|
As a sub-5'10", white, male official, I can relate my experience of attending a camp last year for the assignor of the Big 12, C-USA, Sun Belt, Southland conf's. I've been told that this assignor prefers taller officials, but he (and his camp clinicians) continually stressed he will hire officials that do the "little things" - mechanics, judgement, game management - all the time/everytime.
There were guys from Orlando, FL. to Boise, ID. at this camp and many "looked the part" (6'3", 220lbs, and large upper body builds). Physically, these guys were impressive, but they have watched WAY too much TV; their mechanics were a combo. of the NBA and ACC/SEC. They won't get hired if they continue that.
Here's the advice that I've received from "shorter" officials: work tall (arm motions, hand signals, etc. should all be higher than you're used too - make yourself seem taller); use a commanding voice (sound big and have a larger prescence); move extremely well to be in the perfect position everytime; and finally (here's my favorite), wear a shirt one size smaller than normal (makes your arms look bigger) and make sure your pants are tailored to the correct length (you never want your pants to look too long - it makes you look even shorter).
If you can work, you can work and you'll get hired.
__________________
Jeff Pearson
|