Player/official interaction

[SWMOzebra]

A former WNBA player is holding a 4-day skills camp locally and asked me to come speak to her campers about player-official relations ... kind of give a referee's perspective to the young ladies.

Though I have a couple of ideas, I'm certainly open for input or suggestions. Other than "players play, coaches coach and officials officiate" what would you say on this subject to these players?

Thanks in advance!

[Adam]

1. Reinforce that we don't give a crap who wins.
2. Maybe discuss the rules myths.

[DLH17]

you are not "properly and legally equipped" if you enter the game with metal hair thingies in your hairdo

[MD Longhorn]

Here's the player-official interaction... keep your mouth shut.

[bainsey]

ABC - Always Be Civil.

It's fine if you question something, just make sure you phrase it politely and succinctly.

And as Snaq mentioned, go over some myths. I'm sure you have a sufficient list. (We all do.)

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

1. Reinforce that we don't give a crap who wins.
2. Maybe discuss the rules myths.

Definitely do the rules myths...then discuss with them how to talk to an official during the game.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Definitely do the rules myths...then discuss with them how to talk to an official during the game.

Agreed. Talk about the difference between whining and legitimate questions.
Unacceptable: "That was...."
Acceptable: "Why wasn't that...." or "What did she/I do?"
Also note the problem with asking to many acceptable questions.

Some of these girls are likely to coach in the future, so you're setting a good foundation, I think.

[rockyroad]

We used to go to the local HS pre-season scrimmages and give little spiels about the new rules, etc...I would always do a little role-playing scenario. Used their team captains as the officials and I would be the player...showed them good ways to approach an official, and some not-so-good ways. Usually went over pretty well.

[Pantherdreams]

1 - It might be valuable to them if you watched them play a little bit before you spoke. Then you could speak specifically about things you needed to be tightened up that would get called in a game.

2 - Walk them through what I call "road game" scenarios. Tweet I blow the whistle, I call a foul that the player doesn't feel they commited. Now what is the proper way to ask and what isn't? I respond (explain the response in various cases). After the explanation player disagrees not believing they actually did what you are calling/accusing them of? Now what is the proper way to respond and what isn't? I respond (explain the responses in various cases).

3 - If your brave you may want to explain (especially to the young women and any of their parents watching) that contact is not foul. Go over something that happen in a game that are likely play on situations and things that you would be calling fouls.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

I would always do a little role-playing scenario.

I've heard that about you also.

How about a seminar on official-assignor relations? Got any input or suggestions on that?