List of rules study suggestions

[sj]

I’m preparing notes to pass onto officials which lists ideas for studying rules. Here are a few I have so far but am looking for help as to any other good ideas that any of you have run across or heard about that could be included. Appreciate it.

Rules study suggestions

Simply read the book
                a) While doing so, create a google doc to take down notes, thoughts and questions that come up
                b) Highlight or underline rules that are specific to your position - If highlighted it can be
                    a good way to spend a few minutes reviewing during pre-game time
                c) Read it all before a Clinic test -
                       * With the Rules, Standards and AR's it’s 207 pages - 207/60 days = 3 to 4 pages per day           

2) Read the Redding Guide
                a) Only about 20% of NCAA officials buy one (and about 3% of High School officials most of which are White Hats)
                b) Read it all before a Clinic test
                       *It’s about 226 pages - 226/60 days = 3 to 4 pages per day

3) Rewrite rules in your own words
4) Rewrite rules in such a way that you are trying to explain to a 5th grader (or a fan)
5) Use the https://www.refstripes.com/forum/ forum to ask and read answers to questions
6) Use reftest.net
7) When working plays give not only the final ruling, but also include the game clock and play clock status and settings, rule references and write out the reasoning for the ruling
8) Have a mentor that likes to talk rules that you can call with question or observations
9) Write up your own plays as it concerns a specific rule that you’re studying
10) Create tests for your own crew
11) To prepare for a clinic test - Set a goal to work a particular number of plays every day using new tests, old tests and resources - Example: If there are 60 days until the test and you work 5 plays per day you will have worked 300 plays before stepping into the room to take it
12) When working plays, map them out using a field diagram such as this:
            https://as1.ftcdn.net/jpg/04/99/60/16/1000_F_499601660_ztcYNcGF6Y4wiXQBgEHmiPiN76EVtXJT.webp
13) Create cheat sheets for yourself that can summarize a rule(s) in your own words. Good for review during pre-game time - You could even laminate them
14) ??

[ElvisLives]

When answering - and composing - questions, ALWAYS include game clock and play clock status. All too often such questions ignore clock status, and, with 2-minute times out, ten-second subtractions, etc., we simply must be sharp on timing.

[Etref]

Sometimes newer officials should actually diagram the question rather than confuse B47 with at B-47, whether ball crossed the LOS, etc

[dammitbobby]

^^what he said... I have a small dry erase board that is marked as a football field, so i can diagram out what happened, and where, in relation to the result of the play. Very helpful for me as a I am a visual learner and a lot of times I make simple mistakes on tests and quizzes, not because I don't know the answer, but I didn't realize (visualize) that a foul happened ahead of the LOS, or where a kick ended, etc.

I'd also add - rewrite the rules, create a cheat sheet. About my second year, I realized that there is very little training material for new officials, and what's the most common refrain?

"Go read the rule book."

Teachers don't toss kids a geometry or history book and say "The test is in 6 weeks, go learn and know the material." (The good teachers, at least)

Instead, they teach. They teach tips and tricks and patterns and give acronyms to help remember things, like FUDL, and give real world examples where concepts can be applied. IMO that is sorely missing from officiating education materials and training programs, all of them I've ever seen at least. I completely understand that the official has to do the work to learn, I just feel like we make it so much harder for them when we don't give them opportunities to reinforce those concepts at least in discussions, if not in practical application. You do not get reinforcement or content mastery from simply reading a rule book.

/off soapbox

The cheat sheet thing was very helpful for me and likely put me ahead of my peer group in rules understanding at the time. (Trust me, they have since caught up if not surpassed me, ). But, it worked for me. Take a rule, such as blocking below the waist, and paraphrase the rule, in simpler language.

For me, here's what it looks like for me. Simple(r) language, covers every key concept and idea, and is perfect for pre-game review.

[sj]

^^what he said... I have a small dry erase board that is marked as a football field, so i can diagram out what happened, and where, in relation to the result of the play. Very helpful for me as a I am a visual learner and a lot of times I make simple mistakes on tests and quizzes, not because I don't know the answer, but I didn't realize (visualize) that a foul happened ahead of the LOS, or where a kick ended, etc.

I'd also add - rewrite the rules, create a cheat sheet. About my second year, I realized that there is very little training material for new officials, and what's the most common refrain?

"Go read the rule book."

Teachers don't toss kids a geometry or history book and say "The test is in 6 weeks, go learn and know the material." (The good teachers, at least)

Instead, they teach. They teach tips and tricks and patterns and give acronyms to help remember things, like FUDL, and give real world examples where concepts can be applied. IMO that is sorely missing from officiating education materials and training programs, all of them I've ever seen at least. I completely understand that the official has to do the work to learn, I just feel like we make it so much harder for them when we don't give them opportunities to reinforce those concepts at least in discussions, if not in practical application. You do not get reinforcement or content mastery from simply reading a rule book.

***Understood. And you mentioned being a visual learner and people do learn differently. My wife has taught for 30 years so she's drilled me. Your point is spot on and then I'll add that some guys I know hardly ever pick the book up. Not college officials but it's fairly prevalent in high school circles. And hopefully the list shows the visual learners that there are options but for other types reading the book is certainly one.

/off soapbox

The cheat sheet thing was very helpful for me and likely put me ahead of my peer group in rules understanding at the time. (Trust me, they have since caught up if not surpassed me, ). But, it worked for me. Take a rule, such as blocking below the waist, and paraphrase the rule, in simpler language.

For me, here's what it looks like for me. Simple(r) language, covers every key concept and idea, and is perfect for pre-game review.

[TxJim]

^^what he said... I have a small dry erase board that is marked as a football field, so i can diagram out what happened, and where, in relation to the result of the play. Very helpful for me as a I am a visual learner and a lot of times I make simple mistakes on tests and quizzes, not because I don't know the answer, but I didn't realize (visualize) that a foul happened ahead of the LOS, or where a kick ended, etc.

I took a screen shot of one of the field diagrams in the mechanics manual from about the 40 yard line thru the end zone, one free from other annotations, which is enough to diagram any play, expanded it to print full page on both sides of on 8.5 by 11in card stock and then laminated it. Got some vis-a-vis erasable pens and I carry that in my game bag and takes up no more than regular size sheet of paper small and compact, don't need to carry anything rigid. And if I lose it, I can just print another one. Used it a couple times last year in my pregames and at half time when i or someone else on the crew had something to illustrate/discuss.