THOMAS COLLEGE
The Department of Recreation and Intramural Programs
2007 - 2008
Thomas College's Department of
Recreation and Intramural Programs is committed to providing
students with a safe and competitive environment for intramural
sports play. As a part of that commitment, we want to provide
students working for our department with the skills and knowledge
necessary to enhance their leadership experience here on campus as
well as to enable them to referee contests with confidence and
skill. The following links are provided to aid staff in their
learning.
Respect
Why Are Rules Important?
General Information
Official's
Checklist
Official's Mechanics List
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Official's General
Information
1. All staff will be required to
train to officiate each intramural sport offered by the
department.
2. Staff will be allowed to
participate in only 1 indoor and 1 outdoor intramural team sport per semester.
3. Staff will be scheduled to
officiate contests after demonstrating interest and competence in
the sport being played. Competence will be measured by taking
and passing a
written assessment.
4. Staff will need to be present 15
minutes prior to the start of their assigned contest(s). they
may want to arrive sooner if they must first collect equipment from
the Athletic Center to run the event.
5. Staff will wear comfortable
clothes and tennis shoes. They will be provided with a referee
shirt and be expected to wear that shirt when officiating a contest.
Staff will have access to a whistle but are encouraged purchase and
use their own.
6. Referees should bring a copy of
the team rosters to each contest they are officiating to ensure that
only eligible players are competing.
7. Referees must complete a
results form at the conclusion of each contest and submit
that form to the Intramural Intern or the Director at the end of the
night.
8. Referees must complete any injury
or damage reports and submit them to the Director by the end of the
night.
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A Simple Word Called
"Respect"
The ultimate goal of each official
should be to receive "Respect" from their peers, players, coaches,
and fans. The following paragraph might give you some
indication on how to attain this goal called "Respect".
The official must know his/her
capabilities. He/she must be ready and able to work each
contest as if his/her name was going to be signed to the finished
product. He/She must be "up" for each game, because his/her
decisions. his/her split second judgment calls, will have a bearing
on the contest that in unfolding before him/her/
Too many officials forget what it
means to have "pride" in something you do. An official should
have pride in himself/herself from the time he/she walks on the
field/court until he/she leaves. Pride is not being
self-centered or stuck up. Pride is having the knowledge to do
the job and then the courage and confidence to do that job to the
best of your ability. A little pride never hurt anyone.
It goes a long way toward earning respect.
An official should never be late for
a contest. He/she should be early, and he/she should be ready
for the job that he/she has before him/her. It's not an easy
task. Let's face reality. Many officials have spent
their day working hard in class or studying in the dorm. Then
they must hurry up and dress and be ready for the time they must be
on the field/court.
Officials are not as relaxed as they
could be had they had the entire day to think about what would be
going on that evening. Hopefully, they will be able to perhaps
rest a couple of hours that afternoon before the game. But
this is a part of it. Each official must reach back into
his/her hip pocket and come up with that extra strength to perform
his/her duty well as he/she is capable of doing so. This is
the sign of a good official. He/she will surely gain the
respect he/she deserves.
(March, 1971, Missouri High School Activities Journal)
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Why
Are the Rules Important? What is the Referee's Role?
The referee is
the one who puts the rules into practice.
The very basic principle is
to give all the possible proper conditions and chances to allow the
players to play at their highest level of performance and to have
safe fun.
For the correct
application of the rules, the referees
have to know the rules faultlessly and apply them decisively and
correctly within the context of the game. But the
more important thing is that they should acquire the basic
principles of rule formulation. If not, they could never have the
correct comprehensive understanding of the rules and naturally would
have great difficulty in applying the rules properly. Especially
when a situation occurs which has not been clearly stated in the
rules, the referees can correctly make decisions with authority.
Rule
23.2.3
states, "The
referee has the power to decide any matter involving the game,
including those not provided for in the rules". Only on the basis of
full acquisition of the fundamental principles of formulation and
application of the rules can this be done. For the purpose of
correct application of the rules, the referees should have a
complete knowledge about the following principle functions and
theoretical principles of formulation and application of the rules.
The Function of
the Rules:
Naturally, if
you want to apply the rules correctly, you must know what the
functions of the rules are. Generally speaking, the Rules as a whole
have the following functions:
A.
Characterization of the Game: The rules give the
characteristics of the game and differentiate one sport from other
sports.
a. The rules stipulate the
conditions, facilities and equipment of the game, the court/field
surface and measurements, the regulations of the net and the balls,
etc.
b. The rules regulate the number
of participants, the number of players in play and their positions,
rotational order, etc.
c. The rules set up the methods
of play, how to keep the ball in play, the crossing space, and how
to win a point, a set and a match.
B.
Legalization of Techniques: Many of the Rules give
the clear definition and distinct differentiation of the proper
techniques from improper and illegal techniques. These rules, under
the category of techniques, are the rules which need to be studied
and clarified very definitely by the referees for their correct
application.
C.
Play Under Fair Conditions: All the rules concerning
court, facilities and equipment, techniques or even conduct are
equal for all the players of both teams. That is "FAIRNESS". This is
a very critical point for refereeing.
If the
application of the rules is different for the teams that are
playing, even if it is not intentionally applied by the referee, it
will be unfair. So, accuracy in understanding and application of the
rules is the basic element of fairness and justice.
D.
Educational Function:
To have
Sportsmanlike Conduct is a basic behavioral objective for athletes
in all kinds of sports. Chapter Seven, "Participants' Conduct", is
stated especially for this purpose. All referees must put their
emphasis on this function for this is the core of sports. The aim of
the sport is not only to compete, but also to create an atmosphere
of sportsmanship and fairness and to develop understanding and
universal friendship.
(Taken/Modified from FIVB Casebook -
2007 edition)
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Official's Checklist
Below are some points to keep in mind
when officiating sports. All officials should have a good
working knowledge of the rules and mechanics. In addition to
this, you will find your game more enjoyable by remembering these
points.
1. BE COMPETITIVE: The
players give a maximum effort and so should you. Tell
yourself, "I'm not going to let this game get away from me. I
am better than that." You are assigned to make the calls that
control the game - MAKE THEM!
2. HAVE YOUR HEAD ON RIGHT:
Don't think your referee/staff shirt grants you immunity from having
a little criticism. It's a part of officiating. Plan on
it. SUCCESSFUL OFFICIALS know how much to take.
3. DON'T PLAY IT TOUGH:
If a team captain is on your back but not enough to warrant a
penalty, then stay away from them. This is especially true
during time outs. Try to avoid confrontations. Stay calm
and level.
4. GET INTO THE FLOW OF THE
GAME: Each game is different. Good officials can feel
the difference. Concentrate on the reactions of the players.
Take a note of the temp of the game changes. A ragged game
calls for a different style of officiating from a smooth game.
5. DON'T BARK: If
you don't like to be shouted at, don't shout at someone else.
Be firm with a normal voice. This technique will do wonders in
helping you reduce the pressure. Shouting indicates a loss of
control - not only of one's self, but also of the game.
6. SHOW CONFIDENCE:
Cockiness has absolutely no place in officiating. You want to
exude confidence. Your presence should command respect from
participants. As in any walk of life, appearance, manner, and
voice determine how you are accepted. Try to present the
proper image.
7. FORGET THE FANS:
As a group, fans usually exhibit three characteristics: ignorance of
the rules, highly emotional partisanship and delight in antagonizing
the officials. Accepting this fact will help you ignore the
fans, unless they interrupt the game or stand in the way of you
doing your job. If this happens, refer to items #5 & #6 above.
8. ANSWER REASONABLE QUESTIONS:
Treat team captains and players in a courteous way. Captains
have been told that only they can approach an official to challenge
a call. If they ask you a question reasonably, answer them in
a polite way. If they get your ear by saying "Hey Ref, I want
to ask you something," and then start telling you off, interrupt and
remind them of the reason for the discussion. Be firm, but
relaxed.
9. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY:
Don't threaten a player or a captain. This will only
put them on the defensive.
10. STAY COOL:
Nervous or edgy officials are easily spotted by fans, captains and
players alike.
(Taken
from Case Western Reserve University Intramural Sports)
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Official's Mechanics List
1.
WHISTLE: Sharp, crisp, meaningful. Use only
when necessary and use with confidence.
2. VOICE:
Strong (not blasting), pleasant, firm and controlled
3. TALK:
too much unnecessary talking leads to trouble. Be brief, but
courteous to players and captains.
4.
SIGNALS: Learn to use the proper signals.. Make
them correct, clear and definite. Don't be over dramatic.
Signals are an important part of officiating - they are tools of the
trade.
5.
POSITION: Remember there is no magic spot of the
field of play. Get to the best position as possible to make
the call or no-call. Proper officiating requires excellent
teamwork. There is no such thing as "area" in officiating.
6.
ANTICIPATION: Always be ready for change of direction
by the ball carrier, laterals, etc. Be alert to prevent
offensive or defensive illegal advantages.
7.
APPEARANCE: Always look alert. Do not stand
with your hands on your hips or knees. Always be alert to move
for better positioning. LOOK like an OFFICIAL with the proper
dress. If you look like a professional you will be treated
like a professional. Make sure that you are warm and
comfortable while you are working your contests.
8. YOUR
PARTNER(S): Communicate with your partner during the
contest. If for some reason a rules interpretation is needed,
get away from the participants and discuss it, do not try to resolve
the situation with the captains, players present, just inform them
of your decision.
9. HUSTLE:
There is no excuse for lack of hustle. Always give every play
all you have, nothing less. Do not let the score of a game
have any influence on your hustle.
(Taken
from Case Western Reserve University Intramural Sports)
Officiating Assessments
1.
Assessments are written by either the Director or the Department
Intern.
2.
Staff must pass each assessment with a grade of 80% or better in
order to be eligible to officiate and to receive an official's
t-shirt.
3.
Each assessment is written according to the Department's event
rules. Note that these rules may vary from the official sport
rules.
4.
There are a number of referee resources available for study and
review. These resources can be accessed from the front desk.
5.
Staff may be scheduled for training - details will develop once the
school year begins.
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Back to Intramural Homepage
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Michelle L. Lake, EdM
Director of Recreation and Intramural
Programs
E-mail your comments or questions to:
recdir@thomas.edu
207-859-1183
Front Desk: 207-859-1184 |
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