Ideas for studying rules

[sj]

I’m working on a list to pass onto officials which gives 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. Thanks and appreciate it.

Rules study suggestions

Objective: Rules, along with their intent, should be studied and understood with the objective being that officials will not only apply them with accuracy and efficiency, but with common sense as well.

Simply read the Rule book and Case book
                a) While doing so, create a google doc to take down notes, thoughts and questions that come up
                b) As you read a Rule, go read the the corresponding Case book plays
                c) 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
                d) Start with understanding the definitions in Rule 2 - Very important
                e) Read all of both books before the season starts
                       * Including both it's about 200 pages - With 110 days or so before the season starts it would be 200/110 or
                              about 2 pages per day           

2) Read the NFHS Redding Guide
                a) Only about 3% of High School officials buy it most of which are White Hats
                b) Read it all before the season starts
                       *It’s about 220 pages - With 110 days or so before the season starts it would also be 2 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) 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
12) Find a study group or start your own
13)Volunteer to teach teach a rule(s) at your association's meetings
14) ?

[Etref]

Keep a sharp eye out on RefStripes for good rule discussions !

[bama_stripes]

Read and understand Rule 2 in both books before attempting the rest.

[Ralph Damren]

Great idea, SJ, and may I suggest (as 'Bama stated) start with Rule 2-Definitions. Read the case book, case by case in conjunction with the rule as it helps to give one a deeper understanding of therule's intent. Etref's mention of checking the resources here is also very important as one gets a lot of commonsence stuff.

While rule knowledge is very important, one should not become "A walking rule book waiting to happen" . Don't go looking for something to call, something to call will find you. Remember, our job is to keep the game safe and fair. 

[bossman72]

Those are all good suggestions.

What I like to do is read each rule slowly and digest it.  Don't read the rulebook like you're reading a periodical and just skim it.
Read each rule and picture a situation how that rule would look in your mind's eye.  If it doesn't make sense, ask someone to explain it to you.

Redding's study guide helps too.

[sj]

Keep a sharp eye out on RefStripes for good rule discussions !

Yup. On the list!

[sj]

What I like to do is read each rule slowly and digest it.  Don't read the rulebook like you're reading a periodical and just skim it.
Read each rule and picture a situation how that rule would look in your mind's eye.  If it doesn't make sense, ask someone to explain it to you.

Good point. That's why the suggestion to look at just a limited number of pages per day. As my teacher-wife would say, "cramming is not best practice."

[sj]

Great idea, SJ, and may I suggest (as 'Bama stated) start with Rule 2-Definitions. Read the case book, case by case in conjunction with the rule as it helps to give one a deeper understanding of therule's intent. Etref's mention of checking the resources here is also very important as one gets a lot of commonsence stuff.

While rule knowledge is very important, one should not become "A walking rule book waiting to happen" . Don't go looking for something to call, something to call will find you. Remember, our job is to keep the game safe and fair.

You give an idea here of adding an objective at the top so I pulled this one from clinic notes.

"Rules, along with their intent, should be studied and understood with the objective being that officials will not only apply them with accuracy and efficiency, but with common sense as well."

[sj]

.

[bossman72]

I've also learned in my many years of instructing officials is that the vast majority are not book learners.  I'm a book learner, so rules came easier for me than others.  You try to drill down with case plays and rules, you see the glazed over look in their eyes and you lost em.  This also tends to make them drink from the fire hose instead of handing them glasses of water.

This is why I started bringing people out on the field to do live action instruction.  I illustrate as best that I can what the rule looks like with people.  I have them officiate it in person as if they were in a game.  This sticks with people more than a power point slide deck.

[Steely Dan]

Redding really helped me.  He breaks it down in layman's terms and it's much easier to understand.  Visualizing and understanding the rules instead of trying to memorize them is key imo.