2024 2025 IAABO Manual June20_2024

Communicating with Head Coaches/Players

Page 151

Communicating with Head Coaches/Players Communication Guidelines

Being able to effectively communicate with coaches and players is critical to an official’s success. Communication is mostly a learned skill utilizing a number of techniques. Administrative bodies and officiating organizations, regardless of the sport or level, recognize the importance and value of effective communication between officials and other participants. An official’s ability to communicate is used by many state associations in their evaluation process. Communicating with Coaches 1. Acknowledge don’t ignore. a. Initially, we should acknowledge either verbally or non-verbally. Officials should not take the whistle out of their mouth to talk to a coach during a live ball with the clock running. Verbal communication should be during dead ball periods and should not delay the resumption of play. Officials should not allow a coach to affect their ability to focus on the court. 2. Be a good listener. a. By listening, we have a better chance of understanding the situation and issues. b. Sometimes they just want to be heard. 3. Be approachable. a. Appearing arrogant, aloof or defensive only creates barriers to effective communication 4. Spatial Awareness. a. How close or far away do you want to be? Sometimes closer is better and sometimes it is not. 5. Answer legitimate questions, not statements. a. It is a no-win situation to attempt to answer rhetorical questions or statements. b. Acknowledge them, but don’t try to answer them. 6. Be honest. a. If you missed it, admit it. b. Three things you need to be able to say to a coach: 1. “I missed it”. 7. Choose words wisely. a. Never use profanity, personal or derogatory comments. b. Keep your tone unemotional. c. Don’t take the bait! d. If you don’t know what to say, don’t say anything (but still acknowledge). 8. Be brief. a. Give a short precise answer. Do not give a dissertation. 9. Know when it is over. a. When coaches start to repeat themselves, they don’t have anything 2. “You might be right”. 3. “I got that one right.”