8% Really, 8%.

A recent NASO survey of sport officials listed the most effective way to improve your officiating. There were six answer possible. I had to laugh when I read that only 8% stated "getting into better shape" as the way they will improve their game. That should be near the top not second from the bottom [Study your mechanics more @ 7%].

I'll bet most officials took that question as 'loss weight' to improve your game. If you ask me why I'd say that conditioning and specific training is not about weight loss. Its about being a better athlete as an official. Now why do I believe that it should be near the top. Because if your behind a play or out of position it may be because you aren't strong enough to get into position. Some officials have lost a step, but if you ask an official over 30 years-old when is the last time they did any strength or sprint training and I'll bet they'd say 'years ago.'

I've been told by a lot of officials that they don't do anything but cardio training [treadmill is the most common answer]. Many have told me that they believe 'weight training' will hurt their game. Say what? Officials are athletes, whether you agree or not, they're athletes. They are required to sprint and decelerate, change direction quickly just like an athlete. Here is my question, do athletes strength train, answer YES. So why do most officials look at sprint [speed], strength, plyometric and agility [change of direction] training as only 8% way to improve their game.

Here is what I tell officials when I speak at referee camps. First I get into muscle physiology and teach them about Type IIB fibers [those fibers that you use when you sprint]. Want to sprint then DO NOT think that a 3-mile jog at and 8-minute mile pace will get you ready to run with some 20 year-old kid when he's sprinting, it won't. Why not because you're not training the fibers that use use when your sprinting fast, you remember when you had to run for time in college or high school. No player on the team wanted the worst 40 yard or 60 yard time. I can't remember one kid thinking after they ran an average time that it was the best they could do. That kind of sprinting.

So if you don't sprint prior to the season don't expect to be ready to sprint with those kids who have been training all year. Second, want to sprint faster then you have to be stronger. That means the weight room and overloading your body to breakdown and then rebuild the muscle fibers stronger. Once you have a strength base you can move on to develop power. That means you start to add olympic type movements in the weight room [get some coaching before you blow up your back with any olympic lift], plyometrics [jump training] and change of direction that requires you to sprint, decelerate and change direction. If you train this way you'll be in better shape for the season and will avoid those injuries you get from not being ready the first time a kids makes a play and you need to see it [all of it]. Train hard.

If you were wondering here is the result for the NASO survey in April 2010

Which of the following is the most effective way to improve your officiating?
NASO members said:

29% Go to camps/clinics.
28% Review video of your games
17% Work more games.
11% Study the rules more.
8%  Get in better shape.
7%  Study your mechanics more.