FOA Become an Official
~ What is an Official?
~ What is officiating?
~ Sport officiating: Is it for you?
~ Recruitment
~ What is an Official?
~ What is officiating?
~ Sport officiating: Is it for you?
~ Recruitment
Referees and umpires represent some of the most unpopular figures in arenas and stadiums around the world. Perhaps this is because millions of adoring fans and hundreds of nervous athletes on both sides of the coin toss understand the power that the men holding the whistles possess. This same power explains why many dream of becoming officials in the first place.
True, many call the shots for the love of the game, but the ones that make it to the professional levels have more than love to show for their efforts. Independent of whether officials call the plays correctly or not, many of us grow up wanting to become referees or umpires, yet few of us ever get to become part of this small profession. How come? A lot of it has to do with dedication and commitment, but there is much more to it than that. The following is an introduction to the profession of officiating.
Referees, umpires and other sports officials traditionally begin their careers by volunteering for intramural, community and recreational league tournaments. In school athletics, high school and college referees must be certified by an officiating school and pass a probationary period. As they rise through academic levels, the scrutiny that umpires and referees face increases in tandem. Large college conferences usually demand that officials be certified and hold considerable experience in officiating high school or community college games. Oftentimes though, these officials have other jobs. Only when you "turn pro" does officiating become a full-time job.
Assuming you have a desire to officiate, you must then ask yourself the following five questions, which can be found on the National Association of Sports Officials' website: 1- Are you physically fit? Baseball umpires may get a bad rap for being overweight and out of shape, but lace up your skates or run up and down a pitch and you will quickly see that you have to be in top shape to stay on top of the game. 2- Are you emotionally prepared? Remember all those times that you shouted profanity-laced tirades at the men holding the whistles? Well, if you want to be in their place, you must be able to handle the heat. It's like the NASO motto states: You have to love it when they boo. Well, do you? Still think you've got what it takes?
Sports Officiating: Is It For You?
3- Are you intellectually fit?
Officiating not only means understanding and seeing the game, it means staying up-to-date on the latest rule changes, as well as the psychological aspect of handling supreme athletes.
4- Do you have the time to commit to becoming a qualified and competent official?
You can read the rule book in an afternoon if you wish, but if you really want to make it to the pros, you have to dedicate yourself to the long term and show determination in the short term.
5- Do you have the right perspective to do the job?
The rules may be black and white, but applying them will make your hair go gray. Officials need to set aside their egos and remain tough, but fair.
higher learning
Depending on your commitment, there are no shortages of schools or programs that are dedicated to professional officiating. Former referees are always offering their know-how and expertise.
As well, depending on your sport of interest and where you reside, a school is really only a coin toss away. Your best bet is to get involved in sports if you wish to officiate at the amateur level, but if you have professional aspirations, enroll in a school near you.
Which takes us to the bottom line; if you want to officiate because you like to make the tough calls and be in the middle of the action, go for it. But in the end, the best referees are the ones that are off the radar, can chuck their egos, and do it for the love of the game.
True, many call the shots for the love of the game, but the ones that make it to the professional levels have more than love to show for their efforts. Independent of whether officials call the plays correctly or not, many of us grow up wanting to become referees or umpires, yet few of us ever get to become part of this small profession. How come? A lot of it has to do with dedication and commitment, but there is much more to it than that. The following is an introduction to the profession of officiating.
Referees, umpires and other sports officials traditionally begin their careers by volunteering for intramural, community and recreational league tournaments. In school athletics, high school and college referees must be certified by an officiating school and pass a probationary period. As they rise through academic levels, the scrutiny that umpires and referees face increases in tandem. Large college conferences usually demand that officials be certified and hold considerable experience in officiating high school or community college games. Oftentimes though, these officials have other jobs. Only when you "turn pro" does officiating become a full-time job.
Assuming you have a desire to officiate, you must then ask yourself the following five questions, which can be found on the National Association of Sports Officials' website: 1- Are you physically fit? Baseball umpires may get a bad rap for being overweight and out of shape, but lace up your skates or run up and down a pitch and you will quickly see that you have to be in top shape to stay on top of the game. 2- Are you emotionally prepared? Remember all those times that you shouted profanity-laced tirades at the men holding the whistles? Well, if you want to be in their place, you must be able to handle the heat. It's like the NASO motto states: You have to love it when they boo. Well, do you? Still think you've got what it takes?
Sports Officiating: Is It For You?
3- Are you intellectually fit?
Officiating not only means understanding and seeing the game, it means staying up-to-date on the latest rule changes, as well as the psychological aspect of handling supreme athletes.
4- Do you have the time to commit to becoming a qualified and competent official?
You can read the rule book in an afternoon if you wish, but if you really want to make it to the pros, you have to dedicate yourself to the long term and show determination in the short term.
5- Do you have the right perspective to do the job?
The rules may be black and white, but applying them will make your hair go gray. Officials need to set aside their egos and remain tough, but fair.
higher learning
Depending on your commitment, there are no shortages of schools or programs that are dedicated to professional officiating. Former referees are always offering their know-how and expertise.
As well, depending on your sport of interest and where you reside, a school is really only a coin toss away. Your best bet is to get involved in sports if you wish to officiate at the amateur level, but if you have professional aspirations, enroll in a school near you.
Which takes us to the bottom line; if you want to officiate because you like to make the tough calls and be in the middle of the action, go for it. But in the end, the best referees are the ones that are off the radar, can chuck their egos, and do it for the love of the game.