Effectively & Professionally Communicating with Coaches & Players

1. Effectively & Professionally Communicating with Coaches & Players Peggy Schaefer August 2014

2. BASIC PRINCIPLES • You and your opponent are one. There is a coexisting relationship between you. You coexist with your opponent and become his complement, absorbing his attack and using his force to overcome him. - Bruce Lee

3. BASIC PRINCIPLES • To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill. - Sun-Tzu

4. BASIC PRINCIPLES • In order to achieve victory, you must place yourself in your opponent’s skin. – Tsutomu Oshima What does this mean?

5. BASIC PRINCIPLES • The “best” officials are like chameleons. WHY???

6. BASIC PRINCIPLES • How do we communicate? • 7 – 10 % are the actual words we use • 30% is our vocal nuance • 60% is our non-verbal, body language, proxemics, movement, stance, eye contact • How well do you communicate?

7. BASIC PRINCIPLES • If you can’t control what’s going on inside, you can’t control what’s going on outside.

8. BASIC PRINCIPLES • To err is human, to forgive, divine. • As officials, we must recognize that we and our partners will make mistakes during a game, and we have to get past it and get ready for the next point.

9. P A V O + P • Many officials benefit from a framework that can help them remember how to effectively communicate. • P A V O + P

10. PERSPECTIVE YOU must stay aware of YOUR point of view, what actions YOU clearly saw. YOU must also try to understand what YOUR partner saw or failed to see. To stay ahead, YOU must figure out - What did the coach see? What information does the coach need from YOU?

11. AUDIENCE Who is the audience? The coaches, the players, YOUR partner, the spectators. YOU are always being watched. On every level, the game and activities are taken very seriously. They expect US to take it seriously as well.

12. VOICE Voice is the tone in which YOU convey information, YOUR verbal personality. Are YOU pleasant? Are YOU approachable? Are YOU in control? Are YOU paying attention to the game? Are YOU angry or defensive? Are YOU scared? Are YOU even responding?

13. ORGANIZATION Organization is the way in which YOU choose to present or structure communication. YOU must choose when to talk and how much to say. What words are you using to explain the situation? Study the language of the rules and use it.

14. + PURPOSE Purpose is YOUR goal or end, whether it be an explanation, providing simple information (time outs, sub #), calming the situation or awarding a sanction. Voice and purpose should be in harmony. Quickly determine what YOU need to do to get the game moving again.

15. Effective match communication starts with pre-game activities • Arrive on time – check net as soon as possible. • Be on court on time, ready to work. • Conduct the coin toss, be quick, pleasant and professional with players. • This sets the stage for your match.

16. Be sure to “bond” with your partner before match starts • What should you talk about? • 4 hits • Who touched it last? Point to the side. • The “Big Eye” look • Sanctions • When back is turned or hand is up • Back row attack help • “Ball down” signal

17. Meeting with Captains & Coaches Brief Meet with Captains & Coaches Informative Professional

18. Script Pre-Match Meeting with Captains and Coaches: R1 :“Hello everyone, my name is Peggy Schaefer. I’ll be the first referee, this is my partner_______ and he’ll be the second referee.” R1 :“Please introduce yourselves to each other.” R1:“There are some special ground rules to be aware of. The surface is flat and uniform, so your players can go up to the bleachers to play any ball. We do have low hanging backboards within the playable area, so if the ball contacts a backboard, there will be a judgment replay. Do you have any questions about the playable area or new rule changes?”

19. Script Pre-Match Meeting with Captains and Coaches: R1: “Is everyone properly equipped to include NOT wearing ANY jewelry? Captains, please check your players for this.” R1: “Please remember to be good sports today and remember to cheer into your team.” R1: “Coaches, I will need your rosters before 10-minutes before the match.” R1 :“Let’s conduct our coin toss – Visiting team will make the call. Who will be the speaking captains?”

20. Script Pre-Match Meeting with Captains and Coaches: R1: “There is 20 minutes on the clock. The home team will have the first five minutes and then the visiting team will follow with their first 5 minutes.” R1: “Does anyone have any questions?” R1/R2:“Good Luck and Let’s have a good match.”

21. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Back row situations: • Back row player taking off on or in front of the attack line • Is the setter a front or back row player? • Is ball completely above the height of the net? • Did the setter block the ball? • Was the ball touched by a blocker? What did you see? Expect to explain it to the Coach.

22. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Overlaps/out of position: • Be a student of the game and learn the many serve receive patterns. • Track the front row hitters • Pay attention to the libero • When a coach is yelling at you to make the call, figure it out, or check with partner on next timeout. • Don’t make the call if you don’t see it.

23. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Missing touches on blocks: • “Zoom” in and anticipate the call. • Watch for any ball deflection • Watch for finger movement • Watch the flight of the ball. • R1 watch the ball • R2 watch the players and net • Before R1 signals, look at all officials, someone might be signaling

24. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Ball handling: • Know new ball handling philosophy • This is a game of angles • Be consistent between players and teams • R2 anticipate the help R1 may need • Be prepared to explain to coach what you saw and what R1saw

25. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Sanctions: • Be professional and polite • Do not delay game any more than necessary • IYC or IRC to player or coach – R1 tells captain, R2 tells the coach. • R2 ensures it is recorded • Get mind back into the game

26. Potential calls that causeCoach/Official conflict • Time outs/End of games and match: • R2 must control time-outs; know the correct procedure. • Usher players back onto court, no delays • Officials quickly sign the score sheet and leave the court at end of match. Avoid malingering around the scorer’s table.

27. Delay Procedures

28. Delay Penalty – Loss of Rally

29. R1 Delay Mechanics

30. Individual Penalitiesfor R2 Mechanics

31. R1 Penalty Mechanics

32. R1 calls Capt over to explain the penalty….

33. What will we do?

34. What is wrong with this? PERFECT!!

35. Line judges:Stand behind server and stay on sideline. Try not to move if the ball is served on your sideline

36. Remember this: • Always give the benefit of the doubt to your partner. You must stay together as a team. • How can you help your partner have their best match? • Anticipate what information the coaches will need and practice the verbiage in your mind between each call. • Be a polite, approachable and professional individual. This will minimize your conflict situations and maximize your communication effectiveness.

37. Effectively Communicating with Coaches & Players Questions??