Referee and Umpire Resources - Ref Books, Articles and Ideas to Become a Better Rec Sports Official
Communication Ideas:
Ideas like “Tactical Empathy” and negotiation strategies (“how do you expect me to do that?”) make this a great book for refs and umps. References the idea that “Someone is crazy” often comes from a lack of information.
The Classic from a former police office never gets old. Every Ref should be required to read the chapter on “Taking Crap with Dignity … and Style”
the Social Ref:
I mean we are a bit biased, because we wrote it, but in case you ended up on this page and have never heard of the Social Ref Program or the book … well buy the book. It’s the only one we have seen that focuses on how to build communication habits for new recreational referees.
A bit of an un-traditional choice, this book speaks to how people remember great moments and how they are created. If you believe in the power of “Hustle” as a defuser, and you believe that you can change the future as a teacher while still reffing and umping, then give it a try, especially the example about the Disney World Vacation, and how most people remember peaks and endings and not much else.
How to Make Difficult Conversations Easy
Eric Barker, one of the best aggregators on the internet, talks to Dr. Albert J. Bernstein (gotta love a guy who wrote a book called Emotional Vampires!!) about simple communication tips to slow things down, use questions, and avoid the YES-NO or “Oppo-Response” that is a natural escalator on the field.
Philosophy and People
Frustrated at how unreasonable and insane players are acting? Give these classic ideas from the master a read, they always seem to help.
A great combination of quick thoughts on life and people and the ways of the world. Since great refs always seem to “slow things down” it could be a good place to start.
Habit Formation and Routines
One of the better Habit books out there, a really good dicussion of how habits impact identity. If you are a ref or ump sturggling to “become the scoreboard” give this one a read.
Any book powerful enough to turn me into a “Morning Person” is probably powerful enough to help you rethink habits and systems while you are becomming a great referee and umpire.