Big 12 Coordinator of Officials Greg Burks stated coaches want good listeners. He says most coach interaction is complaining and we just need to listen. Many times a coach is not expecting a detailed reply, but he surely wants to know we are listening and not discounting him.
We must intentionally train ourselves to be good listeners. If you’re anything like me, you may often listen with the intent to reply. As the coach is speaking, I may be formulating an answer in my mind and impatiently waiting for my chance to jump in and educate the coach.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 5 is: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
One way to effectively understand a coach is to ask questions. Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coordinator of Football Officials Randy Campbell says a good way to begin a conversation is, “Coach, what is your concern?”
Provide purposeful eye contact whenever possible (we still need to observe the action on the field, including dead-ball officiating and conducting our pre-snap routines). Do not stare down a coach. Our body language should be calm and respectful (hands at our sides or behind us). Don’t cross your arms. Our facial expressions should be neutral (don’t look amused or agitated).
Listen to the coach and ask follow-up questions to completely understand the coach’s concern.
• “Coach what’s your concern?”
• “You guys are missing holding!”
• “Could you describe what you’re seeing?”
• “Their guy just grabbed my guy’s jersey!”
• “What number (or position)?”
• “Did you see restriction on that play?”
Ask genuine questions until you fully understand the coach’s concern. Many times the coach just wants to vent and doesn’t require a response.
In future Ready for Play articles, we’ll explore how to respond to a coach after we understand his concern.
Quiz
Read the quiz stem and then choose the best answer(s).
By rule, which uniform/equipment item(s) is/are LEGAL? (Choose all that apply.)
- A single clear tooth and mouth protector
- Play card worn at the waist
- Ball-colored gloves
- Knee brace worn over the pants
- Eye shade grease that includes the player’s class year
- Dark eyeshield (with an accompanying doctor’s note)