Leadership Officiating
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Covering pregame preparation, team-officiating and being the crew chief.
Scrutiny Keeps Rising on Video Review
T he first time video review was used to make an officiating decision was during the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble, France. Officials...
Five Quick Mentoring Tips
There may be no more important role in officiating than that of a mentor. If the next generation of officials is to become proficient...
Don’t Be Afraid to Take the Lead
There is nothing wrong with being a wallflower by nature. There is, however, a major problem with being one as an official, a lesson I was fortunate enough to...
Be a Team Player
“I hear you, Coach, but it wasn’t my call.” That statement can send shockwaves of negativity into a situation on the court or field....
Picking Up the Pace of Games
One of the great debates in sports these days is how long it takes to play the games. Television has been a great boon...
The Secret of ‘Officiating Up’
“Leading up” has become a common mantra in American business. Many have read the work of University of Pennsylvania professor Michael Useem, who argues...
Break Time Doesn’t Mean Time Off for Officials
A college football game encompasses 60 minutes of playing time divided into four 15-minute quarters. But those 60 minutes typically require something approaching three...
Understand the Mindsets of your Crew Members
Getting the most out of a crew is challenging to say the least. Rather than just expecting everyone to be on the same page,...
Saying the Right Thing at the Right Time
We’re used to practicing restraint in conversations with coaches and players, because saying it like it is could cost us our careers. But should...
Decisions, Not Reactions
Officials are supposed to make decisions based on close observation of plays, not on gut reactions to the action. To do that we must rely...
Facing Discipline? Be a Professional
The best way for an official to address association discipline is to not be disciplined at all. Be a professional. Officials who are professionals...
Working at a Lower Level
Have you ever worked with an official from a different level? Maybe you are a well-established high school football referee and once in a...
5 Mentoring Strategies That Work
Experienced officials are often asked to mentor men and women who are just beginning a career in officiating. It can be a daunting task to take on. Before you agree...
Stabilizing Your Crew
Matt Austin, Louisville, Ky., is a Southeastern Conference football referee who has worked in the league for 10 years. Through a quarter-century of officiating,...
How to Transition Smoothly with a New Partner
In many areas, we don’t have a choice about who we’re teamed with. We might have some input into the process, but the final...
Act Like the Role Model You Are
One night I drove to a rink in Amherst, N.Y., to watch the Empire State Games, an Olympic-style event for amateur high school athletes. The hockey game I...
Dictator or Facilitator: What Type of Official are You?
The late Bill Klem, perhaps the greatest umpire in the history of baseball, was once shown a photo that supposedly proved he blew a...
9 Characteristics of a Good Mentor
Ask anyone who has “made it” in officiating about the people who have helped them along the way and they will without a doubt have a list of...
5 Tips to Mentor the Next Generation
There may be no more important role for current officials than to be mentors. If the next generation of officials is to become proficient...
Poise and Dignity Go a Long Way
The best way to answer criticism may be not to answer at all. Ignoring the remark denies it credence. No one of an astute...
Five Lessons on Leadership
By George Gately
As CEO of a small, nonprofit corporation, my avocation as a soccer referee has been an adventure in learning. What began as...
Welcoming Adversity
E
veryone handles nerves and adversity differently.
Some believe if you don’t get at least a little nervous before a big game, you don’t understand the...
Make the ‘Third Team’ the Best Team
Most people think two teams are required for an athletic competition. Officials know better. It takes three: the two teams scheduled to take the field or court, plus...
Right People, Right Place, Right Time
It takes a special person to be a good assigner. You’ve got to find the right people, send them to the right place and...
