Throwing Flags on Coaches

[JugglingReferee]

Originally posted by BushRef

Ummmm, I'm a rookie and all, but last I checked, there was a coach on each side of the field, so whether you're HL or LJ, you still got a coach in your ear.

We're so short on officials in my area that even as a rookie, I've already worked 2 Varsity games. I've found that while the coaches are gonna say their piece, most of em come around a few minutes later and it's all good.

Here in Canada, for all ball except the really high calibre ball, the two teams are on the same side of the field, seperated by 20 yards. The sticks are by themselves on the opposite side. Having coaches on the same side rarely (very rarely) causes problems, mostly becuase we're friendly up here.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally posted by Axe Man
I have no doubt that AD's in our area know the difference between a quality and sub par official. And as Rut mentioned, we have games contracted a number of years in advance. Our 2007 season has 2 openings.

Two questions come to mind.

How much do ADs know about officiating? Could they rate an official on positioning or any of the other attributes that make a good on-field official? Does the official get feedback that will help him improve his performance?

This is 2004 and 2007 is three seasons away. What happens if the members of your crew change? What happens if the skills of an official degrade? How do you really know the crew you contracted for in 2004 can officiate the same quality game in 2007?

[eventnyc]

Thank you all for your responses. Obviously, this is not the best system for rating officials. Our board has made some improvements (like instituting a rating of fellow officials) and changing the weight of coaches ratings as compared to "in house" ratings. It is a complicated formula and a step in the right direction. I will provide all with a listing of the standard form used by the coaches and our assigning body BOCES (Board of Cooperative Education) when I return home this evening. Our fellow official rating form, can be found on our web site http://www.liafo.org/Forms.htm
Thanks again!

[Axe Man]

Great questions Ed. Now if I can just get the folks in Indianapolis to think about those.

AD's/coaches "think" they no what a quality official is. In some cases, they are right. In others, they are wrong. As I stated earlier, I don't enjoy this system but it is what we have so I either work or I don't.

As for what happens in a few years since we have games in 2007? One of the crews in my association is disbanding after this year. The crew chief has spent the last few weeks trying to get the games he has contracts for covered. If he can't, he will have to contact the school and have them again fill the spot. I understand the control portion of all of this for the AD but I have never understood the time part. One AD in my town works at a Junior/Senior school. He has to get officials for everything from Varsity to 7th grade. Football isn't that bad but I have no idea how he has time to do anything else during basketball season.

Ed or anyone else, if you can visit the IHSAA and get them to implement change, you are a much better person than those of us in the state.

[SoGARef]

Having coaches on the same side rarely (very rarely) causes problems, mostly becuase we're friendly up here. [/B][/QUOTE]

That's because all of the fighting is done on the ice!

[eventnyc]

Sorry I didn’t get a chance to post this last night. Coaches are supplied with rating forms by the officials that work their games. Rating forms are supplied by BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services). All sports use the same form. The scale is listed for the coach to apply a score, as follows:

Excellent 10-9
Above Average 8-7
Average 6-5
Below Average 4-3
Poor 2-1

Any rating 4 or below in any category requires a comment.

There are 7 areas to rate:

□ ATTITUDE (Poise-Professionalism)
□ PROMPTNESS
□ APPEARANCE (Physical Condition and Attire)
□ RULES (Knowledge and Application)
□ MECHANICS (Position - Coverage - Signals - Hustle)
□ GAME CONTROL (Handling of Players - Coaches - Fans)
□ JUDGEMENT (Common Sense - Consistency)

And the:

□ OVERALL RATING

I’d be interested in other rating systems. Should we start a new thread?

[WyMike]

Originally posted by eventnyc
This will be my first year officiating at the Varsity Level. Our Association has a draft system, where eligible lower level officials are introduced to referees in need of crew members. Hopefully, they have had an opportunity to work with you on the lower level and know something about your abilities. After the first meeting, where the eligible officials are introduced, you have a brief opportunity to speak with (interview or kiss up) to the referees. Granted the system isn't perfect, but it seems to work. A week later the draft is held. The lowest rated crew picks first and so on, up to the top. Most of the eligible officials are separated by only hundreds to tenths of a point. Coaches rate officials. The lower level officials are also rated by their varsity level counterparts, when working together on lower level games. There is a mix of the two ratings and your rating is then adjusted accordingly.

Drafts??? Lower level officials *introduced* to refs??? Interview AND kiss up??? Separated by *HUNDREDS TO TENTHS OF A POINT???

Holy cow!!! In our part of the country we struggle just to run 3-4 crews. I've only worked little guy football a couple of weeks and already I'm heading to a JV game.

You have an impressive group to say the least!