Transcript Document

Keys To Effective
Communication
Strategies & Concepts For More Effective Interaction
with Players, Fans and Fellow Officials
Education Session
November 22, 2012
Session Goals
• To provide referees with communication
concepts and strategies to improve the
effectiveness of their interactions with players,
fans and fellow officials
• To convince referees to perform self-analysis
of their methodology and approach to
determine where they need to upgrade their
communication skills.
Communication Skills
• What do you normally hear from Assessors
when discussing your communication with
match participants?
– Arm signals
– Tone of whistle
– Use of voice
• All practical physical and technical skills
• What about strategies and tactics of communication?
Activity #1
• Take 2 minutes to think about a referee who
effectively interacts with players, coaches,
fans and fellow officials
– Local?
– International?
Activity #2
• Split into groups to discuss their choice of
referees (10 mins)
• Produce a list of strategies, concepts or
philosophies your referees use in order to
communicate and develop a positive game
environment
Group Lists
• How many referees used a local referee as
their choice?
• Would a local referee have to employ different
strategies that an international official?
• Are the strategies presented by the groups
similar or is there much variation in the
strategies?
Keys to Communication
• 8 strategies or concepts to help improve the
effectiveness of your communication with all
match participants
• Certain strategies more effective depending
on who they are used on
– Fans, players or coaches
1. Have Your Head On Right
• Be prepared
– Understand the type of
game you are officiating
– Identify who you most
likely will be
communicating with
– Have a game plan.
• Know your role
– Immunity to criticism ->
NO! Part of Officiating
2. Don’t Be The Tough Guy
• Why Be Confrontational?
– Stay away from the individual who is on your back
if it doesn’t warrant action from you
– Ball out of play and halftime
• Avoid trying to be the bigger bully
– Diffuse the situation, don’t increase the tension
3. Don’t Bark
• Shouting or Screaming at people doesn’t work
– Shouting indicated a loss of control
• Of oneself and the game
• Normal, relaxed voice
– Reduce the tension
– Calm the situation
– “talk to me like a human”
4. Show Confidence
• Confidence - A feeling of assurance, especially
of self-assurance
• Cockiness - Conceited self-assurance,
offensive boldness and assertiveness
– Which type of person would you rather deal with?
– Cockiness has no place in officiating
– Convey confidence but be humble
How to Display Confidence
•
•
•
•
Appearance
Manner
Voice
Image
• Presence should
command respect
from participants,
coaches and fans
5. Forget The Fans
• Fans
Accept
should
this fact
only be there to
cheer
on their
– Ignore
fans, avoid
teams…….THEY
USUALLY
confrontations
and
AREN’T!
arguments
–
– Antagonize
Only need to interact
– with
Influence
them if they impact
interrupt
match or
– or
Throw
you off
stand in the way of you
doing your job.
– Use other avenues to
deal with them (Ref
Liasion, Coaches, Venue
Staff)
6. Answer Reasonable Questions
• Conversations and discussions are acceptable
– When
• During match?
– About
• Avoid commenting on other referees and matches you
were not involved in
• Be factual
– Manner
• Courteous & Respectful
• Firm but relaxed
• When does the conversation end?
7. Choose Your Words Wisely
• Specific words and they way they are used have
tremendous impact
– Content
– Tone, volume, rate of speed and clarity dictate the
perception of the message
• Don’t threaten a coach or player
– Defensive response
– Be subtle, ease the blow
– Forces your hand/Credibility
• Know the LOTG
– Use proper terminology
8. Stay Cool
• Players, coaches and fans feed off of
nervousness of edgy officials
– Pacing, snapping, eye contact,
– gamesmanship and reaction
• Maintain composure and manage emotions
– Before and during the match
Cool, Calm and Collected
• Perception is important
• Relaxed vs.
Lackadaisical
– Is the official focused
and ready to take charge
• Calm vs. Indifferent
– Body Language
Strategies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Have Your Head On Right
Don’t Be The Tough Guy
Don’t Bark
Show Confidence
Forget The Fans
Answer Reasonable Questions
Choose Your Words Wisely
Stay Cool
• Other Strategies may also be just as effective depending on the
situation
• Physical Techniques in combination with a “game plan” of strategies
improve the possibility of effective communication
Activity #3
• AT HOME
– Self analysis of personal approach and philosophy
with regard to interactions with all participants in
a match including players, coaches, fans and
fellow officials
– Identify two areas of self improvement and
attempt to alter them in your next match
Questions?