Ants, Elephants, and Greyhounds
Here is a Ray Lutz “Forward Progress” post from August 15, 2010 (edited for clarity). There is an old officiating maxim that says, “Don’t flag ants; always flag elephants, and never make…
Officiating Philosophy
Read MoreAnts, Elephants, and Greyhounds
Preventative officiating
Preventative officiating involves communicating essential information to players and coaches to help facilitate the game. Sharing critical information with coaches helps them understand game nuances and removes communication barriers. It helps ensure…
Humble, Credible, Approachable
My youngest brother is a retired Air Force fighter pilot and Weapons Officer (think Maverick and Iceman in “Top Gun”). The US Air Force’s Weapons School’s motto is “humble, credible, approachable.” As…
What To Do When (Part 6)
What to do when an official observes action that may result in a potential ejection? (Note: In this discussion, assume the ejection deliberation is not for a possible fighting ejection. We’ll publish…
What To Do When (Part 5)
What to do when opposing players are talking to each other after a play, and you can’t hear what is being said? Your physical presence is essential. Move toward the players and…
What To Do When (Part 4)
What to do when a player complains about being fouled? Sometimes, players complain about being fouled after they are beat on a play. It’s not uncommon for a player to blame the…
What To Do When (Part 3)
What to do when a head coach asks about a play from a prior game during the pregame conference or complains about the opposing team’s illegal play? Sometimes, during the pregame, a…
Look for Reasons to NOT Throw the Flag
Officiating is not black-and-white. There are multiple shades of gray. There is a science to officiating (the rules book and mechanics manual) and there is an art to officiating (judgment). This website…