|
RefTN, I believe we were at IIOC together. (hint: my voice has returned and I am strong as ever!) When half of the current NBA staff and almost half of the NCAA tournament staff comes from a developmental program, one might have to say that "the proof is in the pudding".
This I have learned to be true, both from camp and practical application in games since:
*Going to camp and dedicating yourself (as opposed to club-hopping when you have an early morning game) will make you twice the official you were before you arrived
*Short guys do have a shot- it's all about getting plays right (shout out to Chuck Elias)
*Going topside at slot prevents one from getting into a stack and being straight-lined and allows the slot to see between players
*Calling only the obvious walks and not trying to read between the lines keeps us out of trouble with everyone
*There are opportunities for those who view officiating as a passion (not just those in the SEC developmental program)--take it seriously, practice mechanics incessantly, and good things can and will happen
* Pinching the paint (going to lane-line extended and stepping toward paint and down at a 45 degree angle on drive down middle of lane or from oppostite side towards lead) allows me to see a definite action area in that the play is coming towards the Lead and contact may occur in an angle that is not open to another official (and we get those plays right!)
*Start, develop, finish (AKA seeing the whole play) allows us to get plays right almost all of the time. I had an awesome play today in which the post defender flopped on marginal contact, went to the floor, got his feet tangled with the offensive post player, causing the offensive player to fall... delayed whistle and-BLOCK!!!
*Projecting rock-solid strength eliminates most all confusion and slams the door shut on questioning (I love ya Leroy Richardson...)
*Scorekeepers can deal with two-handed reporting if we as officals properly vocalize the number
*I love officiating!
|