Mentoring a New Official

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

OK guys, which way do you think you should act in this situation? Your newbie partner makes a call and a coach jumps all over him for it. Should you:

a) get in between them and deal with the coach
or
b) let your newbie partner deal with it

Why does it have to be one or the other?

How about (b) for a while, then (a) if needed (it lasts too long, newbie doesn't look like he's dealing with it, etc.)

[Adam]

I wouldn't say "a" is obvious at all. Don't give the noob enough time to drown, but let him swim for a bit and see how he does. It provides a great teaching moment later.

And if he doesn't need it, then you've just undermined his credibility for no reason.

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Why does it have to be one or the other?

How about (b) for a while, then (a) if needed (it lasts too long, newbie doesn't look like he's dealing with it, etc.)

Excellent post, I like that way of thinking!

Have your partners back but allow them a chance to get their own front.