Young Officials

[CLH]

I still consider myself a young guy. I'm working in my 7th season now and have been pretty successful, but I never, ever forget what its like in your first couple seasons. I nearly wanted to quit several times. I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a good teacher, I get frustrated when someone doesn't "get it" as quickly as I did. But, I always try to encourage them with things they do right, and work in some "good job..buts" in there. One of my biggest pet peeves with veterans is they forget, the JV and 9th grade games ARE the Varsity games to new people. Don't cut corners with them, do the correct mechanics and teach them the RIGHT way.

CLH

Some people are so busy learning the tricks of the trade, that they never learn the trade. -- Vernon Law

[JRutledge]

I think one of the biggest things an official can do is find a mentor. You need to find someone that works a level or two above what you currently work and use them as a sounding board and someone that can walk you through a lot of situations. Other than that, attend camps regularly, talk to veteran officials and most of all have fun. After all this is an activity that you should enjoy first and foremost. If it is not fun than you have to question why you are doing it.

Peace

[TheOracle]

The senior official should take care of that coach in that situation, and tell his partner who kicked a call to focus on making the right calls. It is not terribly difficult for an experienced "R" with credibility to immediately stop a coach like that (including the T if necessary), while making sure the new guy doesn't lose confidence. The best ones take care of the coach without the others being very aware of it. However, after the game, feedback needs to be provided to make sure that he new guys learn from their mistakes (judgment and game awareness/management) and don't repeat them.

[dan74]

Originally Posted by TheOracle

The senior official should take care of that coach in that situation, and tell his partner who kicked a call to focus on making the right calls. It is not terribly difficult for an experienced "R" with credibility to immediately stop a coach like that (including the T if necessary), while making sure the new guy doesn't lose confidence. The best ones take care of the coach without the others being very aware of it. However, after the game, feedback needs to be provided to make sure that he new guys learn from their mistakes (judgment and game awareness/management) and don't repeat them.

I don't think it's a newer officials judgment in many cases, it's a newer persons ability to quickly process what they've seen, or didn't see, and make a split second decision to take action or not. I can sit in the stands and call one heck of a game, however, it's different when ten 16-17 year old kids are flying around the court and you have potentially five different calls you can make every single trip down the floor.

[TRef21]

Originally Posted by dan74

I don't think it's a newer officials judgment in many cases, it's a newer persons ability to quickly process what they've seen, or didn't see, and make a split second decision to take action or not. I can sit in the stands and call one heck of a game, however, it's different when ten 16-17 year old kids are flying around the court and you have potentially five different calls you can make every single trip down the floor.

I agree with Dan. When a new a guy or new face is on the floor the coach will begin to go directly to that official asking for calls and try to influence the officials judgment. I'm fairly new to officiating but have moved up the ladder pretty quick. I'm 22 yrs old and in 5th season of high school ball and my 3rd season of doing NCAA D3 and Junior College mens working in 5 conferences. The hardest thing for that i experienced was dealing with coaches. I know my judgment is good, but when coaches see a young face out there as young as there players, they will question you. I knew I was right on my calls and yes some I could have passed on as we all have those, but it was hard for me to deal with a loud college coach in my ear. They have more knowledge of the game than high school coaches from my experience so I have to give them a more definitive answer. That was hard for me since some of all of these coaches are old enough to be dad and some cases my grandfather. Some even had kids that were and are as old as me. It's not so much judgment it's more communication.

When I see new officials work i tell them to get into the book and use the book terminology when dealing with coaches. If you know terminology, I feel it shows the coach you have an understanding and know the rules of the game and how they are applied in situations. Even at the high school level terminology will make a young official credible. Most high school coaches from my experience don't have an understanding of the rules like we do. If we use terminology, the coach will most likely agree because he or she doesn't understand. Some might understand what your saying, but i believe if we know the terminology and apply properly when communicating it makes a young official credible as well it builds the confidence of the official.
I practice talking to coaches and using the terminology in the mirror. Seems crazy but it works. This is my opinion. I hope it helps.

Tommy

[chartrusepengui]

Younger officials need to learn early that they are not required to respond to a coach - that coaches will try and intimidate them. When that happens officials can become flustered and "terminology" can fail them even if they know proper terminology and had the call right in the first place. You can take a lot of "talk" in your ear - but when you start conversing with a coach things can go down the tubes and escalate pretty quickly.

[Coltdoggs]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

Younger officials need to learn early that they are not required to respond to a coach - that coaches will try and intimidate them. When that happens officials can become flustered and "terminology" can fail them even if they know proper terminology and had the call right in the first place. You can take a lot of "talk" in your ear - but when you start conversing with a coach things can go down the tubes and escalate pretty quickly.

I agree with this...sometimes not responding is best. You hear them but you may be focused on the action... if it persists to the point of a dead ball and you are confronted...then you might respond.

I've found that after a few plays have happened and they are still barking...I might ask them what they have/what the problem is? ...they'll tell me...I'll say "Which # are we talking about?"....they might say the number or they might not actually know or forgot (which makes things easier). The easy difuser is "OK...I'll keep an eye on it down there/coach..." and walk away. Rather than just saying "I have nothing there...." or something like that...

I've found dealing with coaches is a lot like being in sales...You have to allow your prospect/client/coach feel like they are in control when you have conversation...Stating "OK...I'll keep an eye on it coach" acknowledges that you have heard their specific issue. Doesn't mean it's happening and it doesn't mean it's not happening but at least he feels like he got to have his say and he at least feels like you are watching.

Now the second conversation might be A LOT different if you are still missing/not callling it for whatever reason...