Handling Most Situations

Umpires must walk a fine line between keeping the game under control and not exacerbating situations with over-aggressive or arrogant actions. Although every situation is unique, umpires on the field should follow the guidelines below: 

1. Umpires should remain calm, professional, tactful, firm, in control, fair and impartial. They cannot be perceived as overly aggressive, confrontational, hot-headed, short-tempered, timid, intimidated or nervous. Umpires must never display impatience or a condescending attitude.

2. Umpires are expected to understand their role as a steady, calming influence on the game. Umpires must be able to sort out complex and important situations and cannot be hesitant to make unpopular decisions.

3. Umpires should never ignore occurrences on the field that require their attention to maintain order and control. But when difficult situations arise, it is essential that umpires stay above the emotional fray and never lower themselves to the excitable level of a particular player or coach. Umpires must be clear and decisive, while not overly aggressive or overbearing. They are expected to become more assertive if the situation calls for such, but must control their temper at all times. All in all, umpires must calm volatile situations while keeping control and managing them.

4. Umpires should listen to head coaches if discussions are reasonable and non-emotional. Correct body language is critical during any discussion. Umpires are to be firm and authoritative in conversations with head coaches — but should never initiate an argument. Umpires must not create unnecessary friction by ignoring reasonable inquiries. At the same time, umpires must command respect during difficult situations and never tolerate personal abuse.

5. Umpires must avoid sarcastic remarks and profanity and not insist on the last word. Individual conferences have policies in place that will not tolerate umpires’ language, which, if used by a player or coach toward an umpire, would result in discipline.

6. Umpires must not charge a player or coach or follow them if the argument is over and they are walking away. Umpires cannot look for trouble or invite arguments. If a situation can defuse itself, umpires must allow it to happen. Umpires must not be perceived as having escalated a situation.

7. Umpires must not initiate contact with a player or coach. Initiating contact, including “bumping” and physical finger pointing, will subject umpires to disciplinary action.

 Head Coach ejections in NFHS contests should be a last resort. We have the tools at our disposal to forewarn and help diffuse situations before they get too heated, including 'the palm', and  next, written warnings. Remember the three P's and use  them as a guide to remember when an ejection IS warranted; Profane, Personal, Prolonged. Profane is the use of profanity; You'll know if it's punishable with ejection when you know it. No need to explain here. Personal is any personal attack, verbal or otherwise directed to discredit you or even your ability, usually, but not always, preceded by the magic word, YOU; 'YOU suck!', 'YOU'RE horrible', 'YOU'RE just here for a check'.etc. Prolonged is any continued offensive action, even if minor in detail, that continues even after the verbal and written warnings have been issued. Do not allow the disruptive behavior to continue: arguing balls and strikes or complaining about a call on a play earlier in the game are examples. Understanding the guidelines below are imperative to master the art of de-escalating and diffusing situations before they get out of hand.  

While head coaches will still sometimes cross the line when it comes to the interactions with an umpire during a situation, it is imperative that an umpire be the calming influence as opposed to being out of control.

Even if a coach goes ballistic, an umpire is expected to remain professional in his actions. By doing that, and by requesting the same actions from an upset coach, the umpire will diffuse a situation quicker and the game can resume.

While most umpires are aware of their role and responsibility in dealing with confrontational situations, there is still improvement to be made.

• Stay Calm

Nothing good can happen when you are just as upset in a discussion as a coach. Coaches are emotionally involved; some are fighting for their jobs and livelihood every game of every season. That is rarely true for an umpire. When umpires lose their composure, they have forgotten their role is to manage the game and the situations that arise.

• Watch What You Say, Where You Say It

There is simply no defense for using improper language, whether on the field, in the locker room or anywhere that someone from a team can hear you. You never know who is listening or when there is a recording being made. Even in a casual postgame conversation at a nearby restaurant, you need to keep it clean and don’t make any statement that can be used against you.

• Watch Your Hands

An umpire should never be the one to initiate contact with a player or coach. Players and coaches face suspension penalties (at a minimum) for making contact with an umpire. If stepping in between an irate coach/player and another umpire or holding up a stop sign does not stop the improper actions, you are better off letting the out of control coach continue to act out. He will face consequences. Even if the coach is out of control, you are likely to only make the situation worse if you do something you aren’t supposed to do.