12 Steps to Developing an Official's Ability to Perform

Instructors can help officials by establishing the right learning environment:

• Set goals. Decide what the official must learn in order to do his/her officiating in the best possible manner
• Assess the official. How does the officials' present level of physical, technical, mental and emotional ability fit the requirements of the competition
• Identify weaknesses that need special attention
• Design relevant practice and programmes
• Lead each official forward in small, manageable steps that create an atmosphere of success
• Give criticism with care. The official will need ongoing evaluation (instruction is the reduction of errors), but it must be positive and productive, encouraging the official to deal with mistakes and criticism as a necessary part of the learning process
• Treat setbacks as part of the journey. Prepare the official for setbacks, by retaining emotional control and focus on the learning process and error reduction. The smart Instructor will use such errors as a guide for preparing for future possibilities, thereby ensuring relevance
• Share ownership of the programme with the official. Involvement is more likely to ensure a commitment to see the programme through to the end
• Use best-practice models. Officials often learn easier and faster if they have a role model to emulate. Young officials, who watch a 'star' official on video, officiating in the way that the Instructor wants them to officiate, are soon convinced.
• Taking an official to a game so that both official and Instructor/Mentor can concentrate on and learn from the performance of the role model
• Reward progress. Instructors/Mentors must look for officials doing the right things and reward any sign of improvement. Good habits are created by constant repetition of interesting and varied practices
• Evaluate progress. Officials must see that they are improving if they are to remain motivated, so Instructors may use the following measures:
• Learn to maintain communication in emotional situations

1. Objective statistics
2. Subjective reports - a compilation of the official's view, the Instructor/Mentor's view and views of independent evaluators
3. Video evidence - documentation that the official can see for himself/herself
4. External approval - promotion to a higher level, nomination to prestigious games or media recognition