Study materials

[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.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

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.

Can you expand upon that? Sounds "interesting" to say the least...