We often hear the words, "he/she is a good official" or "he/she is not a good official" so that begs the question--what makes an official GOOD OFFICIAL?
After 35 years of watching, teaching, and working with hundreds of officials, I have found some things that make a good official. I'm sure there are plenty of other things but let's focus on these for right now.
* Good personal skills. Knowing how to be polite, sensitive, caring, and just basically a well-adjusted good person will get you a long way in tennis officiating. You will be working with people who have absolutely no personal skills so it is imperative that you do and know how to operate in those skills.
* Know the rules. This goes without saying but you can't be a good official without knowing the rules.
* Don't be governed by your ego. Noone wants to hear how good you are or how much everyone thinks you are the best official in the universe. Personal humility is something you either have or you don't have it and it shows by the way you officiate and deal with others.
* Don't be guilty of "tooting your own horn." If it needs tooting, then someone will rise up to do it.
* Know how to "self-evaluate." If you are married, your spouse can do it for you but if not, learn to seriously evaluate how well you have done your job and then make the adjustments as they are needed.
* Learn how to deal with people who are upset and/or angry. Its a process and very difficult but you can't be a good official without it.
* If you know the faults of others then keep your mouth shut about them. Noone likes a gossip.
* Be sensitive to what goes on in the lives of others. You may be thrust into a situation where someone needs a friendly ear or spirit.
* Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. That comes directly from the "Owner's Manual" and we would do well to heed it in officiating.
* Always do your best whatever the assignment. It shows so do it well...
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