Words of Wisdom

Throughout history, experienced, time-tested veterans have passed down words of wisdom to younger apprentices. (Think of the American Indian culture with the great wise men sharing their wisdom with eager, hungry warriors.) In all walks of life, there are common phrases that veterans use. They are as symbolic as they are helpful.

Officiating is no different. There are a number of catch phrases that are handed down through officiating generations. They are aimed at newer officials but serve as guidelines for veterans as well.

Some are so common they've become cliche in the world of officiating. They are used over and over for a reason. They are a part of the foundation of successful officiating.

Take a look at the following quotes and the meaning behind them. There are probably countless variations to each phrase, but the core is essentially the same.

The phrases, a part of our officiating culture, are impossible to trace to a single source. The credit does not go to an individual; the credit is the longevity and application of the phrase itself.

"When you miss a call, the next call is crucial." The first part of that phrase deals with acceptance. We are all going to miss calls. Accept it and learn from it. The competitor in us is constantly searching for that perfect game. We’re never going to find it. That’s the thrill of the "hunt." There are always things to improve on. In fact, if you think you’ve got this avocation down pat and there’s no getting better, move on to something else.

Perfection is what we strive for. When we make a mistake, it hurts a bit. It should. If mistakes have ceased getting to you, you’ve stopped learning and are just going through the motions.

There comes a time, however, when you’ve got to mentally let go of the mistake and move on. Learn from it, then let it go immediately during the game. After a mistake, it’s how you handle it that separates the average officials from the great ones.

After you know you’ve made a mistake, think about the following things: Did your facial expression change from relaxed to tense? Did your body language suggest change from fluid to rigid? Are you quicker to respond harshly to normally innocuous comments? Did you flat-out miss the next call too because you were still thinking about the last one?

All those visible signs show you’ve mentally taken yourself out of the game because of one missed call. That negative cycle has a snowball effect. One bad call can lead to another – and another – if you’re unable to let it go.

Remember your mistake enough to not make the same mistake twice in that game. Let it go enough to get through the game. Revisit the mistake after the game and examine why it happened and how it can be prevented in the future.

"Silence can never be misquoted." That phrase seemingly has been around forever. In it’s simplest form it means, "Keep your mouth shut."

Many crucial errors have nothing to do with judgment calls or rules. They have to do with how we handle people. Communicate effectively and you’re a perceived good official. On the other hand you can know the rules inside and out, have the most crisp signals and always be in the right spot, but if your mouth is in overdrive, you’re likely to fail.

We’re constantly being verbally challenged. Our first step is to determine if a comment needs a response. Many comments from coaches and players do not even need a response. Don’t get into a running dialogue. If a question needs to be answered, answer it briefly. If a bad comment needs to be dealt with, address the offender professionally.

Don’t let your mouth end your career. Don’t think that can happen? Ask the ref how he likes sitting at home on game days after he swore at a coach and player.

"Never forget where you came from. You’re going to see the same people on the way down as you saw on the way up." The words "climbing the ladder" are often used in officiating. It’s ironic that when we use those words, we’re always thinking of climbing up the ladder. Climbing down is rarely considered.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to have risen to a high level of officiating – or aspire to get there – don’t forget about all the people who helped you get there. No one makes it on their own in this business. Someone along the way gave you good advice, opened a door for you and gave you a chance to succeed.

If you’ve climbed, you’re going to come down. Even the best aren’t the best forever. Enjoy it while you can, but better yet, enjoy the journey. Learn something from everyone you meet at every level. Take the time to give back to officiating by helping someone else. This can be a lonely business if you get a selfish reputation. The most successful officials breed success in other officials. Become a "great wise man" in officiating and help the "eager, hungry warriors." You and officiating will be better for it.

Are You Coming to Portland?

Have you made your reservations to attend the "Sports Officiating 2003" Conference in Portland, Ore., this June 21-23?

Join Sandy Alderson, Major League Baseball’s vice president of baseball operations, as he officially opens the conference with his keynote address called, "Setting the Tone." Alderson’s symbolic "first pitch" will be the culmination of many months of preparation and hard work by the NASO staff to make the event the finest gathering of officiating talent in the 23-year history of the organization.

"The Portland conference is a continuation of implementing a strategic plan approved by the NASO board several years ago," explains NASO President Barry Mano. "We want to strengthen the partnerships we have with governing bodies, conferences and local associations. By working with those leaders on issues that affect them every day, we can impact and improve officiating."

Mano emphasizes that the NASO conference over the years has evolved to become "the most important single officiating event of the year."

For 22 of its 23 years NASO has hosted a national event. In the early days it involved numerous sport-specific training sessions. Today, numerous local camps and clinics fulfill such individualized needs for members.

Now, the conference focus is on leadership – an obvious area of strength for NASO. It has been a popular decision because it has strengthened the relationships between NASO and other officiating leaders and organizations.

The "Sports Officiating 2003" conference marks the second consecutive year in which the National Federation of State High School Associations has teamed with NASO to co-present the event.

"As we get our arms around these critical issues affecting our industry, we can collectively find solutions," adds Mano. "I’m extremely proud of the way in which everyone – from all levels – is embracing these events each year."

Don’t miss this important officiating event. Click here to learn more and to register. http://www.naso.org/conference2003/

NASO Conference Scholarships Available

Scholarships covering the conference registration fee – a value of $325.00 – are being offered to qualified officials interested in attending "Sports Officiating 2003 – Accountability in Officiating."

A limited number of scholarships are available. Criteria for the scholarships are financial need and position need – meaning you and the organization you’re part of will benefit from your participation at the conference. Please send a written explanation of your financial need and your reasons for attending the conference. The scholarship does not include transportation to and from the conference, nor hotel accommodations. For details, contact Hiedi Petersen, special events manager, at 262/632-5448 or hpetersen@naso.org.

Get Your Bobblehead While They Last

Members can still get one of the limited-edition NASO bobbleheads for nominating two officiating friends for NASO membership.

More than 1,000 members have already sent in names and only a few bobbleheads remain.

Go to the NASO website at www.naso.org/bobblehead and complete the nomination form. Only NASO members are eligible to nominate new members. If you participated in the initial campaign, you can still participate in this effort by sending more names and receiving a second bobblehead.

Three bobblehead designs are available: baseball, basketball and football. On the nomination form you are asked to designate a first, second and third choice. Efforts to honor your first choice will always be made but are not guaranteed due to the limited supply remaining. You may also qualify for a bobblehead by mailing the above information to: NASO Membership Campaign, 2017 Lathrop Ave., Racine, Wis., 53405.

Insurance Covers Some Forfeits

Sometimes an official shows up for a game and one team has to forfeit. That may be due to a lack of players showing up in time or an injury leaving a team shorthanded. There are numerous reasons forfeits occur.

When they do, it usually results in greater frustration by the coaches and players – or even parents and fans. Many times the teams will ask the officials to stay and officiate a "practice game" between the two teams.

At the recreational level, if the officials walk off refusing to support such an activity, it might appear that they are being greedy by cutting their day short and taking the money without working. It leaves a bad taste in the mouths of those simply wanting to use the time scheduled. Ultimately, such actions hurt the officials’ image. Yet the officials believe they are being smart and preventing a potential lawsuit by walking away.

At the high school and collegiate level, such instances are extremely rare and the rules of the governing body generally forbid such activity. However, most recreational leagues allow practice games to be played under such circumstances.

The NASO liability insurance program protects officials working a forfeited game as long as the game is conducted under the normal rules of play and the governing body or league allows such activity. That means that officials can stay and work a forfeited game as long as the two teams abide by the written rules of the sport and no one makes up new rules.

"If a team borrows players in order to be legal and then the teams play, in effect, a practice game, NASO members are covered," explains John Stransky of Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc.

"The scenario described above is a perfect example," adds Stransky. "The teams want to play and the umpires are there. A little cooperation between the two can certainly make for good PR."

Stransky emphasizes that officials need to demonstrate good judgment when deciding to stay.

"If you’ve just ejected someone for unsportsmanlike behavior and that is the cause of the forfeit, I’d think again about staying around to officiate in that situation. As the official, you forfeited the game due to bad behavior and if tempers are short – it’s not wise to stick around. Things can get worse. That’s quite different than the situations we’re talking about above."

If you’re still unsure about a particular situation, contact John at 1-800-727-7642 ext. 31.

May Issue Mailed

The May issue of REFEREE has been mailed and has lots of important news and information.

Here’s a preview:

Look for your issue of REFEREE any day. www.referee.com