I have coached before and really not gotten along with refs. I have been a ref before and really do understand just how hard it is. I think the training we give refs is pretty pathetic.

I like the way Rugby approaches officials in some ways. Professional refs that move through the ranks as they improve. Start with young kids and move your way up to the World Cup. The ref admits they can make mistakes just like anyone else and you don't talk back to them at all. Lastly, the TMO, is played in the stands so everyone can see what is being reviewed at the same time as the ref and those watching on TV can actually hear what the refs are saying to reverse or not reverse a call.

All of that said, I was pulling my hair out during the game with the absolutely blatant holding calls that were missed. I get it. Holding can be called on every play if you want to get ticky-tacky. When I was a ref, all be it at the high school level, we tried to only call holding that was obvious and directly affected the play. Lineman really could get away with any type of hold that was inside the numbers or didn't have any bearing on the play. Once their hands got to the outside of the numbers to wrap around the defense OR the jersey was stretched, it was a pretty easy call. If 2 guys are wrestling on the opposite side of the field as the play and the jersey gets yanked or there is a bear hug then it was ignored.

This is what gives refs a bad name:

https://imgur.com/MzXZhru

This was a 10 yard gain on a scoring drive. This was basically the entire 3rd quarter for me. It drove me nuts.