Seven Qualities of a Great Sports Official by Dave Libbey
INTEGRITY
A great sports official is the last guardian of honesty in athletics. He must maintain a complete absence of bias. An official holds a position in the world of sports not unlike a judge in a court of law. If you aspire to be a great official, you must never put yourself in a position where your integrity could be questioned. Simple advice: If there is any possibility of a conflict of interest, don't work the game.
HUSTLE
Since officiating is a game of angles and positioning, officiating hustle describes movement and court position. There is no connection to speed and meaningless motion. Every great official moves efficiently to be in the right place at the right time. It's the only way to see the entire play and make the correct call.
JUDGEMENT
Great judgement is a byproduct of effort and experience. It goes beyond the rule book and includes an almost instinctive ability to apply the critical principal of "advantage/disadvantage." When you see a play, in virtually every circumstance, if there is no advantage gained and if no player has been put at a disadvantage there should be no call. Simply put: No harm, no foul.
COMMUNICATION
Basically, communication means, "Can you deal with people?" Can you deal with coaches and players during the game? Communication can be accomplished in many ways and in most cases the situation will dictate your appropriate response. Sometimes a simple response to the question, a one-word answer or a look can communicate what is needed at a particular time. Saying the right thing to the right person at the right time can help one avoid potential problems in a game. Communication is also the knowledge of when it's best not to say anything.
CONSISTENCY
Young officials have more difficulty with consistency than any other quality, mainly because they lack the experience to realize when their decisions are inconsistent. The key is to make the same call on the same kind of play whether it's the first minute of the game or the score is tied with one-minute left to play. If they believe an official is consistent, coaches and players will adjust accordingly. Inconsistent decisions on similar plays trigger negative behavior and poor sportsmanship among players and invite criticism from coaches.
COURAGE
Regardless of the situation, personalities involved, pressures from the crowd or possible repercussions, great officials place fairness above all other concerns. They act courageously and according to the dictates of that value.
COMMON SENSE
I've saved the best for last. Of the qualities discussed, common sense is the most important. That which is fair and right must take precedence throughout each game. Common sense ensures that fairness, understanding, and the best interests of the game are foremost in the mind of a great official. If you truly understand the spirit and intent of the rules, common sense will guide you well.
Plenty of game situations develop that are not specifically covered by rules or mechanics. That's when common sense takes over. What is fair or what is right is what should be done. Common sense goes hand in hand with communication and dealing with coaches and players. It helps determine how to handle a tough situation and whether a technical foul should be called.