Opinions on this........

[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!

[bigjohn]

There was an official that posted this on NFHS website.


http://www.nfhs.org/cgi-bin/ultimate...c;f=9;t=003666

[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.