On Field Assessments

[cumbria]

In the UK we don't have access to video tapes of most games, and are using an On Field assessment programme that is 20 years old. If any association uses on field assessments for their officials I would appreciate any feedback on how your assessment program is set up and what you use for the assessor (ie what forms or structure is used for
the person doing the assessment both while watching the game and afterwards when doing the report) I am involved in the process of upgrading and redeveloping our assessment program over here. Any input will be most appreciated!

[Grant - AR]

Can you post the assessment program you are currently using so we can see what it looks like?  I'm sure many on here would be willing to give some ideas as to how to modify it if needed.

[cumbria]

Hi, I'll get it sorted and post it as an attachment soon. sorry about the delay in my reply, I've been off with pnemonia for a whill...

[cumbria]

Here is what we use. First 3

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[cumbria]

Next 4, Referee and Linesman

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[cumbria]

Last but not least... Umpire,  thanks in advance for any input you can give.

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[refjb]

Once you get an evaluation how are the numbers used?

[cumbria]

You mark each category from 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum) usually starting at 5 and deducting for errors, multiply by the weight and total for that category in the last box. Add up all the totals for your score (max 100) The scores are used by the selection committee for playoff and bowl games, but for training purposes the comments are the most valuable tool in the assessment. When we first started using it 15 years ago it was a good means for assessmants, but it is now felt it needs a major overhaul, and we are wondering what various associations in the USA use where films of the game are not an option.

[cumbria]

Hi guys... lots of you have had a look... can anyone help me out?

[mota-fied]

Being observed is a good thing, its constructive criticism that helps you understand what the assignor is looking for in terms of communicating with the coaches, calling fouls, dead ball officiating, etc. The conference where I work assigns observers to all of the games and we have the luxury of film. However the observers are following philosophical guidelines, and the rules of course, when reviewing and grading our on field performance. Does your associating have officiating philosophies that it follows in conjunction with the rules? For example, in terms of holding we are are reminded that if your feet are beat you cheat. Also, we have a grading system for fouls that ranges from zero to +/- 3. Zero indicates that you are doing your job, +1's are great calls and the negatives are self explanatory. 

[Grant - AR]

Cumbria,

Those are much more in-depth than any evaluation form I've ever seen or used, but I think they are very good.  The new grading system my group is going with this year is based on the NFL system (from what I understand).  We start with a 100 and are deducted for missed calls, bad mechanics, etc.  We get graded for each play and our grade can be deducted for calls/no calls or mechanics on each play. 

[mota-fied]

I feel that the grading systems provides for consistency in calls across the board and it lets each official know where they stand at in terms of their own game. In the point deduction system you might loose out if you passed on something that the observer may have been tighter with. Therefore its better to have the philosophies in place to know exactly what the boss wants called. Also, if our friends across the pond are intent on doing this they should be able to get film for games. Try the rom gilbert website:http:romgilbert.us/

[Amir]

Does your associating have officiating philosophies that it follows in conjunction with the rules? For example, in terms of holding we are are reminded that if your feet are beat you cheat.

Yes, the mechanics manual we use (the BAFRA / EFAF manual) has a section on rules application.

[cumbria]

We use the BAFRA Mechanics manual (the rule book is what we do, the mechanics manual is how we do it) As a guideline, assessors don't second guess the officials, as the viewpoint is different from what the official is seeing, and as
we don't have film of most games, you only see the play once. what we are looking at is positioning, movement, coverage, where the officila is looking and how they react to the play, as well as what they do and how they do it during dead ball situations (penalties, measurements, time outs, etc) What we have found is that our current forms are too vague and do not evaluate the game situations to the extent we require. this is why i am wondering if anyone has assessments that are done on field without films, what format they use.

[The Ref Thats Lef]

Cumbria

You say BAFRA does not have film but so far this year I have received 39 Senior games and 25 college games. Admittedly the quality of some is very poor but there are also some good ones that can be used.

I would judge about half the films could lead to useful assessments. So we could be looking at around 32 films which would end up giving useful feedback.

The films are all available to BAFRA members through my forum or on request if you prefer not to join that.

I can guess who you might be but I may be wrong so feel free to email me direct and I'll sort some of this out

Keith