nf exams
 

I would like to second bktballref's answer.Here in my partof california we do the same.We take the 200 question test open book have it graded then take a 100 question closed test for certification.I think this is a good plan because it does force you to study.I also think knowing the rules helps with confidance and commen sense on the court.

almost the same thing.
 

Jerry,
I am pretty sure that is mostly what Rut was saying, that is to take the whole package, rules, mechanics and judgement and go out and be the best ref you can be.
mick

Here's My Favorite Test Question
 

I agree with the posts above that we all must know the rules. Every once in a while, the correct application of rules to some wierd play will become really important.

However, having said that, some of the test questions are totally bogus. My favorite from my first year test is "T/F: With officiating fees being what they are, the good money usually drives out the bad."

Now I ask you: what is the proper answer, and what on God's green earth does that question have to do with good officiating?

Correct me if I am wrong.
 

The original question is why boards give out the answers to refresher tests? My response was because knowing the answers are not going to help you out either way. If the answers to a test determine your officiating ability, correct me if I am wrong, but do NCAA officials have to take a test every year or anytime for that matter? Do those test determine whether officials even officate games in the NCAA? Is there a test different for the Women's game compared to the Men's? And does the same thing apply for the NBA and WNBA? I think the answer is a big fat NO!!!! And if that was the big factor please correct me on this. I can admit that I am wrong, but the several individuals that I know (worked with one in a varsity game last night), never had to take any test for college level games. I have gone to officials assocition meetings all over the area. I have run into several and I mean several college officials. I have never heard any of them ever having to pass a test each year. I live in the Chicago area and living here can be a benefit because we have access to two airports (which can get you hired or not in some cases) and I have never heard this. I have never said to never read the rulebook or never read the casebook and if you got that out of what I said, then you misunderstood and that could be my fault. But if you think that can quote the rulebook word for word is going to impress anyone other than yourself at the higher levels, then I need you and others to show me evidence of that. Because just the fact that I have never heard an NCAA official or NBA official say they had to take a test, speaks volumes to me!!!

Rut, I think I caught your point. At a clinic I went to a couple weeks ago, a very prominent NCAA official started the clinic by saying "know the rules." But the rest of the clinic focused on how to apply our knoweledge of the rules to game situations. We threw out the rule book details and said this is how we are going to call the game.

Look guys, you can't possibly "throw out the rule book"
until you know the damn rules. What rut says might seem
appealing to some of us (well, if you can follow it)
but the bottom line is you can't be a fair judge of the
game unless you have an understanding of what you are
judging. And unfortunately rut has demonstrated a
piss-poor understanding of the rules along with an incredibly stubborn refusal to accept criticism when he is
wrong. Not a good combination.

I didn't say he threw out the rule book but he did throw out the details that we all know we never apply. How many of you enforce the 10 minute rule of having to have the roster in before the game? I know I don't. But you have to know what the rules are and you have to know how they are to be applied. He told us that there are probably four to six rule decisions per game. The rest is calling the game. Your rules knowledge is the foundation of everything else you do. If you don't know the rules and one of those four to six decisions, then you look bad. You have to know them. After that you just call the game the way you have been taught.

Re: Refresher Exam
 

Thank you! That clears it up very nicely! I would have to say that, IMHO, that is very strange. The whole process seems to scream WHY? Why even send out the test or require it?

However, I got a copy of the IAABO test for the first time this year, from a web site. I was very impressed with it. It's much more appealing to take than the NF test because it makes you think about different situations as opposed to trying to remember how a rule was worded. It's a much more enjoyable test to take. I passed it along to our clinic leader.

Can you email me with the we site address that will have the answers? I actually know the answers but would like to have rule references in case there needed during the clinic.

Thanks,

Tony

Refresher Exam
 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for there feedback.I have come to the conclusion that some officials look at the refresher exam as being not as important to the development of officials. Then there are officials who because of there boards policies have no choice than to take the refresher exam seriously.Those officials I believe are probably sharper,when it comes to rules interpertation. Then I understand some of the officials who are looking to move up the ladder,And are more concerned with preparing for what they need to do to make that lasting empression on observers at the camp of there choice(By the way can someone tell me what is a fed camp?)And as a official pointed out,My board probably is just concerened with kepping it's members eligible!After looking at all of this,I can honestly say"what ever works for you" When I first became a basketball official,I was told that one of the most inportant things to learn as a official should be to look the part!So I guess to sum it up I want to look the part,and also have a working knowledge of the rues!

Part 1 and Part 2 exams
 

I will just say this as my final point about this issue. I am really not sure what you really mean about "refresher exams" in the first place. In my state we have to take an exam every year in order to be in good standing with the state and to be eligible for the playoffs. We take the Part 1 Exam and have to pass it with 80% every year before the season starts. We also have to go to a Rules Interpretation every year. If we do not do one of these things or both each year, we can be put on probation for one year. If the next year after that you do not attend both a Rules meeting or pass the Part 1 Exam with a score of 80% or higher, you then your license will be suspended. So it is a requirement of my HS license to take an exam every year. And if I am going for promotion, I must pass the Part 1 exam with 85% or 90% depending on what level I am advancing to. So my point is that we have to take these exams every year and different associations do go over these exams together. We can even do the Part 1 over the internet on the state's site. But for the Part 2 exam it is a open book test for the first level and a closed book for the final level to advance to. The Part 2 is also given on the same date throughout the state, this year it is on December 4th. And you must tell the state in advance (through the promotion forms that they have you fill out) where you are going to go to take the test.

So at least here, we are always aware of the rules and the definitions so for me it is just a matter of fact. But I still feel that knowing the rules only scratches the surface of officiating but is a healthy foundation.

Re: Re: Refresher Exam
 

Tony. I agree the IAABO test is more fun than the fed
tests. They claim the answers will be available at
http://www.iaabo.org on Nov 20.

Re:
 

We do, all of the time. But you always refuse to listen, refuse to admit you're wrong or hide beheind some question like "What the hell does that have to do with it?" or "Do you understand officiating?".

You could learn so much if you would allow your fellow officials to correct you when your wrong.

Still did not tell me how I was wrong.
 

What have I been wrong on, philosophy? Doing things in one way over another? So I guess I am wrong because I do not agree with everything you do? If I was wrong as much as you claim I am, I would not have the schedule, respect and opportunities that I have. That is the problem with you and many other officials here, you think there is always a right way and a wrong way. You do not see that all of us work in different states, different levels and work for different people. If you look at the NCAA conferences, do all of them do the same things or share the same philosophy, HELL NO!!!!!! Does the Big 10 do things different than the Pac 10 or SEC or ACC or any even the Big East? I will let you answer that yourself.

I live in Illinois, and here to get anywhere you have to do several things that I do or you do not advance, it is that simple. If that does not work in West Virginia or Texas, that is not my problem. At least I have some sense to know that. I was told long time ago when I started officiating, "take what works for you from others, and throw out what does not." I think you need to take this advice my friend!!!

[Edited by JRutledge on Nov 19th, 2000 at 01:49 AM]

I rest my case.

Do not be soft.
 

You still have not told me what I was wrong on. Don't be scuured (that is slang for scared for those that do not know), say what is on you mind or keep you mouth shut!!! But as you prove time and time again, you are all smoke and no substance.