REFEREE PART I:

							REFEREE PART I:

The position of referee requires a number of skills and qualities. Putting on the white hat
by default brands the wearer as a leader; no matter what position you may have worked
as an official on the football field or how long you have worked. Once you put on the
white hat to work a varsity game the perspective and expectations change.

The referee, unlike any other member of the officiating crew, is a leader by default and
an administrator by position. The administrative and leadership qualities of a referee
bring the level of professionalism to the game.

The styles of leaders vary and are often situational. It is common to think of a leader in
terms of "command and control" leadership; that is, one who is in command and directs
the activities of a group. Another style of leadership is the team leader, an individual
who does not "call the shots" but works with peers and subordinates to assist them in
their responsibilities for their work.

Referees by the structure of the game must practice team leadership through the
encouragement of interaction between crewmembers and by acting as a coach for crew
members. Controlling and commanding members of an officiating crew is difficult given
the scope of tasks and variability of situations that defy control.

Regardless of the size of the crew, the referee is its administrator. In some locales,
crews work together an entire season with maybe a substitute or two during the season.
They get to know each other. They cover a game with knowledge of who covers what
particular situation. They work out a language among themselves. Finally, they are able
to effectively plan their travel to the game and social interaction to develop as much
teamwork as possible.

The real test of leadership for any referee is organizing a pick-up crew each game. In
many locations across the country, officials are assigned by position, and officials who
may not even know each other, often find themselves together for a single game. Pick-
up crews are also common in many places for playoff and all-star games but are
organized during the regular season in some locales depending upon scheduling
considerations and association policies.

The individuals comprising the pick-up crew may not only not know each other, but may
even use different mechanics. When working as a pickup crew the first thing a referee
needs to do is establish his leadership and develop as much teamwork as possible.

Initially, the referee must perform the administrative tasks of confirming game time and
location with the school administration by making a call to the appropriate coach,
athletic director or other school official. The purpose of this call is to determine the
location and time of the game, any special circumstances or events that will occur at the
game (homecoming, senior night, extended halftime), dressing room location, identity
and location of the on-duty administrator at the game, etc., in order to communicate the
information to the rest of the crew.
After the referee receives this information he must then communicate it to the other officials on the crew. This call is
useful in becoming familiar with any officials who may not know you personally, to try to make them feel at ease,
and to set the tone for the crew to work together. Remember you are going to spend three to four hours with them
and you want them to have the comfort that you are working together in harmony.

It is a good idea for the referee to ask questions about certain mechanics crew
members may use in order to become aware of differences in style. As a team leader
you do not want to dictate some mechanic that may be uncomfortable, if the mechanic
is not improper. However, you should be aware of how officials work and try to blend
their experience for the purpose of the game.

If possible, the entire crew should try to meet and ride to the game together. This time
spent in the car can be used to share questions or give information. Make sure each
official plans an arrival at least ninety minutes before game time. The referee should
schedule a time to be dressed and ready for the pregame conference.

Once on-site and in the dressing room, the time before the pre-game conference can be
used to work on crew teamwork, especially, if you have not worked together before.
Remember, for the next three hours those folks in the dressing room may be your only
friends. Your success depends upon everyone working together and as a referee you
need to develop that camaraderie in the dressing room.
Planning the pre-game conference, the referee should determine the level of experience
of the officials at the assigned position and overall experience. A rookie varsity official or
an official working his first "big game" may have some jitters. It may be advisable to take
some time privately with that official to settle his nerves and let him know his
contribution is just as valuable as the 20-year veteran.

You do not want any official to feel intimidated by another member's experience to the
point where it might cause him hesitate to contribute both in the pre-game conference
and on the field. Part of being a team leader is bringing out the best in everyone with the
goal being a flawless game.

It can be a long game if an official who is assigned to a position has no desire to work
the position. That is where leadership and management become vital. If that individual
is adamant about not wanting to work at his assigned position, you should determine
that prior to game day and ask the assigning authority for the reassignment of another
official.

As the referee, members of your crew will look to you for leadership. When there is
disagreement between crew members about a point of mechanics, the referee must
settle it. He must be the point of contact with the head coaches and game management.
Failure of a referee to step up to a problem and work to correct it can be the starting
point for a debacle during a game. Part of the referee’ s duties involve management
and part involve leadership, and both must be in evidence for the night to go smoothly.

Part II of this series will cover the referee’ s game site responsibilities.