1. Some Ways to Become an Excellent Official
Updated 2019

2. Look Professional Arrive at meet site neatly dressed.
Be professional: your discussions and body language prior to, during and after the meet project you.
Contact crew chief well ahead of the meet to determine (if possible) your assignment.

3. Act Professional From when you arrive until when you leave.
Do not react to an emotional situation with emotion.
Beware of the “sea of blue.” It may be interpreted wrong.

4. Communication
Coaches: talk with coach with hands behind back, or arms to side. Do not elaborate, or editorialize, simply report the facts and resume your duties. Be sure to communicate with the coach(s) before leaving meet.
Contestants: effective communication between official and player is considered good preventative officiating. Prevent instead of disqualify.
Fellow officials: know our communication signals, and whistles between starter, finish line, and relay zones. Be sure to have all necessary details written down before communicating any infraction to the head referee.

5. Be in Position If you are not sure where you need to be –ASK!!
You need to be eye level with any foul line or plane.

6. Be Consistent
If you make a call early in the meet on a contestant, be sure to make the same call later in the meet. This consistency also applies to later in the season.
This consistency also applies to all officials in our Association. This allows coaches to coach their kids appropriately.

7. Know the NFHS Rules Have your rule book with you at all times.
Read the rule book the night before a meet.
Highlight sections of importance. We recommend that you do “outline cards” for each event.

8. Be Humble
Realize that both officials and coaches are their for the kids.
Keep an open mind and realize that we can all learn from each other.
When we make a mistake, own up to it and let other officials and coaches know.
It is not a good idea to have an attitude or a chip on the shoulder while officiating.

9. Signals Be in a place where your signals can be seen.
Be very deliberate with your signals.