Education of Rookies

[bossref]

Just looking to improve the teaching
of new officials who will
work youth and rec ball.
We (BOSS of San Diego) give a 20 page
manual that has rules, signals, and philosophy.
We ask they they come out to "observe" a
few times and demonstrate proficiency in
basic signals.
We stress blowing a strong whistle and controlling
the games. We stress making eye-contact with partners
and the table.
We also stress the importance of hustle and good
body-language as well as good people skills.
We tell them that the perception the players have
of them is reality.
Anybody out there have some good teaching tools
or techniques?

PS Thanks to those who suggested that advertising
at the local colleges was a good way to recruit.
Four days in the SDSU Daily Aztec resulted in
over 40 responses.

[mick]

Originally posted by bossref
Just looking to improve the teaching
of new officials who will
work youth and rec ball.
We (BOSS of San Diego) give a 20 page
manual that has rules, signals, and philosophy.
We ask they they come out to "observe" a
few times and demonstrate proficiency in
basic signals.
We stress blowing a strong whistle and controlling
the games. We stress making eye-contact with partners
and the table.
We also stress the importance of hustle and good
body-language as well as good people skills.
We tell them that the perception the players have
of them is reality.
Anybody out there have some good teaching tools
or techniques?

PS Thanks to those who suggested that advertising
at the local colleges was a good way to recruit.
Four days in the SDSU Daily Aztec resulted in
over 40 responses.

Shadow them.
Tape them.

[Stanley]

I think that one of the most important things for rookie refs or youth referees to really stress is appearance. We'll say that if you're a rookie or a young referee-to coaches and players--those are strikes against you. Since you already have those strikes against you, you need to be sure not to get any more very preventable strikes before you even blow your whistle! Make sure you look good. Shirt tucked in and hair combed.... A lot of refs I work elem. rec. games with wear a ref shirt 2x too big, untucked with yellow basketball shorts on and look like they just rolled out of bed. Avoid that!!!!
And more than just what you're wearing, look like you want to be there. Sometimes I think referees want to be dictators rather than participants. Look like you're enjoying yourself and that you want to be there. Even if you aren't enjoying yourself and don't want to be there!

Appearance isn't everything; but it's a start.

[BigJoe]

BOSSREF,

I seem to get the pleasure in our association of training in the new guys. Some things I can say really help them:
1. Make sure they have the proper uniform. Give them a site to go and purchase proper attire. I provide the Leather Luster shoe polish for their new shoes. It is amazing what credibility shiny shoes gives a new official with Jr. High coaches!

2. Shadowing works well to a point, but having a veteran official critique their work helps more. I require them to purchase an officials manual. In doing critiques I make a point to list as many things they did right as wrong. I feel that confidence is one of the most important attributes to being a good official especially when starting out.

3. Make sure they are rewarded for hard work by giving them better assignments as warranted. Whenever possible, use veteran officials to work games with rookies from time to time. Sometimes, a rookie wants to do the right thing but is held back by a lackluster partner.

4. Stress off ball coverage early and often. Most of the time rookies want to watch the game and don't learn the proper coverage areas.

It is a thankless job we have training new officials. The way things are going in our area, in 10 years everyone will need a wheelchair to officiate games as there are very few young officials coming into the ranks.

[Doug]

tape them, so that look at their appearance on the court, and can see what they need to improve upon. also, later in life, they can look back on it and see how much they really improved!

Be a mentor and friend, what more could a rook ask for?