By Richard RodriguezUS Soccer Federation Referee Program Instructor

Mentoring

Mentoring

OBJECTIVE:

This class will focus on what a mentor is and why officials should seek out a mentor to improve their soccer officiating career. In order to understand both concepts a definition of mentor needs to be established.

Mentoring

A mentor is an advisor orguide. The goal of a mentoris to empower the person they are working with so thatthey can develop their abilities to the fullest extent.

Mentoring is a fundamental form of human development where a subject matter expert invests their time, energy and personal knowledge to assist the growth and ability of another person.

Who are they?

• Older & Experienced Referees.

• Referees who can help the younger referee understand the USSF referee development program.

Mentoring

Formal & InformalMentoring

Formal vs Informal

Formal Mentor

A formal mentor is someone assigned to work directly with the younger referee on a longer term basis.

These individuals shall meet on a regular basis to discuss game situations, advancement opportunities, etc.

Informal Mentor

An informal mentor may be a senior official that the younger official feels comfortable with and contacts when necessary to seek advice or information.

It’s important that the informal mentor is not in conflict with the formal mentor.

Mentoring

MENTOR INSTRUCTOR

INSTRUCTOR = TEACHER

Mentoring

MENTOR ASSESSOR

ASSESSOR = CONSULTANT

Mentoring

MENTOR COUNSELOR

Mentoring should not be confused with counseling…

The Mentor

A mentor goes beyond a counselor...

Develops a relationship with the mentee by becoming:

- a confidant, - someone who shares experiences - a friend, - and more.

The Mentor

A good mentor has the ability to listen more and talk less...

A good mentor helps the mentee develop both personally and professionally.

A good mentor will develop a mentee to have the highest standards of performance.

Mentor DutiesMentors perform a variety of duties which include:

•Setting high performance expectations:•Offering challenging ideas,•Building self-confidence, •Offering friendship, •Listening, •Teaching by example, •Offering wise counsel, •Encouraging, Inspiring, •Assisting/developing high ethical standards.

This approach allows the younger officials to advance

to their highest potential.

Mentor

A mentor must devote a substantial amount of time to be successful…

Must keep up with the latest:

•Changes - Laws of the Game,•Updated USSF directives,•Position Papers,•USSF Mechanics and techniques.•Local League Rules

Communication

The information being provided by the mentor must be fact based and not opinionated that may taint the young official.

The mentor must understand the younger officials needs and work toward a successful ending.

Mentee ResponsibilitiesTo make the program successful the mentee:

MUST… • be willing to listen and learn. • have patience during mentoring.

SHOULD…• have no fear of failure or change. • be most willing to instigate change. • work with mentor to correct problems and improve skills. • utilize the mentor to help develop self confidence.

They need to know that change is not immediate and takes time to work on new techniques, change behaviors, etc.

Performance “Gaps”

Every referee makes mistakes orimproper judgment decisions...

Performance “Gap”

The key is when this occurs,the mentee works with the mentor to make the situationa teaching moment so that they learn from it and improveso that a similar situation doesnot occur in the future.

Closing the “Gap”

The MenteeMust take responsibility for the mistake and develop new

skills to prevent it happening again.

The mentorMust work with the Mentee to analyze the problem,

determine what the “performance gap” was.

TOGETHERThey must develop a plan of action for closing the “gap.”

SUMMARYMentees:• Must remember that a mentor is not a rescuer. • Must take responsibility for their own actions. • Can improve based on their own skills and abilities.• Must work with the mentor to develop new skills to their highest potential.

Mentors:• Use their experiences, insight, and wisdom to help the younger official. • The mentor is there to help through situations.

SUMMARY

A formal mentor is… someone assigned to work directly with the younger referee on a longer term basis.

- a confidant, - someone who shares experiences, - a friend

A mentor develops a relationship with the mentee by becoming:

SUMMARY

A Mentor must keep up with the latest:

•Changes - Laws of the Game,•Updated USSF directives,•Position Papers,•USSF Mechanics and techniques.•Local League Rules

Good Luck!

the Best Mentor You Can