Opinions on this........

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Welpe

You HLs carry too much crap.

What these guys said, don't carry one. In the middle of the game is the wrong time to be digging through it to prove a point.

From what I understand, Ohio, or certain parts, has a requirement that the chain crew have one with them, which is provided by the officials. Glad I don't work in Ohio in that regard.

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

Would have made much more sense to replace your interpreter!

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Would have made much more sense to replace your interpreter!

That does make a lot more sense, in many ways.

[HLin NC]

Zip ties (cable ties) will save your bacon if the chains break. As mentioned, the flourescent ones can also be used to mark the mid-point in the chains- thus allowing you to tell instantly if you are past the mid-point-you can then tell the R on a 5 yard penalty against B that it will be a first down.

Back-up whistle- technically, I wear my back-up on a neck lanyard and my primary is a finger whistle. I broke my primary once, seconds before the opening kickoff, so I had to borrow one off an assistant coach on my sideline. My spare whistle was in my bag in the WH's car. I never take the field now without two.

Golf tees- harder to use now on Field Turf but can be used to mark the box inside the 10 yard line in case he pulls out or also to mark the box on 4th down on a punt where we miss a penalty and the chains have moved. The mechanics manual now tells us to give the box man a beanbag to mark the box location inside the 10.

Reading glasses- as I told an assistant one time on my sideline when he questioned me why I took off my regular glasses after halftime (it was humid that night and they kept fogging up) "Hey, I can see the big stuff, like the ball or your tackle moving. I just can't read my card."

[bigjohn]

3. Rules Knowledge
Be a rules expert! When a rule is “kicked” all crew members are equally to blame. When a coach requests a conference to review a perceived misapplication of a rule, use the rule book.

OHSAA Football Manual for coaches and officials!
Page 18 #3
http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/manual.pdf

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

3. Rules Knowledge
Be a rules expert! When a rule is “kicked” all crew members are equally to blame. When a coach requests a conference to review a perceived misapplication of a rule, use the rule book.

OHSAA Football Manual for coaches and officials!
Page 18 #3
http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/manual.pdf

With all due rspect to OHSAA, their guidelines relate only to Ohio. Of course the above quote could be construed
to simply mean use what is, specifically, in the rule book to determine the proper decision, not necessarily to actually, physically use the rule book, asa prop, at the moment of discussion.

Does the OSAA manual also require, or even allow, reference to the NFHS Case Book, or NFHS Officials Manual to be of assistance in explaining approved interpretations?

Such information may often be referred to when discussing an issue of dispute regarding a rule application and this information is usually available through the experience and capability of the field officials, as is the case with the rule book itself.

[bigjohn]

Pretty sure the OHSAA officials mechanics book even states that the HL shall carry the rules book!

[Rapn Ref]

Some of us have never had those things happen but I like the ideas about the zip ties. My back up whistle sounds more like a frrrrrt.

[parepat]

This has been an interesting thread.

Now when I work a game I will bring zip ties, back up whistles, a swiss army knife, bread crumbs (to find my way back to the locker room), food and water rations, a flare gun, and, my last will and testament.

However, under no circumstances will I ever have the audacity to bring with me the rules for the game which I am charged to officiate.

Got it.

These message boards are very helpful in making me a better official.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by Ed Hickland

Or, Long Island!

Years ago our Interpreter disallowed a field goal when a R player tipped the ball in an attempt to block it but the ball still went over the crossbar. The "brains" that run our Association decided the rule book should be available at each varsity game.

This argument always amuses me. I admit, I am one of the poor abused officials who is required to have a rulebook available to me. And, I must admit, I respectfully disagree with each and every one of you that opposes that idea.

We need look no further than this situation to show why having one available is a good idea. This situation is kind of wacky and the official blew it. If he had the book he could have taken a minute to check the rule. Instead, out of ego or stubborness this error stood. I don't get it.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by parepat

We need look no further than this situation to show why having one available is a good idea. This situation is kind of wacky and the official blew it. If he had the book he could have taken a minute to check the rule. Instead, out of ego or stubborness this error stood. I don't get it.

Accessing a rule book on the field during a game may be the single worst idea I can think of. That act will shatter any credibility you may have had, or the credibility of any official that may follow you with either of those teams.

You need to understand, and more importantly accept, that although we all pursue perfection we never attain it, and that's just part of the game.

[Reffing Rev.]

Years ago when i first started my first local had the practice that the U on each crew carried a rulebook on the field in case we HAD to consult it. In the 2 years I worked with those guys we never consulted a rule book on the field. We did use it at halftime, and since we were locked out of our locker room it was handy the U had one.

When i moved my new local pretty much had us specialized.
Everyone was responsible to read the whole book and work it independently, but each member of the crew had some specialized areas.
Everyone was to "memorize" rule 2!, then break it up as follows.
R - Penalty Enforcement & Passing
U - Blocking/Contact & Equipment
BJ - Kicking
HL - Formation & Movement
LJ - Force/Scoring
Then on the field when there was a question on Force we knew who to talk to.

After several more moves I take a book on the field with me every time, its just memorized. There is no substitute for study.

Pre-Season I read and re-read each book twice. (Rule Book, Case Book, Official's Manual) and then I get a picture-book (illustrated) every other year.
During season I read 1 book each week.
Out of season I read 1 book each month.

Study until the point you don't have to think to know the rules. ANd then study some more.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by Reffing Rev.

Years ago when i first started my first local had the practice that the U on each crew carried a rulebook on the field in case we HAD to consult it. In the 2 years I worked with those guys we never consulted a rule book on the field. We did use it at halftime, and since we were locked out of our locker room it was handy the U had one.

When i moved my new local pretty much had us specialized.
Everyone was responsible to read the whole book and work it independently, but each member of the crew had some specialized areas.
Everyone was to "memorize" rule 2!, then break it up as follows.
R - Penalty Enforcement & Passing
U - Blocking/Contact & Equipment
BJ - Kicking
HL - Formation & Movement
LJ - Force/Scoring
Then on the field when there was a question on Force we knew who to talk to.

After several more moves I take a book on the field with me every time, its just memorized. There is no substitute for study.

Pre-Season I read and re-read each book twice. (Rule Book, Case Book, Official's Manual) and then I get a picture-book (illustrated) every other year.
During season I read 1 book each week.
Out of season I read 1 book each month.

Study until the point you don't have to think to know the rules. ANd then study some more.

This is a good way to divide and conquer Rev. And, if everyone on your crew is as diligent as you suggest then you would never need to go to the book. WHat happens when you aren't sure?

I compare it to a condem in the wallet of the college student. Better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

Sorry Rev. probably not the best analogy.

[parepat]

Originally Posted by ajmc

Accessing a rule book on the field during a game may be the single worst idea I can think of. That act will shatter any credibility you may have had, or the credibility of any official that may follow you with either of those teams.

You need to understand, and more importantly accept, that although we all pursue perfection we never attain it, and that's just part of the game.

AJMC, thank you for being so concerned about my needs.

Your self esteem must be very low if you think that by having available to you a resource which could correct errors would "shatter any credibility you may have had".

Just think how those NFL officials must feel with those pesky replay camera's destroying their delicate psychies.

Give me a break. In fourteen years I have had to go the book 2 or three times. And, if the result is that I fix a mistake that I made, I am more than willing to assume the risk to my self esteem.

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by parepat

AJMC, thank you for being so concerned about my needs..

Self esteem is really not the issue, parepat, that's something we each have total, and unilateral, control over. Credibility is a different matter, although much has to do with our competency and how we project ourselves, there's a whole other side of it that is determined by our audience, who may at times be totally out of self control.

As always, things may well be different where you are, but where I am, and where I've been, pulling a rule book out for reference during a ball game ( which does not include the halftime break) would be an absolute kiss of death.

Perhaps that's why you don't hear a lot about surgeons pulling our instruction manuals in the operating room with the patient on the table.