Set Goals for the 2026 Season
The off-season isn’t just downtime — it’s prep time. Use it to set clear, attainable goals that will make you a better official next year. Here are a few ideas: Rules Study…
Philosophy
Read MoreSet Goals for the 2026 Season
One Task at a Time
As I’ve confessed in previous Ready for Play articles, I like to share life tips that make me stop and think. This quote from writer Scott H. Young may not have a…
Stay Connected During the Offseason
“Small daily improvements lead to massive success over time.” As the high-school football season winds down, many officials move on to winter or spring sports. Others finally exhale after a long grind,…
Trail of Triumphs and Disasters
Some officials end the season on a high note: perfect weather, respectful players and coaches, a close contest, maybe even a big playoff assignment. That’s a memorable way to finish. Others don’t…
The Capability Gap
Alabama coach Nick Saban once said: “We oftentimes talk about what someone’s potential is, but the Capability Gap is what you’re capable of relative to what you’re doing. If you understand the…
Sliding Runner
Rule 2-32-16f says a defenseless player is one who is on the ground, including a runner who has obviously given himself up and is sliding feet-first. Officials may struggle with how to…
When We Make a Mistake
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Mistakes are not optional in football officiating, they’re inevitable. The question isn’t if we’ll…
Playoff Mentality (2025)
This article, first published October 8, 2024, is worth revisiting as we prepare for the upcoming playoffs. Some states augment the crews with extra officials for rehearsal games and for semi-final and…