C-Level Composure

Composure

Mastering self-control is right up there with gaining confidence for new officials in particular. Not everyone is prepared for the disparagement, condemnation and indignity that officials must face and absorb with aplomb. It’s a natural reaction to “hit back” when you’re being attacked. Veteran officials know about the need for composure, to be the calm center in the middle of a hurricane. That means no shouting down or fighting with coaches, players and fans. That means keeping your wits about you when everyone else is up in arms. And that means navigating the rocky terrain of youth league sports and coming out still willing to call games.

“If you can survive the youth leagues and the parents, you’re going to be successful,” Murray says. “The parents are worse (in youth leagues). The pay is lower. Everything is worse — your dressing facilities and your lack of supervisors. Sometimes you’re in over your head. That’s what we try to avoid.”

Swearngin, who officiated for 23 years before joining the GHSA, says teaching new officials how to maintain their composure in heated situations is as important a part of preparation as knowing the rules of the game.

“For a lot of us who work in training with officials, (the big thing) is giving them more training in people skills and game management skills so they can handle the coach and parents,” says Swearngin. “We try to tell people don’t take it personally, try to be professional, use the rules that you have to call the penalty and eject when you have to. We encourage them to find every possible way to defuse the situation and get rid of the problem.”

“From a psychological point of view, learning how to deal with different personalities is so important,” Fish says. “How do you deal with Coach A, who has an explosive personality, versus Coach B, who has a ‘buddy-buddy’ personality? It’s learning to deal with the fans. And one of the biggest ones is learning to deal with partners.”

That’s where fellow officials can help, says Fish. As a new official, you need to know that your partner is there for you, not a competitor. That’s why it’s so vital for veterans to step up and help bring the rookies along.