The Beatles have long been suspected of hiding messages in their lyrics. As an official growing up in the prime of their era, I was always amazed at how much officiating knowledge is contained in those "hidden" lyrics and in the song titles.

I know I may sound a bit “ancient" by referencing the Beatles and their music, but in many ways the Beatles music will always be as relevant in the music world just as some aspects of officiating will always be relevant.

In the highly popular song "Revolution," John Lennon sings of "wanting to change the world." I see many officials enter the avocation with the idea that they are going to institute "change." Maybe they have been former players, or parents, or spectators that have seen or experienced a perceived injustice in their sports experience. They are there to fix something.

Or there are officials who want to change the way officiating assignments are administered in their areas. "We need a change" is the mantra. In actuality, everyone is about change as long as they don't have to change!

Still not convinced that the Beatles really had much officiating wisdom? Let’s continue by looking into some of their greatest hits.

"COME TOGETHER"

To improve and grow as an official, it is vitally important to "come together right now," to discuss rules, philosophies, mechanics and overall methodologies in the officiating community. You cannot reach a destination in "isolation education." If you are not a part of a rules study group, maybe that is what needs to become the “Revolution” in you. Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a process; and working together is success. Listening and learning from one another is a hallmark of a good official. Get together in officiating "chat" sessions as much as possible and make them relevant.

There is another instance for "Coming Together." During a contest where a rule may be burped or a situation develops that requires a conference, it is imperative that officials gather to discuss rulings and options. Many minds together trump a single mind alone. However, these meetings should be used with some discretion and only when necessary or the contest will turn into an "officiate-by-committee" situation.

"GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE"

What many officials need to get into their life is the rules book – just as the lyrics say "....every single day of your life." If a official’s mindset is, "I have finished reading the book", then, in reality, he or she is finished. The only way to be fully prepared to officiate is to have a keen knowledge and understanding of the rules book. By failing to prepare, one is preparing to fail.

"EIGHT DAYS A WEEK"

Any successful relationship must be in "overtime." And officiating is a relationship. Sometimes those that officials have relationships with (spouses, family, etc.) think they work at this eight days a week. But to reach "extraordinary" in an officiating career requires overtime because the difference between extraordinary and ordinary is "extra." However, officials must balance other important components of their lives with their officiating commitments.

"THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD"

The journey to the top is long and the road winds through many stops - youth ball, junior high games, years at the high school level, a chance at college, and possibly the professional ranks. As yet another Beatles song – "Slow Down" – tells us "...slow down, you move to fast..", officials must take the necessary time at each stop in their journeys to hone their skills and re-check their philosophies before advancing to the next level. Officials must be great at where they are at before being good at the next level.

"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE"

Yes, officials need some skill and talent sprinkled in,butcommitment and love of the sport they officiate are important components of a top official.

"HELP!"

The lyrics sing out"Help!, I need somebody."We often speak of opening up the doors of opportunity for up and coming and new officials, but then fail to equip those individuals to walk through that door. Mentoring, assisting, and helping the new official must be a priority for all veteran officials. If officials keep asking why SOMEBODY didn't step up and help a young official who botched a rule, or why SOMEBODY didn't do anything to correct an official’s error, they need to realize that - they are that SOMEBODY! Get involved in local associations’ mentoring programs, and if a group doesn't have one - then be the somebody to start one.

"NOWHERE MAN"

Officials should avoid being the official that does not know where to position, does not move with the play, is mechanically unsound, and does not see the action. They end up in NOWHERE land. When any of the above occurs, a game may go south.

There is another side of "Nowhere Man." Officials shouldn’t be "out there" by officiating their own way and not following established guidelines for mechanics, positioning and rule calling philosophies. They shouldn’t make up their own rules and rule interpretations. Nowhere people get in more trouble and wind up going nowhere in this avocation. Don't be a "...real nowhere man sitting in your nowhere land."

"LET IT BE"

Great leaders do not overreact to events, and great officials do not overreact to situations. Sometimes officials have a tendency to throw gasoline on the fire and then wonder why a situation exploded. Some situations will fix themselves with just minor nudging. As the Beatles teach us "...let it be, let it be, let, it be, let it be...."

"IMAGINE"

Technically a John Lennon song, the lyrics in the hit "Imagine" encourage us to "...be a dreamer." Goal development and setting an officiating direction is crucial to set the pathway on a journey to the peak of one’s officiating abilities. Officials should dream big, imagine greatness and strive to reach the goals they have set.

"YESTERDAY"

"Yesterday" should not dominate an official’s thoughts. Officials shouldn’t worry about last year's schedule, a missed call, the tournament game assignment missed, or the coach that should have been dealt with.

Officials also do not need to be in yesterday as it relates to rules. They must stay relevant and change with the times whether they agree or not.

"TELL ME WHY"

If officials want to advance to the next level but are not being successful, the question they should be asking supervisors or evaluators is "Tell Me Why?" Officials cannot observe themselves, so they should take advantage of input from other officials and watch video. Officials should open up their minds to embrace critique and open up their ears to understand what is being said. And, above all, they should be humble.

"HEY DUDE" – A play on "Hey Jude"

It’s a big game with a big crowd expected and two fiery coaches. Then an official sees that his or her partner is a “newbie.” What does an official tell the guy? How do they pregame? Simply follow the lyrics.

"Hey Dude, don't make it bad." Talk in the pregame about rules that might surface in the game, team and player tendencies, and what to expect. Make the partner aware of the importance of the moment, to use this opportunity to shine, and rise in the eyes of the officiating community.

"Hey Dude, don't be afraid." Use the pregame to relax nerves. Yes, he or she will be anxious. The veteran official should encourage confidence, embrace previous experience by telling him or her that the assignor had great confidence in him or her to assign the game, and enable the official to utilize his or her abilities to "....make the game better."

"Hey Dude, don't let me down." Officials should reinforce working together and that they will not let each other down, and together, they won't let the teams down, the players down, or the officiating community down. Together they will be at the top of your games, and             do the best possible job they are capable of doing.

"TICKET TO RIDE"

Officials have prime seating at an American institution in high school sports. They should enjoy it, be a positive impact inside the sports experience, and have fun. Officials shouldn’t take this thing we call officiating so seriously that it clouds their enjoyment and blinds the real reason they got into it in the first place. Enjoy the special ticket you have to this ride.