So, you show up ready to work a 4-match set at a relatively high level of competition. You understand of course that all referees need to be in the same uniform. The referee 'crew chief' shows up in the traditional black stocking with three white stripes, yellow OSI jersey and black shorts...with the drawsting in the rear of the shorts and the back pockets in front, as opposed to the more traditional back pockets in the rear with drawstring in front. Do you: a) find a wooded area and reverse your shorts to be uniform with your 'crew chief'? b) ask the crew chief if he wouldn't mind reversing his shorts as the rest of the crew was wearing them 'traditional style'? or c) hope that he doesn't notice that his shorts were on backwards and watch the reaction of the players and coaches???? Scott
There have been remarks about how appearances and first impressions can really help a referee establish control of the match from the start. Unfortunately, your situation may suggest your crew chief may convey incompentency. Still, I would prefer it to one that showed up at one of my games wearing: - normal gold USSF shirt, - blue shorts with white stripes - white visor - silver wrap around sunglasses - no socks - white tennis shoes. This guy was my mental poster boy for what not to wear as a referee.
Agreed except that I really have no problem with the "normal" USSF shirts. That should be a personnal preference as I don't encourage a monopoly for the people at OSI which would encourage them to price their uniforms even more out of range with the rest of the industry! Scott
Actually... my gold shirt was still in my bag. I do not select the shrit until I get to the field... ... you've got to understand that I had to get up relatively early,... ...the fields are over an hour from my house... ... I had not had my coffee yet.. ... at least I caught it before the kick-off.... ... I knew Scott could not resist this... ... I suspect he is going to love doing all U-11's next season
This should be a MasterCard commercial: Referee socks: $4 Referee shorts: $20 Referee shirts (3 colours in two sleeve lengths): $240 Seeing the look on Whipple's face when he realises that his shorts are on backwards: Priceless. BTW, Sherm. I'm sending a note to our SDI recommending that you present the section on "proper uniform" at the winter recert meetings. Then again, at least he had shorts on, as opposed to some referees who have found it quite drafty when they began to take off their warm-up pants.
too funny HA HA HA Ha Ha Ha Ha oh thank you Scott and NSA I needed that. You sat on that for 3 days Scott ? You must of been pacing the computer keys waiting to get it out! LOL Whip at least you did not show up late at a tournament wearing only long boxer shorts and to do the game with out them is well unbearable. So the extra 2 inches of gray material sticking out underneath my black shorts was better than anything else sticking out. Enjoy the U-11s Scott Tell us you got a picture PLease!!!!! I suppose if you are CR at the next state championship we will know you got the pictures!! Just too funny I may not even hibernate
Scott, IF you're going to sunbowl, I'll make sure you get prime assignments from Meckelburg, just say the word. that was way too funny, and the fact that you let it simmer for three days first, you da man!!!
I specifically wrote 3, not 4, 'cause I have no intention of going with the blue shirt. It really doesn't work with my complexion.
I had a kid show up for a game dressed like this yesterday (except for the visor and sunglasses). Unfortunatly I had to let him work the match (U10G ironman) due to a lack of available. But not after a stern lecture about professional appearance. If I would have had a standby referee, he would have been sent home. The kid did a good job, but he probably wont be asked back.
"I had a kid show up for a game dressed like this yesterday (except for the visor and sunglasses). Unfortunatly I had to let him work the match (U10G ironman) due to a lack of available. But not after a stern lecture about professional appearance. If I would have had a standby referee, he would have been sent home. The kid did a good job, but he probably wont be asked back." Pac Ref...okay, the kid showed up dressed in less than a professional manner. You chewed his butt. Since he did a good job, why will he not be asked back? Let's see how he listened, how how he comes dressed the next time. THEN decide if he gets to come back again.
short indeed. today was costume day (homecoming is friday, it's spirit week). i went as a referee bc i have authentic stuff. but i wore windpants. the shorts would've gotten me In School suspension for violation of the dress code >crosses eyes< (plus there would've been some words along the lines of queer from the baseball and football jocks :-O )
how about this: -USSF (or any, but this time it was) golf shirt -khakis -dress shoes? i've done that b4. mom's requirement for me working tourneys in columbus is i have to work after church on the sunday. i scarf down something between the church and the field and change in the bathrooms...wearing referee socks to church greatly reduced changing time.
As others have suggested, check him out one more time. As a parent, I saw a young referee show up in sub-standard attire at my son's U10 match. He did an OK game, but he did not look like he belonged there. After the match I let him know that I was an instructor and assessor. We chatted for a bit, but my major emphasis was to show up looking like a ref (maybe you can fool the folks watching into believing that you are a ref). Three or four weeks later I was watching a referee do my son's game and went up to thank him for the good job and to get his name. He responded by saying that we had met a few weeks earlier. He looked like a new person to me.
I too agree with the responses to give them advice and THEN ask them back rather than bannish them. Similar situation as others -- I was mentoring my son and a friend of his in their first year of refereeing. They were doing a U12 girls rec game. The third referee in their crew was the far side AR (on the team/coach's side). Looks-wise, he didn't have his shirt tucked in or his socks pulled up. Then when the team on his end started dominating halfway through the first half (and so all the play was on the far end), I noticed that he was squatting down near midfield, twirling his flag and generally looking like he was bored and would just as soon be anywhere else. I ambled around the far end of the field and up next to them and kneeled down where I said very quietly, "You may be bored because right now it is a boring game. But I guarantee you that this game is important to these girls and you're being paid to referee the game. You need to stand up and act like a professional (that's what it means when you get paid). Tuck your shirt in and pull up your socks and watch the game." I then walked away. The rest of the game and the entire second half, he paid attention and did a fine job. After the game, when I stepped out to offer my critique to to my son and his friend, he apologized for not paying attention. I asked him if he wanted any instruction and he said yes. Over the course of the next 4 to 5 weeks, I worked with all 3 of them because all 3 were assigned to the same fields each Tuesday night that season. He was always eager for my advice and he worked at it. He is now a good referee with 4 years experience and does a fine job both in center and as an assistant. Give them the advice and then ASK THEM BACK!