Command Presence

U.S. Soccer Federation Referee Program Grade 6 State Referee Course Most Competitive Games Within State and Region

Command Presence

o How referees show their personality o Body language o Verbal communication o How referees connect with players and coaches o Getting their attention and cooperation o Not about power or control

Command Presence

o How referees present themselves o How they look o How they carry themselves o How they act o How they speak

The Message

o Not just about the message, but the way the message is delivered o Will change with the momentum of the game o Same approach does not work for all players or game situations o Portray all emotions in a positive manner

Confidence

o Confidence o In yourself o Felt by the players o Developing a presence o Look and act like a referee o Must be convincing o Developed through experience, knowledge, and education

Body Language

o Eye contact o Facial expressions o Posture o Arms and hands o Presence and fitness

Eye Contact

o Strong eye contact o Reflects confidence o Keeps a player’s attention o Avoiding eye contact o Shows nervousness or a lack of confidence o Players may lack confidence in their abilities

Facial Expressions

o Positive facial expressions o Can show your personality o Can help defuse and prevent misconduct o Can convey concern o Negative facial expressions o Can convey disinterest o Can have poor perception

Posture

o Straight/upright o Shoulders are back and chest is up o Looks in control o Does not look flustered o Move with a purpose

Arms and Hands

o Keep gestures close o Broadcast messages o Stop sign o Calm down o Come here o Good preventive tools o Gestures should not replace verbal communication

Presence and Fitness

o Preventive presence o Close to play o Presence lends conviction o Getting there and showing urgency o Overdone presence o Gets there, but overuses physical presence o Too aggressive o Initiates contact with a player

Body Language

o Enhances verbal communication o Broadcasts the message o Translates the message o Overcomes difficulty in addressing players’ emotions in words

Keys to Use

o Change to suit the situation o Natural and fluid o Okay to show displeasure o Awareness of cultural differences o Establishes relationships and control o Shows confidence, calmness, firmness, authority, compassion, or empathy o Do not overuse or show off

Verbal Communication

o Process of sending and receiving messages o Keys to successful verbal communication o Appropriate tone and volume o Keep it simple o Words chosen for the situation o Listen

Command Presence

o Command presence influences the game by o Channeling and/or influencing player behaviors and actions o Giving options to manage the gray areas o Sending appropriate messages in the appropriate manner o Opening lines of communication

Command Presence

o Command presence influences the game by o Drawing the line in the sand o Preventing escalation o Ensuring the message matches the game situation and moment o Leading the referee team before, during, and after game

Command Presence

o Command presence implementation o Use 1-on-1 conversations o Use stoppages to establish groundwork for relationships o Take care of the fouler and the foulee o Make the first foul seem bigger than it is

Command Presence

o Command presence implementation o Know when to use different communication styles o Remain calm but in charge o Be dynamic and decisive o Create trust between players and referees

Command Presence

o Be open and approachable o Create trust o Show respect o Be prepared by doing your homework o Be available by listening to fair conversation o Adjust to the game, the situation, and to the players

Review Question

o Which of the following is not a goal of command presence?

o Showing your personality through body language and verbal communication o Showing players, coaches and spectators that the referee has all the power and control

Review Question

o Command presence should be achieved through which of the following?

o How you look o How you act o How you speak o All of the above

Review Question

o While command presence is about the message being delivered, is the process of how the message is delivered just as important?

o Yes o No

Review Question

o Which of the following is true when it comes to body language?

o It can enhance verbal communication o It can send a message to multiple players o It can be used to communicate with players who speak a different language o All of the above