Wildwood Officials Clinic

2005

Conduct & EthicsOfficials shall:

• Bear responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports

• Be free of obligation to any interest other than impartial & fair judgment of sports competition

• Hold & maintain basic tenets of officiating: history, integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion, & tactfulness

Officials shall:

• Master rules of the game & mechanics necessary to enforce rules, & shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm, & controlled manner

• Uphold the honor & dignity of the profession in all interactions with student-athletes, coaches, administrators, colleagues, & the public

• Display & execute superior communication skills, both verbal & non-verbal

Officials shall:• Prepare themselves both physically &

mentally & shall comport themselves in manner consistent with high standards of the profession

• Not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to officiating, assignments, or membership & leadership: economic, race, creed, color, age, sex, handicap, ethnic

• Be punctual & professional in fulfillment of contractual obligations

Officials shall:• Work with each other & their governing

bodies in a constructive & cooperative manner

• Never participate in any form of illegal gambling on sports contests or on any event in which they have direct or indirect involvement

• Not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, ratings, credentials,experience, training, or competence

Officials shall:

• ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF THEIR ACTIONS

CHARACTER• Officials are expected to exhibit & uphold

the standards of integrity of the officiating profession. The image of an official demands honesty & high ethical standards. Officials should make every decision based on the circumstances & facts presented, regardless of an official’s past history with a particular player or team. No official should ever threaten a player, coach, or team with future retaliation.

Character (cont.)• Realize the importance of your position &

at all times uphold the dignity it demands.• Have ambition, but also patience, as over-

anxiety has ruined many new officials.• Never be jealous of a good break another

official gets. Your turn may be next.• Never use your senior position to embarrass

another official.• Be receptive. Open your mind to new

concepts & ideas.

Character (cont.)• Be honest with yourself. Unreal

expectations place an extra burden on an already intense job.

• Become a leader. Adopting a “help others” attitude will help you reach your goals.

• Be passionate. Being passionate about integrity, honesty, & professionalism leads to improving all aspects of your life.

• Be courageous. Doing what is right takes strong will and conviction.

Don’t be a Coaster • Don’t quit before

the job is done

• Avoid the little “Mental Vacations”

• Be aware of “Hangover Weeks”

• Personal Pride keeps you in the game

To the New Official• Learn from

everyone• Everyone else is

better than you• Don’t brag about

future dreams• Listen more than

you talk• Volunteer for

everything

• Don’t be late• Dress the part• Make friends with

people in your association

• Be patient concerning moving up

• Have fun with your new part-time job

Understanding Rules , Mechanics and Philosophies

• Reset vs.. false start?• Both Wings call false

start ?• Signal touchdown or stop

the clock ?• Echo touchdown signal ?• Umpire signals TD ?• FP spots• Incomplete vs.. backward

pass

Pre-game Meeting with the Coaches

• Introduce yourself

• Properly equipped ?

• List of officials

• Captains names & numbers

• QB’s & kickers

• Anything uncommon

• Sportsmanship

• “Get back “ coach ?

• Emergency help?

• Confirm start time

• Ask coach for questions or concerns

• Weather or others topical concerns

People Skills• Some communication is

desirable

• Don’t fraternize , criticize , or threaten

• Compliment the positive

• Call players by number

• Never lecture a player

• Steer clear of “coaching “ a player

HOW NOT TO ARGUE

Conflicts Are Not ArgumentsConflict = when you are at odds with the

goals of another person

• Not the same as an argument– Can lead to argument

– Needs to be resolved quickly and effectively

HNTA (cont.)

• Consider– Conflicts are normal and likely

– Conflicts are good• Something wrong brought to surface• Needs modification

– Arguments are power struggles• Emotional• Hidden agendas• Lose objectivity, become biased

HNTA (cont.)

• Arguments lead to “play to win”– Not our job to win

– Results in loser

– No one likes to lose

– Can never create satisfactory resolution

• Best outcome: two winners– How? Our self control & discipline

HNTA (cont.)

Control the Conflict

DIFFUSE RATHER THAN ESCALATE

• Remain objective– Try to see the other person’s perspective– Be empathetic– Consider it may have been our mistake

HNTA (cont.)

• Empathy– Shows you care & are open

– Provides opportunity for them to release frustration (lead to more objectivity)

• Remain positive and assertive

HNTA (cont.)

Strategies• Let the other person talk and do not

interrupt• Use your own words to repeat the problem

back to the coach or player• Do not debate judgments• Limit discussions to most recent call• Do not engage in any discussion when you

are angry• Focus on solutions

HNTA (cont.)

Why is this better?

• Builds true respect– Dealt with honestly & fairly

– Not result of emotion but assertiveness

• Assertiveness (positive progress)– Not aggressive

• Not caring about others• Not caring about how you succeed• Winning at all costs, even if you are wrong

HNTA (cont.)– Assertive

• Avoid hurting others• Avoid taking advantage of others• People are heard• Opinions are respected• Both parties can work toward win-win• Requires open mind & flexibility• Must be excellent listener• Respond to conflict in open, honest way

HNTA (cont.)

• Maintain control of the discussion

• We know we have a conflict

Steer toward resolution rather than argument

Nick’s Tips

Ways to impress or distress your Commissioner

Assignments• Be honest – if what you’re doing feels

slightly dishonest or deceptive ….it is !!

• Give a definite answer to the assigner. “Maybe” usually means “no”.

• Give yourself a reason to accept the game. It could be the money or a chance to move up .

Turnbacks• Give a legitimate and truthful reason.

• Realize that your actions cost a lot of people inconvenience and a lot of time , energy and money.

• Understand that in order to climb the ladder an official must pay the price. Work the games you are assigned…whatever those may be.

Save Yourself Precious Time• Get Organized.

• Know where your books/manuals are.

• Keep tract of officiating clothing.

• Know your Rulebook and Casebook.

• This provides more time to learn.

Pick Up Your Room !!!• Leave the locker room like

you found it.

• Clean your muddy shoes outside.

• Pick up trash on the floor.

• The locker room often doubles as coach’s office.

• Treat it like a room in your own home.

Dead Ball Death Moves• Glide in cruise control

• Take your time , let it end

• The Concept of Rings

• The Accordion Effect

• Don’t get too close

• Save the big sells for the close calls

Hey Ref , You Stink !!• Develop a positive attitude• Practice being in the moment• Try to use power imagery• Develop short-term goals• Pay close attention to your

Stress level• Focus on the process• Beware of distractions• Make positive self statements• Manage your physical body

Keeping the Sidelines Clean• Sideline warning have

been authorized for a number of years

• They haven’t been used effectively

• Crew’s responsibility

• Take a proactive approach

Marking and Getting Forward Progress

• Plane rather than an exact spot

• Square off to the end of the run

• If close , show some urgency

• Front point of the ball• Yielding ground to gain

an advantage

Can’t get it out of my head

• Own your thoughts

• Keep things in perspective

• Live in the present

• Focus on positives

• Deal with failures

Why can’t I get picked ?• Appearance

• Lack of Hustle

• Play Coverage

• Running Plays

• Passing Plays

• Miscellaneous

• Philosophy

• Other