Mastering the Game: Understanding and Applying Football Rules

In this episode of Your First Downs, hosts Joel Pogar and Kirk Russell are joined by special guest Scott Lewis, a referee and crew chief from the Denver Football Officials Association. The focus of this episode is on understanding and applying football rules, especially for new high school football officials. Scott shares his insights and experiences in dealing with rules, mechanics, and philosophy on the field. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the definitions in the rulebook and offers advice on how to study the rules without getting overwhelmed. Scott also discusses the differences between live ball and dead ball fouls, as well as the importance of understanding the game from a high school perspective and differentiating it from college and NFL rules. The episode concludes with a discussion on test-taking strategies for officials who struggle with exams. Overall, this episode provides valuable tips and guidance for new officials looking to enhance their understanding and application of football rules.