[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I saw all the switches, and I was focused on the play in my primary.

Good, and great. You certainly need to be aware of the locations of your partners on the floor, but your #1 concern is to officiate your PCA.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I got a tip from Preston to always make eye contact with my partners before every throw-in, and I got that incorporated into my routine smoothly.

An excellent tip. Allow me to extend it. Prior to any dead ball becoming live (with the exception of following made goals) you want to do the following scan: 1. Clock, 2. Table, 3. Partners
This will allow you to have definite knowledge on clock problems and to communicate in postgame with partners. (Hey remember that foul by Blue #42 at 6:16 of the 2nd quarter?) It will ensure that you don't miss subs at the table or the table personnel trying to get your attention for some issue. Lastly, it makes sure that you don't put the ball into play when one of your partners is not ready or has his hand up instructing you to wait.
This scan will make you a much better official by greatly increasing your game awareness and thus allowing you to be better with game management.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I did miss one apparently obvious travel. I saw something peripherally that I thought might have been traveling, but I was just turning my attention back to the ball from some banging so I missed it. Preston gave me a hard time about that one after, telling me that if I was on the bench I would've been yelling "how did you miss that?!??!!?"

Was the ball in your primary? For how long? Did it just enter it while you were previously engaged in observing the post play (the banging)? Remember that in your PCA, on ball is your first responsibility. Your nearest partner should help with an offball matchup that is physical. If the physical matchup was first, then you should stay with that and your partner should have enough awareness that you are otherwise occupied and stay with the ball handler to help you. Perhaps you didn't miss this call. Perhaps you needed help in your area, but the responsibility for the travel may have been more on your partners. The art of knowing what and where to watch is something that develops with time and experience. Personally, I would rather the crew miss a travel than an elbow to jaw. Game control (watching behavior and stopping rough play) is primary, game play (violations, points, clock, etc.) is secondary.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

A couple more tips I got from Preston:

On how to know when to switch as the lead: "Follow the donkey (aka big man)."

On how to appear even more engaged: "Keep moving, even if it just a step or two."

Both helpful. A dominant big man can go a long way towards determining your most necessary position as Lead. Learn the offense and the players in the first quarter and you will have this down. Observe what the team is doing and who they want to do it. Key off of that.
Proper positioning leads to accurate calls. You can't get many plays right without having the right angle to see the play.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I was actually helping him, moving him from C to T a couple times when he missed the switch.

You sound like a quick study. When C or T, I recommend looking through the play to see your partner. See if he is above you, or below you with respect to the division line. If this changes, then you should take a look at the Lead and see if he rotated and you missed it. If you are C and the ball settles in your area and you may even have a 5-sec count, then you should expect the Lead to rotate to your side and make you the Trail.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

Also, in the second, I got another illegal screen (a really bad one out near mid-court--basically a hip-check) and went right to the punch. At the next timeout, Preston told me I should be signalling block instead of the punch, but I was pretty sure I was right so we asked a couple other guys and they agreed with me. I told him he could blow one call a night!

You are both right and both wrong. You should make both signals.

This process was depicted on page 5 in the NFHS preseason guide last year:
1. Fist straight up to stop the clock for a foul.
2. Punch signal indicating a team-control foul in the direction of the opposite basket.
3. Preliminary signal indicating the nature of the foul. (push, block, hold, etc.)
4. Indicate spot for designated-spot throw-in.

Also check out 3.4.2 B5 and C4d in the new manual although this is rather vague.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I moved over after that and did the 5th and 7th quarters on the JV floor with a guy I know a little bit. The 5th went pretty smoothly. I did call several more fouls than my partner, which probably isn't good, but I didn't feel like any of them could've been let go. I did miss a rebounding foul that I felt like I should've called a second later.

Excellent thought process. This is showing good game awareness.
1. You are aware that you are making most of the calls. This doesn't indicate anything improper or that your calls aren't quality ones, however, you do want to try to strike a balance with your partner. During the first TO or FT stoppage, you might mention this and see if you can let a bit more go or have a slower whistle and perhaps your partner can come your way some. If it were a full game, then definitely discuss it at the quarter break. A quality game is one in which the officials work together and are all involved. If you had a double-whistle after you noticed this, then you should certainly give the call to your partner!

PS Dang it, get that rebounding foul a bit late if you need to. Trust your gut!

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

The 7th was the biggest challenge. It was the host school against the weakest, and they decided to work on their press for the whole 12 minutes (running clock except last minute). It was probably about 25-2, and we didn't get out of the one end of the court for a two-minute stretch. However, I felt like I nailed this quarter.

One's mental focus will challenged in situations like this. Game control is something which you can't sacrifice by relaxing because it is a blow out. You probably have to work harder to manage the tempers and watch the cheap stuff. Press coverage is a great thing to work on early in the season. Did you and your partner do a little prep work on how to handle a press before the quarter started? Two-man is tougher than three in this case. Angles and hustle are paramount. Sounds like you were pleased with your effort.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

I'm starting to feel sharper and more in control. I decided to report all fouls and timeouts, even though nobody was keeping track, just to practice. I am still struggling with getting the palm up right away for violations, especially OOB. I just want to go straight to the direction signal for some reason.

Numerous officials go straight to the direction on OOB. It is actually the NCAA mechanic. It is not proper in HS, but it is probably not a major item. It depends upon your local area.
You will feel more and more comfortable with time. Concentrate on the big stuff (PCA, game control, scan/mental focus) and the details/mechanics will develop. Keep up the good work.

Originally Posted by A Pennsylvania Coach

Saturday is my last HS scrimmage. This one is my former team from the past three years, so it will be interesting.

Definitely post how that goes!