Slight Body Contact on drive to basket

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Dad

Eventually you will just know when the defense is gaining an advantage and when the contact isn't enough to warrant a foul.

Once the scholastic season starts, new officials should observe as many top notch varsity officials as they can. Under no circumstances should they be leaving the site earlier than halftime of the varsity game following their subvarsity game.

If a new official was observed by varsity officials showing up early for their varsity game, new officials should be asking for advice from more experienced varsity officials, "So, did you see anything out there to help me out?". Ask for advice, don't wait, and expect to be given advice.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Once the scholastic season starts, new officials should observe as many top notch varsity officials as they can. Under no circumstances should they be leaving the site earlier than halftime of the varsity game following their subvarsity game.

If a new official was observed by varsity officials showing up early for their varsity game, new officials should be asking for advice from more experienced varsity officials, "So, did you see anything out there to help me out?". Ask for advice, don't wait, and expect to be given advice.

This. You gotta beg, borrow, and steal experience. Find one or two guys who you can text and call to ask questions. Find out who is working the game after you and ask if they would be willing to come out and watch. As a Varsity guy now I have some JV guys ask what I saw out there when they come in the locker room but unless they ask me before I wont know to be looking.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Once the scholastic season starts, new officials should observe as many top notch varsity officials as they can. Under no circumstances should they be leaving the site earlier than halftime of the varsity game following their subvarsity game.

If a new official was observed by varsity officials showing up early for their varsity game, new officials should be asking for advice from more experienced varsity officials, "So, did you see anything out there to help me out?". Ask for advice, don't wait, and expect to be given advice.

My first year I believe I stayed after MAYBE 2-3 games at most. My second year maybe a dozen and it sure wasn't to watch the officials. By my third year I was getting playoff games most 8-10 year guys wish for. Keep in mind, the most important part here, is that I do not at ALL consider myself well above average. I do, however, know my limits and put in countless hours fine tuning my craft. Watching most varsity officials just wasn't something I thought was worth my time. I could spend an hour or two in the book, video recording myself at home, watching my own games, watching past HS 5A+ state final refs. Watching NCAA refs on TV, etc.

I'm sure this method works wonders for many, but I'm just not wired to get much out of it -- and I know that. I wouldn't say what was said in bold is 100% true for everyone.

[JRutledge]

I do not agree with the "under no circumstances" line because there are always reasons not to say. We do have some level of a life outside of this and we can have plans to go somewhere else. But officials that are younger should make a habit of staying to watch varsity officials as you can learn or get different perspectives. I would say that if nothing else you can learn a lot of the tricks of the trade that never are talked about in meetings or training very often.

And if you are saying you could watch those other games, then that is great, but you cannot talk to them at all about their calls or actions. If you are around the officials watching, you can always go into the locker room and observe the things they talk about or ask them "Why did that get called like....?"

Of course there are always exceptions to anything, but most people should be doing this on some level. Heck those varsity officials might try to help you if you know you are trying to get better in some small way that will be invaluable. But I know I am not helping someone that is not trying to get better as a general rule. Staying and watching helps show you want to learn something.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I do not agree with the "under no circumstances" line because there are always reasons not to say.

Point taken. My words were most certainly too strong.