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Ready To Pack Your Bags

Most officials know after working only a few games which “must-have” items they need to pack to make sure their game goes as smoothly as possible. More experienced officials, however, may have all sorts of odds and ends both tangible and intangible in their bag of tricks. Those are items that help them prepare for the unexpected and work a level above other officials. Do they know something that you don’t?

Preparation is the key. Some veteran officials go through pregame rituals that border on ceremony. We aren’t talking superstition; we’re talking experience — and plenty of it. The bulk of that pregame ritual takes place at home before they ever leave for the game. Their bags are always packed the same way, and they never seem rushed when they arrive.

Watch an accomplished vet unpack at the game site: You’ll see a clean, creased uniform and shoes that are already polished. Newer officials sometimes cram everything into their bag after the previous game and spend much of their pregame cleaning and polishing shoes, trying to find a whistle or game card, trying to get wrinkles out of their shirts or sticking a wayward patch on their sleeve. All that takes up valuable time that should go to a pregame conference with your partners. Professionalism starts long before you even put the key in the ignition.

Two is better than one. One of my football partners is a treasure. He brings at least two of everything. Three shirts, two pair of knickers, three flags, two coins, three beanbags and the list goes on. Why? He wants his crew to be covered if somebody forgets or loses something, or a piece of equipment gives up the ghost on the field. The veteran officials’ car trunks often look like the mobile warehouse of some referee supplies dealer. But they are covered in case of the unforeseen.

Hitting the books. Our games are always changing. Certainly the rules undergo an annual facelift. The best officials don’t stop their rules study after taking the annual test or attending the rules interpretation meeting. Even though most of us are out of school and never did really like tests, there are creative ways you can stay on top of that part of your game.

In some states, it isn’t uncommon to travel up to two hours to call a high school game. Certainly some of that time is spent catching up with friends and telling jokes, but there is still plenty of time to sharpen your game. Pack your rulebook or other officiating books and quiz your crewmates. Give each official a shot at a question, and then discuss the rule, the interpretation and a game situation in which that has come up. In addition to being an excellent study resource, that often helps you to laugh at something from the past or some imaginary scenario that you concoct.

Thorough game preparation goes far beyond packing your bag. Often, you may have to pack enough for two to be fully prepared. As Grandma used to say: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Written by Dave Sabaini, a freelance writer and official who lives in Terre Haute, Ind.This article originally appeared in the 4/05 issue of Referee.

NASO Summit Heading to Minneapolis 2010

The Sports Officiating Summit, presented by NASO, is headed to the upper Midwest in 2010. The Marriott Minneapolis City Center will be the site for the annual gathering of officiating leaders. With the theme “Rights, Requirements, Risks: The Shared Responsibility of Officiating,” the NASO Summit will be held from July 25-27. It is presented by NASO in cooperation with the NFHS and, in 2010, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). You won’t want to miss it! For more information, contact NASO at 262/632-5448.

Check out what people are saying about the officiating industry’s biggest event in 2010:

Barry Mano, NASO President: “The theme signifies that the 2010 Summit will bring determined focus on three very important factors in officiating: rights, requirements and risks. Each carries within it obligations and expectations that define the officiating experience. We chose the explanatory line: The Shared Responsibility of Officiating, specifically to set the topics and discussions with a framework that involves not only officials, but also those who administer and use their services. The rights, requirements and risks attendant to officiating are after all, shared responsibilities.”

Dave Stead, MSHSL Executive Director: “Minneapolis is, perhaps, the finest destination city in the upper Midwest. Abundant entertainment, magnificent facilities and spectacular accommodations will welcome every attendee. The staff at the MSHSL, as well as the meeting event staff, are excited about hosting NASO members and we trust that both the professional and leisure time activities will surpass your highest expectations.”

Kevin Merkle, MSHSL Associate Director: “We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to host this prestigious event. In particular, we are excited about the opportunities that such an event will provide for officials in Minnesota and for our officiating leaders. This is a once-in-a-career opportunity and we plan to take full advantage of the Summit sessions and activities.”

Fresh Ice

By John Miskelly

Dec. 10, 2005, I was getting ready for my first game back on ice as an official in more than 15 years. I was nervous all day. To boot I knew I was getting the flu. Every nook and cranny on my body ached, I was running a low-grade fever and my stomach was on the verge of exploding. But I knew I’d have trouble being assigned to any other game if I backed out of this one.

I felt lucky just to be in that position. See, one month earlier I put on my skates, brand new ones, and hit the ice to get ready for the Michigan high school ice hockey season.

My first attempt at breaking in my new skates nearly resulted in a hospital stay. I moved with the grace of a rhinoceros walking on marbles. I couldn’t pivot, skate backward or stop with any confidence. I remember thinking about how my return would be a complete disaster. A hockey referee who can’t skate? Like a NASCAR racer who can’t drive. While waiting for the rest of my uniform and gear to arrive from a supplier in Canada, I plugged away at refining my skating technique.

By the sixth open skating session, following several off-ice training sessions, I was moving better, not gracefully, but better. I knew I was going to be a linesman in that first game, which meant I’d be dropping every puck, but basically only skating between the blue lines. The day of my game was getting nearer, and at least I could skate, but all my new gear was stuck in Canada on a delivery truck — may as well been on a snail’s back. Thanks to a few helpful colleagues, I got what I needed and was ready to go.

Oh yeah, there was still the flu.

At the arena I entered the officials’ room and met my two colleagues for the night (Michigan high school hockey boasts a two-referee, one-linesman system).

After a little chit-chat, I finally said it: “This is my first high school game in more than 15 years.” Remember those cartoon characters whose eyes literally bug out of their sockets? My partners looked like that. I didn’t think I should say I had the flu, too.

A lot had changed over 15 years — a new system, protocol changes, nearly double the teams playing high school hockey from my previous stint. Just prior to the national anthem, one in which the tape began skipping, they announced my name. That was a bit scary.

It took just five minutes, not even clock-time five minutes, before I began wiping sweat out of my eyes. Between the flu, the nervousness and more weight than I carried 15 years ago, I was already getting a workout. The first period ended and my partners and I re-entered the officials’ room. “Any thoughts or advice?” I asked.

They were polite and nice about it, but of course, there were some things to say, “Keep up with the play,” and, “Hold your line,” were just a few. I was the “rookie,” which was weird considering I was about the same age as the other two and started the officials’ group in the mid-1980s before either of them. But I needed to be open-minded and easy to get along with.

“Whew,” escaped from my lips as the final buzzer sounded. Then a puck went rocketing toward one of my partners, grazing his left shoulder and careening to the far boards. I saw the perpetrator and reported him. Needless to say he was penalized for letting his emotions get the better of him.

I left that rink that night feeling like I could do maybe 20 games or so during the season (I managed 22), and use the 2005-06 season to springboard me into the future. I was back. And yes, I drove home, crawled into bed and proceeded to have a horrible 48-hour flu, one that saw me lose 10 pounds (an unexpected benefit!). Don’t worry; I didn’t referee again until Dec. 20.

John Miskelly lives in Royal Oak, Mich., where he has officiated hockey for more than 25 years. This originally appeared in the 7/06 issue of Referee.

June Poll Results

Which of the following best describes how the economy has affected your officiating?

NASO members said:

47% - It hasn’t affected my officiating. Things have remained status quo.

18% - More people are getting into officiating, so I don’t have as many available games.

14% - I am taking games closer to home to avoid having to pay so much for gas.

12% - It has forced me to work more games to help pay the bills.

9% It has forced my state to cut games, resulting in fewer officiating opportunities.