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When Washington state officials (from left) Julie Mitchell, Seattle; Kaitlynn Bunger, Tacoma; and Ryan Taylor, Everett, gather during a break in the action, the discussion won’t be about something trivial. Conferences during timeouts should be brief and on point.

SAY WHEN

Timeout to Talk? Choose Moments (and Words) Carefully

By the Referee staff

In most sports, teams are allotted a specific number of timeouts so coaches may confer with players. Although timeouts may also be used in order to prevent precious seconds from running off the clock, most timeouts are used by teams for mini strategy sessions.

Sports such as baseball and softball have breaks between innings. Volleyball matches have breaks between sets.

At those times, officials may feel the need to get together themselves. Depending on the situation, that may or may not be a good idea. Getting together just to chitchat is time wasted and a bad optic. But if there is something to say, and a timeout gives a crew an opportunity to say it, a conversation needs to happen.

Any official should be able to initiate a meeting. A partner who is afraid to talk may not share critical information. The crew chief should give the crew complete freedom to speak up if a crewmember senses a problem, such as an incorrect down

or the incorrect count. Don’t wait until you’re back in the locker room at halftime or the end of the game to speak up.

A conversation during a timeout can have multiple positive impacts. In some cases, a veteran is paired with a less-experienced official. As long as the experienced partner limits suggestions for improvement to one or two areas — more than that can be overwhelming — it can create better coverage and calls for the remainder of that game. It also makes the game an educational experience for the lessexperienced partner, which will be good for everyone down the line.

That also can create crew cohesion. A veteran doesn’t want a lessexperienced partner to feel intimidated to the point the old head is making all of the rulings. A quick, encouraging timeout meeting can prevent that.

A veteran can point out positives such as positioning or body language, or pass along helpful reminders like telling the newbie to be strong and confident and have fun. Engaging newer officials will make them feel like they have an ally on the court or field and not another reason to be nervous.

When not to talk

There are several reasons not to get together during a timeout. One, of course, is after a crewmember has made an unpopular call, and that’s the only thing on anyone’s mind, including the calling official. Is it right to go talk to the official who made that call in order to provide support and put the moment in the past? Or is it better not to talk to that official for fear of giving a wrong impression to the coaches and fans?

Most officials advise avoiding conversations at such times. There’s a strong chance coaches and spectators may read a post-controversy timeout conversation negatively, as admitting a mistake or making one official appear weaker than the other. But if the possible negative is outweighed by the possibility of bringing a down, distracted official back into the game, a timeout conversation, even with just one partner, might be a good idea.

Let the storm pass, and if you do choose to chat an inning or a few minutes later, be brief and supportive. Sometimes a small gesture — a thumbs-up, a nod and a smile, a pumped fist — instead of a chat can be more helpful.

If the game is going smoothly, there’s no reason to get together. In fact, many officials find it to be distracting.

Late in a close game

Conversations between officials during breaks late in a close game can be beneficial for the crew and for the participants. But again, the reason for the discussion must be really important. Are we getting close to some kind of bonus? Specific players, tendencies, the arrow, special timing rules, the number of timeouts the teams have remaining — those are worthwhile subjects.

Perhaps the best reason not to gather during breaks is there are things to do between plays. Keeping track of substitutions and observing bench decorum are just two of several housekeeping items mandated by the rulebook or mechanics manual. You might be able to take a mental rest for a few seconds, but don’t let your mind drift away from your ongoing responsibilities.

Be aware of the game situation. What will the clock status be when play is resumed? What is the down and distance, who should be on the foul line, etc.?

Be available should a coach or player have a question. Don’t allow yourself to be drawn into a debate, but a legitimate question should be answered.

Use the time to think like a coach. Anticipate what play, or series of plays, could happen next. The answer will vary according to where you are in the game and the score. Mentally picture likely scenarios, while being careful not to prejudge a play.

The bottom line is, in most cases, timeouts belong to the players and coaches. It’s their time to huddle up and talk things over. Unless there’s a solid, legitimate reason for a discussion with your crewmates, save it for the locker room or the ride home. 

SURVEY SAYS …

Did you ever have to leave a game because of a physical injury?

Yes 31.6% No 68.4%

SOURCE: REFEREE SURVEY OF 117 OFFICIALS

QUICKTIP

Hustling is working hard to get into proper position and handling penalty assessment with dispatch. Rushing is overhustling, outrunning plays for the sake of breaking a sweat or showing off. Is being correct secondary to how you look to others? Your games

will flow better if you hustle

but never rush. Realize that no matter what you do, some games will be smooth and uneventful. Don’t allow that to deter you from working hard to do the job.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,162

Number of technical fouls called in the 2021-22 NBA regular season.

$2.4 million

Fines levied by the NBA for technical fouls during the 2021-22 season.

$1.98 million

Fines levied by the NBA for technical fouls during the 2020-21 season.

SOURCE: NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Dressed for the Occasion: Arrival Apparel Counts, Too

By Jeffrey Stern

Much has been written about the need for officials to present a positive image on the field or court. An official whose shoes are polished and whose uniform is clean, pressed, does not show wear and fits properly will enjoy more credibility than someone with a more slovenly appearance.

But what about the attire you wear to and from the game site? Do you use the same care about how you look in your street clothes?

The image you project begins well before the contest begins. It starts when you arrive for an assignment. You will likely be seen by fans, players, coaches and school officials before you find your way to the locker room. That is when you will make that all-important first impression. Here are some things to consider in regard to your pregame and postgame appearance. • Shirt or blouse. A collared shirt, either a dress shirt or polo, is the way to go. In chillier weather a nice sweater may be worn. In most areas it is also acceptable to wear shirts that carry the logo of your local officials association, a national officiating organization (e.g. College Football Officiating, NASO, etc.) or the conference in which you are working.

Avoid apparel with team logos, even if it’s a pro team and you are working at a lower level. Most reasonable people will understand and accept that officials are also sports fans. But believe it or not, it gives unreasonable people one more thing to criticize — especially those who root for a rival team. Never wear a shirt carrying the logo of another team in the conference you are working, even if you are a proud alum. It will raise questions about your ability to be impartial. • Pants. Jeans and shorts are too casual and should be avoided. Business casual clothing should be clean and pressed. • Shoes. Officials spend a great deal of time and effort making sure the shoes they wear on the court or field are polished. But what about the shoes worn to and from the game? Are they scuffed, dirty or unpolished? Consider giving your street shoes the same attention as your game shoes.

As with jeans and shorts, sneakers, flip-flops and sandals are inappropriate for those wishing to convey an image of professionalism.

Remember, your appearance leaving the game site should be just as sharp as it was when you arrived. Treat your games like a job interview. You may well find it’s the difference between getting so-so games and getting the plum assignments we all crave. Jeffrey Stern is Referee’s senior editor. He officiated high school and collegiate football and umpired high school baseball. 

With a clean, pressed, well-fitting uniform Kim Bly, Gardena, Calif., looks every bit the professional on the court. Showing up for the game dressed well will complete the picture and enhance the impression she leaves with anyone who sees her off the floor.

‘Not the Strongest’ Doesn’t Mean You Aren’t Darned-Good

Officiating has its ebbs and flows. We all start at the bottom as rookies and go through different stages of our careers. We work with different officials with varying abilities. Even if we think we are the best official on a given game, that won’t always be the case.

So how do you react when you go into a game knowing you won’t be the strongest on the crew? You can still work a great game. Here’s how.

Work to stay within your area of responsibility. In football, stay focused on your keys. In basketball, make

your primary area of coverage as small as you can. In soccer, if you’re the assistant referee, keep your eye on the second-to-last defender and concentrate on offside and boundary line decisions.

Listen to what your partners have to say. Be receptive to the feedback you get, even if you disagree with it. Be willing to hear them out. Later, evaluate if the advice fits your makeup and where you want to go with your officiating.

When working with people you may think are stronger or better, you may feel like you should remain in the background. One way to gain respect of others is to offer opinions or provide information. Don’t be afraid to offer your opinion on a rule interpretation. It is valuable to have everyone on the crew have input. Crewmates may know aspects of a particular rule, but in the heat of the moment may forget a nuance.

Have good clock awareness. If you know the clock didn’t properly stop or start and you know how much to add or take off, have it taken care of. In baseball and softball, know the proper count at all times.

A struggle for some officials is judgment or handling adverse situations. Your crewmates are perceived to be stronger for a reason. Ask them questions. Talk with them about situations that came up in the game. What did they do? What gets them through those situations? How do they handle coaches? How do they handle difficult players?

There are times when you will work with people you have come to respect or admire, even officials who are legends. You might even feel some honor in working with that individual. Whatever the case, you were assigned to the game for a reason. You are good enough to be on that game with that official. Don’t let it shock you and cause you to lose your focus on the action. Take care of your responsibilities as if you were working with any other official. You still have a job to do and even legends can’t bail you out of every situation. Nor should they have to.

Throughout your journey and progression, you go through varying degrees of expertise. After you master the youth level, you move onto the sub-varsity level. After mastering the high school level, you often move onto the small-college level, and maybe beyond. Don’t forget the people who helped you along the way. Stay humble and understand everyone does it for different reasons.

Officials will sometimes suffer a downswing and will once again work with the people they passed earlier. How do you want to be remembered? Don’t forget the way back.

Most importantly, never get content with the stature on a crew. Continue to put in the time and effort to improve your craft. Others on your crew were in the same spot you were at one point. They likely have experiences to share. 