Ok, enough about NBA travel rules. As far as your first game goes. Read through some of the discussions on this board. I don't think you will need to read up on the backboard slapping. Understand what a travel is but you don't have to call it every time in a fifth grade game. If they show skill, I may call it tight and by the book, but I have called games with players who will never make a team when they get to high school, and I never once called a travel. All this dispite the fact that they took three or four steps. They didn't gain an advantage in the steps so I let it go.
Call what you know. Don't try to venture into the obscure rules. Try to talk the kids out of violations and fouls. When you suspect a three second call comming, talk the kid out of the lane. If he doesn't respond, then just like with my kids at home, I blow the whistle and dole the proper punishment. Be fair until the game becomes a blow out. If one team is up by twenty then I might give the questionable OOB to the team that is behind. That last second shot even though the buzzer came first, it counts. Do I cheat, no. But I call a fair game and try to help the team that needs help. Not the home team, but the losing team. In 5th grade ball you can do this more than when you call a HS Varsity game.
Remember that at this level the game is not as serious as the parents in the stand make it. Have fun with it and let the kids have the show. Step in and make the necessary calls and try to explain things to the kids when you are asked.
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