[Goose]

Here are a couple of things to start on, plus a few pointers.

Again, don't get discouraged WHEN you miss a call. It will happen and I can say that after 18 years, it still happens.

As an ex player, one of the biggest problems you will have to overcome is watching play off the ball. As a player we are all taught to keep your eye on the ball etc. As an official, when the ball is out of your area, you need to train yourself to watch off the ball. You will be amazed at how much you can see, by not keeping sole focus on the ball.

The absolute best advice I ever got, and this is from our board's interpreter, is to referee the defense. This goes along with watching off the ball. If you referee the defense, the block-charge call will become quite easy as well as a host of other contact related issues.

I will say that another difficult thing for me was simply blowing the whistle. This was before the advent of the Fox40 which is easy to blow. The old Acme whistles had a pea in them and it took quite an effort to avoid the trill sound and get that quick blast. Secondly, there is just a stigma associated with hearing a whistle IMO. You know, police and such. At first, it terrified me because when you blow the whistle, everything will (should) stop and all the focus in the entire gym will come down on you. This is where others in here have said you need to be strong with your calls even if you have a doubt, you can never let anyone know you are not sure. As time goes on you will hear a phrase "selling your call", and this is where that will come in.

In other words, if your whistle is weak, or you look indifferent, no matter how good the call actually is, it will appear that you either are in doubt or you really don't know what you are doing, and truth be told, when that happens, it usually means you are in for a looooong game.

Rule knowledge is important, but believe me, once the game starts, you will have so many things going on, that you won't have time to think about rule 4.1 or is it rule 5.2a. You will simply need to react.

Best thing I can tell you, early on is to try and get into good position on the court. Train yourself to work off the ball when it is out of your area. Speak clearly and SLOW DOWN when reporting fouls to the table. Hustle. If you are in position there isn't a lot a coach can say, but if you are out of position, he/she will question why you are out there.

Lastly, have a sense of humor. It is O.K. to show a personal side. Don't be Joe-stoneface and appear unapproachable. That does not mean you have to crack jokes, but it is O.K. to be personable to the players, coaches, and staff, and yes, the fans.

goose