Secret Shopper

[jTheUmp]

I think every evaluator should strive to match compliment and criticism equally. It makes one more likely to trust and act on the negative stuff while reinforcing the good stuff. In other words...basically good leadership skills. Sounds like your evaluator had those.

Depends on the purpose of the evaluation. If it's a "who gets the state tournament nod" eval, I'd like it to be as positive as possible, for obvious reasons.

If it's a teaching clinc/camp evaluation or film review from an association clinician, I want to be nitpicked as much as possible. Let me know every little thing I could be doing better or where I need to refine my judgement. In those situations, I'm looking for anything that I can use to get better. Something that can make me 1% better is great, 5% better is outstanding, 10% better is fantastic.

I did get observed at a game earlier this season (the eval was from one of the association big-wigs, who also has a role in selecting state tourney officials). The only two things he had for me were a) I sometimes don't get my arm fully extended when signaling a violation or foul (guilty), and b) I have my whistle on the side of my mouth rather than in the middle, which he said looks like I'm not paying attention. (Personally, I do it that way so it's easier to use my voice if necessary during a live ball).

Originally Posted by jTheUmp

The only two things he had for me were a) I sometimes don't get my arm fully extended when signaling a violation or foul (guilty), and b) I have my whistle on the side of my mouth rather than in the middle, which he said looks like I'm not paying attention. (Personally, I do it that way so it's easier to use my voice if necessary during a live ball).

While there is always an element of "when in Rome" and doing what your uppers want you to do, remember that these two things are not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.

Signals exist to communicate what call we have to those watching. Signals need to be clear, but also demonstrate strength and show confidence in our call. Sometimes that means not going explicitly by what the diagram shows.

As for the whistle in the side of the mouth, I have heard that as well. Just know when you turn on the tv you will see many high level refs chewing gum, dangling the whistle from the side of their mouth, and if they don't use a lanyard even dropping their whistle from time to time. It happens, even to the best. So take that critique with a grain of salt.