We are all facing unprecedented times with the ruthless spread of COVID-19 around the globe. We’re stressed out and hunkered down in our homes. Parents are out of work or working remotely, kids are not physically in school but trying to get the hang of e-learning, and all of us are trying to adjust to our new, albeit temporary, normal. Social distancing has kept us away from our extended family and friends and disconnected us in a way that I’ve never experienced.

For those of us who officiate, we’re also suffering an additional loss. With athletic seasons being put on hold or canceled entirely, we’re not able to be one of the places we love to be… in the arena. We’re missing out on the camaraderie with fellow officials, the interaction with coaches, players, and fans, and the competition reps that help us grow and improve as officials. That said, the lack of competition does not doom us to stagnation or regression.

With the right attitude and approach, this time away from the competition, if appropriately used, can be used to grow and propel yourself forward and put you in a better position to excel and get noticed once we’re back to the field, court, mat, diamond, pitch, etc.

SPEND TIME IN THE BOOKS

In most states, non-essential businesses are closed, which means most external entertainment options have dried up. As a result, you likely have some extra time on your hands. How do you plan to spend all of that time? It’s easy to turn on Netflix and get lost, but those who want to excel have a golden opportunity to brush up on their knowledge of rules and case plays. Once you get to a certain level, everyone will look the part, have great mechanics, and be excellent communicators. 

What separates the very good from the great is judgment and rules knowledge. Rules knowledge is the foundation on which great judgment is built.

If you vow to spend some of your quarantine time with your nose in the rule and case books and spend some time taking old quizzes or exams, you will be improving while some of your peers are stagnating or regressing. You will be strengthening your foundation and be on solid ground when you return to the arena this summer or fall.

INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH

We all know that looking the part is a significant component in advancing through the officiating ranks. Your overall appearance, including your weight and body mass index (BMI), is a big factor that supervisors take into consideration when making hiring and assignment decisions. The simple fact is that officials that don’t “look the part” have an uphill battle when it comes to gaining the respect of their peers, coaches, players, fans, and broadcast audiences. 

Officials who want to grow or advance should take advantage of some of their quarantine time to improve their overall health by getting in better shape.

You don’t need a gym to get into better shape (which is good because gyms are “non-essential” in my neck of the woods). Depending on your starting circumstance, commit to a plan to be in better shape in two months. For some, that may mean a thirty-minute walk each day. For others, it might mean an extra mile or two in their regular running routine. 

If you are used to being at the gym and lifting weights or attending high-intensity interval training, there are still great options for you. Many large national chains are now offering fitness classes and content online, free of charge, regardless of your membership status.

• Planet Fitness is providing free live-streamed home “work-ins” to the general public via their Facebook page. No equipment is needed. Previous workouts are archived on Facebook so that you can make up any missed workouts.

• Life Time Fitness is offering the general public access to its on-demand workout videos, divided into categories such as strength, cardio, and yoga. In addition to the videos, they also provide other exercise suggestions for you do-it-yourselfers.

• Gold’s Gym has is also giving everyone free access to its proprietary training app through the end of May. Gold’s is additionally granting assess to its streaming site full of workouts designed to be done anywhere for the same period.

Those are just a few of the options available at this point. Other companies, such as Nike, Peloton, and many more, are also offering free training, free trials, or discounted virtual training options. Take one or more of them up on their offers, invest in your overall health and well-being, and put yourself in a position to have a fantastic season and get noticed.

STAYING CONNECTED

Social distancing has been painful for everyone as people are, by and large, social creatures. The loss of regular, in-person connection has left people feeling isolated and disconnected. Competition, social gatherings, and association meetings all seemingly vanished overnight with local and statewide lockdown orders. That said, we are not alone.

We have the tools to stay connected to our family, friends, and officiating brethren and sisters. Now is a great time to pick up the phone and make that call you’ve meant to make. Send that text message that you’ve been putting off. Reach out via email and strike up a conversation. Chances are the person on the other end will be ecstatic to hear from you.

If you have a computer and a webcam, you are also blessed to have the opportunity to get together as a group via video conferencing. You can still get together with your partner or crew virtually and talk officiating or have a bit of fun (e.g., virtual happy hour). Use the following video conferencing providers to stay connected responsibly:

• Google Hangouts – Up to 10 participants for an unlimited duration

• Cisco WebEx Meetings – Up to 100 participants for an unlimited duration

• Zoom Meetings – Up to 100 participants for 40 minutes

• Skype – Up to 50 participants for an unlimited duration

• Free Conference – Up to five video participants and 1000 audio participants for an unlimited duration

While a virtual connection is never as good or as personal as in-person connection, we should all still do our part to try to remain connected with each other. That way, we can continue to grow, learn, and strengthen connections with each other during this time of considerable uncertainty.

IN CONCLUSION

During these times, where many of us are confined to our homes, the officials who are serious about improving and getting better have a great opportunity to distance themselves from their less motivated peers. Honing one’s rule knowledge, focusing on physical fitness, and investing in building and strengthening relationships will distance you, as serious official, from their less invested counterparts and put you in a wonderful position to succeed once we’re ready to return to competition. 

Don’t waste this opportunity.