Officiating is a game and the game of officiating make up what refereeing is all about. You must see the plays. And make the call. Observe and report. Aside from time and distance, you have to have the knowledge of the rule book armored with your skill. Your reputation precedes you as they all know what they’re getting when you step on the field or on the court. And they know your reliable because we here. But the totality of all the R’s aforementioned is another R word – that word is RESPECT.
“PUT SOME
Respect externally comes from, firstly and without fail, from within. It’s you, it’s me, it’s everybody. And just a like reffing, respect is what you put into it. You want to look sloppy, show up late, and act like you don’t want to be there before you get there? That will be that thang that precedes you and recedes you. But if you want to be early, look funky fresh dressed-to-impress ready to party, you will be the life of. Trust.
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us.
Pigs treat
As a basketball player, I was a polarizing spectacle on the court, to vocalize it mildly. I think of myself as Draymond Green before Draymond Green. It was Dray day, all day, and I was quick to extol the exploits of my teammates, all the while showing disdain for my opponents. I was the type of foe that everyone hated, but I thought of it is a compliment. Hate is acerbic; I often find how they really felt was that I wasn’t on their team, because often times, when an opponent filled in for my regular teammates, or vice versa, they never had problems, in fact, they were so happy they weren’t a victim that day.
“Respect was invented to cover the empty place
where love should be.” – Leo Tolstoy
Here are tips to get Respect: anywhere and everywhere you go.
OFF THE FIELD
PERCEPTION IS REALITY – You get what you give in this game. If you want to be a side hustle king, then you’ll be just that. If you want to elevate, and show attributes of taking it serious, then that’s how serious you will be taken. And with respect, if your not willing to respect yourself, how can someone give it to you? Conversely respect will never be given to you, if you don’t give it out. Now that’s not to say you should give it freely, but you’ll know what’s what and who’s who, over time. Take care of what you need to, stat.
FIRM AND OPEN – Everyone wants a solid ref that’s reliable, engaged, and sharp. Sometimes those attributes are attached to the less savory aspects such as being narrow-minded, and pretentious with information, and exuding an air of being better than the next. The attributes that make up the former and make up the latter are 2 opposite sides of the same coin. Master the best parts of being firm, but constantly stay open. As you get new experiences with more reps, it’s only natural that your perception of officiating will be rooted in those experiences.
RESPECT THE GAME. AT. ALL. TIMES.
ON THE CLOCK
YOUR LAST GAME – Respect everyone involved by treating every officiating contest as if it were your last. Whether it’s a championship game or scrimmage, an adult game or little kid joint, treat it the same. Everyone will laud your unflappable manner by treating every game as important as the unimportant game that you made
NEVER GUESS – Reputation, Reliability. Rule
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.” – Confucius
This concludes the #RRRR series with respect. Much respect to those officials and everyone alike following Referee Rant. Another pod, tomorrow. Until then!
Ralph the Ref
