Belts yes or no

[Randa16]

I have always wore a belt growing up with shorts or jeans, I feel weird if I don’t have one on. When I first started doing basketball I wore a belt because again I always have. Lower level youth games never heard anyone say a word about it. I started doing high school never heard a word from anyone about it. Last week doing a JV game and partner says why do you wear a belt? I said always have why? He goes on a rant how horrible it looks and real refs don’t wear belts. It made me mad but after got me thinking is it that bad? Did I miss something? 6 years and no one ever said a word to me and I know I have seen a few others wearing a belt. So thoughts about it would be appreciated

[VaTerp]

While belts may be acceptable in a relatively small number of communities in America, I've never lived or worked anywhere its been accepted as a practice of even avg level HS officials. In short, do NOT wear a belt.

What is going on tonight? I get home from working a triple overtime game and see threads with officials advocating for wearing belts, backpedaling, and telling coaches they are refereeing the score.....

Really awful/terrible ideas, gentlemen.

[JRutledge]

Peace

[Camron Rust]

I wear a belt.


But it is one that goes INSIDE of my pants and it is made of rubber.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I wear a belt.


But it is one that goes INSIDE of my pants and it is made of rubber.

Best investment I have made in years.

Neat Tuck Active

Peace

[SC Official]

Officiating has lots of unwritten rules.

While a belt might be technically acceptable depending on your area, it’s likely to hold you back no matter how good you are. How many college officials do you see wearing a belt? Same thing goes for facial hair.

Get beltless pants.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I wore belted pants as late as 1994, and still prefer belted pants for non-basketball officiating situations. But when I saw some men's college officials wearing them I tried them and really liked them and how they looked as a basketball official.

I retired from officiating college ball in 2008, and can't ever being told that I had to wear beltless pants for college games. I do know that the OhioHSAA does not mandate what type of pants to wear but it is extremely rare to see an official officiating a VAR game wearing belted pants.

If my memory is correct I think that Connecticut requires belted pants. But I am sure that BillyMac will be along sometime tomorrow to either confirm or deny what I just said about Connecticut.

MTD, Sr.

[Randa16]

Originally Posted by SC Official

Officiating has lots of unwritten rules.

While a belt might be technically acceptable depending on your area, it’s likely to hold you back no matter how good you are. How many college officials do you see wearing a belt? Same thing goes for facial hair.

Get beltless pants.

Lol I got a beard also, guess I am in double trouble.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Best investment I have made in years.

Neat Tuck Active

Peace

Have never seen these before - only the ones that loop around your feet, which people seem to like, but just look goofy, not that these don't. But I find myself re-tucking my shirt in constantly through the game, even though I keep it inside my compression pants. You came through huge with the Vapormax shoes (I now have 3 pair), so I am taking a flyer on these as well from your endorsement. The endorsements by NBA refs definitely help as well.

[RefRich]

Several years ago I used to wear a belt. I was doing a state playoff game and the evaluators first comment on my eval was:

"I know you are allowed to wear a belt, he did, it didn't look good."

I haven't worn a belt since.

[bucky]

Never wear a visible belt.

Never wear a shirt with a collar.

Never use a metal whistle.

Never wear a watch/fitbit/bracelet/jewelry.

Never wear white underwear.

Never wear white socks.

Never wear a headband/wristband/arm sleeve.

Never wear a tupee. (we saw the video right?)

Lol, should bring some replies.

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by bucky

Never wear a visible belt.

Never wear a shirt with a collar.

Never use a metal whistle.

Never wear a watch/fitbit/bracelet/jewelry.

Never wear white underwear.

Never wear white socks.

Never wear a headband/wristband/arm sleeve.

Never wear a tupee. (we saw the video right?)

Lol, should bring some replies.

yup

re: tupee.....it could be argued i should consider wearing one. lol

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by bucky

Never wear a visible belt.

Never wear a shirt with a collar.

Never use a metal whistle.

Never wear a watch/fitbit/bracelet/jewelry.

Never wear white underwear.

Never wear white socks.

Never wear a headband/wristband/arm sleeve.

Never wear a tupee. (we saw the video right?)

Lol, should bring some replies.

The late J. Dallas Shirley said: "Never say never and never say always." LOL!

MTD, Sr.

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

The late J. Dallas Shirley said: "Never say never and never say always." LOL!

MTD, Sr.

I subscribe to this all the time in daily life.

Exception:
NEVER wear a belt when officiating basketball.

[ballgame99]

In addition to being a varsity official I coach some youth club teams. When the officials walk in and one is wearing a belt I immediately know that isn't a varsity level official. This past weekend the officials came in and one had a collar on his shirt and the other was wearing a belt LOL, I knew we were in for a long day.