[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by ATLBrvs326

Like Ive said before I am a relatively new official, but just now got serious. I need some help on a issue that I have. This is kind of vague, and I expect to get different point of views. I am not really sure what to be "thinking" when I am refing off-ball and then on-ball. For example, this happens to a lot of officials, but I am just looking around, and then out of nowhere, someone trips and I have no idea what happened. Was it a block, was it a charge, etc.? So that is my question, what are you thinking when you are watching the paint? Also what are you trail when on-ball, ect. I know all of this will perfect with experience, but I need to learn what it is I need to be doing. I have 5 games tommorow, so I will practice all of this. (also quick question, what do you prefer: rulebook or officials manual?)

The simple answer to your (boldface) question above is "Yes". You can't "prefer" one over the other...you have to know and apply each, all the time, every time.