September 1980
Whenever an official has to penalize a coach or player for unsportsmanlike conduct, the coach or player is generally thought of as being “the bad guy.” In the first of what would prove to be many features on the psychology of officiating, Referee suggested that officials point the accusing finger at themselves.
The story offered scenarios officials face often — sometimes in every game — and presented the correct way to handle them. Avoiding the “one more word and you’re gone” approach, the right way to write a misconduct report and avoiding negative commentary about fellow officials in order to improve your own image are among the nuggets that are still applicable today.
- 1980s
