2009 ABOA CLINIC PRESENTED BY MORGAN MUNROE

ARTICLE FROM EXCEL SPORTS OFFICIATING THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING

1.FOR ALL BUT A FEW OF US, OFFICIATING IS AN AVOCATION, NOT OUR JOB PRIORITIES

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 2.NINETY PERCENT OF OFFICIATING IS BEING A PEOPLE PERSON COURTESY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 3.OFFICIATING IS NOT ALWAYS FAIR PERSPECTIVE

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 4.KEEP SAFETY NUMBER ONE MORAL DUTY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 5.DON’T MAKE EXCUSES ENERGYCORRECTIONLESSON

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 6.YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HOLD YOURSELF TO A HIGHER- THAN-THE-REST STANDARD INTEGRITY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 7.EXPECT CRITICISM AND LEARN HOW TO HANDLE IT FOCUS, POSITIVE ATTITUDE

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 8. OFFICIATING BUILDS SKILLS FOR A LIFETIME TEAMWORKLOYALTYSACRIFICESTUDY FAIR MINDEDNESS ACCOUNTABILITYHONESTY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 9.NEVER LET YOUR SIGNALS CONVEY YOUR EMOTIONS A FOUL NOT A FELONY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 10.UNDERSTAND THE INTENT OF THE RULE – NOT JUST THE RULE WHY IS THAT RULE NEEDED?

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 11.IF YOU’RE GOING TO BLOW THE WHISTLE, BLOW IT HARD OFTEN A REFLECTION OF CONFIDENCE AND JUDGEMENT

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 12.UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL MAKE MISTAKES SPLIT-SECOND DECISIONS AREN’T ALWAYS PERFECT. KEEP PERSPECTIVE –OFFICIAL AND EVALUATOR

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 13.DON’T CRITICIZE OTHER OFFICIALS NEVER TO A PLAYER OR A COACH. IF ASKED FOR BE SUPPORTIVE IF NOT ASKED, DON’T OFFER IT

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 14.BE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 15.KNOW YOUR ROLE PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 16.BE PREPARED PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED TEMPO CHANGES DISRUPTORS

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 17.CONTINUING STUDY IS A REQUIREMENT RULE CHANGES MECHANIC CHANGES POINTS OF EMPHASIS

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 18.BODY LANGUAGE WILL DO YOU IN QUICKER THAN A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 19.POUR NO GASOLINE COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONAL EMPATHY WHEN NEEDED FIRMNESS WHEN NEEDED

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 20.YOU DON’T CARE WHO WINS IMPARTIALITY

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 21.HAVE A REVERENCE FOR THE RULES RULE KNOWLEDGE THE SPIRIT OF THE RULE APPLICATION OF THE RULE.

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 22.ALWAYS HAVE A PREGAME HOW DID THE GAME GO? WHEN STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN ASK THE CREW ABOUT THE PREGAME.

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 23.DON’T CARRY OVER FEELINGS TO THE NEXT GAME YOUR DEMEANOR AND ACTIONS MUST INDICATE THAT YOU’VE FORGOTTEN THE PREVIOUS GAME … EVEN IF THE COACHES AND PLAYERS HAVEN’T.

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 24.REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM. REPAY THOSE WHO HELPED YOU MAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL BY MENTORING OR SERVING YOURASSOCIATION IN SOME CAPACITY.

THE 25 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT OFFICIATING 25.BE WHO YOU ARE WHEN YOU REFEREE. CAUTION HERE; DON’T LET YOUR REAL JOB INTERFERE OR INFLUENCE HOW YOU TREAT FELLOW OFFICIALS AS WELL AS PLAYERS AND COACHES.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? REFEREE MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2006 AUTHOR BILL KENNEY

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? PARADIGM SHIFT FROM AVOID UNNECESSARY TALKING TO PARTICIPATING IN “MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE”.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME HAS EVOLVED FROM ADMINISTERING PENALTIES TO ELICITING COMPLIANCE, IF NOT COOPERATION.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMUNICATE WITH COACHES. THE “FLY BY” – COACH MAKES A COMMENT OR ASKS A QUESTION AS THE OFFICIAL IS IN TRANSITION. IF A REPLY IS OFFERED IT CAN’T BE VERY LONG OR DETAILED.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? SECOND OPPORTUNITY COMES WHEN THERE IS A BREAK IN THE ACTION. RESPOND TO QUESTIONS

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? ONLY ENGAGE OR INITIATE A CONVERSATION WHEN YOU ARE PROACTIVELY WARNING A COACH ABOUT A PLAYER TRYING TO DRAW THE COACHES ATTENTION TO SOMETHING HAPPENING IN THE GAME

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? PRINCIPLES FOR CHOICES PREPARE. HAVE STANDARD REPLIES THOUGHT OUT IN ADVANCE FOR TYPICAL COACH QUESTIONS. LISTEN TO WHAT IS BEING SAID. UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE COACH.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? IF CONCERNS ARE LEGITIMATE, EXPRESS THAT UNDERSTANDING ANSWER QUESTIONS, NOT STATEMENTS. SOME COMMENTS CAN BE IGNORED. BE A RESPONDER, NOT AN INITIATOR.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR QUESTIONS OF YOUR INTEGRITY OR THAT OF YOUR PARTNER(S) EXHIBIT CALMNESS. DO NOT THREATEN.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? DO NOT TRY TO ANSWER A QUESTIONS FROM AN OUT-OF- CONTROL COACH; DEAL WITH THE BEHAVIOR FIRST. BE IN CONTROL AND SPEAK IN CALM, EASY TONES. BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY LANGUAGE; MAINTAIN POSITIVE AND CONFIDENT BODY LANGUAGE

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? IT IS RARE FOR AN OFFICIAL TO HAVE TO HAVE THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO USE WIT AND HUMOR TO DIFFUSE A SITUATION. STICK TO POSITIVE, EASILY UNDERSTOOD AND HARD TO MISREPRESENT REPLIES.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? LET’S BE REAL THESE ARE GUIDELINES AND EVERY SCENARIO IS DIFFERENT.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? FOR INSTANCE THE CONCEPT OF ONLY RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS IS DIFFICULT WHEN A COACH IS CALMLY AND PROFESSIONALLY COMMUNICATING WITH YOU BUT IS NOT ASKING A QUESTION. REFUSING TO RESPOND WOULD EXHIBIT AN ERROR IN JUDGEMENT.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? FIGHT THE FIRE A FIREFIGHTER WANTS TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT BECOMES BIGGER.

WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME? RESPONDING TO A COMMENT IN THE INITIAL STAGES MAY ALLEVIATE A MORE VOLATILE SITUATION LATER. IGNORING THE COMMENT MAY CAUSE A BIGGER EXPLOSION LATER.

TEAM CONTROL FOUL COACH: THAT WAS A TERRIBLE CALL OFFICIAL:1. NO RESPONSE 2. I HAD A GOOD LOOK AT THE PLAY, COACH 3. COME ON, COACH. YOUR PLAYER RAN HIM/HER OVER. 4. WHATEVER

TEAM CONTROL FOUL COACH: SHE WAS MOVING SHE WAS NEVER SET. OFFICIAL: 1. THE RULE SAYS SHE’S ALLOWED TO MOVE. 2. COACH, I KNOW YOU TEACH YOUR PLAYERS TO MAINTAIN THEIR LEGAL GUARDING POSITION. THAT’S WHAT THE PLAYER WAS DOING. 3. WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING? 3. WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING?

TEAM CONTROL FOUL COACH:THE PLAYER NEVER HAD LEGAL GUARDING POSITION! OFFICIAL:1. THAT’S ENOUGH. YOU’RE REPEATING YOURSELF AND IT’S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE CALL. 2. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP YOU WIN. 3. OK, COACH, THAT’S YOUR OPINION, BUT IT’S NOT WHAT I SAW. IN MY MIND, THE PLAYER HAD A LEGAL GUARDING POSITION.

TEAM CONTROL FOUL COACH:YOU CAN’T ADMIT YOU WERE WRONG! OFFICIAL:1. I PROMISE I’LL ADMIT IT IF I THINK I’VE BLOWN ONE, BUT WE NEED TO END THIS BEFORE IT ESCALATES INTO SOMETHING THAT HURTS YOUR TEAM’S CHANCES TO WIN THE GAME. 2. NO RESPONSE 3. ONE MORE WORD AND I CALL A “T”.

COACH PREVIUOSLY WARNED, BUT CONTINUES TO WANDER OUT OF THE BOX. “COACH I NEED YOU TO STAY IN THE BOX.” COACH:I’M ONLY COACHING MY KIDS. OFFICIAL:1. DON’T LET ME SEE YOU OUT OF THE BOX AGAIN OR ELSE. 2. IF YOU DON’T COOPERATE I’LL HAVE TO CALL A “T”. 3. WE NEED TO BE FAIR, COACH. THE OTHER COACH IS STAYING IN THE BOX.WHAT CAN I SAY TO GAIN YOUR COOPERATION? 4. NO RESPONSE

COACH PREVIUOSLY WARNED, BUT CONTINUES TO WANDER OUT OF THE BOX. “COACH I NEED YOU TO STAY IN THE BOX.” COACH:THAT’S JUST CHICKEN SH**! OFFICIAL:1. TECHNICAL FOUL 2. APPRECIATE YOUR OPINION, COACH, BUT I CAN’T LET YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. PLEASE COOPERATE. 3. THAT’S TWO STRIKES. YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WITH THREE.

COACH PREVIUOSLY WARNED, BUT CONTINUES TO WANDER OUT OF THE BOX. “COACH I NEED YOU TO STAY IN THE BOX.” COACH:AS THE COACH MOVES BACK INTO THE BOX, THE COACH MUMBLES SOMETHING INAUDIBLE TO THE OFFICIAL. OFFICIAL:1. WHAT WAS THAT, COACH? 2. TECHNICAL FOUL 3. IGNORE

YOU HAVE JUST CALLED A DOUBLE FOUL INVOLVING THE STAR PLAYER FROM TEAM A AND A RECENT SUB FROM TEAM B. COACH A:WHAT DID MY PLAYER DO TO DESERVE THAT? OFFICIAL:1. AFTER YOUR PLAYER GOT PUSHED, YOUR PLAYER RAPPED THE PUSHER WITH AN ELBOW. 2. WE GOT THE FIRST FOUL, COACH. IT WAS UNWISE OF YOUR PLAYER TO RETALIATE. 3. I KNOW YOU TEACH YOUR PLAYERS NOT TO RETALIATE. EVIDENTLY THAT PLAYER FORGOT.

YOU HAVE JUST CALLED A DOUBLE FOUL INVOLVING THE STAR PLAYER FROM TEAM A AND A RECENT SUB FROM TEAM B. COACH:THEY SENT THAT PLAYER IN JUST TO PROVOKE MY STAR PLAYER. OFFICIAL:1. THE SECRET IS OUT NOW, COACH. WE’RE ON IT. 2. A FOUL IS A FOUL. GET YOUR PLAYER UNDER CONTROL. 3. COACH, YOU DON’T KNOW THAT FOR CERTAIN. HOWEVER, WE WILL WATCH THOSE TWO PLAYERS CLOSELY.

YOU HAVE JUST CALLED A DOUBLE FOUL INVOLVING THE STAR PLAYER FROM TEAM A AND A RECENT SUB FROM TEAM B. COACH:YOU GOTTA PROTECT MY BEST PLAYER OFFICIAL:1. WE’RE HERE TO PROTECT ALL THE PLAYERS. 2. WE’VE ALREADY WARNED THEM BOTH. THEY KNOW WE’RE WATCHING. 3. IT MIGHT NOT HURT IF YOU REMINDED YOUR PLAYER TO KEEP HIS OR HER COOL.

YOU HAVE JUST CALLED A DOUBLE FOUL INVOLVING THE STAR PLAYER FROM TEAM A AND A RECENT SUB FROM TEAM B. COACH:YOU’RE LOSING CONTROL OF THE GAME. OFFICIAL:1. CUT THE CRAP, COACH 2. THE BIGGER THE FUSS YOU MAKE, THE MORE LIKELY THERE MIGHT BE TROUBLE. YOU CAN HELP DIFFUSE THE ISSUE 3. TRUST US, COACH. WE WANT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AS MUCH AS YOU

TEAM A HAS JUST GONE ON A 12-0 RUN AND THE COACH OF TEAM B CALLS TIMEOUT. EXITING THE TIMEOUT THE COACH SHARES A FEW CHOICE WORDS. COACH:YOU GUYS HAVE CALLED FIVE FOULS ON US AND ONLY ONE ON THEM. OFFICIAL:1. IGNORE 2. IS THERE A SPECIFIC CALL YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, COACH? 3. THAT’S THE WAY THE BALL IS BOUNCING RIGHT NOW. 4. COACH, YOUR TEAM IS PRESSING ALL OVER THE FLOOR AND THEY’RE IN A ZONE.

TEAM A HAS JUST GONE ON A 12-0 RUN AND THE COACH OF TEAM B CALLS TIMEOUT. EXITING THE TIMEOUT THE COACH SHARES A FEW CHOICE WORDS. COACH:EVERY TIME WE COME UP HERE WE GET SCREWED. OFFICIAL:1. ARE YOU QUESTIONING OUR INTEGRITY? 2. COACH, I KNOW THINGS LOOK TOUGH RIGHT NOW, BUT IMPLYING THAT WE ARE CHEATING YOUR TEAM IS UNACCEPTABLE. 3. DON’T LET ME HEAR ANY MORE OF THAT. 4. TECHNICAL FOUL

TEAM A HAS JUST GONE ON A 12-0 RUN AND THE COACH OF TEAM B CALLS TIMEOUT. EXITING THE TIMEOUT THE COACH SHARES A FEW CHOICE WORDS. COACH:LOOK AT THE BOARD. EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT. OFFICIAL:1. TECHNICAL FOUL 2. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN SAY TO GET YOU TO CALM DOWN BEFORE I HAVE TO ADD TO THE FOUL COUNT? 3. BACK OFF, COACH; YOU’RE WAY OVER THE LINE.

TEAM A HAS JUST GONE ON A 12-0 RUN AND THE COACH OF TEAM B CALLS TIMEOUT. EXITING THE TIMEOUT THE COACH SHARES A FEW CHOICE WORDS. COACH:YOU’LL NEVER WORK MY GAMES AGAIN. OFFICIAL:1. THAT WILL BE A BLESSING 2. IGNORE AND RESUME PLAY. 3. TECHNICAL FOUL