The 23 MOST POWERFUL LESSONS

OF OFFICIATING

1For all but a few, officiating is an avocation.

1For all but a few, officiating is an avocation.

Keep your personal life, your professional life and your

officiating in balance.

2This “business” is seldom fair.

2This “business” is seldom fair.

Work on the things you can control. Gracefully accept

the rest.

3Officiating demands a high

ethical standard.

3Officiating demands a high

ethical standard.Your actions must be above

reproach. Don’t give a reason to have your motives

questioned.

4Each assignment you work is an

audition.

4Each assignment you work is an

audition.Look the part – dress,

demeanor, discipline. You are the medium. The medium is

the message.

5Impersonations don’t work.

5Impersonations don’t work.

You referee who you are.(By the way, who are you?)

6What’s expected is facilitation –

players play – you give permission.

6What’s expected is facilitation –

players play – you give permission.

Nobody ever paid to watch an official perform. Stay off stage

center. Orchestrate.

780% of the job is managing

people. Being superior at the remaining 20% won’t cut it.

780% of the job is managing

people. Being superior at the remaining 20% won’t cut it.Learn the art of influencing

people and the science of its application

8Criticism comes with the

territory.

8Criticism comes with the

territory.Plan on it. You have to learn to

love it when they BOO!

9The hallmark of great officiating

is not neutrality.

9The hallmark of great officiating

is not neutrality.

Each word and deed must reinforce your impartiality.

10Participant safety is primary

responsibility.

10Participant safety is primary

responsibility.Your game decisions should err

on the side of safety. Always!

11The rules are the foundation of

the game.

11The rules are the foundation of

the game.Acquire a reverence for the rules

and be guided and inspired by it!

12There are the rules and then the

spirit of those rules.

12There are the rules and then the

spirit of those rules.Enforcing the “spirit of a rule” is

possible when you use good common sense.

13A solid pregame conference

makes a difference – a big one.

13A solid pregame conference

makes a difference – a big one.

Take the lead! Make yours timely, tactical and tactful.

14There’s no score at the start of

the game.

14There’s no score at the start of

the game.Start each game without bias. A memory will dig you a hole

faster than a shovel.

15Bad body language will silence

good words.

15Bad body language will silence

good words.Learn how to deliver the

message, especially when they won’t like what you have to say!

16I heard you twice the first time!

16I heard you twice the first time!

Be clear, concise and coherent. Minimize the chance of

misinterpretation.

17It takes extraordinary restraint

to get the job done.

17It takes extraordinary restraint to get the

job done.

Use your emotions and your focus to bring calm out of chaos.

18Don’t call ’em the way you see ’em, call ’em the way they are!

18Don’t call ’em the way you see ’em, call ’em the way they are!

What you “see” might in fact be at odds with what actually

happened. Describe with care.

19Mistakes are made and we make

them every game.

19Mistakes are made and we make

them every game.

If you make one, make it for the right reason. If you clearly

have made one, own up!

20A wrong call will get lots more attention than a wrong one.

20A wrong call will get lots more attention than a wrong one.

You won’t be paid a premium for making the best call of

your career.

21Do What When?

21Do What When?

Wrong ActionWrong Time

DISASTER

Right ActionWrong TimeRESISTANCE

Wrong ActionRight TimeMISTAKE

Right ActionRight TimeSUCCESS

22Pour no gasoline!

22Pour no gasoline!

You are prohibited from making things worse.

23It takes a support team to reach

the higher elevations.

23It takes a support team to reach

the higher elevations.

Remember where you came from and who broke trail

for you.