Study materials

[Welpe]

I second the Redding Guide. It is an invaluable tool. Try to take the book in chunks, read a small section at a time, fully digesting what the rules are saying. Rule 2 and 10 are your two most important rules. I would start with Rule 2 first to get a foundation for your definitions because they are used throughout the book. Rule 10 is penalty enforcement.

Definitely do not start at page 1 and just go. You will drive yourself crazy.

[HLin NC]

I would second Welpe's comments. Reddings is the most helpful of all the supplemental materials I've ever purchased but even then, I would suggest "small bites" when reading it.

I have also occasionally diagrammed the play on paper. There are even football field diagrams you can download and print if need be.

For me, the case book has actually been the hardest to read. They run so many different scenarios into one paragraph that it gets confusing. I have found it helpful to break down and parse each segment (a,b, and c) separately.

In reality, I've found the case book to read like word problems in a math book- " A train leaves Chicago at 9:00 and another train leaves Los Angeles at 11:30. How many bananas did the monkey eat?"

I only use the case book when I'm trying to apply a rule reference.

[hutsunuwu84]

Thanks guys. I do like the simplified and illustrated version and I also find the casebook to be confusing, it makes my head spin sometimes. Where can I find the Reddings guide?

[AUgrad2006]

I know Honig's has it here. I'm sure it's available through other sources.

Just be mindful that there are two different guides...one for NCAA rules and one for NFHS rules. Be sure to pick the right one!

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by hutsunuwu84

Thanks guys. I do like the simplified and illustrated version and I also find the casebook to be confusing, it makes my head spin sometimes. Where can I find the Reddings guide?

I just find that odd. Usually the casebook is written just like you would describe a play in conversation. The rulebook is where I had problems learning from scratch. I am also a little afraid of relying on the Reddings book because so much of the plays have problems or inaccurate when it comes to certain levels. But I am sure that is not a big deal, but just do not want to take the book's word for things and find out later there was a mistake.

You might also want to try "Rules by Topic" that is produced by the NF and Referee. Basically the book takes plays from the Casebook and puts them with the actual rules wording on many areas in the game. Great study tool and you do not have to go open up two different books to find some basic plays associated with a rule. Just one more tool to use.

Peace

[ajmc]

Originally Posted by hutsunuwu84

Thanks guys. I do like the simplified and illustrated version and I also find the casebook to be confusing, it makes my head spin sometimes. Where can I find the Reddings guide?

Just a suggestion about the Case Book. I found reading a play, with variations a,b,c,d and then reading rulings a,b,c,d often confusing. Reading the play and variation A, then reviewing ruling A before going on to consider each play variation and their associated ruling separately seemed to make things a lot clearer and easier to grasp.

[PocketSidewalk]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I second the Redding Guide. It is an invaluable tool.

Definitely do not start at page 1 and just go. You will drive yourself crazy.

As a new official, I have to agree with Welpe on this. My first attempt at studying the rules was to sit down with the rule book and read it from beginning to end. But the rule book is really not meant to be read this way.

I found myself reading a section of the rules and then having to cross-reference what I was reading with other rule book chapters and case book plays in order to completely understand what that rule meant. This method works fine if you're only interested in say 1 or 2 particular sections. But if you're trying to go through and learn all the rules, it's a very tedious and slow-paced method (no matter how enthusiastic you are).

I though the Simplified and Illustrated book was also helpful.

As for the Rules by Topic that is also published by NFHS, I didn't find it that helpful. It's well-organized in addition to including case book plays, but the language in the book is mostly pulled directly from the rule book (which I think can be tricky to comprehend at times).

[Welpe]

I've found the rules by topic to be more useful when you want to do a deep dive on a particular aspect of the rules.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by PocketSidewalk

As a new official, I have to agree with Welpe on this.

Agreeing with Welpe is NOT required of new officials. I'm just sayin'.

[stegenref]

I've been reading the Reddings guide the last few weeks trying to get ready for the season. I bought it towards the end of last year, but only made it about halfway through before the season ended, so I never finished it. I'm almost done with it and ready for the season.

I also love watching those Aloha videos...those help me out SO much.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Agreeing with Welpe is NOT required of new officials. I'm just sayin'.

Come on now, how else am I supposed to build up my Fief?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Come on now, how else am I supposed to build up my Fief?

Try more fiber?

[MD Longhorn]

After you've read Reddings, the casebooks, S&I, and the rule book a few times, then come on here and argue about what "Is Touching" means!

[BroKen62]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

After you've read Reddings, the casebooks, S&I, and the rule book a few times, then come on here and argue about what "Is Touching" means!

Humorous, but true. There is nothing better than a deep discussion to make you search the rulebook and rulings, trying to apply them to a specific situation. I can't tell you how many times I've seen something discussed on one of these forums, only to have it happen on Friday night.
(p.s. - i hope the OOB thing doesn't happen to me this coming Friday night!)

[MD Longhorn]

Yeah - the cosmos is weird that way. I had the Defensive Penalty, IW, Offensive Penalty thing happen to me about a week after a big brouhaha here a couple of years ago.