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Two horses in a race with a photo finish.
  • Mechanics

Be in the Correct Position to Rule on a “Photo Finish”

Photo Finish: “A race or finish in which contestants are so close that a photograph of them as they cross the finish line has to…

  • Mark Bradley
  • February 16, 2024
Theodore Roosevelt portrait
  • Miscellaneous

“The Credit Belongs to the Man [or Woman] who is Actually in the Arena”

In 1995 I served as the Fourth-Class Training Director at the United States Air Force Academy. In that role, I was the editor for Contrails,…

  • Mark Bradley
  • February 16, 2024
Table full of food
  • Miscellaneous

How officiating high school football is like working in a successful restaurant

One of my guilty pleasures is watching cooking shows. If I could go back in a time machine, I might consider attending culinary school and…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 23, 2023
Scrimmage kick punt
  • Mechanics

Pregame Topic: Scrimmage Kick Surprises

It’s interesting how we can sometimes review a play’s description on paper and quickly and confidently decide how we’d officiate the action, but when we…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Football officials talking on the field
  • Wing

The Importance of Connected Wings on the Field

Aristotle’s quote, “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts” is fitting when describing wing “connectedness.” If wings do not communicate and connect,…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Football chain crew
  • Miscellaneous

How to Provide Clear Chain Crew Instructions

The general instructions for football line-to-gain crews is in the Game Resources section. This document provides good foundational information to brief the chain crews. There…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Referee picking up a flag on a football field
  • Officiating PhilosophyPenalties

Should Football Officials Act as Penalty Police?

I dislike the axiom, “What we permit, we promote.” That saying implies officiating is a binary endeavor. It suggests if we allow a player to…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Football officials huddling
  • Penalties

Timing Matters When Determining Penalty Enforcement

K12 free kicks the ball from the K-40. The HL throws a flag at the R-20 when R10 blocks K55 below the waist. R33 picks…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Official talking to players
  • Officiating Philosophy

Interacting with Players: They’re Teenagers!

Remember, we’re interacting with teenagers on the football field. We can’t expect them to exhibit the same self-control as fully-developed adults. They may not know…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 13, 2023
Referee speaks with coach
  • Officiating Philosophy

How to Interact with Coaches: “What is Your Concern?”

Dealing with coaches is one of the most essential officiating abilities. I had the privilege of observing one of my mentors, Mark VanGampleare, expertly communicate…

  • Mark Bradley
  • December 12, 2023
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Two horses in a race with a photo finish.

Be in the Correct Position to Rule on a “Photo Finish”

February 16, 2024
Theodore Roosevelt portrait

“The Credit Belongs to the Man [or Woman] who is Actually in the Arena”

February 16, 2024
Table full of food

How officiating high school football is like working in a successful restaurant

December 23, 2023

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