Since we have hundreds of officials around the country, I would like to hear your comments about what makes for a quality ITA chair official.
Please be sure to send in your comments...
June 6, 2009: As of today, we have received some of the finest comments we have ever received. I think it shows we have a lot of well qualified and informed officials who are delivering a good product to those who employ us. Keep up the good work--and keep the comments coming...
8 comments:
The ability to keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.
The ability to act quickly and decisively and convince your constituency (players, coaches, spectators) that you know the rules, know how to apply them and generally know what your duties are as a chair umpire. The ability to stay awake even when chairing the most boring of matches. The ability to learn the intricacies of new and unfamiliar eclectronic scoring devices in a short period of time. The ability to discern the difference between the senseless babbling of substandard, officials and the real gems that come from those officials who truly know what they're doing. The ability to do what you're told by your Chief or Referee even when you know their interpretation of the rules is incorrect (if you want to remain employed, that is). Or, if you don't care about working for that person again, the ability to do what is right vs do what you're told. Finally, above all, the top quality of a good official is the ability to do such a good job for a collegiate coach (without turning into an homer) that he, or she, wants you to come back.
You MUST be able to relate to the college game and not be over-officious. You also MUST know your stuff inside and out. Players can pick out an idiot in the chair faster than Rush Limbaugh can find another screw-up by that Obama dude.
Speaking of that, we need a new bumper sticker for Obama that says "I'm Obama and yes, I' sorry" and under the sign in small print "Obama - the sorriest president the US has ever had."
A good chair official must know the rules. Be impartial. Code as required, do not be hesitant. Above all, be on time and never cancel a match for what you might consider a "better" job.
Without going through the entire list, one of the main things is KNOWLEDGE of ITA Rules. Please USTA and ITF officials, recognize that there are different rules for ITA, and learn and understand the differences.
I think the most important quality is a love of the game and a desire to give something back.
Now, in no particular order:
1.Knowledge of the rules of tennis and how they are properly applied.
2.Judicious use of the power we have. Overrules and codes should be used only when we are 100% sure.
3.Think (practice) before you say anything from the chair.
4.A desire to not influence the outcome of the match unless the player(s) continue(s) to cross the line. In other words, don’t be overly officious.
5.Willingness to briefly listen to a coach or player when your decision disagrees with the way they saw it. They are people too. None of us are God.
6.Understanding that we all can get better and continue to learn more about being an umpire. Ask a colleague for feedback about your performance.
7.Willingness to admit that you made a mistake. Then learn from it so you don’t repeat it.
8.Watch other chair officials work. We can all learn from each other.
9.Be a good friend to fellow officials. If your match is finished, help someone else with their singles sticks, new balls, scorecards, etc.
10.Work just as hard and with the same positive attitude even if you get the #3 doubles and/or #6 singles.
11.Good personal organizational skills so that you only accept matches that you can work and then show up on time.
May I also suggest a blog on what makes a good ITA Coordinator or Referee at Div 1 schools?
The best quality a good ITA chair official can have is NOT working professional matches. I can't tell you the times I observed the annointed ones sticking their finger in the air to confirm an out call. For those PRO officials, they need to be assigned to working only Oklahoma State matches. Wadley will surely take care of them.
Hello,
The best tennis officials for ITA matches are those officials whose playing background is of the highest level, college tennis, open NTRP, age group state, sectional championship level.
Knowing the dynamics of match play provides insight into managing contentious matches and coaches,
for the benefit of tennis. Otherwise the official applies the current culture of officials,
according to the standards of the local gurus.
I like ITA officials that have good looking butts. That's the most important thing to me.
Post a Comment