To Sit Or Not To Sit--A Question To Be Answered By Every Roving Official
There are all kinds of ways to approach this question and just as many opinions and answers from referees, officials, and tournament directors. There are not pat answers and certainly no answers that are absolutely right all of the time.
Here is the email I received:
"I've got a question for you that maybe you could put on the blog for discussion. In _____ (a city in Texas) we officials never sit in front of players. In fact, we don't sit at all unless we are on a break. I've worked in ______ (another Texas city) in the last 6 months and without naming anyone, I was shocked at how officials not only sit but sit TOGETHER in groups in full view of the players, parents, and coaches! Then last weekend I worked a tournament with an official from that city and he not only sat often (as early as 8:30 a.m.) but also ate his lunch outside, sitting in the spectator bleachers! I was trained by _______ and ______ who both advocate NO SITTING! I was just talking to another official friend of mine who said maybe its ok to sit occasionally in view of players. So my question is this--would you mind putting this on the blog to get other officials around the state to give their opinions on this?"
As I began to think about this issue, I realized there many dynamics to consider, such as site size, level of players, directions from the referee, level of experience, and what is most compatible for your situation.
My personal directive when I am a referee is to say, "Do not go on the court unless there is a problem. Rove around the courts where you are easily accessible and visible to everyone. If you do go on the court, stay for enough games to deal with the problem/situation and then go to another court or your roving position." I have found that if you are continually standing at the net post you will miss situations on other courts for which you are responsible. Learn to watch and listen and you can do a better job of roving.
Some referees want you on the court for every minute of every day and that sounds all well and good--but then your roving officials are going to die from heat stroke and no water. Be realistic and learn to be effective. You can't possibly chase down every footfault in America so don't hyperventilate trying to do something that can't be done.
Personally, I have no problem with a roving official occasionally sitting in the stands beside a court but don't make it your permanent residence. And above all else--don't make the tournament desk your home away from home...
Here are things I've seen as I've looked around...
This is what happens if you try to be everything to everyone! If you have 20 courts at your site, learn to do the best you can and learn to be resourceful in the use of your time.
Take occasional breaks (none if you are busy and can't leave a court.) Probably best not to lay out in front of three observant Mothers...
If you're not on the court it doesn't mean that its "fellowship hour" where you sit around with all the other officials. Rest in the shade but keep your eyes and ears open for what's happening on your courts.
Its ok to rest in the shade! Just don't make it your permanent dwelling place...
A picture of the ideal rest period--but definitely not the way you officiate. You are paid to work and not to sit in the shade. We are paid well so we need to deliver the product. You don't have to be standing at the net post every minute of the day but be visible and do your job!
Feel free to take some snacks with you to enjoy on your break. You can even snack when you are walking around as long as you don't flaunt it or make it too obvious. Mothers think that an official who is eating an energy bar and drinking a Diet Coke can't see the person who is cheating her daughter--and she may be right.
These are just some thoughts. What not take a moment and send in a comment and your thoughts about this issue.
BTW, the offending city in the post is Austin, Texas...
"I've got a question for you that maybe you could put on the blog for discussion. In _____ (a city in Texas) we officials never sit in front of players. In fact, we don't sit at all unless we are on a break. I've worked in ______ (another Texas city) in the last 6 months and without naming anyone, I was shocked at how officials not only sit but sit TOGETHER in groups in full view of the players, parents, and coaches! Then last weekend I worked a tournament with an official from that city and he not only sat often (as early as 8:30 a.m.) but also ate his lunch outside, sitting in the spectator bleachers! I was trained by _______ and ______ who both advocate NO SITTING! I was just talking to another official friend of mine who said maybe its ok to sit occasionally in view of players. So my question is this--would you mind putting this on the blog to get other officials around the state to give their opinions on this?"
As I began to think about this issue, I realized there many dynamics to consider, such as site size, level of players, directions from the referee, level of experience, and what is most compatible for your situation.
My personal directive when I am a referee is to say, "Do not go on the court unless there is a problem. Rove around the courts where you are easily accessible and visible to everyone. If you do go on the court, stay for enough games to deal with the problem/situation and then go to another court or your roving position." I have found that if you are continually standing at the net post you will miss situations on other courts for which you are responsible. Learn to watch and listen and you can do a better job of roving.
Some referees want you on the court for every minute of every day and that sounds all well and good--but then your roving officials are going to die from heat stroke and no water. Be realistic and learn to be effective. You can't possibly chase down every footfault in America so don't hyperventilate trying to do something that can't be done.
Personally, I have no problem with a roving official occasionally sitting in the stands beside a court but don't make it your permanent residence. And above all else--don't make the tournament desk your home away from home...
Here are things I've seen as I've looked around...
This is what happens if you try to be everything to everyone! If you have 20 courts at your site, learn to do the best you can and learn to be resourceful in the use of your time.
If you're not on the court it doesn't mean that its "fellowship hour" where you sit around with all the other officials. Rest in the shade but keep your eyes and ears open for what's happening on your courts.
Its ok to rest in the shade! Just don't make it your permanent dwelling place...
A picture of the ideal rest period--but definitely not the way you officiate. You are paid to work and not to sit in the shade. We are paid well so we need to deliver the product. You don't have to be standing at the net post every minute of the day but be visible and do your job!
Feel free to take some snacks with you to enjoy on your break. You can even snack when you are walking around as long as you don't flaunt it or make it too obvious. Mothers think that an official who is eating an energy bar and drinking a Diet Coke can't see the person who is cheating her daughter--and she may be right.
These are just some thoughts. What not take a moment and send in a comment and your thoughts about this issue.
BTW, the offending city in the post is Austin, Texas...
2 comments:
Enjoyed this one.............you covered all the important issues a roving official should consider, but overall, as you stated, it's up to the referee of the tournament whether they want you on the courts or not.
My wife and I have had the pleasure for numerous years to rove the Major Zone in San Angelo, TX., where the referee loves us being on the courts, to let the players know if there's a problem we're there to help. Another reason, you can't see onto the courts from the walkway because the courts have dark screens along the fence line, top to bottom. Otherwise, we do take breaks, and during those breaks (maybe 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.......3-5 minutes each) we compare notes, who to watch, violations, time warnings, foot-faults, etc... and we do sit in the open, but near the courts in case there's a problem that needs addressed, and so the referee knows our location.
Great post, Randy!!
I loved the letter and it was something that needed to be said. Hopefully, the problem officials will see themselves and take the feedback to heart. I generally work the Austin tournaments and I have noticed this also.
Austin is usually hurting for officials, so the problem officials will continue to be hired. If we could recruit some new officials and train them to do the job correctly, the problem officials could be retired.
I believe the officials should be readily available, either on or near the courts. If a ROVING official is available and seen, this will take care of most of the problem behavior with the players and parents.
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