WOW.
That was a blast. I am totally addicted and cant wait for my scrimmage tomorrow (at 1 pm).
It was great. A senior guy and us 3 newbies did the Freshman boys game in the secondary gym (at a brand new school, the gym was great). 2 newbies were on the floor the whole time with the senior guy running with one of us and then changing to the other. We whistled it unless he wanted to step in to call something. The newbies alternated so there were always two pairs of officials--him and a newbie and then 2 newbies on the other side. One called, the otehr just ran to see angles and understand spacing and switching. It was really great.
We ran 5 quarters of 10 minutes each, but it was a running clock (though as officials we still did the stop clock and start clock signals, but the clock didnt start or stop).
Now I used to play ball so I found myself running a bit like a player--not straight up, but in a more athletic stance. It took me about 3 of the quarters to realize I didnt have to run that much and that frankly I shouldnt run that much. I can do less and see more. Sure, there is the occasional fast break that you have to bust it on but generally moving more slowly and deliberately seems much better and makes a big difference.
It also took me about 3 quarters to see anything other than a real narrow field of vision. By the end of the night my view was much wider. Heck, early on I was so woried about myslef and having my whistle in my mouth I was barely seeing on ball action let alone off ball action. I'm sure you all can relate
My best "call" of the night actually wasnt a call it was recognition of a time out. I say it is my best becaue finally I felt I was seeing more of the game--I actually noticed the coach. Blew the whistle. Stop clock signal. Move to center. "Timeout white," signal to bench, signal it was the coach, "coache's time" made full time out signal "full time out" indicated the scorer to start it. The senior guy said good job.
I found it hard to officiate the freshman kids since not a one of them was in good defensive postiion. It was so scrappy and hands are everywhere all the time. But the kids arent that big so even on contact, which there was a lot of, no one is getting hit hard. I found that hard to call. I guess that is controlled by your philosophy of how you call a game. I let a lot of contact go. The senior guy agreed it is hard to call the younger games and that the higher skill levels make it easier because the defense is better.
By quarter 3 I was ball watching less (still doing it, just not as bad). I particular I found it hard not to ball watch on transitions (not fast breaks where the ball is ahead but on rebounds or after made baskets where the ball is behind the other players coming up court) when I go from trail to lead and have to watch the players ahead of the ball. I really found myself looking back. I was bad at realizing a press. I found myself down too far and having to come back a bit.
I also had NO FREAKING CLUE about game awareness as to time or fouls. Now that didnt really matter in this game but I had no idea the time remaining, etc.
It also took me about 3 quarters to remember to look over for subs.
But I settled down, stopped running so much, was making good eye contact with my partner before throw ins etc.
Everyone on this board gave me lots of advice and I guess I heard it but didnt understand it until now. Some people said "pick one thing to work on." I thought I knew what that meant. But I didnt. Now I do. I totally see how helpful it is to say "tonite I am going to work on XXX." Tomorrow I am going to work on staying only in my area and on my hand going up with my whistle. I found myself blowing the whistle but not always getting an arm up right away with a stop or a foul indication. Those are my two things.
I felt good about my start clock signals on out of bouds. I dont think I messed up "boxing in," I think I was on the correct side every time. I chopped time in and was told I did a good 10 second count and good closely guarded counts (though paying attention to that kept me from calling a few things).
All in all I was happy with how I did and happy with the amount of attention and teaching I got from the senior guys and how willing they were to help. I stayed and watched the varsity scrimmage and a few senior guys sat with us newbies and said "ignore their positioning but see how they stand and their hand signals" and that was real helpful.
Anyway, I loved it and am totally hooked.
Thanks for all the kind words.
I just really want to be good at this. I love seeing the kids play. They are so into it. They deserve an official that has the same fire. That really motivated me. To these kids these games are so important, even these scrimmages. I loved seeing them compete. And a couple kids came over and said thanks afterwards (including the two best players from one of the teams, which impressed me).
I'm a District Attorney, so I guess "community service" is in my makeup. Maybe I am being a dork, but I totally see this work as not only fun and athletic but a bit of community service too.
I just cant convey how much fun I had tonite.
BUT I also had an interesting experience. The last quarter an official came in late. Not a senior guy but not a newbie either. He just came right up, didnt say hi, didnt introduce himeslef, just butted right in and said "i need some work, i'm working this next quarter." we were all having fun being cool taking turns. everyone was new and we were all just trying to learn and make mistakes together and help each other out. everyone was real respectful (before this guy arrived), asking "hey you want to work this quarter and I'll run with you" and stuff like that. and then when this guy came in he was calling all over everyone reaching deep into the lane when he is trail and just being a tool. not talking to his partner. stop signing everyone. I didnt say anything because I am a new guy (and neither did the senior guy, though later he said that guy was a spaz). I'd rather just shut up. But my firend and I nicknamed this guy "cowboy" and I have to tell you I dont want to work with a guy like that. Just a hardass. Not helpful. Acting like its beneath him to run with newbies. Saying things like "you guys obviously havent called this tight, so I'm gonna show them 'I' wont let stuff go." OK stud, you go big fella.
Despite that, everyone else I met was great. And I saw a few guys who I thought were super sharp.
Thanks for listening to my newbie rant
Clark