Matt Ryan
Years ago
Advice for referees before I leave...
Before I leave to go and teach in Peterborough for the next two years (at the very least), I have some advice for referees.
In life, we all have people who give us advice to set us on the right path. These words of wisdom are here for you to absorb and may educate you about a very important facet of basketball umpiring: etiquette.
If you're planning to become a referee, or if you are already one, take note. If you're not set on becoming "one of the boys", read this anyway. I feel that these can be adapted to most sports and just how to "act", in life, in general.
1) Upon entering the stadium, shake hands with your fellow referees and greet everybody associated with the event, eg. organising body, door people, stadium manager, canteen staff. There are absolutely no exceptions to this. Introduce yourself, and tell them it is nice / a pleasure / an honour to meet them.
2) Dress smartly. Show that you have a good physique (and you really should have one if you want to make it in anything associated with "fitness"), but don't look like you have an attitude about it. Looking like a professional is the first step to BEING a professional.
3) Do not "mark out" for somebody famous. The term "mark out" means to become a normal, everyday fan, someone who is out for photo opportunities, autographs and a great story to tell their friends about who they met. Show respect and reverence for their hard work to get to that level, whether it be a famous player, coach or fellow referee. When you and your partner are discussing your game, they will be watching and listening and will probably make suggestions and give you feedback on how to improve your game. If you are umpiring with a referee above your level, listen to what they tell you first. When they ask for your opinion, give it. If they reject it, continue to listen to them and do as they say. Follow their lead: they are the ones who have earned their position.
4) Do not sit or stand in a corner by yourself. Do not congregate with old friends for a long period of time. Scope out the area and see who is or is not busy. Work the room. Have a conversation, no matter how brief, with as many people as possible.
5) Always listen to everything from everyone. Always ask to ref with someone new. Work your hardest! Put the most into your own efforts don't get ahead by dragging others down!
6) Two things to always remember: Firstly, no matter how great you think you are, there are people there that really are better than you. And secondly, the guys you see on the way up are exactly the same ones you'll see on the way back down.
7) After your game, do not ask everyone that you run into his or her opinion of your performance. You will be told in due time (quickly, in most cases) by people.
8) If your game sucked, don't come back to the Officials' Room acting like the world is about to end and throw a temper tantrum. That is petty. If it was a great performance, act humble when given praise. Thank anyone for praise and criticism they may give you. If you feel like your partner screwed the game up, keep it to yourself forever. The people in charge will always know where the fault lies.
9) Upon leaving, try your best to again shake hands with everybody before you leave. Compliment the other refs on their matches (whether good or not). Thank your partner for your game. If he/she "put you over" and made you standout and do one of your best performances, you should have thanked them the second the game had ended.
10) If you are the victim of a "rib" or a "prank", or get "ridden": You are probably going to get ribbed on by one or more people. Do not take yourself seriously. It is all in good fun, unless you have done something to violate Rules 1 9 during the event and are a marked man/woman. Some of the people that "rib" or "ride" you the hardest may end up being your closest allies when it really counts.
Once again, if you're planning to become a referee, or if you are already one, take note. If you're not set on becoming "one of the boys", read this anyway. I feel that these can be adapted to most sports and just how to "act", in life, in general.
