(This column was written by Dee Burton, former associate director/supervisor of the Utah High School Activities Association. Burton lists things he looked for when selecting playoff-level officials. Burton is now vice-principal at Layton High School.)

There are many things involved in making the "VARSITY LIST" as an official and even more things to become a playoff official.

1. APPEARANCE- Does the official look athletic? Is the uniform properly worn and is it neat, clean, and pressed? Does the official meet weight/appearance standards? If the official is not "sellable" people won’t buy the calls.
   
   
2. MOBILITY- If you can’t get into position to make the call it doesn’t matter if the call is right or wrong. The coach won’t buy it. Players, fans, coaches and partners don’t like "long distance" calls. You need to be in the same area code as the call.
   
   
3. RULES KNOWLEDGE- You can’t be an official without knowing the rules. You must memorize the definitions and understand them. They are the basis for all judgments and interpretations.
   
   
4. COMMON SENSE AND A FEEL FOR THE GAME- You need to officiate advantage/disadvantage on the field. This comes from work, work and more work. A "rule book official" will only last so long and then the rule book will get you. You need common sense and an understanding of the spirit of the rule. Know if you have a smooth game going where you can let them play or a difficult game that needs more control. Every game is different.
   
   
5. MECHANICS- You have made the call, now what? You have to communicate by what you say and do. Do your partner(s), coaches, and fans understand what you have called? If you think you are in slow motion with mechanics after you blow the whistle you are probably about right. How do you communicate with your partner?
   
   
6. CONSISTENCY- What is good in the first minute is good in the last minute. Treat both ends of the field/court the same. As the game gets close and people scream and holler do not change tempo or calling philosophy. Tell them what you will call and then call it that way the whole game.
   
   
7. CONFIDENCE- You are in control, but not arrogant or cocky. Be pleasant and not abrasive or combative. A sense of humor never hurts matters when used appropriately and in the right place. An official must exude an "I’m in control" persona when on the field.
   
   
8. PROFESSIONALISM- Act the part. Officials need to "walk the talk" daily. Back biting, and the "he got that game because…" attitude won’t cut it. The only friend(s) you have on the field are the other people in the stripped shirt, you live and die together that night. Don’t call the supervisor/arbiter for games; if they have them they’ll call you. The only way to bring honor to the officiating profession is to act professionally and bring honor to ourselves. Respect is earned, not inherited. Take the games you are assigned and don’t "barter" for a better, "bigger" one. Your time for the big games will come too.
   
   
9. IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN DON’T DO IT- Officiating is demanding and time consuming. It will take all the time in your life that you will let it. Remember that if you are married you have a family that needs you too. Have the mental presence to recognize reality and accept it. Not everyone will make the college level and not everyone will make the high school level. Accept where you are and be happy with it. But, if you are not enjoying the experience why do it?
   
   
10. DANCE WITH WHAT BRUNG YA HERE- You can’t be something you are not. Take the abilities you have and develop them. Be yourself and to yourself be true.

NASO is proud to support the Josephson Institute of Ethics "Character Counts" program. The program is a school-based initiative emphasizing to children the six pillars of ethical behavior: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

The United States Congress has declared Oct. 21-27 as "Character Counts Week" across the nation. The Josephson Institute provides these sports-related ways you can help celebrate…

• Get local ballparks and arenas to display the "Six Pillars of Character" on signs, banners and billboards. (Permission to use the CC! logo is required.)

• Distribute "Pursuing Victory With Honor" sportsmanship wallet cards (for youth coaches, Olympic/intercollegiate coaches or athletes) to local sports organizations and schools.

• Distribute the Arizona Sports Summit Accord to local youth sports leagues. Encourage the leagues to formally endorse the accord and to discuss it with parents, coaches, players, referees, etc.

• Encourage local youth sports leagues to sponsor a Pursuing Victory With Honor two-day training seminar or one-day awareness seminar for coaches, parents and other adults involved in youth athletics.

• Arrange for all participants in community sports leagues to create and sign a "CHARACTER COUNTS! in Sports" contract, committing them to practice good sportsmanship and the Six Pillars of Character.

• Organize Father vs. Son and/or Mother vs. Daughter sporting events (basketball, baseball, volleyball, etc.). Give ribbons and prizes for good sportsmanship. Discuss the importance of good sportsmanship.

For more information about the "CHARACTER COUNTS!" program, contact them at 310/306-1868.

NFL Charities and NASO Support Youth Football

NASO provided more than 25,000 youth football officials this fall with a 16-page preseason newsletter funded by NFL Charities.

Youth officials working throughout the USA with Pop Warner, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the National Youth Sports Officials Association, the Amateur Athletic Union, the California Police Athletic League program and the Jewish Community Center programs received the newsletter free in September.

Written by the editors of Referee, the publication focused on youth officiating and provided tips and insight on how to properly officiate youth football.

"The emphasis is on safety, basic officiating skills and much more," said Referee Associate Editor Jeffrey Stern. Stern is the author of the Football Officials Guidebook, a publication introduced in 1999 by Referee. Several Guidebook illustrations and examples of officiating mechanics will be incorporated into the newsletter.

"The important benefit here is that beginning as well as experienced officials will receive excellent training information," noted NASO Public Relations Manager Bob Still, who coordinates the grant program with the NFL. "This is an outstanding outreach program touching thousands of officials."

Help NASO — Save Money Too!

NASO members can directly access either Avis or Hertz from the NASO web site and get big savings on car rentals! The service directly links you to the savings program provided by either company. When you rent from Avis or Hertz, NASO receives a royalty from your rental. Those funds go to support NASO’s educational partner program that develops new training materials for officials.

Simply logon to the NASO home page and then click on the logo of either Avis or Hertz to be directly connected to their web site.

For those who do not have Internet access, simply dial the 800 number for the company and tell the operator the special discount code. The Avis number is 800/331-1212 and their code number is B150300. The Hertz number is 800/654-2200 and their code is CDP55291.

Both organizations accept additional savings coupons that can be applied to your rental rate. Those coupons are available only from NASO headquarters.

Avis primarily rents General Motors vehicles while Hertz is affiliated with Ford Motor Company. Other brands of vehicles are available upon request.

Renting a vehicle from either company is a snap and both offer many extra services. Computerized driving directions, 24-hour roadside assistance, frequent travel miles, cellular phones and even satellite tracking systems to help you stay on target are available at a reasonable cost or no charge.

Members can obtain additional savings coupons by contacting NASO customer service and requesting them free of charge. Just call 262/632-5448 and ask the representative for discount savings coupons from Avis and Hertz.

Remember, every time you rent from Avis or Hertz, you help NASO as well as yourself!

Here’s a preview:

• Not Enough Refs Nationwide survey reveals major shortages

• The Pointer Sisters Have a Brother Surrounded by famous family and friends, NFL linesman Aaron Pointer is content officiating

• Common Myths About Officiating Are your officiating beliefs rooted in fact or fiction?

• Umps Get the Thumb Coach ejects umpire in unusual twist of fate

• Interview: Tim Crowley Texas Association of Sports Officials executive director heads a one-of-a-kind group

Plus, there are features and insight on officiating news and more. As always, you’ll also find that the Referee editors have put together informative columns on baseball, basketball, football, soccer and softball techniques.

Look for your issue of Referee any day. www.referee.com

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