14 Tips For the Newer Mens Official By

14 Tips For the Newer Men’s Official By Eric Evans • DATE: • ROOM: • TIME:

#1 Body Language Speaks Volumes • • • a) Deer in the Headlights b) Gunslinger c) Stand Tall and Relaxed d) Strong Confident Signals. Hold It e) Take Time When Reporting Fouls f) Videotape yourself in a Game

#2 The Uniform • • • a) White Cotton Shorts. No Polyester! b) Socks. Garters Underneath. Less Black. c) Compression Undershorts White. d) Avoid Disco Ref e) JC Penny. Officials Corner 800 -3335299. Theofficialscorner. com. Honigs 888468 -3284 Honigs. com

#3 Improve Physical Conditioning • • • a) Officiating 80% mental, but… b) Most Refs in Poor Condition c) Perception vs. Reality d) Avoid Injury e) Being in Position f) Specific Training

#4 Remembering Mistakes • a) Note the Game/Mistake in the rulebook next to the Rule or AR for visceral recollection later. • b) Carry Them Over to the Next Year. When new rulebook arrives, write in the mistakes from former years.

#5 The Three Stages of the New Official • a) Stage 1: Don’t Call Anything. • b) Stage 2: Call Everything All over the Field. The Dreaded Ball Watcher • c) Watching Your Primary Area. On-ball vs. Off-ball.

#6 Seek Advice From Experienced Refs • a) In the Pre-game Conference if you are lucky enough to have time • b) Being seen, not heard, in intros • c) Be receptive even if you disagree • d) Post Game. Email or Phone a mentor

#7 Use the Internet • a) For Rules. NCAA website download. NFHS. ORG. • b) US Lacrosse • c) www. lacrosseforums. com

#8 Clinics • a) LAREDO through US Lacrosse. Big one in Vail at the end of June. Contact David Seidman. 215 -545 -2233 davidseidman@mac. com • b) ZLAX Ref Camp in July. Contact John Hill. 339 -235 -0368 zlaxref@beld. net

#9 Politics • a) Officiating is a People Business. Be a People Person. Use Common Sense. • b) Be Known as Someone who Gives Something Back. • c) Help the Assignor • d) Refs with a Head Start: former players, coaches, refs from other sports.

#10 Packing the Gear Bag • • a) Pack from the Bottom up b) Don’t Get Distracted before you Finish c) Plastic bag for wet shoes/gear d) Cell phone and phone numbers

#11 Work Hard During Dead Balls • a) Eyes on the players after a whistle. • b) Timeouts. Watch the teams cross. • c) After a goal. Watch the celebration/taunting.

#12 Watch an Experienced Ref • a) Avoid Watching the Ball. • b) Watch the Ref. Positioning. Mechanics. Delivery.

#13 The Whistle. Blower • a) Choosing the right Whistle. Fox 40 Finger-held. • b) The Small tweet • c) The Normal tweet • d) The Loud Blast • e) Multiple Blasts

#14 Befriending the Table Personnel • • a) Is there a table, horn, adult? b) Clock Issues c) Penalty logistics. Write down. d) Horn