Command Presence U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Welcome to U.S. Soccer’s online training for the Grade 6 State Referee Course. Training for this course is specific to preparing officials for the most competitive game within a state and region. This presentation focuses on command presence. U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 6 State Referee Course Most Competitive Games Within State and Region

Command Presence How referees show their personality Body language Verbal communication How referees connect with players and coaches Getting their attention and cooperation Not about power or control Knowing and applying the Laws of the Game is obviously a very important aspect of refereeing. Beyond knowing and applying the Laws of the Game, it is important that referees know how to effectively communicate with players and coaches. This is done through command presence. Command presence is a method of player management. Player management involves how referees approach the game and interact with players. It is about how referees can show their personality through body language and verbal communication. It is how referees connect with players and coaches in order to get their attention and cooperation. Command presence is not about power or control.

Command Presence How referees present themselves How they look How they carry themselves How they act How they speak Command presence is how referees present themselves. Referees should want to be seen as someone in a position of authority. Someone who can be trusted and respected. This is done by focusing on how referees look, carry themselves, act, and speak

The Message Not just about the message, but the way the message is delivered Will change with the momentum of the game Same approach does not work for all players or game situations Portray all emotions in a positive manner Command presence is not just about the message, the content or the words, but it is also about the method, manner, and way that the message is being delivered. Referees must realize that command presence will change with momentum of the game. Different situations require different actions and emotions from the referee. It is important that referees understand that the same approach does not work for all players or for every game situation. The referee must portray all emotions in a positive manner, depending on the situation.

Confidence Confidence In yourself Felt by the players Developing a presence Look and act like a referee Must be convincing Developed through experience, knowledge, and education Command presence depends on the confidence referees have in themselves and how that confidence is felt by the players. Referees must learn to develop a presence on the field. Referees must look and act like a referee. Referees must be convincing, and must have the ability to step in front of a group of people and they instantly know that the referees are in charge. Players tend to accept questionable decisions by referees who have demonstrated their presence more so than from those who lack a presence. This does not necessarily come naturally to all referees. It must be developed over time and through experience, knowledge, and education.

Body Language Eye contact Facial expressions Posture Arms and hands Presence and fitness Body language can be a much more effective method of communicating than verbal messages, yet referees tend to use very little body language. Referees need to work to improve visual body language messages. There are several physical attributes that referees have to assist in communicating the message using body language. These are visual, meaning others see them and can read into the message being delivered. The body language tools that will be discussed are eye contact, facial expressions, posture, arms and hands, along with presence and fitness.

Eye Contact Strong eye contact Reflects confidence Keeps a player’s attention Avoiding eye contact Shows nervousness or a lack of confidence Players may lack confidence in their abilities Strong eye contact reflects confidence and helps to keep a player’s attention. Avoiding eye contact is a sign of nervousness or a lack of confidence. If referees avoid eye contact with players they are conveying a lack of confidence in their abilities.

Facial Expressions Positive facial expressions Can show your personality Can help defuse and prevent misconduct Can convey concern Negative facial expressions Can convey disinterest Can have poor perception Facial expressions have a significant impact on how referees are perceived by the players. This can be both positive and negative. Positive facial expressions, such as a smile or even an appropriately timed stern look, can show players your personality. This can help defuse and prevent certain misconduct situations. Referees can convey that they are genuinely concerned. Negative facial expressions can convey that referees are disinterested or do not care.

Posture Straight/upright Shoulders are back and chest is up Looks in control Does not look flustered Move with a purpose Posture involves how referees stand and carry their body. It also includes standing with shoulders back and chest up. Standing upright with straight posture demonstrates an elevated confidence. It helps make referees look like they are in charge and in control and they they are not flustered. Referees must move with a purpose to help impart a physical presence.

Arms and Hands Keep gestures close Broadcast messages Stop sign Calm down Come here Good preventive tools Gestures should not replace verbal communication Using arms and hands is a critical component of body language. This includes gestures and signals. It is important to keep gestures close to your body to avoid entering a player’s personal space. Personal space is the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which any encroachment feels threatening or uncomfortable. It varies at individual and cultural levels. While some people are okay being very close, it is safe for referees to stay approximately one yard away from players. Referees can use their arms and hands to communicate messages for everyone to see. The stop sign is delivered with the arm extended and the palm, slightly up and outward. Calm down can be conveyed using both arms out with the palms down. Come here is used with the arm extended and palm turned inward, calmly motioning toward the referee. These gestures can be good preventive tools, and show players that the referee is in charge. It is important, however, not to overdo it and use gestures for every situation or instead of verbal communication.

Presence and Fitness Preventive presence Close to play Presence lends conviction Getting there and showing urgency Overdone presence Gets there, but overuses physical presence Too aggressive Initiates contact with a player Referees can use their fitness to help with their physical presence on the field. Preventive presence is when a referee uses their presence to prevent fouls, retaliation, and/or misconduct. Being close to play is a management style that helps lend conviction. The common referee expression presence lends conviction, means that players look for the referee. If the referee is not there, players will argue more and potentially commit more fouls. If the referee is there, they help to sell their decision. Getting there and showing urgency when needed, such as after a hard foul, will help prevent things from getting worse. Referees must also change their pace as the pace of the game changes. When the game becomes more intense, a greater sense of urgency will be needed. Referees should keep in mind that what needs to be seen is not always in the vicinity of the ball. Off-the-ball fouls and misconduct require urgency in order to prevent retaliation. Physical presence can be overdone. Players might think there is too much presence if the referee becomes too aggressive, or worse, initiates contact with a player.

Body Language Enhances verbal communication Broadcasts the message Translates the message Overcomes difficulty in addressing players’ emotions in words Referees must find, based on their own personality, how these tools can work in their own player management. Using body language enhances verbal communication, and can help to convey their message. Body language and verbalization need to be consistent with each other; often a referee may say one thing verbally but send an inconsistent or opposing message through body language. Body language also helps to broadcast a message in order to reach a larger audience. A player on the opposite end of the field may not hear what the referee is saying to a player but can see the urgency used to get there, and the gestures that are used to communicate with the offender. Body language can help translate a message to players who do not speak the same language as the referee. Gestures are a universal language. Sometimes it is difficult to address players’ emotions in words because talking can often inflame a situation. Body language can be used to help defuse players’ emotions. Gestures can be used to communicate long distances, where shouting might be perceived as inflammatory.

Keys to Use Change to suit the situation Natural and fluid Okay to show displeasure Awareness of cultural differences Establishes relationships and control Shows confidence, calmness, firmness, authority, compassion, or empathy Do not overuse or show off There are several keys to the successful use of body language. It is important for referees to change to suit the situation. Be natural, be fluid, and be yourself. Body language can also show displeasure, which can be a very useful tool for referees. Effective use of body language also requires an awareness of cultural differences. While most forms of body language are universal, they are subject to interpretation by players of different cultures. Body language helps to establish relationships and helps to maintain control. It can be used to show confidence, calmness, firmness, authority, compassion, or empathy. It is important for players to see a referee’s human side. Body language should not be used to show off. Overuse may lead to players viewing you as more of a friend than the authority figure on the field.

Verbal Communication Process of sending and receiving messages Keys to successful verbal communication Appropriate tone and volume Keep it simple Words chosen for the situation Listen While body language is an important component of command presence, verbal communication is also very important. This is an area that many referees need to work on. Verbal communication is the process of sending and receiving messages. There are three keys to successful verbal communication. Different situations require different types of verbal communication. Using the appropriate tone and volume for each situation is important. It helps to ensure that players hear what the referee is saying. It can help convey confidence and communicate control. Keep it simple and when possible, it is suggested to use just a few words or a short phrase, most players will tune you out after the first few words anyway. Choosing the rights words for each situation is also a key to effective verbal communication. Referees must understand what is occurring before speaking, and it is always important to think before speaking. Sometimes a quiet conversation is better to calm a player, while other situations might require a loud and quick word. Listening is also very important and goes beyond just hearing. Listening is active and allows referees to see the game through the eyes of the players. Referees can learn a lot by listening to players and acknowledging the players point of view. This does not mean that referees have to agree with the players and it is highly unlikely that referees will change their minds, but it shows players that the referee is concerned.

Command Presence Command presence influences the game by Channeling and/or influencing player behaviors and actions Giving options to manage the gray areas Sending appropriate messages in the appropriate manner Opening lines of communication Command presence influences the game by channeling and/or influencing player behaviors and actions, giving options to manage the gray areas, sending appropriate messages in the appropriate manner, and opening lines of communication.

Command Presence Command presence influences the game by Drawing the line in the sand Preventing escalation Ensuring the message matches the game situation and moment Leading the referee team before, during, and after game Command presence influences the game by drawing the line in the sand, preventing escalation, ensuring the message matches the game situation and moment, and leading the referee team before, during, and after the game.

Command Presence Command presence implementation Use 1-on-1 conversations Use stoppages to establish groundwork for relationships Take care of the fouler and the foulee Make the first foul seem bigger than it is Referees can implement command presence by using 1-on-1 conversations, using stoppages to establish groundwork for relationships, taking care of the fouler and the foulee, and making the first foul seem bigger than it is by using a sense of urgency to get to the location of the foul quickly and using body language to show displeasure. This will help set the tone for the game.

Command Presence Command presence implementation Know when to use different communication styles Remain calm but in charge Be dynamic and decisive Create trust between players and referees Referees can implement command presence by knowing when to use different communication styles, remaining calm but in charge, being dynamic and decisive, and creating trust between players and the referees.

Command Presence Be open and approachable Create trust Show respect Be prepared by doing your homework Be available by listening to fair conversation Adjust to the game, the situation, and to the players To best implement positive command presence an official must be open and approachable, create trust, show respect, be prepared by doing your homework, be available by listening to fair conversation, and to adjust to the game, the situation, and to the players. Command presence is a continual learning process. It does not come with the badge. It must be developed through training and education, observed by watching others and absorbed through hands-on experiences.

Review Question Which of the following is not a goal of command presence? Showing your personality through body language and verbal communication Showing players, coaches and spectators that the referee has all the power and control

Review Question Command presence should be achieved through which of the following? How you look How you act How you speak All of the above

Review Question While command presence is about the message being delivered, is the process of how the message is delivered just as important? Yes No

Review Question Which of the following is true when it comes to body language? It can enhance verbal communication It can send a message to multiple players It can be used to communicate with players who speak a different language All of the above