am not yet a strong football official. My rules knowledge, mechanics, and understanding are what could best be summed up as "green." Before I can be expected to lead five rookies around the football field on Thursday nights, I must spend some time preparing myself. I must arm myself with sufficient rules knowledge to keep us out of trouble but at the same time understand the application of the rules. Rules lawyers are great — for reciting rules. Unfortunately, those guys often tend not to understand the application of those rules. Peter Osborne said it this way: "Wannabes argue rules, real umpires discuss situations."

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