OBSERVERS PROGRAM TRAINING FOR EVALUATORS

1. OBSERVERS PROGRAM TRAINING FOR EVALUATORS

2. Agenda • Reasons for an observation • Professionalism • Pre-contest contact • Form(s) to be used • Charting a contest • Writing up an evaluation • Talking to an official about an observation

3. Purpose of an observers program • To help improve the officiating in Illinois. • Provide constructive feedback to officials that are observed. • Help promote retention of officials (help officials feel good about what they are doing). • Provide input to head clinicians on points of emphasis for future clinics.

4. Components that make up an observers program • Who may become an observer for your association. • What evaluation instrument will be used by the observer. • How an official in your association gets to be observed. • Cost of an observation and who pays for it.

5. How does one become an observer for an association? • Must have been or is a certified official in Illinois or a college official in that sport. • Must meet all IHSA requirements for criminal background check. • Must support the mission of the IHSA. • Must be a member of that recognized officials’ association.

6. How does one become an observer for an association? • Must complete training conducted by the recognized association’s certified trainer. • Must have a current clinic. • Must have a current rules interpretation meeting. • Must be approved by the association’s membership.

7. Pay for observers • Each Recognized Association shall be responsible for the liability and pay of this program. • No official will be responsible for more than $20.00 for an observation. • Associations may apply for grant money to help offset the cost of this program.

8. Recognized Associations need to have the following concepts covered in their Observers Program • A designated person who is charge of the program. • Method of scheduling observations. • List of observers available to membership. • Provide membership information on how to get observed. • Determine what the cost of an observation will be and who pays for it.

9. Professionalism • Observers must be very professional in working with officials. • Attitude must be positive. • Never discuss the observation with anyone except the officials being observed. • Make sure in advance that you have contacted the official(s) being observed, reviewed the form being used and set up a time when you will meet with them to discuss the observation.

10. Pre-contest contact • Set up observation date with official. Make sure you know where the contest is going to take place. • Send them a copy of the officials evaluation form that will be used. • Set up a time to go over the observation. • Ask if there is anything specific that they want you to watch for.

11. Form(s) to be used • The IHSA has a form developed if your association would like to use it. (Available in the IHSA Officials Education Page under General Links.) • This form provides 7 areas for review with either a meets the standard or needs improvement area to check. • It also provides an area for comments that covers: • Areas of strength • Items to work on • Other comments

13. Charting a contest • To help with an observation it helps to have a sheet to chart plays off of for exact time references and play recognition. • Charting is easy when provided a form and will allow you to reference the entire game when writing up an observation. • Charting helps officials remember the exact time in a contest when the describe action is being referenced.

15. Writing up an evaluation • Use notes from your pre-contest conversation with the official. • Use the notes from the recording form to help write up the evaluation. • Comments should reference areas of strength first, then items to work on, then go to other comments. • Be specific when referencing items to work on. • ALWAYS have some positive comments!!!

16. Talking to an official about an observation • Start by reviewing your pre-contest conversation and reference anything that was provided to you that they wanted watched. • Review the recording form to help the official remember the game and any situations that you will reference later in the evaluation.

17. Talking to an official about an observation • Provide the official(s) a copy of the Evaluation Form that you are using. • Immediately start with the areas of strength. • Once covered, you should have set a positive atmosphere for this evaluation. • Review the check list items and concentrate on any item that “Needs Improvement” and tell them WHY.

18. Talking to an official about an observation • Go to a discussion with the official on what they think their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. • Let the official(s) do most of the talking in this setting. • Once they have finished go to the “Items to Work On” list and review with the official what you saw in this area and why they need to work on this.

19. Talking to an official about an observation • Finish with a review of the total observation and spend time in areas that provide positive feedback to the official. • Mutually agree on areas that the official needs to work on and work together to formulate ideas on how he/she can improve on these concepts.

20. Questions??????