Page 34 - Sports Officials Handbook

XI.
2. Do not pass up the opportunity to work scrimmages or inter-squad events. These provide invaluable experience and a great pre-season warm-up.
3. MECHANICS and POSITIONING are an extremely important dimension to officiating any sport.
a. Be in the right place at the right time. Try not to put yourself in a situation where it is difficult to make the best call because you are not hustling, and as a result, are out of position.
b. If you are working with a partner, always be aware of where your partner is and what area he/she is covering.
c. Be vocal and confident when making a call. Proper mechanics not only look cleaner, but increase the credibility of the official.
d. Attending Officials Clinics is a great way to find the areas in which you can improve in order to be a better official.
4. Physical Fitness
a. It is strongly recommended by the IHSA that all member officials submit
themselves to a thorough physical examination by a competent physician
before officiating.
b. Officials need to meet the physical demands of the job; this means
conditioning is necessary before the season begins. Physical fitness is proven preventative medicine.
5. Pre-Game Preparation
a. Like an athlete, an official must have some kind of pre-game warm-up to
allow his/her body time to physically adjust to the start of the game and
its stresses.
b. Pre-game should be used to put yourself into the mental aspect of the
game. Prepare yourself for what will happen, what could happen, and
what has happened before. Focus is key.
c. Pre-game should also be used to communicate with your partner/s (when
applicable). It is imperative that you communicate when working with a partner. Communication makes for a smoother game.
6. Goal Setting
a. Setting attainable goals for each season is a way to focus on working
hard to be the best official that you can possibly be.
IHSA BY-LAWS THAT APPLY TO OFFICIALS AND CONTRACTS
1.000 CONSTITUTION
1.450 STATEWIDE INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES
The Board of Directors shall have complete authority, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and By-laws, to organize and conduct such statewide
—32—