Mentoring a New Official
 

I have read many posts on this forum about how to work with a new official. However, I have the ability to work a set of games with a new official. Any advice on how to help a new official in the best possible way being able to work many games with them.

Be patient. Don't flood them with information. Find some things they do well in addition to the "things to improve" that you give them. Be a partner that makes it fun for them.

What Z said was great as well. The biggest thing I think you should know, remember you were a young official once too. Think of all the mistakes you made and how silly you looked when you were newer. Understand this and most of what you will tell them will be in the right spirit. ;)

Peace

Get the camcorder going so they can see how they look.

Anwser all questions they may have, you never know.

Inform them to keep a journel of all games they work winter, spring, summer, fall.

Understand the spirit and intent of rules set.

Tell'em to have fun.

Pick 2 or, at most, 3 things for the noob to fix. People can't concentrate on more than that.

Last season I had a noob partner who kept whistling when the ball went out over my lines. He couldn't even absorb 1 instruction!

Along with what every one already said, be very positive - we want to keep them coming back!

Some officials don't know how to coach, teach, and mentor (and not everyone is cut out for that). Be encouraging. If you see them do something good, let them know - good positioning, good firm whistle, good hustle on a particular play, etc.

Don't talk down to them and/or be condescending. Be approachable and not aloof.

As was said, give them those two or three nuggets to work on. Hopefully, you can tell them they did a good job, and hopefully they'll come back.....

Just my $.02

From a noob's point of view:
1. Boil it down to the essentials.
2. Have them work on 1-2 things max per game.
3. Relay something they are doing well (positive motivation)
4. Come together frequently during the game.
5. Tell them why we do things a certain way (PCA, angles, Adv./disadva) - not just what to do.

We noobies say thanks to all the vets who help us.

I cannot help but echo the last line. To the vets that helped us out.... Thanks.

On another note, it may be helpful to observe some games with this new official. Not games that you are working but games that have 2 (or three) officials that you think are good officials. Talk about what they are doing right or even wrong. Try to pick something up from watching a game an put it into the newbeis game.

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

While it may seem obvious to do (a), I've heard from some guys that doing (b) is better because that way the newbie will learn how things really work at games and that you can then discuss it with him or her later. IOW, the more real their experience is, the more it will truly prepare them for officiating in the future.

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.)

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.

Excellent post, I like that way of thinking!

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

I think it depends on the officials involved. Many times I feel a young official needs to learn on their own how to deal with a coach. My job if I am the veteran to make sure things do not get too far, but not my responsibility to handle it for them. If the officials gives a T, I will try to get them out of there so they do not give the second one (not because they do not deserve it, but I would like to give the second one so the coach cannot claim this official had it out for them).

Peace

Thank you all for the posts. I'm looking forward to being a mentor to someone.

Tell him to slow down when reporting at the table. That was one thing that took me a while to learn.