To maintain our status as a gold standard association for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, we’re always learning officiating philosophy. Challenging the status quo and being open to other perspectives helps us level up the learn. Fresh links to interesting officiating articles and podcasts are found here.
Roses Are Red
Violets Are Blue
Some Podcasts and Ref Links
For the Official in You
Clock Management is Second Nature
Think of all the times you look at a clock. When you wake up, you look at the clock. When you get out of the shower, you look at the clock. When you get in the car, you look at the clock. Officiating is no different. This article talks about the intangible attribute for all officials of knowing what happens and when in a game. So if you have timing issues at any point in your games, they can be properly fixed.
No Substitution for Awareness
Great officiating is more than calling fouls and violations. It’s having a deeper understanding of the specific match-up you have on any night. It’s knowing the personalities of the teams. Recognizing the substitutions patterns employed by the coaches. Or the offense and defense each team uses for the game. This terrific article helps us go much deeper than what we learn on MaxPreps about a contest.
Perception Issues
There’s the old line that perception is reality. It has stood the test of time in defining all of us, as individuals within our association and on the court. While this article talks about umpires, it pertains to all officials. Here you will find eight solid suggestions on being aware of things that could change the perception of you as an official with those playing, coaching, and viewing a contest and how that could impact your schedule.
Help with Recruitment and Retention
We’ve heard the same story over and over. Recruitment of new officials and the retention of tenured officials are big challenges in every state. As was evidenced by the Executive Summary recently done in ours. This article in Referee magazine highlights the issues and offers some new ideas to fix things. What can you do to help in the TBOA?
Timing and Tact
One of the responsibilities of a senior official is to mentor and help younger officials navigate not only how the association works, but how to reach their goal of bigger and better games. Giving feedback is about timing and tact. Is the younger official open to it and how are things best phrased to positively impact that person? This article is about volleyball, but easily applies to us all.
Seven Steps to a Better Conversation
It is tough to deal with an adversarial relationship. This is what we have some nights when handling coaches and players. This terrific article in Referee magazine has seven steps to managing tough moments. So much of this is common sense, but in the heat of the contest, reminding ourselves of these items will lead to a better managed game.
Saying the Right Thing at the Right Time
We often have internal conversations about officiating and our crew that many of us never vocalize out of fear it’ll slow down our ascent or be taken the wrong. Items like communicating a dissatisfaction with your schedule or being unhappy that a crew mate doesn’t show up on time. This article walks you though how to delicately address all of that in a way that lets you be you without holding you back.
Balancing Officiating with Family
For every official in the TBOA who is in a relationship and has kids, officiating is a careful balancing act. Often when an official retires, they say it’s to spend more time with their family. There are many nights that all of us have looked at our partner or kids, who all want us to be at home with them, and said we’d be back later that night after we call a few games. This empathetic article in Referee Magazine shows we are not alone.
Cutting Down on Correctible Errors
As we all know from Rule 2-10, there are five correctible errors we are given a window to correct. Remember that we need to fix any of these five before the ball becomes alive again after the clock has properly started. While many of us can go a full season and never have a correctible error, there are also proactive things you can do with the crew, timer, and scorekeeper, as noted in this article, to assure none happen to you.
Commandment for Coaches
We are always reminded that games are unfolding stories that need to be managed. You walk in a gym and tend to know the personality of the teams and coaches on any given evening. Some coaches are quiet, others need conversation. This terrific article in Referee magazine has four tips for talking to coaches that stand the test of time
Your Officiating Legacy
When you retire, what will be said about you by the generation that follows in the TBOA? How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy? It probably won’t be the games you call. It will be about how you built trust, how you mentored younger officials, and the manner in which you conducted yourself. That’s your legacy, as expressed in this great article.
Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy
When you’re young, you can have a chocolate bar and potato chips as a pre-game meal. But as you age, it’s important to know what to put in your body so you can have full energy while running up and down the basketball court. This article is called Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy from Referee magazine. Good words to live by during the season.
Time to Get It Right
Officiating, if done well, is mentally exhaustive. Driving home after your games, if you are mentally wiped out, it means you kept focus the entire game. A critical part of a game when we need intense focus, especially in a close contest, is at the end, when it counts the most. That concentration makes you hyper-aware of everything. Remember during time-outs at the end of games to visit with your partners to review all that could happen to help keep them focused, too.
Becoming Unflappable
When we use the phrase, “there’s no need to get emotional,” that applies in large measure to officials when interacting with players and coaches. Games, by their very nature, are emotional ventures because of their pacing and consequences. What’s tough for officials is to not get emotional, which means we need to control them so we can help manage and control things properly. Having stress management techniques helps you get through those parts of the game when everyone can react emotionally.
Listen to What You Hear
We’ve all said “consider the source”. During games, there is a lot of noise, then there are things you hear which are meaningful and give you information to help you manage others in the contest. An important skill for any official is to discern between noise and what’s important. Absorb and communicate useful information, then discard the noise. That requires each of us to listen to what we hear, then determine what’s important and what isn’t to the game being played.
What You Didn’t Say
Managing a game, and all its personalities, is communication. Verbal and non-verbal. What rules knowledge you have and how you interact with coaches and players when they directly engage you. But a big part of this is what you don’t say. This article from Referee magazine, entitled “Did You Hear What I Didn’t Say”, talks about this.
Six C’s Get You a Straight A
Confidence, composure, concentration, communication, cohesion, and commitment. These are the six intangible qualities of any great official in any sport. Six attributes that raise the level of your officiating. Chat about it with your officiating friends for a strategic conversation on how to elevate everyone. We bet you’ll come up with other C-words to add to it.
Noise to Bad Conduct
The level of harassment has increased over the years as we all know. From players to coaches to fans. When does noise (the usual chatter) cross the line to being unprofessional, requiring that you deal with it? With sportsmanship devolving, it’s on us to protect the integrity of the game by dealing with things. There isn’t a more timely article to remind us of what’s important than this one from Referee Magazine.
Newbies Need Support
We’re always saying we need to groom the next generation of officials. But in reality, what is each of us doing about that? Senior officials in the TBOA wouldn’t be there if someone didn’t take us under their wing early on. Let’s commit, as this article in Referee Magazine suggests, to helping younger officials navigate their way.
Saving One Official At a Time
The average age of an official is 45+. It’s getting harder to recruit young people to our ranks. That’s why there’s a mentoring program in the TBOA. If you’re inclined, get involved. If you’re a more tenured official and can’t mentor, commit to developing a relationship to save one younger official from leaving this year.
Your Pre-Game Warm-Up
We often talk about having a pre-game based on the match-up of teams. But one of the items we rarely talk about is your wellness routine before a contest, too. It’s true that our minds need to be conditioned for the game. But your body does, as well. This article addresses conditioning your body to be physically active for your games.
Managing Conflict
Any sport is premised on conflict. Team A wants to beat Team B and that sets every official up as a manager of that conflict. There are standard pieces of advice (the Five Maxims) to manage that dynamic in this great article from Referee Magazine. As is almost always the case, so much of it centers on communicating,
The No-Nonsense Referee
Hugh Evans is only the 17th official to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame and called over 2000 NBA games. Despite his passing, he was always lauded for his preparation, integrity, and his knowledge of the game. Enjoy this profile of one of the NBA’s all-time great officials.
Don’t Suffer Career Suicide
Just showing up for games and calling without conflict doesn’t guarantee success. Some officials commit “career suicide” by their actions. At times, what they say, how they say it, being late for games, out of shape, and not being truthful will hurt you. This short article gives us all fair warning so we don’t get in trouble.
Be Nice to the Refs
Maybe it’s a movement? We are reading more and more articles expressing disdain for players, coaches, and fans who abuse officials. No doubt you have heard an increasingly louder, more vitriolic level of commentary in the past few years. Fans are emotionally involved and blame us for their loss. This supportive editorial in the Las Vegas Optic begs groups to treat us better. Because no officials means no games.
The Jerk Who Threw the Chair
Every basketball official remembers the chair incident. Bobby Knight, then coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, upset with the officiating in a game against Purdue, picked up and threw a chair onto the court, getting ejected. That was thirty years ago this month. He was upset because his team had been called for three fouls in 59-seconds. Phil Bova was in the crew and reflects, three decades later, on the incident.
Post Game Chats the Right Way
You’ve just officiated a tough game and think it’s best to conduct a post-game review with the crew in the locker room. What is the best way to initiate that conversation with the other two officials to make things productive, positive, and a learning experience? Referee Magazine says the key is open-ended questions in this interesting article that could make that moment even better for all of us.
Talk to Coaches: Defining the Line
Your officiating career and schedule improves when you learn how to talk with coaches. It’s one of the hardest things for each of us because every coach has a different personality and it us who have to adjust. The Crown Refs Podcast covered this topic recently with a great article on talking with coaches and a stellar video towards the bottom of the page of a discussion with an official on how best to talk with coaches.
Serving the Stripes
The ACC did an interesting video series two years ago called Serving the Stripes where they followed officiating crews to their games to get a peek at their pre-game conversation as well as game day preparation. It’s really cool to see a behind-the-scenes of the highest level of officiating. This episode features Bert Smith, Mike Eades, and Mike Rogers calling at Cameron with comments from Roger Ayers and Bryan Kersey.
Defining the It Factor
Why do some officials advance faster than others? Certainly, it has much to do with their ability to call and manage a game. But for many, they have the “It Factor”. A set of qualities that sets them apart from the rest of the pack. Ever wonder what intangible attributes some assigners and regional supervisors look for? Then read this article from Referee Magazine and work on your “it factor” to gain that advantage.
Keith Kimble: The Profile
So many of our “regular” friends don’t understand that, when we go to a basketball game on any level, we’ll be watching the officials. They’re not only celebrities to us, we always pick up a thing or two seeing them call. Referee Magazine profiled Keith Kimble. You’ve seen him on the court. He’s worked seven NCAA tournaments and two Finals Fours. Enjoy this interesting article on how he got started and how he’s advanced over the years.
Tips to Talk to Coaches
The difference between officials who get a meh schedule and the ones who keep getting the competitive match-ups is game management. Central to that is understanding the coaches – they come in all shapes and sizes (figuratively, of course) and the management of each night-to-night could be very different. Here are four stellar tips from Referee Magazine on how to manage a coach.
Considering Continuous Motion
He was going up, two shots! No, that foul was “on the floor”. Ever think about that struggle when you call a foul? That all comes down to the definition of continuous motion, Rule 4-11. In other words, the true determining factor in ruling to award free throws or not is what the player is doing at the time of the foul (shooting, dribbling, or passing the ball). A patient whistle always helps in ascertaining if there will be free throws.
Welcome to the Big Game
Remember when you were a young official and getting your first game with a senior official? Seriously, how nervous were you? Not only for the contest, but to call with someone you might have admired and always wanted to be on the floor with. Here are some tips for veteran officials who get assignments with very young officials – how to make them feel welcomed in the crew so they have a great game and remember the experience.
Keep Communicating with Players
Great game management is rooted in rules knowledge and call selection. It’s also built around how well each of us communicates with those in the contest. Can your game have a better flow and can you manage all the actions, legal and illegal in the contest, if you communicate better with players? This starts during warm-ups and continues through the contest. Everything from being honest to identifying the captains who can help.
An Attitude of Gratitude
No matter what sport or level we work, we are bonded. We are drawn together by a passion for officiating those outside the industry can’t understand. We make the calls and put up with the jeers because we love officiating. The reasons for our joy when we step on the court are vast and every reason is forged in the fire of our individual experiences. An attitude of gratitude – why do you love doing this? Here’s a sampling of answers. Which one is yours?
Showing Your Flair in Calls
When many members of the TBOA were growing up, some officials showed their personality when making calls. They drew attention to themselves by selling, and in some cases over-selling, their calls. In essence, putting personality into their mechanics. Mechanics are how we communicate with everyone in the gym. Is there any room today in showing your personality like this when calling a game? This older article in Referee talks about that.
Properly Officiating 3-Point Shots
With basketball transitioning to be more a perimeter game with increased three-point shots, we must spend more attention to officiating these moves: watching how tight defensive players are on three-point shooters; officiating the screen in your primary coverage area; and, looking for illegal defensive contact. Remember to always referee the defense. Here are great tips in Referee Magazine on calling more and more three-point attempts.
Five Lessons in Leadership
An official recently wrote asking how to reply to his supervisor about a missed flagrant foul in a game. The answer: just be honest with what you saw and what you missed. That’s leadership, in part. Great officiating is really about creating a culture in the team and to do that, you must have leaders. Officials who know how to manage others, how to properly use their authority, and make it about everyone else before themselves. Be a terrific official by being a better leader.
Louisiana Makes History
The football game was November 4, Liberty Magnet verses Belair High School. History was made when Marcia Cotton became the first female to be the referee of a crew in that state. We should always applaud diversity and associations who recognize that inclusion by advancing our avocation with decisions to make others as full partners in games. That’s leadership. Enjoy this story of great accomplishment in Referee Magazine.
Talk Yourself Into a Good Game
What happens in life is brought on the court. Each of us is aware that some teams use sports psychologists who probe and get extra layers of performance from athletes. We can do the same. What’s your support system inside the association when you’re having a down day? Who can you talk to who will bring you back up? Because referees benefit from pep talks, too. Understand who your support network is in the TBOA and who you can impact, too.
Is Showing Emotion Bad?
Often we’re told to be dispassionate as officials. We have no dog in the hunt of a winner in each game. So rule robotically. Let’s explore that. Is showing emotion in a contest a bad thing? After all, at our core, we’re all human. Emotions can certainly intrude in a game if they fuel your calls. This article from Referee Magazine explores the topic and challenges conventional wisdom on showing emotion during contests because we’re better than robots.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Having a mentor then becoming a mentor could be one the most satisfying things we do as officials. With our ranks continuing to be depleted, preparing and grooming the next generation of officials for the TBOA is critical if we are going to stay strong. Mentoring is an art. Referee Magazine has five tips to properly mentor in this timely article called Five Tips to Mentor the Next Generation.
An Education On and Off the Court
How many senior officials will tell you that they not only enjoyed calling basketball and forming significant friendships, but that this avocation taught us a lot about life off the court? When we’re young referees, we’re relentless for better games and are always pouring over the book. But when you retire, you reflect more on what you learned about life. This article talks about that bond we all share.
A Better Referee
YouTube and Facebook are amazing places to go to learn more about officiating. If you are a younger official in the TBOA, we’d like to suggested you check out A Better Referee on YouTube. It’s host is Greg Austin, a former official, who has a calm demeanor while he reviews video and the rules. Even for more senior officials, watching this channel is quite educational and fun. Subscribe to his weekly videos and learn.
Officiating Pros and Cons
Some of us have had the great pleasure to call basketball games with former coaches who now officiate. They bring a unique perspective and an additional layer of empathy for officials. They know how it feels to be yelled at and argued with while in the thick of a game. Here’s a great article from a former coach, now referee, who only sees the upside.
Referee University
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has a unique program that trains young officials. Called Referee U, the program has been in place for 35 years, training young men and women who have a passion for the game and grooming them to become great officials. At a time when we need new officials, let’s mentor young ones in the TBOA so they fall in love with it.
Passing on Your Wisdom
Passing on your wisdom as a senior official is a must if we are to keep the TBOA vibrant for years to come. Consider participating in our mentorship program. At that, be sensitive to the personality of the young officials you work with – know what motivates them, and be aware of what and how you pass on that wisdom. All detailed in this article from Referee Magazine.
See the Call, Be the Call
If you go to games as a spectator, do you find yourself more watching the officials than the actual game? You’re not alone. And it could actually be a good thing as you will see officials positioning, mechanics, calls, and game management as learning opportunities to improve. This article from Referee Magazine tells the story.
Hearing Verses Listening
An area most of us are always working on is our game management skills. A great manager is a great official. Part of that is being a good listener. To players, the coaches, and all the other people associated with our game that night who could influence how the crew calls the game and reacts to the environment. There are five reasons to be a better listener. This article explains more.
48 Timeless Tips of Officiating
Whether you’re a new official or a grizzled veteran who’s seen it all, there are absolutes about what we do. Timeless tips that will forever apply to every official, in any sport. If you’ve decided to become a mentor to a younger official, have fun with this list as they learn the ins and out and ups and downs of officiating. They each stand the test of time.
Earn Your Reputation
If you’ve officiated for longer then a minute, know that you have a reputation. With coaches, some student-athletes, schools, but most importantly your fellow officials. Positive reputations are earned by the decisions you make on- and off-the-court. Wanna climb the officiating ladder, work on these items in Earn Your Reputation.
Why R You Officiating?
Each of us referees for a different reason. Some to stay in shape, others to remain connected to the community or give back to the game we love. Many officiate for the money or the relationships and friendships. Having an officiating philosophy – knowing why you referee – makes it much more enjoyable and rewarding.
Ashley the Inspiration
Ashley Steinberg’s career on the court was cut short during her junior year of high school following an ACL injury. She tried coaching, but ultimately she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps as a referee. Then cancer hit. Want a story of great inspiration? Ashley today is one of the top officials in New Jersey.
Why Are You Talking?
We always say you can’t get in trouble for what you don’t say to a coach. The ability to assess any situation and communicate appropriately is part of the art of officiating. Always remember that communication without a plan can quickly go awry. Here’s Referee Magazine with 7 things to consider when interacting with coaches.
Developing Your Mental Skills
No doubt officiating is more a mental endeavor than physical. We are required to pay attention for 32-minutes and be hyper-aware of ten players, two benches, multiple coaches, fans, and a game that is forever adjusting. Find “How to Develop the Mental Skills to Thrive as An Official” here. It’s a three-minute read.
Six C’s that Will Get You Straight A’s
Our job each night is to give our best effort enforcing the rules of basketball against the game being played. If you want to raise your level of officiating, here is “The Six C’s that Will Get You Straight A’s” as a referee. Six things you can work on mentally that level you up. It’s a two-minute read.