#ELBlog #140: Check The Tape

2010 Norfolk Virginia, Old Dominion University

I was officiating a game at Old Dominion University on a Wednesday night. I had a driver lined up and ready to take me home overnight after the game, in order to get back to school in plenty of time.

In the last minute of a very hotly contested game, another official and I had blown our whistles on the same play, but with different calls. This created a bit of a cluster you know what at the end of the game. We sorted everything out and ended the game in a not so perfect manner. Little did we know, however, that the commissioner was at the game, and it was on TV. Since it was televised there was a television truck outside the arena. We quickly showered and were asked to come into the television truck. For the next hour, we reviewed the play from different monitors and different angles to identify exactly what happened, and in the manner in which it did. There was certainly appropriate feedback from the commissioner about getting the play right at the crucial point of the game. We were also required to review the tape for at least three other possible places/plays and have some commentary on why we did or did not make a decision. Needless to say, it was a long ride home without much restful sleep in the minivan!

What if in our line of work this happened more often? What if at our jobs and professions, we reviewed our actions and behaviors either on audiotape or videotape to see how we did, to see how we acted, and to see if we got it right? Being a college basketball official for 20 years taught me the importance of self-reflection and self-review. If it was not right on the tape, it was not right, regardless of what I thought about it. I learned a lot from these experiences, most importantly the ability to look within, and ask myself: what could I have done better? How could I improve this part of my performance? Did I make any errors?, What were they, and how do I fix them for next time?

We are living in a very digital, computer-based world right now so there could be some of this happening now (being recorded) and more to come. Find opportunities to “review the tape” in your life and take a look within. It is ok to ask yourself: “Could I have done things better? Done it differently?” Whether a real video in education or just an opportunity for self-reflection, take those deep opportunities to look within. #KeepRolling everyone! If I could help you in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out.