Starting Fresh, learning the rules

[jdmara]

I'm sure they are 22,000 threads stating this but browsing through the history, none of the titles caught my eye.

I'm a basketball and baseball official and am dabbling with the idea of picking up football in the future. I didn't play the game growing up but I have officiated flag so I understand many of the principles.

How would you all suggest going about learning the basics? Reading through the rule book and case book is obviously the most obvious but the worst way of learning as we've all found out. Should I pick up the Simplified and Illustrated and go from there? Any other suggestions?

-Josh