Thanks for the tips, and the groovy picture.

I found a lawyer in town who also officiates basketball. He's helping me out and answering some of my preliminary questions (as well as giving me his copies of last season's rule book and manual and case book and what he calls the "cartoon book"). He also helped answer some of my questions about time commitments and balancing day job with officiating.

Sounds like my best course is to go with him a few times to watch summer leagues and learn what goes on. Then when the bball season rolls around the state official's association has a training period for new officials in early october.

Thanks everyone for all your comments. Please dont stop. Any stuff you have to share is very much appreciated.

Should I watch anything in particular between now and then? NCAA? NBA? Anything to really look for? Or just digest the books between now and October?

Thanks again.

Clark the newbie.

now that you will have books...watch games and if you see something that looks odd...then go look in the book and see if you can disect it....either way....come out here and ask for an interpretation and see if it matches you...

I would not advise to go out and buy the rule books. I don't know how it works in Nevada, but in Illinois,when you apply to be an offical with the IHSA, you are sent the NHFS test and a rule and case book. Before you invest in the rule books you should find out if they are included with your test in your area.

Hold on, hold on. I just sent you an email. I moved from Vegas last year and I know most of the officials in town. I know the lawyer you are talking about that officiates. His name is Ron, right?
Don't buy the generic equipment. Vegas is a very liberal place to ref and your options for gear is endless. I like compression shorts, shirts and tights. All black all of the time. If you find a pair of shoes that are almost all black take them to Abe's on the southwest corner of Nellis and Bonanza in the K-Mart plaza. He can hook them up! The high schools are probably playing in summer leagues right now so you can get out and ask questions. They probably play at Green Valley, Foothils, Cimmaron and Durango. Call the assigner, I gave you his name and number in the email. Also, there will be all kinds of tournaments in town. There is a huge Nike tournament during Easter weekend. Do not wait and sit on your hands until the fall. I know plenty of guys that can put you ahead of the learning curve.

Yeah, his name is Ron. I talked to him today when I got out of trial. He seems like a good guy and very happy to help me get started.

He cautioned me the same way.

Does anyone wear those compression shorts wtih the cups in them? Does that matter? Seems a little extreme to me but what the heck do I know.

Thanks!

Yeah, there is an easter tourney and a big addidas tourney (may be the same one) and some HS leagues. Ron says those are great but maybe not for me right now. If I wanted, I think he could hook me up with some frosh summer games or something. i'll review the books he sends me and go to a game or two and see what my comfort level is. Ron says a little book study and a few hours of court time with him and I should be ready to at least bumble and stumble my way through some freshman games. He definately echoes what I have heard here, which is games games games games. Books are great, but games are what a newbie needs. thoughts on that?

My concern is while I want to jump in with both feet, at the same time I dont want to screw up and hurt the kids who play the game or aggravate other officials by being a goof. I think I owe it to them to not be a total idiot. But then again, I guess you probably never feel ready for that first game.

Clark

Ron is a great guy. Tell him Tom said hi next time you talk to him.
Talk to Ron and call the guys I mentioned in the email I sent you and you should be able to start with some games that will help you learn. In Las Vegas September and October are the only months where there will not be something for you to do. One thing that will help you out is if you go to games and simply listen to the guys. You don't have to abandon your family but there will be plenty of opportunity to learn. Ask Ron about Sam, Riel, Wayne, Tre and Bobby. Those six guys can get you through the first year jitters before the season starts! Those guys have championship/tournament experience on every level except the NBA! If you ask anyone on the West Coast about Vegas officials they will mention one of them. I'm sorry if I'm tooting their horn but they are also my friends. I will tell them about you next time I talk to them.

One more thing
 

When you go to the games to watch. Pay attention to the other officials court positioning. Is it 2man? 3man? Look at their rotations on fouls and violations. What are they doing during timeouts, things like that.

When I first started, I had a pretty good feel for what a foul was. My problem was; where do I stand, where do I go when I call a foul and after I call a foul, Am I too close to the action or too far away from it, why do the officials rotate while the ball is live etc... If you can pick up on these things that seem tiny right off the bat, you'll be ahead of the curve when you first step out there.

Once you blow your whistle (foul, violation, out of bounds)the first time, you will start to settle down. The first whistle is what it takes for me EVERYTIME out!