A Basic Course of Officiating Information

LESSONLESSON 11 RolesRoles

ResponsibilityResponsibility

EthicsEthics

Why Sports Why Sports Officiating?Officiating? Prolong Athletic Involvement Personal Reasons Provide an Enjoyable Physical Activity Extra Money – Part-time Career

ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities

Insuring Player Safety Inspecting Facilities Regulating Game Conduct Response to an Injury Response to Crowd Situations Encourage Fair Play Promote Good Sportsmanship

EthicsEthics

Master Rules and Mechanics Work with Others in Constructive and

Cooperative Manner Uphold Honor and Dignity of Profession Prepare Mentally and Physically Fulfill Contractual Obligations Conduct Influences Respect of Others

Lesson 1- ActivityLesson 1- Activity

List the primary reasons why you want to become an official.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Problems with Setting Problems with Setting GoalsGoals Not Measurable In Conflict with Other Goals No Ownership Setting Too Many Fear of Trying Something New/Failure Setting Goals to Please Someone Else Unrealistic Expectations

Successful Goal Successful Goal SettingSetting Establish Goals –Short and Long Term Make Goals Specific State in Positive Terms Make Goals Obtainable Make Goals Measurable Have a Feedback Mechanism in Place

Successful Goal Successful Goal SettingSetting Know What is Necessary to Achieve

Your Goal Be Flexible – Change Goal if Necessary Enjoy Meeting your Goals Sweet Taste of Success – Hard Work,

Pain and Disappointment are Part of the Process

Lesson 2 – ActivityLesson 2 – ActivityList Some Possible Goals for Yourself

Law and Order Law and Order ApproachApproach Know Rule Book Inside and Out Not Much Room for Common Sense

““Less Involved the Less Involved the Better”Better” Let Players Play Problems Occur When Game Heats Up

or Critical Judgment Necessary Some Officials Don’t Get Involved

Because They Just Don’t Want to Be Bothered

Common Sense Common Sense OfficiatingOfficiating Know the Meaning of Preventive

Officiating Know the Meaning of the Spirit and

Intent of the Rules Know What to Call and When to Call It Know When the Best Call is a “No-Call”

Context of ContestContext of Contest

Often Determines What Style Works Best Big Rivalry? Bad Blood? Skill Level of Players?

What It Takes to Become a What It Takes to Become a Good OfficialGood Official Knowledge of Rules Know the Vocabulary Knowledge of Mechanics Making Calls with Confidence Being Able to Focus On The Game Remain Invisible – Don’t Draw Attention Keep in Control – Stay Poised Stay in Shape and Hustle

Be a Good Partner Have Passion Be Consistent Develop a Rapport with Participants Be Decisive Maintain Integrity Use Good Judgment Enjoy What You Are Doing

What It Takes to Become a What It Takes to Become a Good OfficialGood Official

Lesson 3 - ActivityLesson 3 - Activity What 3 Characteristics of a Good

Official are My Strengths?

What 3 Characteristics do I Need to Work On?

What Can I Do to Improve These Characteristics?

Effective Effective CommunicationCommunicationTwo Important Steps

• Send the Right Message• Be a Good Listener

Body LanguageBody Language

Physical Appearance Posture Gestures Facial Expressions Personal Space Tone, Pitch and Inflection

Crew/Partner Crew/Partner CommunicationCommunication

Must Function Effectively as a Unit Make an Effort to Get Along with Others Take Responsibility for your Own Actions Don’t Blame Others for Your Mistakes Encourage Each Other – Be Honest Share Strengths and Experiences Ask for Help or Advice – Give When Asked

Keys to EffectivenessKeys to Effectiveness

Have a Good Pre-Game Conference Have a Good Post-Game Conference Ask for Feedback from Partner(s),

Game Observers, Evaluators Examine Your Own Performance

Other IssuesOther Issues

A Partner of Another Gender A Veteran Official with a Less

Experienced Official

Lesson 4 - ActivityLesson 4 - Activity

Think of a Recent Game You’ve Officiated

Complete Part 1 and Part 2 of the Self-Evaluation Checklist.

Is There Something You Can Improve?

What is Confidence?What is Confidence?

…The belief that you can successfully do what you want to do.

Building ConfidenceBuilding Confidence Practice Your Skills and Techniques Work Lower Level Games Attend Camps and Clinics Get As Much Experience as You Can

Improving Improving ConcentrationConcentrationYou Must Be Able To:

Cope with Pressure and Anxiety Focus on Action that is Relevant and

Tune Out External Factors Refocus when Distracted

Factors That Can Break an Factors That Can Break an Official’s ConcentrationOfficial’s Concentration

Unable to Forget Past Calls – Especially the Bad Calls

Worrying About Future Plays Thinking About Too Many Things

“You Can Bring Your Whistle and You Can Bring Your Flag, but if You Don’t Bring Your Guts You

Might as well Stay Home.”

Sources of Sources of Stress/AnxietyStress/Anxiety Fear of Failure Fear of Inadequacy Perceived Loss of Control

Negative Affects of Negative Affects of AnxietyAnxiety Physical – Heart Rate, Breathing,

Tightness, Fatigue Psychological – Reduced Concentration,

Impaired Decision Making

Strategies to Manage Strategies to Manage StressStress Deep Breathing Positive Self-Talk Smile Good Preparation – Self Confidence Stay Focused on Action at Hand Slow Down….then Slow Down Some

More

“Manage the game with the lightest touch necessary to

provide equitable competition.”

Essential Elements of Good Essential Elements of Good DecisionsDecisions

Know the RulesTerms and DefinitionsPlayer’s Rights and RestrictionsViolations and PenaltiesPeripheral Regulations

9 Ways to Study the Rule 9 Ways to Study the Rule BookBook

1. Speed-Read the Entire Book

2. Categorize the Rules

3. Break Down Each Chapter

4. Have Several Copies of the Rule Book

5. Read in Short Increments of Time

6. Review Each Day

7. Study Just Before Falling Asleep

9 Ways to Study the Rule 9 Ways to Study the Rule BookBook

8. Check Related Case Book Plays

9. Talk with Rules Experts

Remember……”Just When I Thought I Knew it All….”

There is Always More to Learn

Know Your Sport’s Know Your Sport’s LanguageLanguage

Formal – Rule Book/Case Book Informal – “Street Language”

Master the Mechanics Master the Mechanics of Communicating of Communicating DecisionsDecisions Good Signals

Good Use of Voice and Mannerisms

Adapt to the Nature of Adapt to the Nature of the Gamethe Game

Know the Dynamics of GameRivalry“Revenge” GameLower Level GameBlowout Game

Be in Proper Position Be in Proper Position

If You Are in the Proper Position to Make a Call, the Less Likely Your Judgment Will be Questioned.

Read and Anticipate What the Teams are Trying to Do

FocusFocus

Don’t Let Down in Dead Spots. Stay Focused During Periods of Inactivity like Time-Outs, Between Periods, Between Plays

Use the Down Time to Regroup and Refocus if Necessary

Be CalmBe Calm

Slow Down Process What You Have Observed

Before Making Your Call Use Positive Self Talk

Work with Fellow Work with Fellow OfficialsOfficials

Learn When to Get and Give Help

Get Together and Conference if Necessary

Controversy is Controversy is InevitableInevitable People are Emotionally Involved Rules Exist to Limit Behavioral Options Officials Enforce the Rules Society Insists on Placing Blame Rather

than Accepting Responsibility

DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

Controversy: Different Viewpoints or Opinions

Conflict: Confrontational Behavior (Words or Actions) That Develops Out Of Controversial Situations

Minimizing ConflictMinimizing Conflict Internal Issues

Psychological MakeupKnow Your Pressure PointsBe Confident about PreparationDo Not Take Controversy PersonallySelf-controlHave credibility

Experience=Reputation=Credibility

Minimizing ConflictMinimizing Conflict Situational Issues

A Professional Appearance Can Minimize Conflict

The Way Problems are Handled Often Determines If Controversy Becomes Conflict

Officials May Have to Use Both Passive And Assertive Modes of Game Management

Resolving ConflictResolving Conflict

Think Through your OptionsWhat we see, hear, sense and feel trigger

certain emotional responsesRecognize Preconceptions of OthersDo Not Say Anything You’ll Regret LaterBe Careful When Using Humor

Resolving ConflictResolving Conflict

Practical SolutionsAppear to be ReceptiveDon’t Invite Confrontation – Respect

Personal SpaceKeep All Communication Professional

Physical Fitness Physical Fitness ComponentsComponents

Aerobic Endurance Strength Flexibility Speed Coordination

Other IssuesOther Issues

Diet and Nutrition Rest and Sleep Pre-game Warm-up Glasses Shoes Injuries

Lesson 10 - ActivityLesson 10 - Activity

Describe your current fitness program

How can you design a more useful program?

Business IssuesBusiness Issues

Independent Contractor not EmployeeNot Eligible for Unemployment or Worker’s

CompensationReport/Pay Taxes on IncomeDeduct Officiating ExpensesConsult a Tax Professional

Legal IssuesLegal Issues

Player InjuriesAllow Medical Personnel to Attend to Player

Game Played According to RulesControl Rough Play, Unsportsmanlike Acts

Legal IssuesLegal Issues

Player EquipmentEquipment, Casts, Padding, BracesHead Coach Must Certify Legally Equipped

Playing Surface and Game Equipment

Inclement Weather Conditions-Lightning

Personal InjuryPersonal Injury

Officials Need to Have Good Medical and Personal Liability Insurance

Secondary Coverage Available Through NFHS and NASO

Other Minor Legal Other Minor Legal IssuesIssues OSAA and NFHS do not Recognize

Protests Courts – Game Calls Cannot be

Challenged Unless Demonstrable Bad Faith/Corruption

Disagreement Over Call – Part of Game, Part of Human Nature

Physical Attacks on Physical Attacks on OfficialsOfficials Oregon Law – Criminal Offense to

Assault a Sports Official Recommended Procedures:

Don’t Physically Strike BackObtain Names, Contact Information of

WitnessesWrite Down Your Version of What Occurred

and How You Were Injured

Physical Attacks on Physical Attacks on OfficialsOfficials

Get Appropriate Medical Attention if Necessary

Determine if a Videotape of the Game and Incident has been Made

Contact Your Assigning AuthorityConsult Legal Counsel

Review the Incident Prepare for the Next Contest

Local Association Legal Local Association Legal IssuesIssues

Most Associations are Incorporated as Non-Profit Corporations for Educational Purposes

OAOA Dues provide Director’s and Officer’s Insurance Coverage

Constitution and By-Laws

Lesson 11 - ActivityLesson 11 - Activity List your Expenses That May Qualify As

Tax Deductions for the Current Year

Do I Have Adequate Medical and Liability Insurance Coverage?

List the Steps to Take in Case You Are Assaulted

Certification ProcessCertification Process

Join a Local Officiating Association Oregon Athletic Officials Association OCEP Requirements

Local AssociationLocal Association Governance by Executive Board,

Constitution and By-Laws Commissioner Assigns Games

Don’t Lobby or Beg for GamesDon’t Solicit Games from Coach/ADDon’t Trade Games Without PermissionDon’t Undercut Other Officials

Attend Regular Meetings

Other SuggestionsOther Suggestions Find a Mentor-Develop a Support

Network, Hang Around Officials, Post-Game Get-Togethers

Training Opportunities – Camps, Clinics, Films, Publications

Ask for Observations – Get Feedback Connect with National Associations –

Frequent Officiating Websites

Lesson 12- ActivityLesson 12- Activity What is the Process for Advancement in

my Local Association?

If I Feel That I’m Being Treated Unfairly, What Rights do I Have?

Improvement During the Improvement During the Off-SeasonOff-Season

Maintain Good Physical Conditioning Continue Studying Rules and Mechanics Attend Camps and Clinics Work Pre-Season Scrimmages, Summer

Leagues and Off-Season Practice Games Participate in Pre-season Study Groups Re-examine Your Goals and Expectations

“Without Officials, It’s Just Recess.”