INDIANAPOLIS, IN (October 1, 2020) — In support of its commitment to high school officials’ education, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has announced two new free courses have been published to the online NFHS Learning Center – “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” and “Officiating Track and Field.”

Designed as a complement to two other soccer officiating courses on the Learning Center, “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” focuses on teaching referees the proper protocols to be carried out ahead of each contest. Key aspects include the importance of advance communication between officials, field inspections, and discussing relevant game-time topics and recent rule changes. Effectively executing the pre-game conference allows each referee to work cohesively with his or her team and be as informed and observant as possible during play.

“The pre-game conference for officials in the game of soccer serves to familiarize the contest officials with the host of responsibilities they have to complete prior to the beginning of the contest,” said Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials and liaison to the NFHS Soccer Rules Committee. “These checks and balances performed by the officials make sure that the field and equipment are safe for the student-athletes, that players are dressed properly and that auxiliary personnel know their responsibilities. In other words, the pre-game conference serves to get the game started on the correct footing.”

To take “Officiating Soccer: Pre-Game Conference for Officials” on the NFHS Learning Center, please visit: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/officiating-soccer-pre-game-conference-for-officials.

Developed in concert with USA Track & Field, “Officiating Track and Field” is constructed to assist officials in presiding over the sport’s diverse collection of events. The course outline contains separate modules for track event and field event officiating responsibilities, and details important guidelines and recommendations for keeping meets running smoothly and safely for competitors, coaches and spectators.

“There is no substitute for actual meet experience or the knowledge of rules, but all officials can benefit from guidance from a mentor and information that assists them in carrying out their responsibilities,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sport and liaison to the NFHS Track and Field Rules Committee. “By following the techniques used by some of the most successful track and field officials across the nation, this track and field officiating course can serve as a guide and resource for all individuals officiating track and field interscholastic meets.”

For more information and to access “Officiating Track and Field,” please visit: https://nfhslearn.com/courses/officiating-track-and-field.

This press release was written by Nate Perry, coordinator of media relations at the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.9 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bruce Howard, 317-972-6900
Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
bhoward@nfhs.org

Chris Boone, 317-972-6900
Assistant Director of Publications and Communications
National Federation of State High School Associations
cboone@nfhs.org

Cody Porter, 317-972-6900
Manager of Media Relations
National Federation of State High School Associations
cporter@nfhs.org

Nate Perry, 317-972-6900
Coordinator of Media Relations
National Federation of State High School Associations
nperry@nfhs.org