How To Sell Your Call

One of the most difficult things to do as an official is to learn how to "sell" your call or your overrules.  Since players, fans, and coaches will read your body language as well as your spoken words, its imperative that a good official learn the art of selling  their calls.

Over the years we have heard officials make calls with the following comments that quickly caused a reaction and a rebellion from everyone watching the match:

*  The ball might have been out so I'm staying with the call.
*  Most of the ball missed the line.
*  The teammates in the stands said the ball was good so I'm overruling the out call.
*  I think the ball was probably good.
*  I hope I made the right call.
*  I don't like your player so I'm overruling  his/her call.
*  Coach, you've been yelling at me the entire match so now I'm overruling your player.
*  Its cold and I'm freezing so don't ask me to overrule on the far sideline.
*  Its hot and I'm tired.
*  I remember your player and he cheated in his doubles match so I'm overruling his sideline call.
*  I don't like Russians so the ball is good.
*  I never overrule a blond female player.

Since we are being paid  to be professional and do a good job, we should always be looking for ways to improve our officiating skills.  Here are some hints about "selling" your calls:

*  Always speak firmly and clearly.
*  Do not yell at the player or coach.
*  Look at the player or coach when they are talking to you.
*  Do not turn away and ignore a coach or player.  They at least deserve to be heard.
*  Make your overrule quickly.
*  Do not put your head into your scorecard so quickly that you miss everything happening on the court.
*  Make eye contact with the player when you are overruling but don't stare.  If you stare them down you are going to have a mess in a hurry.
*  Don't get into a protracted discussion about why you made the overrule.
*  Don't brag about how many overrules you had in the match.  Everyone probably already knows it and they are trying to find a way to tell people that they don't know you.
*  Never, ever tell the player that you didn't see it.  You are paid to see it.

Players and coaches read your body language and listen carefully to your tone--do your best to make yourself the very best...