Hey there everybody, I have really enjoyed reading the posts here and all the discussion. My question is this, I have been out of officiating for about five years and will be getting back into it shortly (after the adjustment of moving to a new city) and was wondering if there have been any major rule changes in the game. I have been going to as many games (high school level) as possible to "relearn the game" and can't wait to get back into it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Here are the most obvious major rule changes in the last five years:

1) coaches must now wear gags
2) assistant coaches who speak are shot
3) all players must remain mute during the entire game
4) overtime games are not allowed
5) referees get free snacks

At least - those are my rules.

now I understand why the refs had those tazers

Mark, you forgot the most important rule change. ITs even a POE. Any official who is returning to the game MUST buy his partners food and drink of choice after each game for the 1st 10 games.

Lest we forget the ever-important new mechanic of staring at partners pants and puking on his shoes! :D

and fishnets have replaced pants in the official's uniform ;)

Wonderlic -- These guys have been doing too many rec games this week. You don't need to take them too serionsly. There have been quite a few changes i nthe past five years, and I suggest yyou get ahold of a set of NFHS books and study them. A few basics that come to mind are the free throw line-up and the free throw mechanics; if A1 violates during the initial toss, B gets the ball but A gets the arrow; some minor changes in BI and GT; some states may have a mercy rule; player who leave the floor for injury may come back in before the clock starts at the cost of a time-out; swinging elbows without contact is a violation not a T; and the ever popular kick signal. Now that I've missed at least five important ones, someone else will chime in with some more.

Way to go rainmaker, just stomp on our parade. :D

So it sounds like my Fredricks of hollywood will be the new uniform supplier, new refs are making more money, and beer has replaced gatorade on the sideline. Thanks for all the new info guys

...glad to oblige...