Fall 2000

STRIPES is published three times per year by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, Inc., 1661 Ramblewood Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823 (Phone 517-332-5046), Editor: Bill Bupp.

STRIPES welcomes contributions of articles, information or photos which focus on officiating in Michigan.
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It's the Little Things That Make Referees Better Officials

Knowledge of the rules and mechanics are important. But do they make the real difference when judged by coaches, players and assessors? The answer may be "no," according to William R. Smith, the rules and officials training chair for the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation. Havingsoccer officiated four sports for nearly 20 years, Smith suggests in the October 1999 edition of Referee magazine there are 10 "little things" a referee can do right now to increase one's performance, increase one's image, and increase one's comfort and confidence levels. Some of the following hints are well known. All make sense and all will make you an even better official.

1. Keep moving. According to Smith, "It's simply a matter of being dedicated to being in position and looking interested and athletic during your games."
2. Look professional. Of all the things officials have complete, total control over is one's appearance. Smith tells, "Appearance is the first thing anyone notices about you, and we all know how difficult first impressions are to change. Like it or not, when you walk up to the game site, everyone will have formed an opinion of you long before you ever make a decision, and that opinion is b ased upon almost solely on your appearance." Are you fully dressed before you reach a game site? Are your shoes clean before every game? Is your uniform new or faded? Are your clothes the right size? Smith comments, "Looks are seldom deceiving; make sure your first impression is one that you can try to live up to and not one that your have to overcome."
3. Arrive early. Arrival time is also a first impression issue. The earlier a referee appears for a game, the better the impression is make. Showing up just moments before a game starts creates what Smith calls, a terrible impression on everyone at the pitch. He says, "It doesn't take excessive effort to be on time; it only take commitment and a little planning."
4. Meet the teams. Know what you're going to say before talking with the captains, coaches or players. Give a firm handshake. Identify yourself and your crew. Speak in a confident, yet friendly tone. End the conference with an earnest "good luck" to both parties. Smith remarks, "Be enthusiastic about the pending contest and that enthusiasm is often projected to those around you. The reverse is too often true among officials. If you don't want to be there, everyone will pick up on your negativity and you'll be in for a long night.
5. Show a smile. How many times have you heard this? It can't be said enough. "It's OK to enjoy your work and show it ....Smiling takes almost no effort at all. The best officials are those who enjoy what they do and show it."
6. Signal effectively. According to Smith, signaling effectively is probably the area which requires the most practice on an official's part. The more vocal an confident the call, the more it will be accepted. Look like you're sure of yourself no matter what. He suggests, "Practice your call-making ability when you can - less than ten minutes per day can hone your calls to a sharp edge, but it must be honed or it will be dull."
7. Don't be afraid to talk. Always opt to use your voice when making a call. Incorporate your voice into making the calls rather than simply blowing a whistle. Speak confidently. Speak clearly. If a player wants to talk to you, an official should do his or her best to answer questions or have a short conversation as long as game circumstances allow it. Demonstrate your approachability by keeping the meeting short and don't give the appearance of favoritism. When talking to a player, the proper way to address him or her is by the jersey number. Smith asserts, "If there is a single quality that truly separates the exceptional official from the merely competent official, it is personality. Talking is easy. Too many officials keep themselves from talking because they feel it detracts from their job when in fact it greatly enhances their performance."
8. Respectful address. Be polite. Be respectful. Use accepted terms. Even if you know the player or coach personally, never address the person by his or her first name during a game. Always refer to a coach as "coach" and to players by their numbers. Smith says, "Respect is a two-way street and must be given before it is received. In that sense, the proper form of address is a very simple means to obtain the respect that you should strive for every time you walk onto the field or court."
9. Eye contact. If you talk to someone, make eye contact. It adds to a perception you are confidant and in control, as well as polite and respectful. Smith comments people don't always notice or remember when you maintain eye contact with them, but they absolutely know when you avoid making it. "Practice eye contact in your daily life. You might be surprised at how something that seems so insignificant can increase your confidence level as well as your image," tells Smith.
10. Keep in touch. Your supervisor or assignor deserves and needs to know of an incident before an athletic director or league administrator is on the telephone. Assignors and supervisors want to be prepared in advance. So, as soon as you exit a site, leave a message on your assignor's or supervisor's telephone, If you have a cellular telephone, make the call in your vehicle. Otherwise, telephone the person as soon as you reach your home. According to Smith, "No matter how busy you think you are, you must make time for that communication when it is warranted. A quick five-minute phone call after a game doesn't take much effort, especially when you consider the possible damage to your career if you don't make the call.
The choice is yours. Every time you step onto the pitch you either get better or worse. You never end a game, according to Smith, as competent as when you started it. Either you improved or you became less proficient. The above ten items can make you a better official. Smith asserts, "You may not be the best official in your association or even in your crew, but by going that extra mile, by improving just a little bit at a time, it shows that you are willing to give an effort and you care about your profession." Strive to be a better referee. It doesn't take much time or effort, but the rewards will be substantial four you and those you deal with on the field of play.
On The Line
While thinking about the work ahead of us I drifted into thoughts about deadlines and selections and ways that each official can help make the organization work smoothly.
When the MHSAA made it possible for Approved Associations to nominate members of their associations for tournament consideration, a schedule for filing the paperwork was created. There is really no reason to "react" to the MHSAA call for nominations because the due dates have been included in the Officials Guidebook to allow proactive planning.
As a service the Approved Association can develop an annual schedule, a calendar of activities and events. This calendar can provide all the necessary details for any member to plan around. It can include the meeting and clinic dates and it may include the MHSAA Rules Meetings nearest to the membership in all sports. It should include the annual banquet or picnic date and the scrimmages the Approved Association will be volunteering to officiate.
As long as all of this detail is provided to the members it would be appropriate to include the nomination dates and the dates on which crew and individual schedules are due to the MHSAA. It is no secret that each year individual officials are denied tournament invitations because they fail to submit the paperwork connected with the sport. Those who do not submit a current year schedule are limited to the lowest level tournament in a sport.
On page 17 of the current Officials Guidebook the due dates for nominations are published. There is good sense in determining the nominations a month or two in advance in preparation for the arrival of the scan sheet on which the secretary of the association is to record the nominations and submit them to the MHSAA. The excuse that "we need to wait for a meeting before we submit our nominations" or asking for an extension "because our meeting is next week" no longer exists.
Why the schedule? Well, the MHSAA staff needs time to prepare the documents for the selection committee, and like everyone else they would rather not be asked to accommodate another's inadequate preparation or planning.
Down the line we hope to allow this information to be filed by e-mail and limit both the time and paper involved in the procedure.
One additional note; it would be appreciated if Association leadership would review the meaning of the "Conflict of Interest" statement printed on page 17 of the Officials Guidebook. The key element in this issue is that we prefer to eliminate perceptions that lead to mistrust and suggest inappropriate involvement. The concept of conflict of interest really isn't about the official's perception of the situation. By avoiding situations that are unclear we are practicing "preventative officiating," a common element of quality officiating.
Rather than take it personally, that avoiding a team reflects on one's ability or character, think in terms of decreasing or eliminating unnecessary controversy. The officials affected seldom hear the cries of "foul" from the fans, school administrators or coaches but the MHSAA staff fields all of the complaints. How much simpler it would be if the climate was void of this single issue. It can be if officials and associations react professionally.
In closing, please understand, our desire to strengthen each association is the motivation behind the request to organize and professionalize the work you do. It is so important that we join together to increase the respect that officials receive from all groups. Dedicated and focused leadership can help us gain ground in our unified effort.

Focus On Sportsmanship
Acceptable Behavior
 
* Applause during introduction of players, coaches and officials.
* Shaking hands with an opponent who fouls out while both sets of fans recognize the performance with applause.
* Accept all decisions of officials.
* Cheerleaders lead fans in positive yells in a positive manner.
* Handshakes between participants and coaches at the end of a contest, regardless of outcome.
* Treat competition as a game, not a war.
* Coaches/players search out opposing participants to recognize them for outstanding performance or coaching.
* Applause at the end of contests for performances of all participants.
* Everyone showing concern for an injured player, regardless of team.
* Encourage surrounding people to display only sportsmanlike conduct.
 
 
 
Unacceptable Behavior
 
* Taunting, trash talk and other intimidating actions.
* Not admonishing those sitting around you who engage in practice of poor sportsmanship.
* Yelling or waving arms during opponent's free throw attempt.
* Disrespectful or derogatory yells, chants, songs or gestures.
* Booing or heckling an official's decision.
* Criticizing officials in any way; displays of temper with an official's call.
* Yells that antagonize opponents.
* Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good performances.
* Blaming loss of game on officials, coaches or participants.
* Laughing or name-calling to distract an opponent.
* Use of profanity or displays of anger that draw attention away from the game.
* Using signs that demean or make fun of other schools, athletes or mascots.
 
From preseason materials supplied by assignor, Pat Hayes (Birmingham, MI)

Just Tell Me What You Want
Officiating isn't all that tough is it? It certainly seems a simple proposition when talking with NFL umpire Ron Botchan. As you will read in this issue, Ron is the best umpire in the league and has been for some years. His playoff record is spectacular, and that is a clear statement of just how good Ron is.
I met with Ron at his house in the San Fernando Valley area, north of Los Angeles. I began my interview with a simple question: "What has made you so successful in officiating?" He gave me a two-word answer, without hesitation or equivocation: "I'm coachable." I asked him what the heck that meant. He said, "The league tells me what it wants me to do and I go out and do that."
The starkness and simplicity of that answer really struck me. He is a ref who states he's successful because he is "coachable." Piece of cake - listen to what the league tells you to do and just go out and do it. Man, what could be easier?
He's right, but I dare say many, if not most of us, do not follow that advice as well as we should. Officiating begets strong personalities, or maybe it is the other way around. In any case, those with strong personalities don't take direction real well. They have need to inject themselves into the event. The concept of "the best refereed game was one in which you didn't know the ref was there" is completely foreign to them. It sure was to me.
During my career as an official, I never thought in terms of my being coachable. I will admit to having a need to do certain things my own way. Many times, a league or conference I worked for would issue a memo on certain procedures and most of us, me included, would take the memo in an advisory way rather than as mandatory. Many officials still work that way.
And then you have Ron Botchan articulating a complete officiating philosophy in just a few words. Wow, I sure could have used that advice in my younger days! I bet I would have graded higher and achieved more if I had put into practice exactly what Ron does on a weekly basis during the NFL season. Sure, the officiating minus the "frontier marshal" aspects probably would have been less fun, but the leagues hired me to carry out their mandate. They did not hire me to develop my own persona during their games.
Years ago, personality in officiating was the coin of the realm. Having a personal style was expected and it was rewarded, or at least it wasn't penalized. However, during the past two decades, that coin has come to far less value. Now those officials who want real achievement, acceptance and accolades will do well to follow Ron's footpath. It ain't tough. All you have to do is listen up.
 
-- Barry Mano
Publisher/Executive Editor Referee magazine
 
 
Reprinted with written permission from Referee magazine. For subscription information contact Referee magazine, PO Box 161, Franksville, Wisconsin 53216; phone 414-632-8855; e-mail: questions@referee.com

HANDLING INJURIES
 
1. Stop the game.
2. Summon medical personnel.
3. Remember, you are the official, not the doctor.
4. Don't touch or give medical aid to the player.
5. Note the time, player involved and how the injury may have occurred.
6. Watch if the player returns to the game; an unconscious player requires written permission from a physician to return to play.
7. If advance medical personnel are summoned, notice name of responding agency.
8. Write and send a report to the MHSAA if the player seeks medical services away from the field. Include When, Where, Who, What, Why.
From preseason materials supplied by assignor Pat Hayes (Birmingham, MI)

OFFICIAL RECEIVES SPECIAL AWARD
 
Sheldon G. Larky, a Bingham Farms mediator-arbitrator, received the Oakland County Bar Association's Professionalism Award at the OCBA's recent annual meeting.
The award is given annually to a lawyer in Oakland County who exemplifies civility and professionalism in the practice of law and conducts him or herself personally and professionally in conformity with high standards of ethics and respect for the legal profession.
Active in the Michigan Bar for 30 years, Larky is currently a member of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly, and is involved in a number of alternative dispute resolution organizations. Larky is an active soccer referee officiating college, high school and amateur matches. He also is editor of the Tri-County News, a monthly publication of the Tri-County Soccer Referees Association, and the referee association's secretary.

Officials Associations Team Up For Clinic
The Bay Metro Officials Association, Midland Athletic Officials Association and Saginaw Athletic Officials Association held a rookie football training camp together at Essexville-Garber High School on Monday, Aug. 21, 2000. The main emphasis at the clinic was on officiating mechanics in accordance with the Officials Manual.
 
Clinic discussion included:
1. Proper officiating uniform and positioning.
2. Use of authorized signals.
3. Use of the whistle, bean bag and flag.
4. Dead ball officiating mechanics.
5. Force and new force.
6. Chain crew instructions and mechanics.
7. Dead ball fouls - encroachment and false start.
8. Live ball fouls simultaneous with the snap.
9. Pass interference.
 
Both rookies and veterans attended the clinic. There were excellent questions and discussion by all participants. Trainers at the clinic were Mike Lutenske, Saginaw Association and Mark Gentle and Jim Clement from Bay Metro Association.
Also, at the Aug. 16, 2000, Bay Metro Association Training Clinic, Bill Cynecki, Midland Officials Association Trainer, presented training on Rule No. 3 regarding periods, time factors and substitutions. Bill had very good preparation, delivery, and training materials and I am certain Bay Metro officiating crews will be improved in this important area of game management as a result of Bill's efforts.

Officials Review Committee
At the May 2000 Representative Council meeting it was determined that the Officials Review Committee is to become a permanent standing committee as described by the Representative Council action.
1. The committee will consist of 16 persons, eight from Leagues or Conferences and eight from Approved Officials Associations. In each case, one of the eight would come from each of the eight zones identified in the MHSAA Officials' Guidebook.
2. In even years, Approved Officials Associations in the even numbered zones nominate committee members and Leagues in the odd numbered zones would nominate committee members.
In odd years, Approved Officials Associations in the odd numbered zones nominate committee members and Leagues in the even numbered zones nominate committee members.
In each case, appointments will be made by the MHSAA Executive Committee each August. The Executive Committee will assure that at least 50 percent of committee members are administrators, faculty members or board of education members of MHSAA member schools and that all sports are represented on a frequent basis. Otherwise, nominations for committee members could be made without regard to school affiliation in order to facilitate the participation of trainers and certified assignors.
In keeping with the construction of this committee, the representatives have been assigned from each zone to be invited to serve as a committee member. Approved Association committee members from Zones 2, 4, 6 and 8 will begin a one-year term. Those in Zones 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be appointed for a two years. League/Conference representatives will follow the opposite appointment schedule. After the first committee, all appointments will be two-year appointments.
If you wish a topic to be discussed at the Officials Review Committee on Sept. 25, 2000, we suggest you contact a committee member to share your thoughts.
 
OFFICIALS REVIEW COMMITTEE
Zone 1 O Dave Turley, Vice President, Fruitbelt Officials Association, Stevensville *L Jim Danhoff, Officials Coordinator, Wolverine Conference and Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference, Richland
 
Zone 2 *O Jim Hill, South Michigan Soccer Referees Association, Adrian L Bob Henry, Athletic Director, Whitmore Lake HS, Tri-County Conference
 
Zone 3 O Tom Arsenault, All American Athletic Association, Dearborn *L Tom Rashid, Director, Detroit Catholic League
 
Zone 4 *O James Clement, President, Bay Metro Officials Association, Saginaw L Mike Rea, Athletic Director, Kingston HS, North Central Thumb League

 

Zone 5 *O Marilyn Bowker, Executive Secretary, Michigan Cheer Judges Association, Williamston *L John Ellis, Athletic Director, Pewamo- Westphalia HS, Central Michigan Athletic Conference

 

Zone 6 *O Dave Fisher, President, Umpires of the Shoreline Association, Fruitport L Jock Ambrose, Athletic Director, East Kentwood HS, OK Red Conference

 
Zone 7 O Robert Bennett, Betsie Valley Officials Association, Beulah *L Cody Inglis, Athletic Director, Suttons Bay HS, Secretary, Northwest

 
Zone 8 *O Jim Weiler, Secretary, Superior Officials Association, Chassell L Keith Alto, Athletic Director, Newberry HS, Straits Area Conference


MHSAA Staff Liaison: Bill Bupp
 
O=Approved Association; L=League/Conference; * = 2-Year Term