IHSA Beginning Official Getting Started What Every New Official Should Know Created by Debi Neff Rhonda Haffner

2 Agenda Licensing Promotion Post-Season Assignments Officials Associations Professionalism Sportsmanship

3 Licensing New License is $45 per sport Annual renewal (Only online) –1 sport $45; $15 per additional sport Dated July 1 – June 30 (no exceptions) Entry Level Requirements –View online rules interpretation meeting annually –Attend an IHSA certified clinic once every 3 yrs. –Be in compliance with the conviction policy –Inform the IHSA if indicted of any crime –Wear the proper IHSA approved uniform and patches IHSA patch on left sleeve Approved IHSA logo on pockets or hats

4 Licensing (cont.) Adhere to all National Federation/IHSA rules, policies and procedures Fulfill contractual agreements Properly complete and submit any required special report forms available online in your officials center. Maintain high standards of conduct First year officials must attend a certified clinic within the first year or take the zero level clinic available online.

5 Promotion 3 levels of officials –Registered (X) –Recognized (R) –Certified (C) Post-season assignment priority (C, R, X) Must: –Be an active official –Complete 2 years at current level before attempting promotion –Submit application by published deadline for sport –Have met the current rules interpretation meeting criteria –Have officiated minimum number of varsity contests

6 Promotion (cont.) Registered to Recognized –Achieve minimum of 85% on Part I Exam –Achieve minimum of 85% on Part II Exam (date specific) –Obtained recommendations for promotions and send them to the IHSA officials department Recognized to Certified –Obtained recommendations for promotions and send them to the IHSA officials department –Achieve minimum of 90% on Part I Exam –Achieve minimum of 85% on Part II Exam (date specific)

7 Post-Season Assignments Eligibility Requirements –Met certified clinic criteria –Met Rules Interpretation Meeting criteria –Not on probation –Completed post-season availability information Online in the officials center personal site Assignments based on: –Power rating –Percentile ranking of coaches & officials ratings –Percentile ranking of “Top 15” list school, assignors, IHSA recognized associations and certified officials –Geographic representation

8 Post-Season Assignments (cont.) Power Rating –8 areas X 5 points each = 40 Maximum Part I Exam Score Promotion Level (C, R, X) Previous post-season experience Ratings of coaches and officials Top 15 list Number of contests worked Clinic level attended with the last three years Yearly clinic attendance no matter what level Notification of Assignments –Schools are electronically notified by IHSA –Officials are electronically notified of assignments

9 Officials Associations Benefits of joining –Education, mentoring, socialization –Periodic group meetings (monthly, weekly, etc.) –Name recognition (assignors, athletic directors, etc.) –Discussion topics Current issues, rules changes, etc. Situation reviews –Recognized associations May conduct IHSA certified clinics May Provide a voice in post-season assignment through Top 15 list

10 Professionalism Goal Setting –Be realistic in advancement expectations (Jr-High, Frosh, JV, Varsity) –Challenge yourself with advancement and promotion goals –Personal development (clinics, associations, mentors) –Self and partner post-game evaluation Fitness and Health –Year-round commitment to physical conditioning –Be realistic about performance with injury/illness Appearance –Proper uniform, patches, and sport specific equipment –Take pride in your appearance

11 Professionalism (cont.) Rule Knowledge –Frequent study of rule book and case book –Be aware of rule changes; discuss with peers –Study Part I and II exams –Know how to use Officials Handbook Responsibilities & Duties –Must understand pre-, during, and post-contest responsibilities of each member on the officiating team –Strive for consistency and fairness – impartial –Goal is to not be noticed – courteous but detached –Communication is key, but know correct approach –Practice proper mechanics

12 Professionalism (cont.) Contracting Contests –Through association assignors OR directly through school Athletic Directors –Be prompt, organized and gracious –Honor all contracts, regardless of other opportunities –If you must break a contract: Provide early notice to host school Offer to recruit a replacement Alert other officiating team members, if possible

13 Sportsmanship IHSA Communication Requirements –May use special report form to report inappropriate behavior –MUST submit special report form to communicate ejections –Encouraged to submit SAWA reports Guidelines for Dealing with Unruly Spectators –AVOID direct contact – address through host management –Host Management obligated to carry out spectator ejections –DO NOT CONFRONT spectators directly –Remember to communicate with players, coaches, and officiating team

14 Sportsmanship (cont.) Officials should be role model for Sportsmanship –Address in pre-contest conference with captains and coaches –Know and Use warnings and penalties to maintain control –Shake hands with both coaches prior to contest –Regardless of contest progress, treat officiating team with respect and tolerance; discussion takes place after the contest

15 Utilize IHSA website – Know and use the Sports Officials Handbook Discuss, learn, get involved Set goals and strive to meet them Represent the profession well Have fun! Conclusion