How to be a Good Referee

There were many nights I wondered if an official would show up on time for our scheduled Basketball or Volleyball games. Being an Athletic Director at our High School, this always created a great deal of stress. The last thing any Athletic Director needs is an official that doesn't show up for their scheduled game.

Down through my many years as a Director, I got to know many of the officials in our area. Some of them refereed for an extra income. Some counted on it as a way to provide for their family's. However, many of them just liked their particular game and being involved with the kids.

From time to time, referees would have to make quick decisive decisions to keep the flow of the game moving. Not every decision would meet with each spectators satisfaction. There were many times when tension was high because of the fierce competition. The referees would remain unbiased and keep working towards a successful conclusion of the contest. Once the game was concluded, the officials would disappear quickly.

Over the years, I was able to pick up some good ideas from them. Here are somethings that a young official should consider when starting out.

Be Knowledgeable in your sport. Observe many games firsthand before you even consider to be an official. Read up on the game that you intend to officiate. Attend rules meetings. Many are provided by local high schools and State Federations. In almost every state, you have to be qualified in one way or another. You might even have to join the State Association to be qualified to officiate. Know the game inside and out and continue to educate yourself Rules for all sports are revised annually. Whenever you do a game with other officials, talk to them about situations that have come up or might arise during the course of a game.

Be Early. Always give yourself ample time to get to a contest. You never know what you can run into on the road. If you are going to be running a bit behind schedule, let the people know where you are and what time you should be arriving. Know which door to enter. Many referees have a certain entrance area away from the general public. Avoid the general public until it is time to enter the area of play. Then do so with your partners together.

Be Fair and Decisive. As an official, you don't care who wins, loses, or the situation of the game itself. You are there to do a job. You are there to see that the contest is played in a fair exchange of skills and strategies between those involved. Whenever you make a decision, be quick, loud, decisive, and move on. From time to time, there will be things that come up that require you to confer with the other officials, timers, or scorekeepers. Do it quickly as correctly as you can. One of the worst things that officials do to today is take too long, when there is a disagreement among the officials themselves. Get it right. Move on and keep the flow of the game moving.

Don't have Rabbit ears. You are going to hear everything from stories about your mother to being paid off by the other team. Don't take it personal. Keep yourself focused on the game. Every once in awhile you may have to remove a spectator from the area. Whenever this occurs, try to have a police officer or the person in charge take care of the manner. If at all possible, don't do this in the middle of the action. Do it when play has stopped at the end of a quarter, half, or a time out. Do not get into an argument with the individual(s). Get them removed as quickly as you can and get the game back on. Avoid confrontations that can escalate.

Sportsmanship is essential between the players. In your pre-conference with the captains, leave no doubt in their minds that you are in charge and will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike activities while you are in control. If an event occurs of sportsmanship, deal with it quickly and move on. Always let the coach of the player involved know of your decision and why. Once again get back to the job at hand quickly.

Be Final. Once the contest has ended, check with the timer and scorekeeper quickly. If there are no correctable errors in either area, leave the area the contest is over. Many officials will work closely with the timer and scorekeeper that last few moments of a contest to make sure that the conclusion goes smoothly. This helps to prevent confusion at the end of a contest. I often observe officials running out of the gym after a contest. They do this to avoid any possible confrontation with unhappy individuals. Get to your dressing room area quickly. Do not talk with people that you don't know. In some cases, escorts are offered to your vehicle. Use them.

It is not easy being a referee or official. It takes a constant study of the game and rules as well as staying fit and mentally sharp. However, if you love the game, people respect the integrity of an individual who is unbiased in their decisions. Always remember that a person is worthy of their payment for a job, regardless of the outcome.