced every two years, I do not think states want to wait to address and issue they see in their games that are under their jurisdiction. All the NF really expects are states to follow their rulebook and even that is up to the states to interpret their rules for their officials and schools, not the NF. If you do not believe me, send a request to the NF directly about an interpretation and then tell me how many times they refer you do your local association for that information. And when people read this often have to follow very specific procedures. Most of us do not care what you do in Rome or Ranger, because I have to listen to what those in Bloomington say or I will not be working very long or sitting during the post season or lose my position as a clinician in my state. Now there is nothing wrong if your state wants this to be followed, I just want to make it clear that you must listen to those that you work for first. I will not apologize for that in any way. And we have gotten a rash of posts lately that are overrating to something that is in the book as if they do not have one finger in place they are not in compliance. Officiating is not that technical or that exact in most places and never will be.

Peace