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The Official’s Role in Promoting Sportsmanship

At first glance it would seem that sports officials already have the power to promote sportsmanship. After all, their uniforms and whistles give them an automatic status of control. But the fact is many officials are so intent on doing their job as game administrators that they are unaware of the possibilities for positive influencing. The element of authority can be used effectively to promote goodwill among game participants.

When a game is in progress, officials can contribute to the spirit of personal consideration with small gestures and pointed statements. The very nature of their roles includes dealing directly with participants.

Officials should recognize good sportsmanship as ardently as they penalize bad sportsmanship. If a batter whose foul ball caused the catcher to discard his mask during a chase to the backstop picks up the mask and hands it back to the catcher, a simple “Thank you” from the umpire recognizes the act and promotes future acts of good conduct. When a football player flies over the pile to avoid hitting a downed runner, a wrestler helps up an opponent when the combatants have gone off the mat and a basketball or soccer player acknowledges hard but accidental conduct with an apology, an official should let the athlete know what a classy gesture it was.

Officials have other means of curtailing ill will between participants. When players bristle after hard but legal contact, positive reinforcement can prevent illegal retaliation. “Hold it. Let’s stay calm. No need to be upset,” is a preferred technique. “Knock it off! Cut it out!” are surely “cease and desist” messages too, but they don’t have to be delivered in an angry manner. Animosity begets animosity, and an official shouldn’t contribute to it. The official’s role should be that of a gentle persuader, not a harsh martinet.

Officials also have to keep their ears open because today’s climate for sports competition is in some ways unhealthy. That is, baiting, taunting and verbal putdowns are considered by some elements of society to be fashionable, even essential. Officials have an obligation to counter such behavior. Negative gestures, posing and insulting talk must be curbed by sports officials. Unfortunately, some officials ignore belligerent and inflammatory remarks from opponents and coaches. Officials have it in their job description to pay attention and to take a stand.

Officials should be aggressive in setting up opportunities to talk to players. Preseason is a good time. Ask a coach if you can address the team, then develop a message that says, “We’re in this thing together, and we can work like partners in making each game go smoothly.” Such a talk can show players how to address officials during a game, question judgment calls in a non-antagonistic way or ask for clarification of rules and policies. The whole nature of such a discussion is to allay the feelings of participants that officials are their enemies, that a spirit of cooperation can be achieved if each party sets out to be cooperative and congenial.

Written by Jerry Grunska, a frequent contributor to Referee. He lives in Evergreen, Colo. This article originally appeared in the 9/02 issue of Referee.

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