importance of sports officiating essay

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Sports Officials: Who They Are and Why They Officiate

There’s a saying in the officiating industry: Without sports officials, it’s just recess.

To us, that phrase reflects the important role officials play in athletics. Sure, you can get two teams together without officials, but it’s at best a scrimmage. If you’re going to seriously compete, you need an arbiter to ensure adherence to the rules and to render impartial judgments about the playing action.

Officials take that role very seriously. That’s because this is not an avocation where you can merely pick up a whistle, toss on plate gear or grab a penalty flag and expect to have much success. In fact, without a great deal of preparation, you’re likely to crash and burn.

Sports officiating requires hard work and dedication long before stepping on the field or court. There’s needed study and mastery of the rules, development of an understanding of the philosophy behind those rules so they can properly be applied, the full understanding of the mechanics so you’re in the right place to view the playing action and understanding the best practices for managing the contest and its participants. This is a craft honed through experience and one that requires regular attention to stay current.

It takes time and there are expenses, too. There are registration fees to be paid, tests to be taken and association meetings to attend. There are out-of-pocket expenses for shoes, uniforms and other gear necessary for the job. There are transportation costs (not always reimbursed) to get to game sites and, often, meals away from home on those busy game nights. Sometimes, officials use days off from their day jobs to officiate.

Who Are We? The NASO National Officiating Survey (which can be found at naso.org/survey ), which garnered an incredible 17,487 responses from sports officials, yielded some deeper insights into the makeup of sports officials.

We’re older, with an average age of 53.3 years. We’re mostly male – roughly 93 percent – although more women are entering officiating every year. We tend to be well-educated: Of those who provided information, nearly two percent have attained their doctorate; roughly three percent have attained a professional degree, such as law or medicine; 19 percent a master’s degree; another eight percent have done post-graduate study; 24 percent have their bachelor’s degree; roughly eight percent have an associate degree. Roughly 12,700 of those surveyed currently officiate high school athletics.

Why We Do This? This is not an easy avocation. We’ve already mentioned the time and effort needed to acquire the necessary rules and mechanics knowledge. And this is a craft honed through experience. Yet we’re expected by participants and spectators to be perfect from day one – and to get better from there.

There’s a certain amount of criticism that comes with the job. We know we’re going to get booed, even when we get it right. Half of those in attendance will disagree with a call on a close play. That goes with the territory.

So why do we put ourselves through the proverbial ringer to step on the fields and courts under incredible pressure to be perfect, which, as humans, is impossible?

It’s because there’s nothing quite like the challenge of officiating and the opportunity to remain directly involved in the sports we love.

Why did we start officiating and why do we continue in this avocation? The top reason identified in the National Officiating Survey: for the love of the game. Other top answers in ranked order were to stay fit, to challenge myself, to be part of a competitive sport, to have a hobby and friendships within officiating.

As a result of officiating, in other areas of our life, we feel we are better communicators, leaders, more physically fit and healthier.

We were drawn into officiating for a love of the game, but the money was – and is – an important factor for many. At the high school level, only about 21 percent of officials said they were paid what they were worth; 14 percent were underpaid and dissatisfied; 64 percent were underpaid but accepted there are budgetary constraints at the level they work. Less than one percent felt they were overpaid.

At the same time, the personal costs of officiating – from gear and uniforms to travel and training – add up: nearly 26 percent of high school officials say their personal costs for officiating are too much.

But despite the costs and challenges, many noted the enjoyment and fun of officiating were a key reason they’re doing this. However, we are concerned about what we’re seeing that’s making this avocation less fun. We’re worried about trends in sportsmanship: 57 percent said it was getting worse; 27 percent said there had been no change; only 16 percent reported it had gotten better. And 87 percent reported suffering verbal abuse in their officiating roles; and 47 percent said they felt unsafe or feared for their safety due to administrator, player, coach or spectator behavior.

Referee and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) emerged in 1976 and 1980, respectively, because of concerns that sports officials weren’t being heard or getting the respect they deserved for the commitment they made to sports. Nearly 26,000 sports officials are members of NASO, which advocates for officials and provides members the best insurance protection in the officiating world. Members also receive Referee magazine. Uniquely written by sports officials for sports officials, Referee covers the officiating industry and explores the rules, mechanics and philosophy of officiating – important educational material for officials seeking to improve their craft.

Ultimately, we can prepare all we want, but we’re human. We’re not going to get every call right. That doesn’t happen with sports officials at the professional level where they often have years of experience and the best ongoing training in the industry. We’re going to have off nights, misses and mental mistakes. But we really do want to do our best to give the participants the best-called game or match possible. How we’re treated in those moments where we’re struggling can contribute to whether we stick around for the long haul.

How to Support Officials There are things schools and administrators can do to support the work done by high school sports officials:

• Ensure adequate on-site security for officials. At the very least, administrators should identify themselves as someone the officials can approach to handle unruly spectators or address other issues. Officials should never be the ones dealing with troublesome spectators – that’s the responsibility of game management.

• Ensure adequate and safe locker-room facilities. We need a place where we can get away from players, coaches and spectators and talk among ourselves, partly to review the game and identify things we can improve upon. When we’re stuck in a coach’s office and they’re constantly going in and out, that’s not ideal. And if you really want to show your appreciation of officials, some water or sports drinks and nutrition bars are a nice touch.

• Don’t ask us to set aside rules, especially safety rules. Since we’re independent contractors, if something happens – say we’ve rushed back to play after a lightning delay, someone is hit by lightning and sues – we’ve increased our personal liability for failing to enforce the rules or official guidelines.

• While money isn’t always the primary reason we do this, it is important to many officials. Officiating is a part-time job bringing in money that’s used to pay household bills, college tuition, vacations and unexpected expenses. Money may not be the only motivator for officials, but when we’re encountering the challenges that come with officiating, it helps us endure. Keep that in mind when looking at budgets and planning for the future. Also, prompt payment of game fees is always appreciated.

It’s Not for Everyone Here’s the reality: Officiating sports isn’t easy and it’s not for everybody. Keeping up your rules book knowledge requires constant study. It’s impossible to always have a perfect look at the playing action. The judgments can be extremely challenging. The stakes and the scrutiny can be very high. And no matter how well you perform, you’re likely to face criticism for calls. And in today’s world, that might mean you’re plastered all over social media. Ouch.

We know the risks, yet we step out on the fields and courts at high schools across the country all year long. There’s something very rewarding about trying to meet that challenge – to call the perfect game.

And we do this in service of the games and their participants – for the student-athletes. Because if we weren’t there, it’d just be recess.

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Roles of officials

Sports officials must be able to bring control to chaos, understand fairness, promote safety and encourage good sportsmanship. A sports official must have the positive characteristics of a police officer, lawyer, judge, accountant, reporter, athlete and diplomat. They are also someone who can be put in a position of authority and handle the responsibility without being overbearing.

Along with the rules of the game you must fully understand your role before, during and after the game has ended.

What's expected of you as an official?

Being an official is an extremely important role in any sport. Without officials giving up their time, most sporting competitions would be unable to function. Officiating can be challenging, and unfortunately some officials are subjected to hostile behaviour by participants, spectators and others. They need to be able to perform their role in a positive manner and block out the verbal comments from spectators.

Officials need to ensure that their approach towards officiating is in line with the aims of the competition, for example, junior competitions are usually aimed at fun and skill development rather than winning. Officials should be aware that their approach to officiating can influence the participants' experience and enjoyment of the sport.

Each official becomes the 'face' of officiating at competitions. People often judge all officials by how an individual official behaves, which means that they need to behave in a professional and responsible way. It is important that officials present in a manner that portrays officiating in a positive and respected manner.

Officials undertake an important role in the staging of competitions. They provide leadership and guidance to participants, ensuring that the competition is conducted in a safe and fair manner. Qualities such as integrity, honesty, trustworthiness and respect are integral to the role of the official. This includes how they behave and relate to others prior to, during and after competition, how they present themselves as an official, and how they go about their role. Officials are responsible for their actions and attitudes. People expect the official to be a person they can trust to control the competition.

There are a number of expectations of officials including:

• Trustworthy - honest and impartial
• Responsible - have integrity and take the role seriously
• Prepared for their role - prepared physically and mentally for the task
• Competent - have and are further developing the skills for the task

It is important to remember that the competition in which the official is officiating is the most important competition that day to those participating in it.

The physical requirements of an official will vary from sport to sport and within a sport. Some sports require officials to be very active (rugby, basketball, netball), while others less so (volleyball, athletics, rowing). Adopting a healthy lifestyle will contribute to all officials being in appropriate physical condition.

Officiating in some sports will require additional physical preparation that is appropriate for the particular sport. The more active officiating roles require a level of physical fitness that will allow the official to achieve correct positioning throughout the competition, make good decisions, and officiate the competition in a non-distressed physical state.

At the end of the day, it's all about the players and athletes. You'e there to ensure everyone sticks to the rules and ethics of the game so everyone gets the most out of it. It's not about you – without the participants there would be nothing to officiate.

Improving your performance

A big part of improving your performance as a sports official is reflecting on your last performance – so you know what to build on or avoid in the future. Reflecting on your performance requires a systematic approach. Three common methods include:

• Using a logbook or diary.
• Recording the main calls or judgements you made during a sporting event that you controlled.
• Reflecting on what you did and areas for improvement. Make a plan to practise and follow it up regularly.

Speak to other officials, coaches and/or players to see what they think of your performance and what they feel your areas for improvement are. Use a mentor in a structured way – ask them if they are willing to work with you over time to improve your performance.

Video review

Record and review your performance so you can see what others see. Look for areas of success and for improvement and then make a plan to work through any issues raised.

Post-game review

Have a basic questionnaire ready to hand out to players, coaches and spectators who you think might be able to give you honest and practical feedback. Ask them to rate your performance from 1 to 10 using questions such as:

• How was my performance overall?
• How was my judgement and decision-making?
• How was my signalling and communication?
• Was I positioned on the field correctly?
• Were my decisions consistent?
• Did I handle conflict well?
• Did I handle external factors such as pitch conditions, weather and spectators well?
• Please provide general comments on today's performance.

Official's code of conduct

• place the safety and welfare of players above all else
• show concern and caution towards sick and injured players
• be impartial, consistent, objective and courteous when making decisions
• accept responsibility for my actions and decisions
• condemn unsporting behaviour and promote respect for the individuality of players
• avoid any situations which may lead to or be construed as a conflict of interest
• be a positive role model in behaviour and personal appearance and ensure my comments are positive and supportive
• be a good sport as I understand that actions speak louder than words
• always respect, remain loyal to and support other officials
• keep up to date with the latest 'laws of the game', trends and principles of their application
• refrain from any form of personal abuse towards players or other officials
• respect the rights, dignity and worth of all people involved in the game regardless of their gender, ability or cultural background.

I will not:

• arrive at the venue intoxicated or drink alcohol at junior matches.

Disciplinary procedures

All NSOs in New Zealand and their members have an obligation to follow all of the policies, procedures and code of conduct of that sport. Disciplinary action may result from failure to follow the code of conduct and expectations of that sport. As a sports official it is part of your responsibility to uphold the code of conduct for your sport and manage the game effectively. For more serious infringements contact your NSO or club to discuss the disciplinary process so you can fulfil your obligation as a sports official.

Seven simple steps to success

• Keep your perspective: Right now your most important goal is being a good official for whatever sport you are officiating. By studying, observing and practising you will improve, just as the players do when they practise. Remember, it's a game for the players. Help them have fun.
• Prepare for the unexpected: Take time before each game to talk with your partners about responsibilities. Meet at least 15 minutes before the start of your game and go over the local ground rules and any special interpretations or concerns that might exist concerning the teams involved. Don't leave any doubts unresolved with your partners.
• Remember, you're in charge: When dealing with coaches or parents who can't control themselves in front of the players, you do not have to 'take it' as much as officials at other levels. There are ways to handle verbally abusive coaches, players and spectators. See the 'Game management' learning area for more information. Remember that being disrespectful to an official is not part of the learning curve! Remember too that you're out there to control the game first and foremost, and to administer it within the framework of the rules.
• Legal responsibilities and risk management: As an official, you have a responsibility to ensure that all games are conducted in a safe environment. Do not let a coach intimidate you into beginning or continuing a game when rain, fog, lightning, wet floors, leaking roofs or other problem conditions exist. When in doubt, use common sense and err on the side of safety.
• Climb the ladder at your own pace: Sports need officials. If you become a good official with younger players and athletes there will be opportunities for you to move up the age grades – if you want. It's up to you just how far you want to go. Just go at a pace that makes you comfortable.
• Keep your focus: Remember, with each age level increase the games become more competitive and the skill levels improve. Still, kids will be kids and mistakes of every kind can happen. You must be able to concentrate. Know that if you're not focused you risk losing control of the game.
• Humble thyself: No matter how good you think you are, you're only as good as your last call. Once your game is over, it's history. You should learn from it and take those lessons with you into the next game.

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Me whakahoutia.

Sports officiating is a challenging job, but there are great rewards. To be a successful official, you will need mental toughness, good people skills and thick skin. Sports officiating will inherently teach you all of those skills and much more.

If you love sports, you will have the best view of the game as an official. More importantly, officiating will teach you how to view the games in a whole new light – one that emphasizes fairness, integrity, decisiveness and sound judgement.

Get ready to challenge yourself and start one of the most rewarding jobs you’ll ever have!

Fill out the form below and we’ll put you in touch with someone in your area.

What Role Does Ethics Play in Sports?

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Photo by @mikepick available under a Creative Commons license of www.flickr.com .

Distinguishing between gamesmanship and sportsmanship.

To understand the role ethics plays in sport and competition, it is important to make a distinction between gamesmanship and sportsmanship.

Gamesmanship is built on the principle that winning is everything. Athletes and coaches are encouraged to bend the rules wherever possible in order to gain a competitive advantage over an opponent, and to pay less attention to the safety and welfare of the competition. Some of the key tenants of gamesmanship are:

• Winning is everything
• It's only cheating if you get caught
• It is the referee's job to catch wrongdoing, and the athletes and coaches have no inherent responsibility to follow the rules
• The ends always justify the means

Some examples of gamesmanship are:

• Faking a foul or injury
• Attempting to get a head start in a race
• Tampering with equipment, such as corking a baseball bat in order to hit the ball farther
• Covert personal fouls, such as grabbing a player underwater during a water polo match
• Inflicting pain on an opponent with the intention of knocking him or her out of the game, like the Saint's bounty scandal
• The use of performance-enhancing drugs
• Taunting or intimidating an opponent
• A coach lying about an athlete's grades in order to keep him or her eligible to play

All of these examples place greater emphasis on the outcome of the game than on the manner in which it is played.

A more ethical approach to athletics is sportsmanship. Under a sportsmanship model, healthy competition is seen as a means of cultivating personal honor, virtue, and character. It contributes to a community of respect and trust between competitors and in society. The goal in sportsmanship is not simply to win, but to pursue victory with honor by giving one's best effort.

Ethics in sport requires four key virtues: fairness, integrity, responsibility, and respect.

• All athletes and coaches must follow established rules and guidelines of their respective sport.
• Teams that seek an unfair competitive advantage over their opponent create an uneven playing field which violates the integrity of the sport.
• Athletes and coaches are not discriminated against or excluded from participating in a sport based on their race, gender, or sexual orientation.
• Referees must apply the rules equally to both teams and cannot show bias or personal interest in the outcome.
• Similar to fairness, in that any athlete who seeks to gain an advantage over his or her opponent by means of a skill that the game itself was not designed to test demonstrates a lack of personal integrity and violates the integrity of the game. For example, when a player fakes being injured or fouled in soccer, he or she is not acting in a sportsmanlike manner because the game of soccer is not designed to measure an athlete's ability to flop. Faking is a way of intentionally deceiving an official into making a bad call, which only hurts the credibility of the officiating and ultimately undermines the integrity of the game.

Responsibility

• To be sportsmanlike requires players and coaches to take responsibility for their performance, as well as their actions on the field. This includes their emotions.
• Many times athletes and coaches will make excuses as to why they lost the game. The most popular excuse is to blame the officiating. The honorable thing to do instead is to focus only on the aspects of the game that you can control, i.e. your performance, and to question yourself about where you could have done better.
• Responsibility requires that players and coaches be up to date on the rules and regulations governing their sport.
• Responsibility demands that players and coaches conduct themselves in an honorable way off the field, as well as on it.
• All athletes should show respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials.
• All coaches should show respect for their players, opponents, and officials.
• All fans, especially parents, should show respect for other fans, as well as both teams and officials.

The sportsmanship model is built on the idea that sport both demonstrates and encourages character development, which then influences the moral character of the broader community. How we each compete in sports can have an effect on our personal moral and ethical behavior outside of the competition.

Some argue for a "bracketed morality" within sports. This approach holds that sport and competition are set apart from real life, and occupy a realm where ethics and moral codes do not apply. Instead, some argue, sports serves as an outlet for our primal aggression and a selfish need for recognition and respect gained through the conquering of an opponent. In this view, aggression and victory are the only virtues. For example, a football player may be described as mean and nasty on the field, but kind and gentle in everyday life. His violent disposition on the field is not wrong because when he is playing the game he is part of an amoral reality that is dictated only by the principle of winning.

An ethical approach to sport rejects this bracketed morality and honors the game and one's opponent through tough but fair play. This means understanding the rules and their importance in encouraging respect for your opponent, which pushes you to be your best.

Kirk O. Hanson is the executive director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Matt Savage was a Hackworth Fellow at the Center. These materials were prepared for the Institute for Sports Law and Ethics, of which the Markkula Center is a partner organization.

Return to Sports Ethics: Mapping the Issues

August 2012

At the NABJ convention in Chicago on July 31st, Donald Trump Asked Rachel Scott To Define DEI. She Should Have.

While free speech is a right that has been embraced in the United States for several centuries, ethical issues about the process and limitations of free speech and protest behavior, like some of those seen on college campuses this Spring, are in question and are debatable.

Stockholders pay the price when executives and directors choose profits over ethics.

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SPORTS OFFICIATING BENEFIT TO FITNESS

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The Important Role that Officials Play in Sport

At the 2018 Sport for Life Canadian Summit and in a March 2018 Sport for Life webinar , Dr. Susan Forbes and Dr. Lori Livingstone shared their research findings about factors influencing the retention of sport officials. We can also learn from organizations that have initiated proactive and innovative approaches to officials’ development. Here are a few examples:

• Ontario Soccer Association is hiring an administrator dedicated to their new Long-Term Officials’ Development program.
• Canada Basketball and Baseball Canada have developed and launched e-learning modules focused on the development of officials.
• Coaching Association of Canada will begin tracking courses and training of officials in the Locker.

We believe that not only do officials need to know the rules of the game for the stage of athlete that they are officiating, it is also beneficial to understand more about the social/emotional and psychological characteristics of athletes in competition. This is highlighted in Paul Jurbala’s SIRCuit blog post .

Lots is happening in this area and we all must continue to work toward creating welcoming and supportive environments for officials to ensure that they also have a positive sport experience, resulting in retention and job satisfaction. Great officials contribute to the positive experiences of athletes too!

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Officiating Style

This is an excerpt from successful sports officiating-2nd edition by american sport education program..

This chapter addresses the following:

• The four styles of officiating, with reasons for their application
• How game context affects officiating style
• How style communicates your purposes to participants
• The personal characteristics and performance principles that lead to success
• The importance of image

In sports officiating, there are preferred ways of operating that tend to lead to success, although there are no guarantees. The ways you choose to operate are revealed in the style you adopt. The four styles described in this chapter are not mutually exclusive, though. You may find yourself justifiably adopting a particular style to fit the occasion. A good official adapts to the age of participants, their skill level, their maturity, their grasp of the game’s protocols, the complexity of their strategy, and the overall context of game situations. A preteen, early-season contest may feature participants who are just learning the rudiments of the sport. On the other hand, a late-season game between skilled competitors and a substantial (and partisan) audience poses another set of challenges. Your style should fit the circumstances of the competition. This chapter also contains suggestions for beneficial personal behavior—ways of responding that are shaped by your attitude, performance principles, and the 10 commandments of style. This chapter should help you react positively to game situations.

Four Styles of Officiating

The officiating styles discussed in this section are somewhat arbitrary, in that no official operates entirely in one mode all the time. In fact, the key to successful officiating is flexibility in adapting your style to the situation. Officiating is very much governed by context, which means that you must adapt your approach to the type of game being played. Styles can change, even during a single game. By knowing how to change your style, you can adapt to fit the circumstances.

Rule Book Style

Some officials say, “You can always hide behind the rule.” If a player’s action is borderline, you have the option of applying the most stringent interpretation of a rule and thereby have a bona fide excuse for ruling against the player. A stringent interpretation of the rules, however, may not always be the fairest way to judge the action.

Consider the slide in baseball or softball. The rule states that a runner must slide into home plate if a fielder is in position to make a play there. The runner is not permitted to come in standing up, because the catcher is in a stationary, vulnerable position and a collision may result. Therefore, the runner can be called out for failing to slide. Let’s say that a runner is trying to score on a hit to the outfield, but the throw toward home plate forces the catcher to move up the third-base line. The ball and the runner arrive in the vicinity of the catcher—who is several feet up the line—at nearly the same time. To avoid the catcher, the runner deftly pirouettes around the fielder and steps on the plate without being tagged. The umpire could call the runner out for not sliding. However, if the runner slides and causes the catcher to topple over, then a player could be hurt. In effect, the runner is in a no-win situation.

A dozen scenarios about collisions or near collisions on plays at home plate could be described. The rules cannot cover all these situations succinctly. They can only describe parameters. If you take those parameters and apply them to the letter, you, in effect, penalize players unfairly. Applied in an overly rigid manner, rules of play can actually be used to sabotage their intent.

Some officials operate in this stringent way. They believe that by applying rules in a punitive manner, they are fulfilling their role as the game’s guardian. But the rules of any sport are subject to wide interpretation simply because there are so many variations in game circumstances.

Rules governing blocking in football also allow considerable latitude in interpretation. Blocking used to be done with the shoulder pads. Players kept using their hands to push, however, and finally the rule makers made pushing legal. But the shoving had to be done within the frame of the body of the player being blocked. What is within the frame? An official who wants to apply the definition precisely can call “illegal use of hands” a lot, even if the contact has no bearing on the result of a play. In other words, a rule-book-style official could interrupt play almost at will, and some officials do just that, believing themselves to be conscientious. Players, coaches, and fans often find their overly strict judgment annoying, even counterproductive.

Some rules, however, do not permit any deviance. The clearest examples are the rules regarding the boundary lines that confine a sport and define its critical areas. When a ball possessed by a runner crosses the plane of the goal line in football, it is a touchdown, with no room for equivocation. When a batted ball hits a base in softball or baseball, it is a fair ball. When a basketball bounces on a sideline, it is out of bounds. Accurate judgement (which is not always easy) is the determining factor in these cases.

Another area in which you must follow the letter of rules consistently is in the matter of safety. Certain acts in contact sports can maim an opponent. A body slam in the back, below the waist, in football (clipping) is one example. Furthermore, special protective padding under players’ uniforms is stipulated, with exact definitions for some sports (field hockey, ice hockey, wrestling, football), and officials are obliged to carry out a careful inspection to determine compliance before contests.

Although a strict official may be short on discriminating judgment, some coaches like officials who operate by the book, as long as they are evenhanded and equally stringent with both teams. In games that flow rapidly, such as soccer, hockey, and basketball, an official who calls a tight game can hamper teams that play aggressive defense. Consequently, an official who administers hard justice will find a favorable reception in some quarters, particularly with teams having difficulty dealing with a tough defense.

Preventive Style

It is almost always acceptable to talk to players during games. For example, complimenting an athlete on good play can be a positive way to interact, and such a compliment will be even stronger if the player’s act was a sporting gesture. Often, the best time to speak to a player may be during a break in the action, such as between innings in softball or baseball.

Sometimes, too, players do not know when a behavior might be close to a foul or violation. The rules forbid a softball pitcher from jumping off the rubber while delivering a pitch for example. An umpire will usually remind the pitcher of that if she is lifting her push-off foot slightly, Also, in football, a quarterback under center and about to receive a snap must keep his head quite still, because a quick jerk of the head can easily draw an opponent into the neutral zone. The quarterback is permitted to bob his head slightly, because it is almost impossible to keep a frozen head when barking signals. Judgments in these types of situations demand refined thinking on the part of officials. Warning players about negative results of their actions is usually a sensible path to take.

Preventive officiating takes two forms. One is helping players avoid technical violations. A basketball official, for instance, will withhold the ball from a player on a throw-in if that player’s foot is on the boundary line. A baseball or softball umpire may notify a pitcher who is close to delivering an illegal pitch—say, with improper footwork on the rubber. A football wing official will often put one foot out in an effort to guide a split end, showing the limit of the so-called neutral zone.

The second preventive technique is notifying a player not to commit a foul. Sometimes fouls are the result of inadvertent player behavior. Charging into the snapper on punts is one such action in football. Rules protect the snapper, who is in a vulnerable position after he has put the ball in play. Sometimes a fielder will absentmindedly stand in a base runner’s path in softball or baseball, and an umpire can advise against it. A basketball player can be told to avoid excessive hand guarding or to avoid elbowing on rebounds. In this way, officials act to prevent player-to-player contact that could result in fouls.

Any warnings to players about potential violations should be issued during dead ball intervals, although it is sometimes possible to call to players during live action, as when telling football players to stay off a runner whose progress has already been determined.

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Essay on Importance of Sports for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of sports.

First of all, Sport refers to an activity involving physical activity and skill . Here, two or more parties compete against each other. Sports are an integral part of human life and there is great importance of sports in all spheres of life. Furthermore, Sports help build the character and personality of a person. It certainly is an excellent tool to keep the body physically fit. Most noteworthy, the benefits of Sports are so many that books can be written.  Sports have a massive positive effect on both the mind and body.

Physical Benefits of Sports

First of all, Sports strengthen the heart. Regular Sports certainly make the heart stronger. Hence, Sport is an excellent preventive measure against heart diseases . This certainly increases the life expectancy of individuals. Furthermore, a healthy heart means a healthy blood pressure.

Sports involve physical activity of the body. Due to this physical activity, blood vessels remain clean. Sports reduces the amount of cholesterol and fats in the body. This happens because of the increase of flexibility of the wall of the blood vessels. The flexibility increases due to physical exertion, which is the result of Sports.

Furthermore, the sugar level in blood also gets lower thanks to Sports. The sugar certainly does not accumulate in the blood due to physical activity.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

A person experiences a good quality of breathing because of Sports. Sports strengthen the lungs of the body. Sports certainly escalate the lung capacity and efficiency of the body. Hence, more oxygen enters the blood which is extremely beneficial. Furthermore, there are fewer chances of developing lung diseases due to Sports.

Appropriate body weight is easy to maintain because of sports. A Sports playing person probably does not suffer from obesity or underweight problems. Sports certainly help the body remain fit and slim.

Furthermore, Sports also improves the quality of bones. A person who plays sports will have strong bones even in old age. Several scientific research reports that Sports prevent many diseases. For example, many researchers conclude that Sports prevent the development of cancer.

Other Benefits of Sports

Sport is certainly an excellent tool to build self-confidence . Playing Sports increases confidence to talk properly. A sport certainly improves the skills of communicating with others. Furthermore, the person experiences confidence in sitting, standing, and walking properly. Hence, Sports enriches the social life of an individual.

Sports bring discipline in life. It certainly teaches the values of dedication and patience. Sports also teach people how to handle failure. Furthermore, the importance of following a time schedule is also present in Sports.

Above all, Sports improves the thinking ability of individuals. Sports certainly sharpen the mind. Children who play Sports probably perform better at exams than those who don’t.

Finally, Sports reduces the stress of mind . A Sports playing person would certainly experience less depression. Sports ensure the peace of mind of those playing it. Most noteworthy, Sports brings happiness and joy in the life of individuals.

A sport is an aspect of human life that is of paramount importance. It certainly increases the quality of human life. Sports must be made mandatory in schools. This is because it is as important as education. Everyone must perform at least one Sport activity on a regular basis.

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