Couch to Head Ref (C2HR)

Pre-Game: Introductions 

Warm Up: Questions you’re asking me 

Jam 1: Before you read the rules 

Jam 2: Reading the rules 

Jam 3: Your first scrimmage - JR at scrimmage

Jam 4: OPR at scrimmage  

Jam 5: Work your first game 

Halftime 

Jam 6: Theory & classroom work 

Jam 7: FIPR at scrimmage

Jam 8: BIPR at scrimmage 

Jam 9: IPR at a game 

Jam 10: HR your first game 

Overtime Jam: The next steps 

After Party 

Appendix 

Here's a link to PDFs of some of the sidebar content separated out from their chapters. These are still in rough draft needing some high level accuracy checks, but this is what I teach my local newbies, and I think it might be useful to others. 

• Jam starting locations and common vocabulary PDF
• Starting location requirements by role PDF
• SuperPivots™ PDF
• Jammer special abilities PDF
• Passes, NOTTs, and NOPs PDF
• "Lost Lead" vs. "Not Lead" PDF
• Contact penalties PDF
• Non-contact penalties PDF
• Out of play blocker responsibilities PDF
• The Seven Steps to Calling Your First Penalty™ PDF
• Star Passes PDF
• Suggested skating skills PDF
• Additional resources PDF

Pre-Game: Introductions

Jam 10: HR your first game

After Party

As of 8/1/24, three draft chapters (of 16) are currently available to read in their entirety. All other chapters are fully drafted and only need proofreading and fact-checking. Current word count: 64k. Consider donating to help me complete and post the first draft of the remaining chapters.

This is all written! I just need proper fact checking!

Pre-game: Introductions 

• Derby vocabulary
• Suggested study sequence

Warm Up: Questions You’re Asking Me 

• Reffing gets easier

Jam 1: Before you read the rules 

• Whistle technique
• Core concept: Star Pass 

Jam 2: Reading the rules 

• Engagement Zone and track areas
• Scoring passes, NOTTs, NOPs
• Impact spectrum
• Contact penalties overview
• Non-contact penalties overview
• The Seven Steps to Calling Your First Penalty

Jam 3: Your first scrimmage - JR at scrimmage

• Jammer special abilities
• Jammer responsibilities during No Pack
• Lead Jammer Q&A
• “Locationing”
• JR-specific locationing & essential duties

Jam 4: OPR at scrimmage  

• Tips on Communicating with NSOs
• OPR-specific locationing & essential duties

Jam 5: Work your first game 

• Pre-game tips
• Additional JR game day tips
• Game day expectations
• Post-game self reflection

Halftime 

• "Seeing" everything & separation of duties by common scenarios
• Skating skills

Jam 6: Theory & Classroom Work 

• What to look for at an officiating clinic
• Out of play blocker responsibilities

Jam 7: FIPR at scrimmage

• Correcting Lead status errors
• Lost Lead vs. not Lead
• SuperPivots
• FIPR essential duties and locationing

Jam 8: BIPR at scrimmage 

• Pack definition
• Assists
• Skaters returning from the box
• BIPR essential duties and locationing
• Fairness & bias

Jam 9: IPR at a game 

• Separation of Duties Summary By Position for Beginners
• Before, during & after game tips
• When star passes are not complete
• Starting position infractions and False Starts

Jam 10: HR your first game 

• Facilitating pre-game captains and officials meetings
• HR game day tips

Overtime Jam: The next steps 

• Improve at your own pace
• Seeking expert knowledge
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Physically train more

After Party 

• Solving toxic behavior
• Reffing while short/female/non-binary
• Being heard on the track

Appendix 

• More resources
• Safety Gear & suggested equipment