What does it take to be considered a top notch official

[ref18]

In advancing being good always isn't enough, it could also come down to who plays politics the best.

It's not fair, but that's the way it is.

[mightyvol]

Ill give a list of some things that I think are most important in being considered a quality official.

1. Appearance----meaning Posture, you can sell alot with a look of confidence.

2. Sharp Mechanics-------- be crisp, but dont over officiate. Dont draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

3. Judgement------ being consistent. See it happen then make the call. One of the greatest philosophies that I have learned over time.

4. Communication-----being aware of whats going on, clock, fouls, relaying messages amongst other officials.

5. Game mangagement------interaction with other officials and score keeper and timer. They are your best friends at the time, be their best friend as well.

Feel free, to add more.

[Terrapins Fan]

mightyvol



Ill give a list of some things that I think are most important in being considered a quality official.

1. Appearance----meaning Posture, you can sell alot with a look of confidence.

2. Sharp Mechanics-------- be crisp, but dont over officiate. Dont draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

3. Judgement------ being consistent. See it happen then make the call. One of the greatest philosophies that I have learned over time.

4. Communication-----being aware of whats going on, clock, fouls, relaying messages amongst other officials.

5. Game mangagement------interaction with other officials and score keeper and timer. They are your best friends at the time, be their best friend as well.

1 and 2 are at the top of the list for what you can do, but Politics is above them. Period.

Going to camps helps your chances.

#5 as far as the table goes, no way that helps anyone. JMO

[JRutledge]

What do you mean by politics? If you ask me that claim of politics is just an excuse for not taking responsibility for what you cannot do.

Peace

[mcarr]

#6. The respect of your peers...

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What do you mean by politics? If you ask me that claim of politics is just an excuse for not taking responsibility for what you cannot do.

Peace

I was just thinking the same thing.

[Terrapins Fan]

Politics-

Kissing butt. You know it exists. To deny it is a lie.

[Adam]

So, politics is what? Being nice to the right people? Getting to know people? I'm not saying it's not there; it would have to be defined before I could say that.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Politics-

Kissing butt. You know it exists. To deny it is a lie.

Could you define that further? I have never seen anyone actually kiss someone's butt. I have seen officials hang around and talk to certain people, but that does not get you hired automatically or even considered seriously in the circles I have run in. As a matter of fact if you try to do this it does not work very well from what I have seen. You are still required to attend camps, attend meetings and do more than just pay some money to an association and all of a sudden games are going to fly in your lap.

I guess it is better to blame someone than look in the mirror and take responsibility for your own short comings.

Peace

[stripes]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Politics-

Kissing butt. You know it exists. To deny it is a lie.

It exists, but to believe that it is the main reason things happen is to kid yourself. People work because they have the ability. Lots of people think they have the ability, but they are kidding themselves. Their opinion of themselves is way too high.

I hear people around here moan and groan about who is working and who isn't and about 99% of the time they are wrong about the people involved. The right people are working the games and the others are sitting in the stands complaining.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

Politics-

Kissing butt. You know it exists. To deny it is a lie.

Back in college they made us write a paper about politics in the workplace. I thought it was the stupidest, most worthless waste of time I ever paid for the "privlege" of enduring. Until I wrote it.

Every organization has its politics, defined as the unwritten rules that actually determine how people interact successfully and move up and down within the organization. To sit in the dark and scream about "it's all politics" is just plain stupid. If you want to move up in the organization, learn the rules, then follow the rules.

In my, admittedly limited, experience, the rules of moving up in the refereeing world include the need to work hard, be up-to-date, go to camps, be seen consistently doing a good job, work games without regard to "playing politics", taking the games you're given with gratitude, doing things that make you stand out in a positive way, and impressing the "right" people. Oh, and there's this little thing about being able to do the job. IMHO, this is where you need to expend the majority of your effort.

If you really are serious about moving up, you'll make the changes in yourself required to work within the group's rules. If not, if you think you're somehow "above it all", if you think that changing how you do things is somehow "caving in" or "kissing butt" then you'll stay right where you are. And it will be politics that keeps you down. Or rather, it'll be your own bad attitude about or ignorance of the group dynamic that will keep you down. Or should I simplify that to simply say, it'll be you that keeps you down? The group isn't going to adapt to you.

So do yourself a favor. Stop whining about "politics" and find out what changes you really have to make to move up. Then go to work. Stop worrying about how fast or slow others around you move up. Stop worrying about whether you're getting what you think you deserve. Find out what you need to do in order to move to the next step. Then do it; and damn the torpedos!

[MJT]

Originally Posted by mightyvol

Ill give a list of some things that I think are most important in being considered a quality official.

1. Appearance----meaning Posture, you can sell alot with a look of confidence.

2. Sharp Mechanics-------- be crisp, but dont over officiate. Dont draw unnecessary attention to yourself.

3. Judgement------ being consistent. See it happen then make the call. One of the greatest philosophies that I have learned over time.

4. Communication-----being aware of whats going on, clock, fouls, relaying messages amongst other officials.

5. Game mangagement------interaction with other officials and score keeper and timer. They are your best friends at the time, be their best friend as well.

Feel free, to add more.

I like your list, but I would like to add communication with and listening to coaches. I think this is one thing that can make a big difference for an official.

[Scrapper1]

I don't think anyone has mentioned this. Maybe it's what somebody means by "politics", but I think a big asset as a referee (and in life, in general) is the ability to get along with people. Just being a person that other people like being around. If you're just a miserable person that nobody likes working with, it's a lot harder to excel even if you can call plays. That's certainly not all it takes, but it helps.