How to do your best with new/sub-par officials?

[Back In The Saddle]

I think the biggest problem/challenge/opportunity, that comes from being a good official is that you are frequently partnered with weaker officials. This is something you're going to have to learn to do, and do well. Here's what I've learned so far:

• Communicate, communicate, communicate
• Take care of everything in your area. Obviously not normally a problem, or you wouldn't be where you're at. But we have to do our own work first.
• Expand your area some, to help out when you can, and when it's appropriate
• Call your game, and let your partner adjust. How else will they learn if not by your example?
• Let your partner make mistakes. It's how you and I learned. It'll work for him/her too.
• Free your partner to focus on the game. You take care of the coaches, table, everything that isn't directly related to refereeing the action between the lines.
• Be aware for the whole crew. Know foul counts, arrow, time out situation. Communicate this to your partner. Get the shooters. Know where you'll restart after timeouts.
• If the game is tanking, step it up.
• Realize that you're almost always be better off with a any partner than no partner. So keep him/her in the game.
• If everything else truly fails, you may have to take over the game entirely. This is not a good experience for your partner, but your loyalty is to the game first.
• Be positive, instructive, supportive. But also be honest. Never send a partner who wants to learn home with a, "You did fine. Just keep it up." And never send a partner who doesn't want to learn home with false praise.

As always, just my $0.02

[Junker]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I think the biggest problem/challenge/opportunity, that comes from being a good official is that you are frequently partnered with weaker officials. This is something you're going to have to learn to do, and do well. Here's what I've learned so far:

• Communicate, communicate, communicate
• Take care of everything in your area. Obviously not normally a problem, or you wouldn't be where you're at. But we have to do our own work first.
• Expand your area some, to help out when you can, and when it's appropriate
• Call your game, and let your partner adjust. How else will they learn if not by your example?
• Let your partner make mistakes. It's how you and I learned. It'll work for him/her too.
• Free your partner to focus on the game. You take care of the coaches, table, everything that isn't directly related to refereeing the action between the lines.
• Be aware for the whole crew. Know foul counts, arrow, time out situation. Communicate this to your partner. Get the shooters. Know where you'll restart after timeouts.
• If the game is tanking, step it up.
• Realize that you're almost always be better off with a any partner than no partner. So keep him/her in the game.
• If everything else truly fails, you may have to take over the game entirely. This is not a good experience for your partner, but your loyalty is to the game first.
• Be positive, instructive, supportive. But also be honest. Never send a partner who wants to learn home with a, "You did fine. Just keep it up." And never send a partner who doesn't want to learn home with false praise.

As always, just my $0.02

That is a great list. Well said.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I think the biggest problem/challenge/opportunity, that comes from being a good official is that you are frequently partnered with weaker officials. This is something you're going to have to learn to do, and do well. Here's what I've learned so far:

• Communicate, communicate, communicate
• Take care of everything in your area. Obviously not normally a problem, or you wouldn't be where you're at. But we have to do our own work first.
• Expand your area some, to help out when you can, and when it's appropriate
• Call your game, and let your partner adjust. How else will they learn if not by your example?
• Let your partner make mistakes. It's how you and I learned. It'll work for him/her too.
• Free your partner to focus on the game. You take care of the coaches, table, everything that isn't directly related to refereeing the action between the lines.
• Be aware for the whole crew. Know foul counts, arrow, time out situation. Communicate this to your partner. Get the shooters. Know where you'll restart after timeouts.
• If the game is tanking, step it up.
• Realize that you're almost always be better off with a any partner than no partner. So keep him/her in the game.
• If everything else truly fails, you may have to take over the game entirely. This is not a good experience for your partner, but your loyalty is to the game first.
• Be positive, instructive, supportive. But also be honest. Never send a partner who wants to learn home with a, "You did fine. Just keep it up." And never send a partner who doesn't want to learn home with false praise.

As always, just my $0.02

Great list, thanks. Great for me to review prior to heading to the scrimmage tonight!

If everything else truly fails, you may have to take over the game entirely. This is not a good experience for your partner, but your loyalty is to the game first.

My question on this is where do you draw the line in calling out of your area. I'm sure we've all worked with different officials that we may have felt were subpar at times (I'm sure I've been that official at times myself).
I tend to believe that those that are rating you will clearly see where the weaknesses are in situations like this. At what point does the assignor start seeing you as taking over the game and calling out of your area?
There have been numerous times before on this board where posters have gotten flamed for ball watching and calling out of their area. "Who's paying attention to the other players while you were looking there?"
I think you need to go out every game and do your very best. Obviously, there are times where you might easily be in position to see something in your partner's area, but I would be careful to not overstep your bounds. That could backfire with your partners and assignor.
In addition, there's always the possibility your not as sharp as you think.
JMO

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by PYRef

My question on this is where do you draw the line in calling out of your area.

This is the challenge for sure. My attempt last night was to focus on my primary, but not be afraid to get something if, as I was looking "through" my primary I saw something obvious.

Originally Posted by PYRef

In addition, there's always the possibility your not as sharp as you think.

What?!?!?!

[SeanFitzRef]

Good points, PY.

Most assignors would rather a 'newbie' live or die with their calls or non calls in their own primary, rather than have you call the game for your partner. Only way the newbie gains experience.

Had a partner once that gave the impression during our 'pregame' that he was well in control of the situation and knew what he was doing, as he was an older gentleman than myself, and proceeded to come out and call all over the gym during the first quarter. He even made a few (incorrect) calls in the freshman game being played in a different gym. Had to give him a clinic at halftime, going over things like primary area of responsibility, etc.

Just because someone can pass a test doesn't mean they know the material....

[Adam]

Originally Posted by SeanFitzRef

Had to give him a clinic at halftime, going over things like primary area of responsibility, etc.

How did that go?

[Junker]

I make an effort to not extend my primary when working with newbies (luckily it doesn't happen often). The need to learn to call their area and if they blow something, they need to learn how to deal with the coach as well.