IHSAA
2015-16Softball
Curriculum Guide
Class Objective: To educate and prepare individuals with the basic knowledge of the rules and toequip individuals with the appropriatetools to become a licensed official.
Session 1Officiating Principles and Duties
Philosophy of Officiating
Umpire Game Equipment
Officials Duties
Technology
Session 2NFHS Rules /Game Management
Rules/Points of Emphasis/Editorial Changes
Coaches Panel
Game Procedures/Pre-Game Conference
Scrimmage Rules
Two Umpire System
Session 3 Game Procedures
Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
Different Plays so Far this Season
NFHS Lookback Rule
2015 Rules Interpretations
Concussion Protocol
Three Umpire system
Session 4Players and Equipment/Pitching
Tournament Rating Protocol
NFHS INT-OBS With Awards
Obstruction at Home
Possible Obstruction at Plate
2016 Rule Interpretations
Plate Mechanics
Pitching 101
- OFFICIATING PRINCIPLES AND DUTIES
During this session, officials will discuss the various Officiating Principles in the Officials Manualand the importance of Officials Dutiesthat 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 the ArbiterSports web site.
Officiating Principles
Discuss the Code of Conduct and the importance for all officials to demonstrate these very important characteristics.
Discuss the Officiating Philosophy as it pertains to the importance of rules knowledge, language, and the proper use of NFHS signals/mechanics.
Personal Characteristics: Explain the importance of conditioning, decisiveness, teamwork, and maintaining control.
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).
Working with coaches and players.
Working with Coaches and Players
Review the power point addressing this topic, which stresses preventive officiating and demeanor.
Field and Game Equipment
Provide guidance on the different vendors that supply NFHS approved attire.
Uniform and Equipment: Discuss the uniform/equipment guidelines (posted on IHSAA Central Hub).
Officials and Their Duties
Discuss umpire responsibilities when the umpire’s jurisdiction begins.
Explain correctable errors.
Discuss IHSAA concussion protocol.
Discuss officials ratings protocol.
Technology Session
The Officials Association Technology Chairperson will present information regarding the use of Arbiter and the Central Hub.
Resources
IHSAA Softball Umpire’s Uniform – word document
IHSAA Code of Ethics – word document
Working With Coaches and Players – power point
Softball Diagram – pdf
NFHS Arbiter Information – power point
Softball Glove – Legal or Illegal? – power point
II.NFHS RULES CHANGES/GAME MANAGEMENT
During the session, officials will discuss and highlight the importance of Pre-Game Conferences with their partner(s). Officials will also discuss and illustrate the importance of following Game Procedures.
NFHS Rule Changes/Points of Emphasis/Situations - Officials will discuss NFHS Rule Changes and any Points of Emphasis, Editorial Changes, and Case Book Situations for the current year.
Coaches Panel
Area softball coaches should be invited to this meeting to participate in a panel discussion regarding nuances of the game.
Game Management/Awareness
Discuss the importance of being professional at all times.
Discuss and explain the importance of communication with administration, coaches, and players.
Discuss the importance of communication with fellow umpires.
Discuss and define the importance of preventive game management and preventive officiating.
Pre-Game Conference
Discuss the importance of conducting a Pre-Game Conference before every contest between you and your partner(s).
Discuss NFHS/IHSAA standard procedure for pre-game conference with coaches and captains.
IHSAA Modifications
The IHSAA modifies several NFHS rules each year. Review the modifications per handout.
Scrimmage Rules
Review IHSAA Scrimmage Rules per handout.
Two Umpire System
Using the animated power point, discuss positioning in the two umpire system.
Resources
NFHS Softball Rules Changes - .pdf
NFHS Point of Emphasis- word document
NFHS Comments on the Rules – .pdf
BFHS Comments on the Rule Changes – word document
Angles and Distances-power point
IHSAA Modifications – word document
Scrimmage Rules – word document
Two Umpire System – power point
- NFHS – GAME PROCEDURES
During the session, officials will outline the details of Game Mechanics.
Game Procedures
Discuss and define Terminology.
Discuss and explain the Pregame Duties that should be completed.
Discuss and explain the communication signals/mechanics that should be used.
Discuss Batting Out of Order penalties.
Discuss Pre-game and post-game responsibilities.
Discuss Substitutes and illegal substitution.
Discuss the following:
Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
Different Plays so Far this Season
NFHS Lookback Rule
NFHS Batting Out of Order
Pre-game and Post-game
Substitutes, DP/Flex, illegal subs
Review of 2015IHSAA Rule Interpretations
Rule interpretations are compiled each year from questions received during the IHSAA contests season from coaches and officials. Discussion will center on issues that arose during the 2015 season.
Concussion Protocol
Review procedures that must be followed when a concussion is suspected.
Three Umpire System
Using the animated power point, discuss positioning in the three umpire system.
Resources
NFHS Batting Out of Order – power point
Pre-game and Post-game – power point
Substitutes, dp-flex, illegal subs – power point
DP/Flex Strategies – power point
Dead Ball and Suspension of Play – power point
NFHS Lookback Rule – power point
2015 IHSAA Rules Interpretations – .pdf
Concussion Protocol Policy – word document
Three Umpire System – power point
- PLAYER EQUIPMENT/PITCHING/BATTING
During the session, officials will discuss and study Players Equipment, and umpire responsibilities with regard to pitching and batting.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment
Discuss and explain the concept of a team and the responsibilities of a captain.
Explain the process and the importance of having starters listed on the lineup card and possible penalties if not entered correctly.
Discuss and define the substitute’s role and the process for entering the game.
Discuss and define the DP/FLEX role and the process for entering the game.
Highlight the importance of adhering to proper uniform and numbering standards.
Discuss the equipment/apparel that is appropriate and not appropriate based NFHS standards.
Tournament Ratings Protocol
Explain the tournament ratings protocol using the word document as a teaching tool.
Discuss the following:
NFHS INT-OBS With Awards
Obstruction at Home
Possible Obstruction at Plate
Review 2016 IHSAA Rules Interpretations
Over the course of the 2016 season, the IHSAA will post interpretations to situations reported to
theAssociation. This list of interpretations will be posted on the softball page of the
site and will be available to the public.
Plate Mechanics
The Plate Mechanics videos will help initiate a discussion on appropriate umpire mechanics. Animated video will clearly illustrate the expectations behind the plate.
Pitching 101
Using the videos that are included in the educational resources, review pitching requirements and what illegal pitches look like.
Resources
Pitching – power point
Rule 7 Batter – power point
Rule 8 Batter Runner and Runner – power point
NFHS INT-OBS With Awards – power point
Tournament Ratings Protocol – word document
2016 IHSAA Rules Interpretations – word document
Plate Mechanics (Calling the Pitch) – power point
Plate Mechanics (Movement after the Pitch) – power point
Plate Mechanics (Plays at the Plate) – power point
Plate Mechanics (The Set Position) – power point
Continued on next page…
Pitching 101 (24 inch length) – video
Pitching 101 (Behind the Back Delivery) – video
Pitching 101 (Crow Hop) – video
Pitching 101 (Double Touch) – video
Pitching 101 (Ephus Pitch) – video
Pitching 101 (Leap) – video
Pitching 101 (Legal Drag) – video
Pitching 101 (Legal Removal) – video
Pitching 101 (Sidearm Delivery) – video
Additional Resources:
IHSAA Central Hub –
NFHS Central Hub –
Official’s Handbook/On-Line information – official’s page of the
IHSAA General Softball Information – softball page of the
NFHS Softball Rules Book
NFHSSoftball Case Book
NFHS Softball Umpires Manual
NFHS Softball Rules Interpretation Meeting 2015-16 - power point