{"id":18332,"date":"2023-09-15T15:00:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T19:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/wing-officials-are-coach-conduits-for-crew-819\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T15:00:31","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T19:00:31","slug":"wing-officials-are-coach-conduits-for-crew-819","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/articles\/wing-officials-are-coach-conduits-for-crew-819\/","title":{"rendered":"Wing Officials Are Coach Conduits For Crew"},"content":{"rendered":"

W<\/span>ing officials face the constant\u00a0challenge of the game in front\u00a0of them and having to communicate\u00a0with coaches who are behind them.<\/p>\n

Control of the sideline is\u00a0important for safety and the flow\u00a0of the game. Rules knowledge\u00a0and rapport building, using \u201csoft\u00a0power,\u201d will help curb emotions on\u00a0the field as well as the sideline.<\/p>\n

I attended a game last year and\u00a0watched the officials. Each time an\u00a0official approached a complaining\u00a0coach, the official did so with\u00a0positive body language. His facial\u00a0expression reflected an interest\u00a0in what the coach had to say well\u00a0before reaching the sideline. On\u00a0arrival, the official subtly tilted his\u00a0head forward, looking the coach in\u00a0the eye. He listened, giving positive\u00a0nods, showing genuine interest. I\u00a0didn\u2019t hear what was said, but it\u00a0was obvious the official had control.<\/p>\n

Wing officials are the\u00a0ambassadors of the crew, balancing\u00a0diplomacy and enforcing the rules of\u00a0the game. Here are a few tips to aid\u00a0the process.<\/p>\n

Pregame communication<\/h2>\n

Establish rapport. Introduce yourself\u00a0to the head coach before the game.\u00a0The coach is judging you and the\u00a0crew. Are you arrogant? Defensive?\u00a0Approachable? A smile with a firm\u00a0handshake will set the tone.<\/p>\n

Address him as Coach. Sir will\u00a0also work. Show respect, which\u00a0reflects the professionalism of the\u00a0crew. Professional courtesy does not\u00a0include back slapping and overly\u00a0friendly gestures. Remember, the\u00a0other sideline is watching. Don\u2019t be\u00a0chatty.<\/p>\n

Clearly set the expectations\u00a0regarding sideline management.\u00a0Let the coach know you will keep\u00a0him informed, whether you have to\u00a0deliver \u201cgood news\u201d or \u201cbad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

Communication during the\u00a0game<\/h2>\n

Hustle to the coach to report\u00a0a foul, and describe it exactly.\u00a0\u201cNumber 79 grabbed the player and\u00a0pulled him down.\u201d Give penalty\u00a0yardage and spot of enforcement.\u00a0State the facts.<\/p>\n

Body language speaks before\u00a0you say a word. As you approach a\u00a0coach, he may be upset. Remember,\u00a0what happens next is in your\u00a0control. You can escalate the conflict\u00a0or become an ambassador.<\/p>\n

Approach the coach with a look\u00a0of interest in what he has to say.\u00a0Look him in the eye and speak in\u00a0a normal tone of voice. You may\u00a0begin with, \u201cCoach, what did you\u00a0see?\u201d Turn the conversation around\u00a0so that you are asking rather than\u00a0answering questions.<\/p>\n

Listen without interrupting.\u00a0Avoid an adversarial posture and\u00a0avoid face to face confrontations.\u00a0Shouting often occurs when noses\u00a0are inches apart. The better position\u00a0for the official is to slide sideways,\u00a0keeping the coach at an angle or\u00a0side by side.<\/p>\n

Remain calm. If the coach\u00a0screams, talk softly. If the coach\u00a0talks rapidly, speak slowly.<\/p>\n

Pause before responding.\u00a0Guard the first retort from crossing\u00a0your lips. Avoid such provocative\u00a0statements as, \u201cYou coach and I\u2019ll\u00a0officiate.\u201d Witty comments are best\u00a0saved for the postgame with the\u00a0crew. Don\u2019t be the aggressor. Be\u00a0discreet without embarrassing or\u00a0challenging the coach in front of his\u00a0team.<\/p>\n

After the discussion, explain the\u00a0call using common terms. Avoid\u00a0\u201creferee speak\u201d such as DPI or PSK\u00a0or other rulebook terms. Speak in\u00a0a firm, even tone and be brief. The\u00a0coach may have a legitimate beef.\u00a0If so, allow more time. Cut him\u00a0off when he begins to repeat. Back\u00a0away, letting the coach know the\u00a0discussion is over. Leave with a\u00a0positive. For example, if the coach\u00a0is asking for a call, state, \u201cI\u2019ll watch\u00a0for it, Coach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Should they persist or become\u00a0profane and a flag is necessary,\u00a0don\u2019t display anger and put on\u00a0a show with an extra-high toss\u00a0followed by words you may regret\u00a0later.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have \u201crabbit ears.\u201d Give\u00a0the game your attention. Coaches,\u00a0players and fans are biased, so\u00a0don\u2019t react to taunts.<\/p>\n

Communication with players<\/h2>\n

Address players as, \u201cSir,\u201d or by\u00a0their jersey number. Avoid calling\u00a0them \u201cSon\u201d or similar patronizing\u00a0and condescending terms. They\u00a0deserve our respect.<\/p>\n

When moving players back\u00a0on the sideline, don\u2019t order; ask.\u00a0The wing official is responsible\u00a0for safety along the sideline and\u00a0the two-yard zone. Once they\u00a0cooperate, thank the coach and\u00a0players.<\/p>\n

Body language<\/h2>\n

Look alert and\u00a0give clear, crisp signals and be\u00a0consistent. During dead balls and\u00a0timeouts, handle duties and then\u00a0stand at your assigned position,\u00a0arms crossed behind your back\u00a0or at your sides. Avoid crossing\u00a0your arms in front of your chest or\u00a0stuffing hands into pockets. Always\u00a0use good posture.<\/p>\n

Restraint<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Each official\u2019s ability\u00a0to show restraint will differ.\u00a0Wing officials must learn to steer\u00a0our personalities into balancing\u00a0diplomacy and enforcing rules.<\/p>\n

Professionalism, communication\u00a0skills and managing game tensions\u00a0flow from our attitude. Watch top-tier\u00a0officials, at all levels, as models\u00a0of desired behavior. Also ask for\u00a0feedback from peers and crewmates\u00a0to help improve diplomatic skills.<\/p>\n

The post Wing Officials Are Coach Conduits For Crew<\/a> appeared first on Referee.com<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wing officials face the constant\u00a0challenge of the game in front\u00a0of them and having to communicate\u00a0with coaches who are behind them. Control of the sideline is\u00a0important for safety and the flow\u00a0of the game. Rules knowledge\u00a0and rapport building, using \u201csoft\u00a0power,\u201d will help curb emotions on\u00a0the field as well as the sideline. I attended a game last year […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18332","articles","type-articles","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/18332"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/articles"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/articles\/18332\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aafoa.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}