Standard Clinic Part 6: Game Management Version 3.2 Release date: 2004

© 2004, FINAStandard Game Management Keep control of the game Be responsible for making the calls that need to be made. Do not allow the players, coaches, or the fans to control what you do on deck. Let the athletes decide the game – but do not allow them to control the game.

© 2004, FINAStandard An Old Saw The best referee is the one you didn’t know was working the game That doesn’t mean that calls should not be ignored – no calls can bring attention to a referee as much as making too many calls Balance between the tempo of the game and the context of what is happening

© 2004, FINAStandard Refereeing Responsibilities Arriving and Checking Out the Facilities Coaches and Captains Meeting Working with a Partner Working with the Table

© 2004, FINAStandard Arriving and Checking Out the Facilities Arrive early First time: at least 30 minutes First game (known facility): 30 minutes Second game: 15 minutes Figure out facility markers (2, 4, 7 m; halfway, re-entry) sounds (35 & game should be different) how will timeout requests be handled

© 2004, FINAStandard Coaches and Captains Meeting Coin toss for starting ends Ground rules Pre-game questions Note: Athletes and coaches are required to comply with dangerous items rule (finger and toenail)

© 2004, FINAStandard Working with a Partner May be only other non-partisan in room Support each other Discuss “questions” in private Do not discuss your partner’s call with coaches An error by one is an error by both Referees are teams

© 2004, FINAStandard Working with the Table Figure out whether the table knows what they are doing Make sure they are trained Make sure that they know how to run the clocks, fill in the books etc not a bad idea for referees to work table Check the game log regularly during and after the game Be nice to people working table

© 2004, FINAStandard Appearance Appearance is everything Look the part (uniform) Have a good deck presence Who are you talking to? Split time between the two coaches/teams Where are you staying? Who is giving you transportation?

© 2004, FINAStandard Respect Is a Two-Way Street Have good interpersonal relationship with the players and coaches Have a game face, but show emotions (appropriately) Listen and answer players Compliment good plays (don’t say anything about bad plays)

© 2004, FINAStandard Listening, Hearing, and Learning Referees If they are not at your level, they will challenge you to explain your calls If they are at or above your level, they will give you a different perspective that you may or may not decide to accept Coaches and Players Know what they want to do Understand their perspective

© 2004, FINAStandard Preparation Watch other games and referees Talk to other referees Talk to coaches and players STUDY THE RULES REGULARLY Think about the game and game situations Watch other sports and their officials

© 2004, FINAStandard Practice Your Craft At home In the car At scrimmages Think about: How much time did the coach put into the game? How much time did the players put into the game?

© 2004, FINAStandard Getting to Know the Game Watch the game Read about the game Talk about the game Think about the game Understand what the “objective” is

© 2004, FINAStandard Making and Admitting Mistakes Did you make a mistake? Acknowledge your mistakes To yourself To your fellow referees To others Try not to repeat the mistake again

© 2004, FINAStandard Legal Issues and Liability Make sure you have adequate insurance (Federation insurance, USWP, or NASO) Make sure that you call endangerment Make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do Make sure that you report all incidents to competent authority

© 2004, FINAStandard Prepared by: Terence P. Ma, Playing Rules Committee Chair and Interpretations Editor Steven Rotsart, Clinic Materials Co-Editor Bill Frady, National Referee Chair and US representative to the ASUA Technical Water Polo Committee Guy Baker, USWP Women’s National Team Head Coach and Women’s Program Director Michelle Baker, USWP Director of Education

© 2004, FINAStandard The End of Part 6 Game Management