The DMOA continues its discussion of football penalty enforcement with game situations, interactive case plays, and group discussion.Topics include enforcement spots, fouls during kicking plays, changes of possession, double fouls, clock administration, and referee penalty announcements.Members also share recent game experiences and discuss the importance of proper crew communication and enforcement mechanics.

In this meeting, new officials share their early experiences on the field, including shadowing veteran crews and working their first games.The discussion focuses on back judge responsibilities, penalty enforcement mechanics, crew communication, and the importance of dead-ball officiating.A useful review for new officials developing their mechanics and learning from experienced members of the DMOA.

This DMOA New Football Officials Meeting focuses on the mechanics and responsibilities of wing officials. The session reviews what newer officials should be watching for, positioning and coverage responsibilities, and the IHSAA mechanics checklist used by observers and evaluators.

A practical session for officials beginning their football officiating careers or looking to strengthen their understanding of wing mechanics.

This DMOA football officials meeting begins a two-part training on penalty enforcement. The session examines the fundamentals officials need to work through penalty situations, including running plays versus loose-ball plays, basic spots and enforcement spots, fouls involving changes of possession, scoring plays, and other enforcement scenarios.

The meeting uses discussion, video examples, and interactive questions to work through how officials identify the type of play, determine the proper enforcement spot, and apply high school football penalty enforcement rules.

Get ready for the 2026 high school football season with the Des Moines Officials Association.Recorded during DMOA's August 19, 2026 football meeting, this session brings together veteran officials to work through rules changes, mechanics updates, officiating philosophy, and areas of emphasis for the upcoming season.The discussion goes beyond simply identifying what's new in the rule book. Officials talk through how the changes will actually affect crews on Friday nights, where coverage responsibilities are changing, and how crews can approach difficult situations consistently.Topics include:• Using the rules exam as a learning tool
• 2026 football rule changes and interpretations
• Player safety and illegal contact
• Changes involving player equipment
• New field goal and extra-point mechanics
• Umpire responsibilities on scoring kicks
• Crew positioning and coverage responsibilities
• Handling late-game field goal situations
• Game awareness and communication with coaches
• Five-person crew mechanics
• Kickoffs and punt coverage
• Avoiding ball watching and finding competitive matchups
• Blind-side blocks and other safety fouls
• Crew communication, pregame preparation, and video reviewThroughout the meeting, experienced DMOA officials share practical perspectives on how the rules and mechanics translate from the book to the field.This meeting was recorded on August 19, 2026 as part of DMOA's ongoing training and development for football officials.Learn more about the Des Moines Officials Association at desmoinesofficials.com.Without game officials, it's just recess.

Starting your first season as a football official can bring plenty of questions. Where do you find games? What positions should you learn? How do you study the rules? And who can help when something happens on the field that you haven't seen before?

In this DMOA training session for new football officials, Vice President of Football Steve Connard and experienced DMOA officials share practical advice for building a strong foundation in officiating.The discussion covers finding assignments and communicating with assigners, working multiple positions, learning proper mechanics, studying the rules and case plays, using resources such as RefTest.net, and taking advantage of mentoring and crew-shadowing opportunities.

Topics include:

• Finding games and working as much as possible
• Learning multiple officiating positions
• Understanding football mechanics
• Studying the rules and case book
• Using game situations to guide your learning
• Resources for improving your rules knowledge
• Finding and working with a veteran mentor
• Shadowing experienced officiating crews
• Getting connected with DMOA and other officiating resources

This session was recorded as part of the Des Moines Officials Association's August 19, 2026 meeting and is part of DMOA's ongoing effort to train, educate, and develop new officials.Learn more about DMOA at desmoinesofficials.com.Without game officials, it's just recess.

How does a basketball official go from simply knowing the rules to truly mastering the craft?

In Episode 2 of Nice Call Ref, the official podcast of the Des Moines Officials Association (DMOA), we are joined by Donnie Epley, Executive Director of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO) and an experienced college basketball conference supervisor.

DMOA President Scott Van Beck and Vice President for Basketball Chris Thomas join the conversation as Donnie explains how IAABO helps basketball officials learn, develop, and improve throughout their careers.

The discussion explores IAABO University, year-round training, continuing education, mentoring, rules and mechanics, and new learning opportunities designed for officials at every experience level.

The group also tackles a larger challenge facing officiating: Are officials trying to advance too quickly? Donnie discusses why building a strong foundation matters, the danger of skipping steps, and why patience and continued development are essential for officials who want to move to higher levels.

In this episode:
• What IAABO offers basketball officials
• IAABO University and year-round official training
• Continuing education for veteran officials
• Building a strong foundation in rules and mechanics
• Why standardized training matters
• Mentoring and professional development
• The state of high school basketball officiating
• Why some officials may be advancing too quickly
• The importance of patience in an officiating career
• How DMOA and IAABO support officials who want to improve

DMOA is proud to be part of IAABO as Board 295.

Learn more about the Des Moines Officials Association at desmoinesofficials.com

.Learn more about IAABO and its training opportunities at iaabo.org.

Without game officials, it's just recess.

Nice Call Ref is a production of the Des Moines Officials Association.

What does it really take to become a sports official — and why are officials needed now more than ever?

In the inaugural episode of Nice Call Ref, the official podcast of the Des Moines Officials Association (DMOA), host Adam Busch sits down with members of the DMOA leadership team to talk about the state of officiating and what it takes to get started.
Scott Van Beck, Steve Conard, Chris Thomas, and Jason Alons share their own paths into officiating, from decades-long careers to getting started later in life. The conversation explores the shortage of officials, why retaining new officials matters just as much as recruiting them, and the friendships, competition, community service, and opportunities that keep officials coming back.

The group also gets practical. If you've ever thought about putting on the stripes, you'll hear how to become a registered official in Iowa, where new officials can find games, how mentoring works, and how the Des Moines Officials Association can help you develop.

In this episode:
• Why Iowa and the nation need more sports officials
• How experienced officials got their start
• Why the first few years are critical for new officials
• The realities of the officiating shortage in football and basketball
• How to get started as an official in Iowa
• Registration, assignments, training, and mentoring
• How DMOA helps new and experienced officials improve
• Why officiating is about much more than making calls

Interested in becoming an official or learning more about DMOA? Visit desmoinesofficials.com.

Without game officials, it's just recess.

Nice Call Ref is a production of the Des Moines Officials Association.