If you don’t nurture your members, they’re going to leave. If your officiating group lacks zest and members go to meetings out of duty or in order to get games, then you’re going to have citizens who grumble and whine. If the backbone is hollow, the body will sag. If regular association attendance is required for eligibility but of little benefit, stagnation reveals itself in lackadaisical performance and personal sniping.
Many groups, even if they have a good “break-in” system, take their regular members for granted and offer little in the way of polish and upgrade. Such a lumbering, status-quo approach is a disservice to the sport and the individual officials.
For veterans, some groups disdain a rules focus (“Anyone can read the rulebook.”) and instead harp on mechanics. Other groups cover rules ad nauseam and let mechanics operate in a loose, traditional fashion. (“The plate umpire always moves down the third-base line, about five feet in foul territory, on hits to left field. …”) Planning can meld the two and make them both fascinating.
Here is an approach. Take an old rules exam and cull out vital statements: “When K touches a free kick that has not traveled 10 yards, it is first-touching of a kick.” Or, “If K touches an untouched free-kick after it has traveled beyond R’s free-kick line, it is first-touching of a kick.” Statements can be printed and passed out, each statement followed by a series of questions. Rather than a simple true/false answer, ask why the statement is true or false, according to the rules. Ask what actions respective officials should take before, during and after the play. Based on time allotted, there could be as many as 10 written questions about a play.
Have officials discuss those items in pairs, trios or larger groups. Later, have a group spokesperson report to the membership how they resolved the rule issue. New problems may arise, fresh techniques may be suggested or unusual approaches may be brought forth. It is possible officials may change their minds about a mechanic previously considered sacred.
Another way to make meetings lively and significant dwells on communication techniques. Officials often lament, “We’ve got to communicate better out there.” The vital issues are how and when. Two umpires may know a useful way to let each other know when to switch base coverage while a ball is in play. Basketball officials may have discovered how to help one another cover traps. Have members develop fresh and unusual techniques for communicating during contests. If secrets are shared, they’ll help the group grow and progress.
Ask successful officials how they deal with coaches and players. Have them discuss where they draw the line on unacceptable behavior, including verbal exchanges. Set up a role-playing exercise so they describe precisely how they communicate on the field.
Choices of topics are endless. Ask your program director or instructional committee to dig into the rulebook, casebook, mechanics manual and video. Spend creative time figuring out ways to enrich the members. Everyone says they want to improve, but a planned approach can provide the stimulus.
The ideal is to get members looking forward to meetings. “Something’s going to happen that will intrigue me and cause me to wonder,” ought to be the watchword for every official as he strides toward a regular meeting. “This is my group and I’m proud of it, because it keeps the members on the ball,” should be the collective attitude of every association officer. |
