Podcast Episodes

Inside the NCAA 2025 Rulebook: What's New This Season with Mike VanderVelde

Season 2 Episode 39

In this episode of Whistle Talk, Michael D'Ambrosio and Michael VanderVelde discuss the current state of football officiating, focusing on the differences between NCAA and high school rules, key rule…

Published on 8 hours ago

Navigating the Challenges of New White Hats

Season 2 Episode 38

In this episode of Whistle Talk, host Mike D engages with new white hats in football officiating, discussing their challenges, experiences, and the importance of communication and teamwork. The conve…

Published on 1 week ago

Mastering the Mental Game of Officiating with Andrew Toce

Season 2 Episode 37

In this episode of Whistle Talk, Michael D and Andrew Toce discuss the critical role of mental preparation in officiating football games. They explore various strategies for officials to enhance thei…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Bad to the Bone : Officiating the Flex Bone Offense

Season 2 Episode 34

Join Mike D, the referee, as he dives deep into the world of football officiating with a special focus on the Flexbone offense. In this episode, Mike is joined by a panel of seasoned coaches, includi…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Replay Systems: The Future of Football Officiating

Season 2 Episode 35

In this episode of Whistle Talk, host Michael D'Ambrosio speaks with veteran football official Mark Mesnick about his extensive career in officiating, the intricacies of the replay system in college …

Published on 4 weeks ago

2025 Points of Emphasis NFHS

Season 2 Episode 34

In this episode of Whistle Talk, Michael D'Ambrosio discusses the NFHS points of emphasis for high school football officials, focusing on illegal equipment, sportsmanship, and player safety. He empha…

Published on 1 month ago

The Ultimate Guide to NFHS Football Penalty Signals & Yardage — For Refs, Coaches & Pressbox

Season 2 Episode 33

Master the Language of the Game — Clear Communication, Accurate Enforcement, and Winning Strategies for Every Sideline Role

Episode Description:
In this must-listen episode, Mike D and Danial break dow…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Navigating the Intricacies of Penalty Enforcement in Football

Season 2 Episode 30

In this episode, I replay an episode from last year as it falls in line with the completion of the NFHS Rule Book Series

 In the world of football, penalty enforcement is a critical yet often misunder…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

Whistle Talk: The Penalty Playbook — Mastering NFHS Rule 10

Season 2 Episode 27

Get ready for a can’t-miss episode of Whistle Talk as hosts Michael D'Ambrosio, Daniel Chamberlain, and Tom Barlow break down the most complex and misunderstood section of the NFHS Football Rule Book…

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Rule 9 Deep Dive: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Illegal Participation, and More

Season 2 Episode 28

In this episode of Whistle Talk, Mike D and Daniel Chamberlain dive deep into the intricacies of football officiating, focusing on Rule Nine. They discuss various aspects of player conduct, illegal b…

Published on 2 months ago