To Equip Individuals with the Appropriate Tools to Become a Licensed Official

IHSAA

Officials’ “Curriculum Guide”

Revised 21 April 2015

Class Objective: To educate and prepare individuals with the basic knowledge of the rules.

To equip individuals with the appropriate tools to become a licensed official.

Start Date: Week 5 of IHSAA Calendar

Location: TBD by local Association

Class Time: 60 – 90 minutes

Misc. Fees: TBD by local Association

Instructors: TBD by local Association

Session 1 Officiating Principles / Duties

Ø  Association Organization

Ø  Philosophy of Officiating

Ø  Officials Duties

Session 2 NFHS Rules / IHSAA Modifications / Game Management

Ø  Game Procedures

Ø  Pre-Game Conference

Ø  Points of Emphasis / Rule Changes

Session 3 NFHS Signals - Mechanics

Ø  NFHS Signals

Ø  On Field Positioning / Mechanics

Session 4 Players and Equipment / Definitions

Ø  Players and Equipment

Ø  Definitions

Session 5 Rule Reviews / Definitions

Ø  Per the current NFHS Rules Book

Ø  Case Book Reviews

Session 6 Rule Reviews (continued from Session 5)

Ø  Per the current NFHS Rules Book

Ø  Case Book Reviews

Session 7 Rule Reviews (continued from Session 6)

Ø  Per the current NFHS Rules Book

Ø  Case Book Review

Session 8 Rule Reviews (continued from Session 7)

Ø  Per the current NFHS Rules Book

Ø  Case Book Review

*** All applicants are responsible for completing the official’s test online within the designated timeframe.

I.  OFFICIATING PRINCIPLES / DUTIES

During this session, officials will discuss the various Officiating Principles in the Officials Manual and the importance of Officials Duties that should be demonstrated for all contests.

§  This initial session provides opportunity to offer additional information regarding the benefits of joining an association as well as provide an overview on how to use ArbiterSports portal.

Association Organization

Ø  Give an overview of Association Personnel, their duties and functions

Ø  Discuss the expectations of Association members with respect to attendance and participation in Association activities

Ø  Discuss the responsibilities of professional development and mentoring provided by the Association

Officiating Principles

Ø  Discuss the Code of Ethics and the importance for all officials to demonstrate these very important characteristics

Ø  Discuss the Officiating Philosophy as it pertains to the importance of rules knowledge, language, and the proper use of NFHS signals/mechanics

Ø  Personal Characteristics: Discuss the importance of conditioning, decisiveness, teamwork, and maintaining control

Ø  Discuss the importance of proper preparation prevents poor performance (examples incl. rules study, practicing mechanics, attending association meetings, obtaining a schedule and sending back contracts)

Ø  Working with coaches and players, preventive officiating

Officials and Their Duties

Ø  Discuss the Position Officials in a 5-man crew

Ø  Highlight the Referee’s pregame and during the game duties

Ø  Explain Correctable Errors

Ø  Discuss Physical Conditions before and during the game (ie. Field Conditions, Weather)

Ø  Discuss Concussion protocol

Review and discuss at least two Case Situations from Rule 1 (The Game, Field, Players and Equipment) and one from Rule 2 (Definitions of Playing Terms)

Session 1: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Assign Homework)

II.  GAME MANAGEMENT / NFHS RULES CHANGES IHSAA MODIFICATIONS

During the session, officials will discuss and highlight the importance of Pre-Game Conferences with their crew. Officials will also discuss and illustrate the importance of following Game Procedures as they pertain to field coverage.

Game Management / Awareness

Ø  Discuss the importance of being professional at all times

Ø  Discuss and explain the importance of communication with administration, coaches, and players

Ø  Discuss the importance of clock management and crew communication

Ø  Discuss and define the importance of preventive game management

Ø  Discuss Field protocol

Pre-Game Conference

Ø  Discuss the importance of performing Pre-Game Responsibilities before every contest.

Ø  Discuss NFHS/IHSAA standard procedure for pre-game conference (sport specific).

NFHS Rule Changes / IHSAA Modifications / Points of Emphasis - Officials will discuss NFHS Rule Changes and any Points of Emphasis for the current year: (e.g. 2013)

Ø  Pass Interference

Ø  Use of Electronic Devices

Ø  Definition of a catch (revised) - Rule 2-4-1

Ø  Player required to be removed for one play if helmet comes off during the down Rule 3-5-10d

Ø  Scoring on a try

Ø  POE - Illegal Helmet Contact

Ø  POE - Free Blocking Zone Enforcement

Session 2: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Assign Homework)

III.  NFHS SIGNALS – MECHANICS

During the session, officials will outline the details around Signals and Mechanics.

NFHS Signals - Officials will discuss and illustrate the proper use of signals. Participants in class will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback.

Game Procedures for 5-man Crew

Ø  Discuss and define Crew Positions. Reference most recent Game Officials Manual and Certification Clinic Position Manuals

Ø  Discuss and explain the Pregame Duties that should be completed by the officiating crew

Ø  Discuss and demonstrate recommended crew communication signals

Ø  Discuss and explain the keys and priority of keys which help to determine coverage at the snap.

Session 3: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Assign Homework)

·  Homework: Review Sport Specific Definitions in preparation for Session IV.

IV.  PLAYERS EQUIPMENT, DEFINITIONS

During the session, officials will continue to discuss and study the Definitions and how they should be applied. Officials will also outline the details around Players, Substitutes and Equipment.

Players and Equipment

Ø  Discuss and explain Rule 1, Sections 4, 5, and 6

Ø  Discuss the equipment / apparel that is appropriate and not appropriate based on NFHS standards

o  Knee braces

o  Sweat bands

o  Tinted Visors

o  Towels

Definitions

Listed below are some of the definitions that can be discussed and explained during this session.

Rule 2

Blocking

Catch

Loss of Down

Forward Progress

Helmet Contact – Illegal

Hurdling

Muff

Possession

Team Designations

Session 4: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Assign Homework)

·  Homework: Review remaining sport specific definitions in preparation for session V.

V.  RULES REVIEW / DEFINITIONS

During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with that sport.

Session 5: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Discuss Next Steps)

VI.  RULES REVIEW / DEFINITIONS

During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with that sport. Discussion regarding sport specific definitions should continue as well.

Session 6: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Discuss Next Steps)

VII.  RULES REVIEW / STUDY SESSION

During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with that sport.

Session 7: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Discuss Next Steps)

VIII.  RULES REVIEW / STUDY SESSION

During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with that sport.

Session 8: Wrap-Up (Administer Quiz / Discuss Next Steps)

Potential Resources:

General Resources for All Sports:

v  Arbiter Central Hub, NFHS Hub, Official’s Handbook/On-Line information, NFHS Current Rules Book, NFHS Case Book Examples, ‘Officials Magazine’, NFHS Mechanics (i.e. aids available)

Sport Specific Resources (videos, power points, etc):

Baseball:

ü  Three Person Rotation outline/situations

Basketball:

Football:

Gymnastics:

Soccer:

Softball:

ü  You Make the Call – video tutorials

Swimming:

Track & Field/Cross Country:

Volleyball:

ü  Rules Interpretation Situations – power point

ü  Court Protocol – power point

ü  Illegal Alignment – power point

Wrestling: