Any Thoughts on how to become a better official.

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When I attend a University of Connecticut mens game, or womens game, or head down to the casino to watch the WNBA Connecticut Sun, I spend more time watching the officials instead of the players.

They use three officials in those games, right?


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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

They use three officials in those games, right?

In Connecticut? A third official? I just figured that the extra guy in the stripped shirt was a salesman from Footlocker trying to drum up some extra business.

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

In Connecticut? A third official? I just figured that the extra guy in the stripped shirt was a salesman from Footlocker trying to drum up some extra business.

Well played, sir.


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[CallemUp]

A few years back there were only a couple of guys across the country that would tailor their uni's. As I recall watching, I would see Roger Ayers (sp?), Darron George and 1 or 2 others. Now it seems everyone is doing it. Is it that really that important in reaching that level? I might say they are 2 of my favorite referees to watch and in my opinion 2 of the best.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by CallemUp

A few years back there were only a couple of guys across the country that would tailor their uni's. As I recall watching, I would see Roger Ayers (sp?), Darron George and 1 or 2 others. Now it seems everyone is doing it. Is it that really that important in reaching that level? I might say they are 2 of my favorite referees to watch and in my opinion 2 of the best.

Appearance isn't irrelevant.

[zm1283]

I had all of my shirts tailored this past season. Got tired of buying shirts that fit like a box when I am not shaped like a box. I have a Honigs shirt that is about five years old that is tapered and fits really well, but every new shirt I have is way too wide and looks terrible when tucked in.

[justacoach]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When I attend a University of Connecticut mens game, or womens game, or head down to the casino to watch the WNBA Connecticut Sun, I spend more time watching the officials than the players.

Glad to hear you're not averse to the WNBA. Season's coming up, I'll be hitting you up with some tix.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Glad to hear you're not averse to the WNBA. Season's coming up ...

I just like to use it as an excuse to go to the Mohegan Sun Casino. I tell my conscience that I'm just going to a basketball game, not a den of vices.

[IncorrectCall]

Originally Posted by CallemUp

A few years back there were only a couple of guys across the country that would tailor their uni's. As I recall watching, I would see Roger Ayers (sp?), Darron George and 1 or 2 others. Now it seems everyone is doing it. Is it that really that important in reaching that level? I might say they are 2 of my favorite referees to watch and in my opinion 2 of the best.

You should always wear clothes that fit correctly - not just in officiating. Nobody likes a tucked-in shirt muffin top, or a flying squirrel wing when you call a foul.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CallemUp

A few years back there were only a couple of guys across the country that would tailor their uni's. As I recall watching, I would see Roger Ayers (sp?), Darron George and 1 or 2 others. Now it seems everyone is doing it. Is it that really that important in reaching that level? I might say they are 2 of my favorite referees to watch and in my opinion 2 of the best.

Or they fill out the shirts. That is possible ya know (in the good way).

Peace

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Or they fill out the shirts. That is possible ya know (in the good way).

Peace

And the bad way....ugh

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BigCat

And the bad way....ugh

Leave me out of this.

[geronimo]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When I attend a University of Connecticut mens game, or womens game, or head down to the one of the great variety of online casinos to play in the WNBA Connecticut Sun, I spend more time watching the officials than the players.

I`d do the same!

[LRZ]

I live near a D3 school and most of the officials I see there--men and women--are younger. I guess you have to climb that ladder to get to D1.

[Pantherdreams]

VIA my experience and mistakes and conversations I have with substantially higher level officials than me.

1. It is more important to be consistent with your crew and the expectation of your assignor/conference/etc then it is to be right. You want to make the correct calls, but which correct calls to make, let go, and how the game should be managed needs to be a direct reflection of your management. Once you are so good you can be a cowboy that everyone tolerates because they are so good do what you want, until then following the law of the land is more important than how you see the game (if they conflict).

2. Only officials and losing coaches/fans care about violations. Make the right calls when it comes to travels, and clear violations but if any violation is your best call or what you are known for then it probably won't translate to upward mobility.

3. Coaches/Conferences/Assignors etc all need to know you can manage different styles of games different ways. If you can get all the calls you need to get in a slow grind em out game, and do the same in a wide open emotional train wreck without trying to let/turn one into the other that will go a long way.

4. Working levels and games with high level (D1 and Potentially Pro) athletes even when they are just young in high school or junior high. Is still a different animal than a regular high school or middle school game. You have to call the game in front of you but can't punish the best player(s) on the floor for being able to do or live with more than the other kids on the planet.

5. You can be concerned about sportsmanship and the integrity of the game as it applies to your job of officiating the game in front of you. If you want to impose your expectations in a blow out, or how coaches interact with their athletes, or style of play etc. You can in good conscience do that, but its not what assignors want their big time officials in big games doing.

6. Must be willing to accept that balls and strikes are important but so is appearance, how you move, how you communicate. Being unapproachable, sloppy mechanically, physically not meeting standards or visible expectations will be just a damning as not knowing rules/calling a game poorly when it comes to upward mobility beyond high school.

7. You have to call a good game. Not perfect and not your best everynight, but your floor as an official still needs to be where most of your peers ceiling would be night and night out.