Over the last five decades, this magazine has provided innumerable tips on how to improve as an official, maintain a work-life balance, maintain a healthy lifestyle and interact with assigners, players, coaches and fellow officials. We’ve printed entire books on those and other topics. So, the advice that follows isn’t new or groundbreaking. It may not be considered the very best counsel. But there’s no denying it’s valuable information you can use in your officiating.
1. Head Off Trouble
Make a casual visual inspection of players before a game, and you may avoid a future headache. If you see a player wearing an illegal uniform or illegal equipment, point it out to the coach. That will give the player time to make an adjustment or take off the illegal item.
2. Do a Card Trick
Create a set of index cards with various topics on one side and corresponding numbers on the other. Spread them out on a table and have each official involved in the pregame choose one. The official then has to discuss the topic on the back of the card. Topics can include subjects such as when post-scrimmage kick penalty enforcement applies, how the assistant referee communicates with the referee, the elements of a legal catch, the difference between goaltending and basket interference, and more.
3. Check It Out
Walk the field or court. Sometimes, safety rules regarding materials, clearances, buffer zones, and hazardous design defects can be overlooked if not routinely checked. If there is a problem with the court or field, and you deem everything good to go, it may come back to haunt you. Should a participant be injured due to an unsafe facility, you will be the first to get the blame.
4. It Must Be Called
There is a difference between preventive officiating and failing to penalize when in possession of knowledge that a violation or foul occurred. Officials who cannot or will not penalize taunting, baiting, unnecessary roughness, illegal and dangerous tactics, and equipment and uniform violations cannot, by definition, call a good game, nor can they practice effective risk management.
5. Move On From Mistakes
Remember, you only have control of the present moment. The call you made five minutes ago is beyond your control, and the future is always out of your reach. Keep an active mind and stop yourself whenever your mind wants to shift back to a “mistake” or worries about what’s going to happen.
6. Avoid Burnout
Too many games can lead to burnout. It’s hard to say no when assigners offer you games. Everyone wants a full schedule, but if it’s too full, your officiating will suffer. If you’re working five games a week for six consecutive weeks, you might reach a breaking point. If you’re dreading your next assignment or just going through the motions in your current assignment because you’re tired, it might be time to take a break. Whether it’s a few days or a week in the middle of the season, getting away from the day-to-day grind of games will help to rejuvenate your game. Plan for that break every season. You won’t be disappointed, and your officiating will be better for it.
7. Use Players to Deliver the Message
Bad news or instructions don’t always have to come directly from you. Use players to deliver your preventive messages to teammates and coaches. Not only will it lessen the chance for a confrontation, but it will help you develop some instant credibility with other players.
8. Act in Control
Project confidence even if you don’t feel it. You may be nervous about the upcoming rivalry game. You might be a little unsure if you’re ready for your first varsity game. No matter what doubts you have, come across with a belief in your abilities. If it’s a close call, sell your decision … even if you’re unsure about it. Participants don’t need to know what’s going on in your head. It’s OK to fake it if you have to.
9. Set the Pace
Games go more smoothly when you set an even tempo. A game that “flows” allows players, coaches and officials to interact without disruption. In such a game, players usually don’t commit an inordinate number of fouls or violations. In turn, your mechanics become second nature. You can help set the pace by hustling, encouraging teams to return to the field or court after timeouts and by being ready to resume play when the players are.
