Missed Call >>> Bad Call

Had an interesting conversation with an NFL referee last week, which is a lot more applicable to basketball than I initially realized. All officials make mistakes--that has been covered ad nauseum throughout this blog. If you don;t make mistakes, you may as well not be reading this, be wearing sandals, and showing everyone how you can cross the Columbia without a boat. However, there is an enormous distinction between a Missed Call and a Bad Call.

Missed Calls are easy. There are times you just don't pull the trigger, even though you saw it. I hear, "@%$#!, you missed that $%^*@ travel!" in my head a lot during games--more so than I'd like. Other times, despite the cardinal rule to never allow it to happen, you get straightlined and cannot clearly see the play to make the call. You can also be caught in a bad position and miss an on-ball call. The last major missed call is when you do not help a partner in his primary pick up the "O My God" whistle. All of these happen. The good news is, if you admit the mistake (or possibility of one), and work hard to not repeat it, players and coaches can understand that, and generally won't ruin the game over them. There are even times when you'll hear the "they let them play" comment. Not that this philosophy is necessarily good, because that can lead to out-of-control games, but you can survive missed calls.

Bad calls ruin games. The ability to avoid bad calls separates officials. The following are generally bad calls to make:

1. Phantom travels & fouls. You may as well buy the T-Shirt: "I (Heart) Anticipation and Guessing"

2. Calling a rebounding foul on the offensive rebounder, when the defender successfully secures the rebound anyway.

3. 3 in the Key when no advantage was gained.

4. Shooting foul when the defender gets ball first.

5. Hit foul when the ball is out before any contact.

6. Any defensive foul when the offensive player loses control of the ball while making his move.

7. Goaltends/BI when the ball is not touched.

8. Any false multiple foul or false double foul, regardless of what the rule book says!

Why are Missed Calls better? Along with the reasons listed above, partners can help you if you miss a call. They can blow the whistle for you and save you and the crew. That potential exists. A Bad Call? You're on an island with no place to hide. Think about it.

Want to make it worse? Get defensive with players and coaches after a Bad Call. Your credibility will vanish as quickly as your ego can elbow it away....

Listening Skill Tip

One thing that gets officials in trouble is the perception of being stubborn. Coaches and players generally react poorly to the arrogant referee that defends a bad call aggressively, who often times using threats of technicals or dismissive body language towards them when they get questioned. And nobody wins in those situations.

I recently heard a great quote in a leadership course that will be in my head next year:

"Learn to listen as though you are wrong."

That simple statement will force you to try and see the other person's point of view, and one of two good things can happen:

1. You could be convinced that you were wrong, and can either fix it or 'fess up to it.
2. You can explain yourself in a more tactful way that will be accepted by the coach or player and avoid escalation. "Gee, if I was standing where you were, that's exactly what I would have seen. But I was at a different angle, and probably had a better look than you did. Trust me, I'm pretty sure I got that one right."

Option #1 is being strong enough to admit a mistake or a weak call, and fix a potential admninistrative error. Option #2 is just good customer service. If your ego can handle these options, you'll be a much better official and steward of the game.