Who is A Good (Handball) Referee ?
In summary
A good referee will be fit, observant, decisive, and will have a strong character without being egotistical. The best referees are the ones that are in the background throughout the game, if the media don’t mention the referee, then the chances are he has controlled the game well without any controversial incidences. Fitness is a vital part of a referee’s arsenal, if he cannot keep up with play then he can’t control the game. He must also be authoritative without being aggressive, controlling top players whom all have egos of their own is not always easy to do, so a strong character is essential.
A good referee’s has personality :
- Can communicate
- Shows leadership skills
- Has courage
- Is social and approachable
- Has self-control and self-confidence
- Shows respect to the others and expects the same from them
- Demonstrates team spirit
- Has an understanding not only of the rules but also the game tactics and team strategies
- Exhibits proper behavior on the court and in his private life
A good referee is characterized by the following :
- Honesty, unbias
- Calmness
- Patience
- Role-model
- Studies the style of the best referees
- Sets challenging yet realistic goals
- Family and job background
- Good body language, eye contact, and voice control
- Dresses and acts professionally
His/Her (good) physical abilities :
- Preparation and conditioning like the teams
- Running style and paths on the court
- Positioning on the court
- Sportsmanlike body shape
His/Her mental preparation includes :
- Nomination: Thinking about the next match (teams, history, stakes)
- Respect and working for respect
- “I choose a positive mind”
- His/Her “rituals” before and during the match
- Mental training for the last (possibly critical) minutes of the match
Constantly improves his/her handball knowledge
- Using training material (books, videos, online resources)
- Updates himself/herself on the defense and attack systems
- Stays in harmony with the tempo and the match “temperature”
Has control of the match
- Uses clear signals providing clear information
- Shows neutrality and gains acceptance
- Demonstrates decision competence and cooperation
- He/She is good at selling his/her decisions
- Adapts to the situation
- Uses body language and pedagogy
- Stays calm and smiling
- Has proper contact with all the persons involved in the match (colleague, delegate, judges, athletes, team officials, coaches)
Which are his/her main challenges (difficulties)?
- The social isolation after a bad performance
- A negative report from the delegate
- The Media feedback
- The (hostile) spectators
Tips (to be a better referee):
- Practice makes perfect
- (Learn to) live with your mistakes
- The referee job is enjoyable
- Be open and suggestive
- Follow concisely a special fitness program
- Take care in your private life (the use of social media in particular!)
- Be professional in each situation
Epimyth
A crusader for justice who obsesses over every detail and confronts players on every occasion will be overwhelmed. Without looking for more, there are plenty of incidents. As a result, you smooth things over and avoid conflict.
Referees, like any other vocation or avocation, come in a variety of forms. Some people “get by,” others are “good,” and only a few are “great” in their field. I’ve worked and talked with colleagues who fit into each of those categories during my 38 years of officiating on parquet, Taraflex®, and sand. I’ve seen and learned from many excellent referees. They shared characteristics that set them apart from the rest.
I attempted to explain these characteristics.-
George S. Bebetsos, fmr. EHF Referee and Delegate (indoor & beach handball)
Congratulations to Kostas (Bounas) for the initiative and to Giorgos (Bebetsos) for the complete recording of the question. I just want to make one remark, which is also a question to George. “In an admittedly wrong decision, is it right for the referee to admit it, if he immediately realizes it in the face of any protests?” I personally appreciated it! But does it contradict a characteristic element of what you mention? This is “He is good at selling his decisions”.
Thanks
It is, however, part of the (good) referee’s technique to be able to “sell / pass” a difficult decision. Let us not forget that when we make a decision, at that moment we consider it to be the right one, that is why we make it. It turns out to be wrong a posteriori (if it turns out).