JV Games

[Toren]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Would you agree that sublevel officials fall primarily into two categories?
1) those "on their way up and eager", and
2) those "on their way down and out."

Without being unjustifiably judgmental, in which category might you deem the official(s) you mentioned fall?


Did you have an opportunity for a "mentoring moment" after the game? Or was it a category 2 situation where you either knew it wouldn't have done any good or wouldn't have been welcome?

One fell in the 1st category and I wanted to discuss some things with him. The other fell under the 2nd category.

There was a brief opportunity to talk to the 1st official, but I didn't know how to approach him. I know him from camp and we've been doing it the same amount of time. I felt I could have said a few helpful things but didn't feel comfortable doing it. I believe I will send him an email though and offer him some suggestions.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Toren

I felt I could have said a few helpful things but didn't feel comfortable doing it.

Strategy #1: One place you can feel comfortable and confident is if you're ever the designated R responsible for the pre-game. We've gained a lot -- and took the edge off the sometimes "hard-to-bring-up-the-real-need-for-improvement" hesitation that often besets the post-game period with some people by doing this:

Begin your pregame with a roundtable "Pet Peeves" segment. Here's how I usually phrase it, especially when I'm working with individuals who I know aren't the best at welcoming or inviting constructive critique.

Say, "What are your top two "pet peeves" of officiating? In other words, what things do you see other officials doing which you know aren't good -- and you hope that I'm not "one of those" during our game tonight? Have any pet peeves you'd like to mention?" (Mention, and discussion ensues...)"Those are good ones. Here's one or two I've heard some fellow officials mention.............."

And be sure to tactfully include a thing or two that you have observed that fellow official on your crew doing in the past. Of course, you don't come right out and say that. You're more adroit than that, and s/he, due to character, personality, etc., might not appreciate the sort of direct "Thou art the wo/man" approach that puts up barriers to what s/he really needs to hear.

Strategy #2: If you observe goofy stuff out of JV refs who later will be horning in on your V pregame, be sure to have a "Pet Peeve" session when they get in there and frame the constructive criticism in the context of you two or three talking together--not necessary about what you just saw, even though it is. Kinda a "being shrewd as snakes yet innocent as doves" sort of method that works. You know, like, "One thing we really don't wanna be doing tonight is rushing to make the ball live before making eye contact with each other", for example.

Both of these tactics have shown a measure of success around here. And, over time, those resistant to the direct approach are hearing what they need to hear. Especially with a smaller group of officials who sooner or later will be working on a crew together, it seems to work.