How to Train New Sports OfficialsScott A. Ollar, B.A., J.D.

FHSAA Basketball RefereeATA Martial Arts Judge

Where to find new referees.

It is the responsibility of every referee to try to bring new officials into the profession. Start with the obvious: 1. Adult friends or family members

who are current or former athletes.

2. If your children are interested in sports, get them officiating.

3. Look for knowledgeable parents attending their kids’ games.

4. Consider you co-workers. 5. Consider adults you are officiating

in adult leagues. 6. Recent retirees in good health

looking for extra income or exercise.

7. Teachers or church members.

Diversify!

RECRUIT WOMEN! RECRUIT MINORITIES!

Now that you’ve recruited a new referee:

Get them registered with FHSAA.Help them identify their local official’s

association.

Responsibilities of local officials’ association.

1. Hold periodic meetings where new officials can meet experienced officials in a collegial environment.

2. Provide new officials with all relevant FHSAA written material, including Official Rule Book, Casebooks, Officials Manual.

3. Explain online testing process.4. Prepare new referees for

online test through rule review sessions, going over past tests, or discussing frequently recurring test topics.

5. Have senior officials give short presentations on officiating mechanics, specific rule interpretation/application, or actual game scenarios. New referees must be encouraged to LEARN THE RULES of their chosen sport and participate in the discussion.

Train new referees to know and use the proper signals, every time.

On Court Training

Take advantage of local youth leagues, YMCA, or church leagues.

1. Young players more respectful of authority.

2. Parents often more interested in having their kids learn how to play properly (and have fun) than they are in the final score.

3. Less pressure.4. Smaller, more supportive

crowds.5. Use blended officiating

crews, so new referees can learn by observing experienced officials with solid mechanics and knowledge of the rules.

6. Have an evaluation committee member observe and critique new officials.

After a new referee has learned the basics, encourage them to officiate in an adult league…

1. Rougher games2. Less respect from players, less

patience for incorrect calls3. You will have to learn to

control a game in stressful situations

4. You will learn when physical play is escalating beyond safe levels

5. You learn how to control players and coaches by calling strategic personal and technical fouls

6. You learn to control your fear7. It builds confidence and

COMPETENCE to officiate an adult league game

Your local association should conduct periodic on-court training

clinics for new officials.

Mentoring Program- helping new referees reach for the stars…

Identify mentors with excellent skills and proper demeanors. We’re trying to create

referees, not monsters.

Goals of Mentor Relationship

• Establish a one to one relationship between a new referee and an experienced referee.

• Provide support and advice.

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of new referee. Develop the strengths while working on the weaknesses.

• Reinvigorate experienced referees with infusion of new talent.

Link a new referee with an experienced referee.

Schedule new referee (mentee) to officiate with mentor at JV games. Mentee should stay

for later varsity games. Mentee should be invited to pre-game and halftime meetings to

observe the interactions of experienced crews.

Make time to evaluate, critique, and encourage new referees.

Encourage new officials to maintain a sense of humor…

Because being a referee can be tough!