Foundation in the Basics

If you observe any practice at any level, each day the team begins with fundamentals—blocking, tackling, handing off, shooting and passing drills, hitting off a tee, etc.  These fundamentals are the basics.  No matter how long a player or coach has been in a sport, the key to success are the fundamentals.  Plus, what does every coach say they will be doing during an off week—getting back to the fundamentals.

In officiating, our foundation in the basics helps us perform at the highest level.  What are the basics?

Mechanics, Communications, Fitness, Rules Knowledge

Mechanics:  get us in the right position (physical mechanics) and looking in the right area (visual mechanics),

Communication:  allows a crew to work more efficiently and helps to know when to talk and know when to listen

Fitness:   our physical condition keeps us mentally strong

Rules Knowledge:  helps to administer the game properly

Over and over, we work on these aspects of officiating.  Each game, we can use the basics to help the game run smoothly.  Then, when those unusual situations arise, hopefully, the crew can handle the situation correctly and confidentially because we have worked on the basics.

For Christians, the basics are growing in scripture, prayer, and fellowship – working on these repeatedly for years builds our relationship with Jesus.

 

Psalm 62:6-7 – He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

The “basic” truth in the Christian faith is our relationship with God through Jesus which is foundational to our faith.  There is a powerful word in that verse when our foundation is on God—“I will not be SHAKEN”.

The basics keep us from being shaken off our foundation.  It doesn’t mean we aren’t faced with trials, temptations, or challenges.  But, it does me our foundation keeps us upright by leaning on what we know—the BASICS.

Going back to the basics strengthens our foundation.