A survey of North Carolina high school basketball coaches' attitudes toward officials.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevailing attitudes of North Carolina high school basketball coaches toward officials. Based upon the head coaches' responses to a 22-item opinionnaire, the writer attempted a comparison: (a) among coaches' attitudes from the smallest to the largest classification and (b) between boys' and girls' basketball coaches' attitudes. Data for the study were based upon a 75% response of both coaches from 80 randomly selected high schools. This represented a total sample of 60 high schools and 120 coaches' responses. Statistically, the data were analyzed by use of the one-way analysis of variance. Significance was determined as below the .05 level of confidence with correlated t tests to help identify where the significant differences existed. Descriptive analyses consisted of mean scores, raw scores, and percentages for each item. Boys' coaches were significantly more receptive to officials being in complete control of the game than girls' coaches. There were no significant differences between coaches' attitudes from the smallest to the largest classification. It was concluded that coaches: (A) prefer officials who take control of the game without misusing their position of authority; (B) respect officials' position of authority, honesty, and integrity; (C) feel very strongly that a certain personality and temperament are necessary for successful officiating; (D) feel that a basketball background would be a better prerequisite than honesty and/or psychological testing for screening officials; (E) question whether officials work hard every game--this was more important than the perception of officiating as an avocation; (F) doubt officials' impartiality in game administration; (G) realize the importance of a knowledge and understanding of the rule book for themselves and officials; (H) believe that consistency, in the application of the rules, proper mechanics, and court positioning are essential to good officiating; (I) appe