Rules to Ref by...

[BigDave]

got this from a favorite website of mine. enjoy.

1) Always look like you are in control of your emotions. Never get too high or too low.
2) SELL the tough ones
3) Treat coaches and players with respect
4) Treat the table personnel with respect.
5) Realize that for that night you have ONE friend out there (TWO, if you're lucky) and he ain't on the bench.
6) Never underestimate communications with your partner.
7) Get the early "walks"
8) Get the early "charges"
9) Count "neatly"
10) Look like you enjoy being there even though you'd rather be watching Higgins on TV with a cold beer instead of in the gym you're in.
11) Always ref in cruise control
12) Correct EVERY clock mistake no matter how trivial it may seem at that moment.
13) Let'em know you're hustling BUT not in a hurry.
14) Get a good dead ball flow. Tell the players where you're going to inbound or to line up a foul shot.
15) Stay with the shooter!!!!
16) Don't leave the "jump ball pileup" too quickly to locate the arrow.
17) Watch players when they cross to go to benches during timeouts.
18) Get every timeout right.
19) When your partner calls a foul, position the ensuing throw-in so that he is away from the coaches' side.
20) Have fun...

[Mark Padgett]

Add this favorite quote of mine credited to long time official Ed Hightower: "Be in control of the game without controlling the game."

[williebfree]

Not trying to "pick a fight", just generate healthy discussion!

I DID enjoy your posting, but.....

I agree with .... "Look like you enjoy being there" ... Why add this... "even though you'd rather be watching Higgins on TV with a cold beer instead of in the gym you're in."
If that is the case, DON'T BE THERE!

11) Always ref in cruise control.
Does this infer the official should function in a "thoughtless, apethetic mode?" I imagine not...
What is it saying then? Know the rule book like the back of your hand? Please help me....

[Tim Roden]

When I ref, There could be world war III going on just two blocks away and as long as they don't start bombing my gym, I don't care. My game is more important than any Hogin's Heros. It is more important then the Varsity game going on in the Gym next door, more importaint than the college game down the street. Even more important than the Super Bowl going on on TV at the moment of the game. Everything is more importaint than the NBA game to follow.

Just a note for new officials. Notice I said my everywhere. The game does belong to you. It is your baby to protect and uphold. The game doesn't happen without you so act like it is yours. The coaches are just active spectators. The players are the ones who play the game and you make sure it is played fairly, honestly, and according to the rules. Have fun with this and it will treat you right.

Good list.