Rather, it is an opportune time for a crew to review the contest and discuss what went well and what didn’t go so well. Last second shot procedures: Who has the shot, who is watching the clock, who is watching the play underneath are all discussed beforehand or in a “quickie quiz” during an on-floor time-out.Īt the conclusion of a contest, officials typically do not grab their gear and quickly head home.What is the protocol if a technical foul is called?.Reviewing procedures if a double whistle is sounding.Knowing the difference between goaltending and basket interference.On a jump ball, who will start the clock and who will ensure the possession arrow is set correctly?.What will the formation be during the National Anthem?.What will be discussed at the pregame conference with coaches and captains?.On-court pregame duties that include policing of uniforms, communicating with table game management such as the scorer, timekeeper and public-address announcer.Reviewing rules and NFHS Points of Emphasis.Using basketball as an example, here are some of the topics discussed:
The referee in basketball and white hat in football, for example, lead these discussions. While the crew has been in communication with one another, important protocols and pregame checklists are discussed. Setting the tone for any contest comes behind closed doors prior to the contest. When officials are in hurry-up mode or appear stressed, it will show in their officiating performance. Arriving at a school at least an hour prior to the contest starting time helps to ensure an official is relaxed and mentally prepared. Planning your trip to account for weather, traffic delays or work commitments is a key ingredient to a successful officiating journey. Chasing down assigned officials for confirmation isn’t a task that administrators relish or budget time to tackle. The administrators are grateful for diligent officials who check in. Calling or emailing the school’s athletics administrator, and copying his or her assistant to confirm an assignment, is essential to set the tone for a successful event. It is such a simple task, but an incredibly important one. Reviewing past performances and constant visits with the rules books can also ensure growth. Finding scrimmages to work prior to the start of the regular season is an opportune time to sand off the rust and get in “whistle shape.”ĭeveloping a plan and setting individual goals for the upcoming season is oftentimes crucial to the successful journey of an official. Participants practice to prepare for their first contest. An official also does not want his or her first time on the court, field or rink for that season to be a regular-season game. Preseason preparation includes registering with the state association, taking an online concussion training course, viewing an online rules meeting and completing certification by passing an NFHS rules exam. After all, an official needs to know sooner rather than later if those pants are too snug. Most officials do not wait until the day prior to an assignment to check on uniforms, pants, shoes, whistles, etc. Regardless of offseason goals, officials begin planning for the season long before they reach their locker rooms. That can be attending offseason camps, working leagues or just keeping in shape for the rigors of the season ahead. They are either getting better or they are getting worse.” Thankfully, most officials strive to improve. There is an old saying in officiating that states: “Officials can never stay the same. These are steps that officials often use in approaching each of their assignments. Here is a look at what is happening behind the scenes prior to an official working a contest. What are those conversations like? Do they tell jokes and share colorful officiating stories? Who takes charge? Behind closed doors, the officiating crew continues pregame preparations. While the site supervisor thanks the crew for working the contest, he or she quickly hustles off to the next task on the multiple todo list. Perhaps most crucial for an officiating crew is to know the whereabouts of a site supervisor if, for example, unsportsmanlike behavior from participants, coaches and fans escalates beyond the officials’ jurisdiction. While traversing hallways, stairs and doorways en route to the officials’ locker room, conversations with the administrator include important game management information. Upon arriving to work a high school athletic contest, an officiating crew is typically welcomed by an athletic administrator or a site supervisor. Speech, Debate & Theatre Directors & Judges.