Need advice from officials with experience

[Stat-Man]

As a 4th year official, I've been on both ends of the spectrum where I went through similar growing pains as a new official and seen the same now that I'm occasionally partnered with new officials.

Originally Posted by OfficialBFish

1. Do you think that in elementary and middle school games it is okay to occasionally make a call out of your zone when you know you are working with this type of official?
-I have heard some say that it is okay especially in younger kid games when often times all ten players are gathered in one zone
-I have heard others say that you must always stay in your zone, in order to practice proper mechanics and prepare for varsity level games. Even if it means getting yelled at for several obvious missed calls.

If you're working with another rookie who is learning and not as strong a communicator as you are, you might need to make a call out of your primary. However, be sure the call you make is one that needs to be called. As an example, it might not be wise to call out of your primary for a marginal travel or violation. A foul where the contact is obvious but your partner misses it or is straight-lined is more something that could be called out of your primary. Also keep in mind that with youth games where the ten players are all massed together, you might be able to extend your off-ball coverage some to help out a partner.

The most important thing, though, is that if you call out of your primary, you must be correct with the call. If there's any doubt about what you see, a no-call is preferable to an incorrect call outside your primary.

Having officiated a handful of varsity games, I will say that while staying in one's primary and trusting your partner is important, sometimes the primary official misses something that needs a whistle--that's where a secondary whistle can be helpful.

2. What should I say(if anything at all) to this type of official to try to get them to be louder, use better mechanics, and communicate with me better? It is awkward because I am always several years younger than any partner, and don't want to seem condescending, but at the same time these things are necessary for the game to go more smoothly.

Last season, I had a middle school doubleheader with an official who decided to start officiating basketball after doing baseball for a number of years. My biggest issue is that he'd blow his whistle and not signal or verbalize what he called so that everyone knew what he was calling. I did my best at halftime and after the games to remind him to use proper signals to help everyone--especially his partner--to know what he was calling.

In your case, perhaps you could remind your partner to use a strong whistle/voice and proper signals to clearly communicate what's he calling for everyone's benefit--and most importantly, yours.

I've worked with rookies twice this year and I try to come up with 2-3 things they did well to praise them on (to help them develop good habits) and 2-3 things for them to work on (so they can get better). That way, they receive meaningful feedback without being overwhelmed. I appreciated the officials who put up with me as a rookie, so I try to show the same patience and support when I work with rookies.

Finally, welcome to the world of officiating.