With the new rule implemented last year that after 2 years in a row officiating at the State Finals, you can only officiate a Sectional the following year, and only a Sectional and Regional the year after that, I will be interested to see how the officiating plays out this weekend at the four Semi-States..
I see pro's and con's to this rule. The pro's are that some new guys get a chance to advance in the state series and prove themselves at the higher levels. The con's clearly are that we aren't sure that we have enough good officials in the state to have 6 to 10 State Finals caliber officials sitting out the final, most important few weeks of the season. While this may work for basketball, and sports where there are 1000 officials, this is difficult to pull off successfully in wrestling, where there are less quality officials to choose from.
What are your guys thoughts on this? The current system is as follows (Note: This is DIRECTLY from the IHSAA website)
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS RATINGS SYSTEM
The ranking of contest officials applying for an IHSAA tournament series event shall have two components:
School vote (50% of total rating)
The composite number calculated by this method will represent 50% of the officials overall score for the tournament assignment and advancement. Each school will be asked to rate an official or crew listed on the IHSAA Officials Voting Survey. The rating scale will reflect a numerical rating system labeled as 5-4-3-2-1 with criteria established for each category.
5 The official/crew exhibits excellent communication skills, NFHS/IHSAA approved mechanics, arrives at the contest site mentally and physically prepared, demonstrates excellent game management, and has control of the contest by making consistent calls from beginning to the end and can work the highest level in the tournament.
4 The official/crew displays very good communication skills, and is in position to make most calls. The official manages the game well and has control of the contest, but not at the highest level.
3 The official/crew demonstrates adequate rules knowledge and acceptable game management. Communication with coaches and players is acceptable but needs more experience to work the higher levels of the tournament.
2 The official/crew has the ability, rules knowledge and communication skills to work the lowest level of the tournament. Improvement in one or more of these areas is required for advancement
1 The official/crew is unable to adequately demonstrate the skill level, communication, judgment, mechanics, and rules knowledge expected for the tournament. Game management needs improvement in order to officiate a tournament contest.
Note: Schools that submit a rating of either 2 or 1 must provide specific feedback via a drop down menu.
Individual Vote (50% of total rating)
Each official or crew that applies for the IHSAA tournament series must meet the minimum requirements for working the tournament. Five (A – F below) individual criteria will total 50% of the officials overall score for tournament advancement.
A. Previous Tournament Experience (5%)
State 5 points
Semi-state 4 points
Regional 3 points
Sectional 2 points
Applicant 1 point
Previous tournament experience will be considered over the last six (6) years.
In football, each crew member should verify their highest level of tournament advancement in Arbiter. The numbers for each of the 3 crew members with the most tenure will be added together and divided by 3, which will represent the previous tournament experience.
B. Previous Tournament Assignment (any level) (5%)
6+ 5 points
5 4 points
4 3 points
2-3 2 points
0-1 1 point
Previous tournament assignments will be considered over the last six (6) years.
In football, the numbers for each of the 3 crew members with the highest number of tournament assignments will be added together and divided by 3, which will represent the average previous tournament assignments for the crew.
C. Years of Licensure in Respective Sport (5%)
12+ 5 points
10-11 4 points
8-9 3 points
5-7 2 points
0-4 1 point
In football, each crew member should verify their years of licensure in Arbiter. The numbers for each of the 3 crew members with the most tenure will be added together and divided by 3, which will represent the average years of licensure.
D. Test Score - Part 2 (5%) 100-98 % 5 points
96-97% 4 points
94-95% 3 points
92-93% 2 points
90-91% 1 point
< 90% fail to meet minimum tournament requirement
E. Number of Contests Worked (20%)
7+ Varsity Events 5 pts
6 Varsity Events 4 pts
5 Varsity Events 3 pts
4 Varsity Events 2 pts
3 Varsity Events 1 pts
Minimum games required to work the tournament series:
Wrestling 3
F. Association Attendance & Member in Good Standing (10%)
4 Meetings Attended 5 pts
3 Meetings Attended 4 pts
2 Meetings Attended 3 pts
1 Meeting Attended 2 pts
0 Meetings Attended 0 pts
A maximum of (2) meetings will be offered on-line via the IHSAA.
IHSAA Tournament Officials Rating System – Reminders A. Member schools will have the opportunity to rate all officials that have applied for a specific tournament series.
All IHSAA member schools shall participate in the ratings of tournament officials in all sports.
When computing the school ratings for contest officials, the following equalizers shall be used:
1. Officials receiving 12-29 votes shall have the top and bottom (1) rating discarded.
30-49 votes, top and bottom 2 ratings discarded.
50-69 votes, top and bottom 3 ratings discarded.
70-89 votes, top and bottom 4 ratings discarded.
90-109 votes, top and bottom 5 ratings discarded.
110-129 votes, top and bottom 6 ratings discarded.
130-149 votes, top and bottom 7 ratings discarded.
150-169 votes, top and bottom 8 ratings discarded.