Key Areas of Officiating to Consider

 

You probably already have a good idea of the kinds of things, which need to be considered. However, initially it is helpful to keep in mind three key interrelated areas of officiating and these are:

 

Control

 

Decision Making

 

Communication

 

Control

 

Officials need basic skills to be able to control/organize a game or event so as to ensure the spirit of the game or event is observed by all. Here are some questions to help you self-reflect:

 

·                Did I enjoy the game?

 

·                Did the participants enjoy the game?

 

·                Did I accept responsibility for all actions taken?

 

·                How do I plan for training sessions/games or events?

 

·                Do my training sessions, games or events run smoothly?

 

·                How do I gain the participants' attention?

 

·                Did I place the safety and welfare of the participants above all else?  Can I obtain appropriate first aid for injured participants?

 

·                How do I control the game?  Am I loud and bossy or low-key and gently assertive?

 

·                How do the participants respond to my control style?

 

·                Do I have the respect of participants?

 

·                Do I have adequate technical knowledge for this level?

 

·                Am I distracted easily?  Why and by what? (External influences e.g. crowd)

 

·                Am I a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance?

 

Ask yourself on a regular basis:

 

‘How would asking myself these questions enhance my performance in the area of control?’

 

 

Decision Making

 

Officials have to be able to apply the rules/laws both consistently and accurately for all parties within the spirit of the game or event. Here are some questions to help you self-reflect:

 

*               Am I impartial?

 

*               Am I quick to make a decision?

 

*               Are my decisions accurate? What percentage?

 

*               Do I anticipate decisions?

 

*               Do I prejudge situations?

 

*               Are my decisions consistent between teams and for individuals?

 

*               Are my decisions consistent between games or events?

 

*               Is the spirit of the game or event enhanced by my decision-making?

 

*               Is my positioning appropriate to make an accurate decision?

 

*               Is my physical and mental fitness appropriate for the decisions required in the game or event?

 

*               Do I explain my decisions to participants when needed (to coaches, other officials)?

 

*               Do I admit that I have made a wrong decision?

 

*               Do I concentrate at all times?

 

Ask yourself on a regular basis:

 

‘How would asking myself these questions enhance my performance in the area of decision making?’

  

Communicating

 

This is fundamental to officiating. It involves people skills (i.e. the ability to effectively relate to participants, coaches, administrators and other officials) in order to develop a positive and interactive social climate and foster the spirit of the game or event. Here are some questions to help you self-reflect:

 

·                How do I communicate at a non-verbal level?  Do I know how the following aspects of my non-verbal behaviour influence my ability to communicate?

 

·                Tone of voice

·                Body language

·                Spatial behaviour

·                Signals

·                Listening skills

 

·                How does my non-verbal communication relate to what I say?

 

·                Am I flexible in the way I communicate?  Can I adapt my communication to suit the situation by:

 

·                Going into detail or simplifying?

·                Speaking loudly or softly?

·                Playfully or seriously?

·                Hustling participants or quietly encouraging them?

·                Getting closely involved or staying back?

 

·                Can I communicate comfortably with the participants?  Am I approachable?  Can the participants communicate comfortably with me?

 

·                Do I try to gauge how the participants are responding to my officiating?

 

·                Am I courteous to the participants?

 

·                Is humour a part of my officiating style?

 

·                Do I make an effort to acknowledge participants as people? Do I talk “at” them or “to” them?

 

·                Do I work to create a positive social climate?  How?

 

·                Do I communicate to warn rather than penalize participants?

·                Do I talk to participants with respect?

 

·                Do I communicate/interact with participants prior to and after a training session/game or event?

 

Ask yourself on a regular basis:

 

‘How would asking myself these questions enhance my performance in the area of communication?’