NFHS to NCAA Rules

[theunofficialofficial]

This coming season will be my first beginning to work at the NCAA level. I am starting to get into the new rulebook and was wondering what advice fellow officials have for some of the following:
     - Rules to focus on first and build
     - Tips tricks to keep track of NFHS and NCAA rule differences as I will most likely still be working both levels in the fall
    - Good resources. I already have the Redding's study guide for NCAA (I love the NFHS version)


Thanks in advance for all replies

[shaker55]

If you are starting to work NCAA games this coming season, I would recommend that you join the CFO and dig into the CCA mechanics manual. I was lucky that in Massachusetts, HS ball is played by NCAA rules so I didn't have to worry about the differences. The biggest jump for me was getting used to the 7man mechanics and understanding where to be and more importantly...where not to be.

[BlindZebra]

Agree with Shaker.  The mechanics manual would be a great thing to study up on, too!  I just don't know the differences and similarities between the NCAA book and the NFHS book.

The Redding study guide is also a good resource, but you can't beat just studying the book.  I would advise getting in a group that does NCAA rule questions.  Could be an email group or a group text of fellow officials, just anything that actively gets you applying the rules and having to read the book.  Course I'm sure I am not saying anything new. 

[bossman72]

This coming season will be my first beginning to work at the NCAA level. I am starting to get into the new rulebook and was wondering what advice fellow officials have for some of the following:
     - Rules to focus on first and build
     - Tips tricks to keep track of NFHS and NCAA rule differences as I will most likely still be working both levels in the fall
    - Good resources. I already have the Redding's study guide for NCAA (I love the NFHS version)


Thanks in advance for all replies

This is what I have found works for me.  You brain works better when you can compartmentalize things.

1) When reading the NCAA book, for EVERY rule, think to yourself: "is this the same rule in high school"?  If it is different, highlight that in the NCAA book.  I use blue highlighter since that's the color of the NCAA book.  This will make things stick out when you read the book a second time.  You'll actually improve your understanding of the high school rule book since the NCAA book covers things much more in-depth.  If you do happen to go back into your high school book, highlight the things that are different than NCAA.

As always, definitions are important, but read the rules in order 1-10 a few times to get a feel of the book.  You can ignore replay.  One less thing to remember.

2)  I've found that the high school rule is generally much "simpler" than the NCAA rule.
Examples:
---NCAA has several fouls that are enforced from the previous spot, specifically (Holding, Illegal Touching, etc).  NFHS always uses "All But One".
---For Intentional Grounding, NCAA says you have to have a receiver in the area, EXCEPT if the ball crosses the LOS extended and the QB is out of the pocket.  NFHS has no exceptions to remember and a receiver must always be in the area.
---NCAA has a fairly complicated block below the waist rule.  NFHS, essentially, if the low block doesn't happen by the interior linemen at the snap, it's probably illegal.

So therefore, if you know the NCAA rule well, the NFHS rule is typically a simpler version of that rule.  It's harder to know the simpler version of something, then try to remember the complex parts when working with the complex rule.

3) Limit your study of the high school book.  If you can keep them both straight, then fantastic!  I've never had a problem keeping the two rule codes separate (see #2, which helps).  But if you're not super strong with the rules, better to apply a Saturday rule to Friday than a Friday rule to Saturday.

I can't stress this enough now:  Once you work NCAA, you need to approach this as you are now an NCAA official who happens to work high school -- not a high school official who happens to work NCAA.  You are affecting people's livelihoods with your officiating at the NCAA level, so please take it very seriously.

[BlindZebra]

I can't stress this enough now:  Once you work NCAA, you need to approach this as you are now an NCAA official who happens to work high school -- not a high school official who happens to work NCAA.  You are affecting people's livelihoods with your officiating at the NCAA level, so please take it very seriously.

Absolutely!  High school games are where the few mistakes can be made before your game on Saturday.  I see them kinda like JV games before a Friday night.  Practice in the JV game to prep yourself for the big game Friday.  But congratulations on the advancement!  Hope the next years turn out better than you expect!

[Aussie-Zebra]

A comprehensive listing of more than 200 differences between NFHS and NCAA football rules. Includes a quick-reference penalty differences chart rule difference index by approved ruling numbers and review of 2014 rule changes. If you work both high school and college, you’ll be amazed at how often you’ll use this great resource.

[#92]

I would advise getting in a group that does NCAA rule questions.

And where would you stumble upon such a group?

[bossman72]

And where would you stumble upon such a group?

Check with your local collegiate association.  Where are you located?

[#92]

Check with your local collegiate association.  Where are you located?

In Belgium, so that's not an option. Things are on a bit lower level here.

[CEngel]

I am hoping to make the jump top the college level in the 2017 football season.  I live near the DC area.  Do you have any suggestions as to which officials association would be best to join.  I have been officiating for 20+ years and belong to the Frederick County Football Officials Association.

[bossman72]

I am hoping to make the jump top the college level in the 2017 football season.  I live near the DC area.  Do you have any suggestions as to which officials association would be best to join.  I have been officiating for 20+ years and belong to the Frederick County Football Officials Association.

If you have facebook, look up "TBFOC" (Tom Beard clinic).  They have classes every Saturday morning

[ljudge]

CEngel - Why are you waiting until 2017?  I second Bossman's suggestion.  They have various "Tom Beard University" classes and are taught by officials who live right in your neck of the woods.  There are people who can give you advice about joining.  There are some very VERY good guys who teach at Towson University every Saturday morning.  They can set you in the right direction as to who to contact, when, etc.  You would likely need to join the Southern Chapter given your location.  Both the Tom Beard clinic and the Liberty Bell clinics are two excellent Northeast-area clinics that don't require expensive travel for you and you will (no doubt) meet some of the very best officials on the planet.  I'm attending my 3rd TBFOC this year and have been to several Liberty Bells.

[ljudge]

This coming season will be my first beginning to work at the NCAA level. I am starting to get into the new rulebook and was wondering what advice fellow officials have for some of the following:
     - Rules to focus on first and build
     - Tips tricks to keep track of NFHS and NCAA rule differences as I will most likely still be working both levels in the fall
    - Good resources. I already have the Redding's study guide for NCAA (I love the NFHS version)


Thanks in advance for all replies

First, congrats on your decision.  Enjoy and have fun.  What area of the country?  Get to clinics is the best advice I can offer.

[CEngel]

In regards to why wait until 2017 - my position in the high school organization I officiate in does not allow me the time or freedom to officiate NCAA.  However, my term of office is up at the end of 2016.  Additionally, this will give me all of this season to study the NCAA rulebook.

[refbuz]

"Burn that book" was the best advice I ever got about the NFHS rules when I started working NCAA football.  Seriously, if you're lucky, the NFHS book will only confuse you.  It could get you in some serious trouble at the NCAA level.  The last thing that you want to do is apply an NFHS rule in an NCAA game, you (and the crew) would probably be fired on the ride home.  The opposite, while not acceptable, is not as necessarily a career wrecker. 

Start out by focusing on learning the NCAA rules and mechanics for the position that you are want to work, once you have an understanding of the rules that directely affect your position, start focusing on the rest of the rules and their nuances.  You should already have an idea where you want to work, but if you don't already have a position, pick one ASAP. 

Once you know what position you're going to work, find someone who's brain you can pick that works/ed your position at the NCAA level.  There should be some offseason study groups in your area, try to get hooked up with one of them.  There's a lot of good info here, but it's just another tool that cannot replace discussing the rules, plays, and philosophies.   Spring Ball is just around the corner, which means the spring tests will be coming out shortly.  Now's the time to try get hooked up with one if you can.   

Oh, and NEVER start a sentence with the phrase "On Fridays" or "In HS"

Best of Luck this coming season.

[BFlushR]

A comprehensive listing of more than 200 differences between NFHS and NCAA football rules. Includes a quick-reference penalty differences chart rule difference index by approved ruling numbers and review of 2014 rule changes. If you work both high school and college, you’ll be amazed at how often you’ll use this great resource.

This book is good but can be a tough read at times.  It has all of the difference and the entire rule from each rule book.  The document I've attached is a simplified version.  If you have questions on it, it's nice to be able to refer to the more in depth differences book.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Rulesman]

The document I've attached is a simplified version.

Note effective with the 2016 season clipping is no longer permitted in the FBZ under Fed rules.