IHSA Beginning Official

Getting Started

What Every New Official Should Know

Created by

Debi Neff

Rhonda Haffner

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Agenda

• Licensing

• Promotion

• Post-Season Assignments

• Officials Associations

• Professionalism

• Sportsmanship

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Licensing

• New License is $45 per sport • Annual renewal (Only online)

– 1 sport $45; $15 per additional sport

• Dated July 1 – June 30 (no exceptions)• Entry Level Requirements

– View online rules interpretation meeting annually– Attend an IHSA certified clinic once every 3 yrs.– Be in compliance with the conviction policy – Inform the IHSA if indicted of any crime– Wear the proper IHSA approved uniform and patches

IHSA patch on left sleeveApproved IHSA logo on pockets or hats

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Licensing (cont.)

• Adhere to all National Federation/IHSA rules, policies and procedures

• Fulfill contractual agreements

• Properly complete and submit any required special report forms available online in your officials center.

• Maintain high standards of conduct

• First year officials must attend a certified clinic within the first year or take the zero level clinic available online.

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Promotion

• 3 levels of officials– Registered (X)– Recognized (R)– Certified (C)

• Post-season assignment priority (C, R, X)

• Must:– Be an active official– Complete 2 years at current level before attempting promotion– Submit application by published deadline for sport– Have met the current rules interpretation meeting criteria– Have officiated minimum number of varsity contests

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Promotion (cont.)

• Registered to Recognized– Achieve minimum of 85% on Part I Exam– Achieve minimum of 85% on Part II Exam (date specific)– Obtained recommendations for promotions and send them to the

IHSA officials department

• Recognized to Certified– Obtained recommendations for promotions and send them to the

IHSA officials department– Achieve minimum of 90% on Part I Exam– Achieve minimum of 85% on Part II Exam (date specific)

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Post-Season Assignments

• Eligibility Requirements– Met certified clinic criteria – Met Rules Interpretation Meeting criteria– Not on probation– Completed post-season availability information

• Online in the officials center personal site

• Assignments based on:– Power rating – Percentile ranking of coaches & officials ratings– Percentile ranking of “Top 15” list

• school, assignors, IHSA recognized associations and certified officials

– Geographic representation

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Post-Season Assignments (cont.)

• Power Rating– 8 areas X 5 points each = 40 Maximum

• Part I Exam Score• Promotion Level (C, R, X)• Previous post-season experience• Ratings of coaches and officials• Top 15 list • Number of contests worked• Clinic level attended with the last three years• Yearly clinic attendance no matter what level

• Notification of Assignments– Schools are electronically notified by IHSA– Officials are electronically notified of assignments

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Officials Associations

• Benefits of joining– Education, mentoring, socialization

– Periodic group meetings (monthly, weekly, etc.)

– Name recognition (assignors, athletic directors, etc.)

– Discussion topics• Current issues, rules changes, etc.

• Situation reviews

– Recognized associations• May conduct IHSA certified clinics

• May Provide a voice in post-season assignment through Top 15 list

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Professionalism

• Goal Setting– Be realistic in advancement expectations (Jr-High, Frosh, JV, Varsity)– Challenge yourself with advancement and promotion goals– Personal development (clinics, associations, mentors)– Self and partner post-game evaluation

• Fitness and Health– Year-round commitment to physical conditioning– Be realistic about performance with injury/illness

• Appearance– Proper uniform, patches, and sport specific equipment– Take pride in your appearance

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Professionalism (cont.)

• Rule Knowledge– Frequent study of rule book and case book– Be aware of rule changes; discuss with peers– Study Part I and II exams– Know how to use Officials Handbook

• Responsibilities & Duties– Must understand pre-, during, and post-contest responsibilities of

each member on the officiating team– Strive for consistency and fairness – impartial – Goal is to not be noticed – courteous but detached– Communication is key, but know correct approach– Practice proper mechanics

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Professionalism (cont.)

• Contracting Contests– Through association assignors OR directly through school

Athletic Directors

– Be prompt, organized and gracious

– Honor all contracts, regardless of other opportunities

– If you must break a contract:• Provide early notice to host school

• Offer to recruit a replacement

• Alert other officiating team members, if possible

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Sportsmanship

• IHSA Communication Requirements– May use special report form to report inappropriate behavior

– MUST submit special report form to communicate ejections

– Encouraged to submit SAWA reports

• Guidelines for Dealing with Unruly Spectators– AVOID direct contact – address through host management

– Host Management obligated to carry out spectator ejections

– DO NOT CONFRONT spectators directly

– Remember to communicate with players, coaches, and officiating team

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Sportsmanship (cont.)

• Officials should be role model for Sportsmanship– Address in pre-contest conference with captains and coaches

– Know and Use warnings and penalties to maintain control

– Shake hands with both coaches prior to contest

– Regardless of contest progress, treat officiating team with respect and tolerance; discussion takes place after the contest

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• Utilize IHSA website– www.ihsa.org

• Know and use the Sports Officials Handbook

• Discuss, learn, get involved

• Set goals and strive to meet them

• Represent the profession well

• Have fun!

Conclusion