Starting Fresh, learning the rules
 

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

Sure, the comic book is OK for starters. Most guys swear by Reddings guide, and I work through the "Rules by Topic" each year before the season.

In my opinion the only way to start is with Rule 2 and you go over it and over it until you can recite it in your sleep. With Rule 2 firmly entrenched in your mind then you're ready to apply the other rules. If you don't know what makes a kid a player or a sub or a lineman or a back then it's awful hard to apply the rules correctly. Once you know Rule 2 then you go to the other guides and you go from there.

Also, keep in mind that anything printed by the NF is likely to contain errors and contradictions and also, NEVER apply what you hear on Saturday or Sunday to Friday night.

I've never read a Fed book in my life, but here's how I would go:

1. Read Rule 7 (NCAA) on Snapping and Passing the ball. Pay particular attention to the early part about formations.

2. Read Rule 2 (NCAA) on Definitions. Go over every term that was in Rule 7 that is defined in Rule 2 with a fine tooth comb. Now, go back and reread Rule 7 with a newfound respect for the terms like pass, complete, etc. It might even be a good idea to make a copy of the Definitions rule and keep it handy for reading the other rules.

3. Read Rule 9 (NCAA) on Conduct of Players, etc.

4. Read Rule 10 (NCAA) on Penalty enforcement.

For the offseason, I would focus on these 4 rules. Not that the other ones aren't important -- you'll need to get into the kick rule closely. But a solid understanding of these 4 rules will provide probably 80% of what you need to know to work a good game. After you've been over these time and again, then start going through the other ones in no particular order. Be sure and read the case book or ARs for NCAA.

A couple of things I would like to throw out there along with what others have said.

Try and get a grasp of:
Clean hands principle
All but one principle
Enforcement of double fouls, multiple fouls, and live ball/dead ball fouls

I think understanding penalty enforcement will help make other things easier.

All good advice.

Then come on here, read some crazy plays and try to rule on them before reading the answers.

Thanks for all the advice so far! From doing flag I understand all of the main principles footballref mentioned. I think my biggest problem is just going to be figuring out all the formation infractions and tricky little exceptions. I hope to shadow a few crews this year and observe.

-Josh

Good idea.

Also, ask them what they do when a team is going to take a knee. :D

I've been around the football forum enough to even get that football joke ;) Any other sticky situations I should ask about? ha!

-Josh

Make sure that if you don't agree with a rule, you invoke 1-1-6 and do whatever the heck you want. Oh, and call RTP even if it's not.

Josh,

I can't remember if you were in the DM Metro area or not, but the DMOA has begun to do some mentoring of football and basketball officials. If it is within your driving range, I'd encourage you to give it a try. We can always use more officials in every sport.