How did you get to where you are?

[Juulie Downs]

fiasco, your question, and Chuck's very helpful answer reminds me of a joke:

Guy is trying to find his way around NYC and he stops someone and asks, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" And the NYC-ite answers, "Practice, practice, practice!"

The way to get to any level higher than where you are now is to practice, practice, practice. And do it with the right teacher, and the right attitude.

[btaylor64]

I agree with practice and diligence to the profession. I have been afforded the opportunity to have the best technology available to critique my officiating for free, with the exception of my archos. I have truly been blessed and i am so thankful for it. But i believe Tape should be a bigger part of our studying curriculum. It is the fastest way to advance and get better. You can always talk about going to camps and seeing lots of plays but if you keep seeing those plays time and time again and you think you are calling them correctly on the floor when in fact you aren't then that is where watching tape comes into hand. It can also help you brush up on your appearance and overall look that you have on the floor.

I see way too many officials working games and not talking plays after the game and/or not worried about seeing the tape even when afforded the opportunity to do so.

I love this game and never want to disrespect the game by not being able to be better each night i go out on the floor.