FWSBOA Observers Program
Goals of Observer Program
• Mentor and improve
Officiating of members
• Provide constructive feedback
to officials being observed
• Help promote retention of
officials
Requirements to be an Observer
• Must be a certified official
• Must have worked a Regional Final
• Cannot be an Assignor or Clinician
• Must support the mission and vision of the
FWSBOA and IHSA and the observer program
philosophy.
What the Observer program is NOT
• It is NOT an evaluation that is sent to assignors
• It is NOT an evaluation that is used for
promotion
• It is NOT an evaluation that is shared with
others in any form
Definition of an Observer
• perceiver: a person who becomes
aware (of things or events) through the senses
• An expert who observes and comments on
something
• One who watches, monitors or takes notice
Role of the Observer
• Observes beginning officials
All Registered officials are to be observed at least once per
year, Recognized officials are to be observed once every two
years. Certified officials are to be observed every 3 years.
• Uses their expertise and objectivity to
form a fair assessment
• Shares the observation with only
the official being observed in a
professional manner
Our Observation Process
• Officials should submit games they wish to be observed on
the excel spreadsheet (next slide) available at
www.fwsboa.com and email the completed document to
Jason [email protected].
• An observer will be assigned to one of the games you have
listed.
• The Observer will contact you prior to the game and speak to
you before the contest
• The Observer will send the evaluation form to the FWSBOA
President for filing
2012-2013 Official's Schedule
Official's Name:
IHSA Number:
Level (X, R, C):
DATE
TIME
LOCATION
LEVEL Boys/Girls
Observers will contact the official to be
observed
• Contact by e-mail or by telephone call
E-Mail addresses are listed on the membership list on the website
• Introduce yourself
• Confirm date, time and location of contest
Make sure that you call ahead so that the assignment has not changed!
Go to the game to observe
• Be Prepared
• Be Honest
• Be Fair
• Be Concise
• Use the IHSA Observers Evaluation Form
Vocabulary Terms to Use
Higher Value Verbs
Lower Value Verbs
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Anticipated
Applied
Assessed
Communicated
Created
Decided
Defended
Improved
Judged
Solved
Succeeded
Attended
Contributed
Demonstrated
Discussed
Fixed
Helped
Informed
Met
Participated
Supported
Tried
Post-Game Evaluation
• You may communicate with the official any
way you see fit.
• Face-to-Face after the game
(such as in the locker room, or at a local watering hole)
• By Telephone
• Through E-Mail
Please have a post-game evaluation with the official
in addition to submitting your electronic form!
Points of Emphasis
• Deliver the message fully, candidly and in a
timely manner while making it palatable and
readily usable
• Keep it confidential
• Keep it professional
• Concentrate on behaviors and not the person
Example: You are sloppy
Better: How could you make your appearance more professional?
Key Observation Principle
• Say what you mean,
mean what you say
and be sure that
what you said is
heard and understood
Observations
• Give positive feedback as well as negative
• Use the observation to set goals for the new
official whether the feedback is good or bad
• Emphasize the positive with the negative
• Offer options to resolve shortcomings
• Collaborate, don’t assassinate
Observations
• Be brutally honest,
but with velvet gloves and a smile
• Be evidence based rather than subjective
Example: You are constantly out of position
Better: You were out of position 3 out of 5 times
Key Points to Remember
• The beginning official is a work in progress,
not a finished product
• The goal is to retain the official
• What can you do to improve the official?
• What suggestions can you make?
• How can you help?
Thank You
• Thank you for your participation in the Observers
Program
• Your efforts and expertise in making officiating
better is greatly appreciated