Young Officials

[youngwhistle]

Hi all,

I should first say I am only in my third year officating. So when I talk about young officials I am I guess including myself to a certain extent. New young officials are needed badly. (at least in our geographical region) I am the son of a former basketball coach and long time official. So it was easy for me to get games and I had paid attention as a kid when my dad was officiating. I got to see how he and other officials handled situations. Therefore when I started I knew what to expect and had a jump on judgement and the "art" of officiating.

As I work with other young officials I see them struggle terribly with the "art" of officiating. I am not talking about knowledge of rules, mechanics, or the things you learn from manuals. I am talking about the "art" of selling calls, communicating with an angry coach, player etc.

The other night for example it was my turn to work the pre-lim game with the crew I am on and we're working in some new officials. I am familar with many of the coaches and their personalities and I knew one them was a coach who "nips" all game. Typically it isn't that bad, but he can be brutal to new officials. Anyway the guy i was working with made a backcourt violation call that most likely was wrong. Of course coach freaks out (even though the game was a 20+ spread) and made an example of the kid. I could tell the kid was going to "tank" after the getting butt chewed. So on the next dead ball I gave him a "wink" and said "good call that coach doesn't know what he's talking about". Even though I knew probably was the wrong call...I just gave him my backing and I discussed the play after the game when the time was right.

Anyway I was wondering what you guys have for new officials when they make mistakes. Because if they don't get good advice...they probably won't stick with officiating too long.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by youngwhistle

Of course coach freaks out (even though the game was a 20+ spread) and made an example of the kid. I could tell the kid was going to "tank" after the getting butt chewed. So on the next dead ball I gave him a "wink" and said "good call that coach doesn't know what he's talking about".

Next time you're heading into this sitch, before the game tell the new ref what to expect from the coach, and encourage him to whack the coach if necessary (which it was in this case). THAT's a good confidence booster.

If he doesn't do it, you should. Never acceptable behavior from a coach, especially when it's tantamount to bullying the "new" kid.

[grunewar]

As a "newer" official I appreciate the senior officials that do it "right". The ones who go over pre-games, look the part, and teach and mentor the rookies, etc. They are calm and helpful - not aloof and condescending, they are patient and instructive, don't roll their eyes or talk behind your back. They talk to you at timeouts and give constructive criticism and points to think about. As you say, "the art officiating" must be learned and experienced....and not all will get it. I have several senior refs I look up to and who mentor me. I hope after many years of experience I eventually turn out like one of the good ones.

[Rizzo21]

I'm in my third year and still appreciate a good senior official who is encouraging and not condescending. A couple weeks ago was involved in a 3-man subvarsity doubleheader with a senior official on the R. His manner was calm, decisive and encouraging to us less-experienced guys. He admitted when he blew a call and when we screwed up, he didn't chew us a new one, just calmly stated what it was and how we can do it better. I have great respect for him. There's been others, such as JV officials watching us freshman officials that totally lacked any tact when offering their "criticism". Being human, all I remember is their attitude rather than their advice.

[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.

[TheOracle]

Originally Posted by grunewar

I hope after many years of experience I eventually turn out like one of the good ones.

Better yet: Hopefully you will pass what you got on to the guys that follow you.

[tomegun]

One thing I think a young official should realize in this "friendlier" age is this: you can't necessarily ask for advice and give all the conditions with which that advice is given. This is similar to a "Yeah but" official at camp - if you want to constantly contradict what someone is saying to you, or in this case give the parameters for delivery, the person might simply choose to not say anything.
I had to realize a long time ago that the people who often gave me some of the hardest to swallow advice were the ones to cared the most. The people who sugar-coated things did so without sincerity.
Sure, a good word will make my chest swell temporarily, but the cold hard truth will help me get better. I always ask those who are more experienced than me to give me feedback without holding back. I also learned to ask all officials if they noticed anything in your game. This will open dialogue up with younger officials that may end up helping them more than me.

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Next time you're heading into this sitch, before the game tell the new ref what to expect from the coach, and encourage him to whack the coach if necessary (which it was in this case). THAT's a good confidence booster.

If he doesn't do it, you should. Never acceptable behavior from a coach, especially when it's tantamount to bullying the "new" kid.

Great advice from Rainmaker.

I agree that you need to support your crew but telling him that a call was a good call when you do not believe it is lying. Is he going to make the same call the next game, because of what you said? You might have gotten him in to more trouble down the line.

[BillyMac]

From TRef1: "When I see new officials work I tell them to get into the book and use the book terminology when dealing with coaches."

I agree. One of the best, and most experienced officials on our board, also a member of the training committee, tells young officials, that during the few times that they talk to coaches, to start off the statement with "Coach, by rule.....", and give a short answer.