Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckS
Starting my 2nd year, and my first varsity game is this Friday (opening night). I am more concerned with all of the administrative duties I will have (since I have been designated the referee), than calling the actual game. Please don’t misunderstand, I am not saying I don’t ever need help with calling a game. If I do this for 30 more years I will still be learning! It’s just that at least I have called games before, but I have never had to check a scorebook, or run a captains meeting, interact with the site manager, or check the court for safety issues, etc….
In the IAABO officials manual, and also in the NFHS rules, there are a lot of things listed that I will be responsible for (such as “check and approve the score”). Any particular ones I should concentrate on, or emphasize? Any other administrative tips? Thanking you all again for all the wonderful things I have learned on this forum!
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Safety issues take care of themselves. You don't need to inspect the court inch by inch, but if you see a missing piece of floorboard you have an issue.
the gist is check the book is ready by 10min mark. This means that all players are in the book and starters listed. In the case of visitors the visitors must have made their list available to the book, ideally I want this in the home book by 10 but here or there the visitor data may not be in the home book but it's been made available. Make sure starters are marked. I chat with the book(s), clock, and shot clock operator in an attempt to gauge their competency.
I introduce myself to the table then go over a few things:
1. The book, that if there are any issues get out attention right away by doing jumping jacks, hitting the horn or yelling for us.
2. Inform the book to make eye contact when we are reporting as I will stand there until they make eye contact, and to let us know when we reach 6 team fouls.
3. Inform the clock operator to watch our hand for the chop and to stop the clock on all whistles (clock operators dont look for the open palm or closed fist, go figure).
4. Review any timing scenarios (i.e. DQ's or injured players) and what the expectation is of the clock operator.
5. Ask the shot clock operator how they deal with jump balls and if there is a reset on a jump ball.
6. Inform the shot clock operator I would rather they be a second late than a second early.
I also have them run the shot clock once so I make sure that the shot clock is set for the correct match and resets to the correct value, plus make sure the shot clock horn works and what the difference in sound it. If there was no game before mine I test the game clock/horn by having them put 5 seconds on the game clock and then back to the amount of time left for warm ups. I don't like having horn/settings issue popup at gametime.
Finally I let them know that any issues with book/clock/etc should be addressed right away and that the longer they wait to bring things to our attention the less likely there will be a accurate resolution.