Today is my birthday :), but I still have to wait 3 more years to call highschool ball.

Happy Birthday, brandan89!

Have a great birthday Brandan.

Z

Just think - if you were a FEEBLE ref, you could count your years in metric so you would be older. :p

Happy B-Day Kiddo!
My son's birthday was the 24th...he's 19 yrs old...just a bit older than you.

BTW, what's your interests other than being an official?

I like music, which I am in my school's band. This year, I am Drum Major, I like watching movies and going to plays. Most of all tho, I like Basketball.

Happy B-day!!!
 

:)

Just think how informed you will be when you finally don the stripes and whistle.

Willie

How old were some of you when you started?

16
45
23
37

Some were older than others
 

I didn't buy stripes and a whistle until I was 35. I'm 42 now.


Now I just have to buy a rulebook.... and pants :D

[Edited by williebfree on Nov 27th, 2004 at 11:52 PM]

I was 14 when I worked my first softball game. Had my first "professional" game the day I got my drivers license. Started basketball about 17-18. Took a lot of years off and came back to it at 35.

I started baseball when I was 14 (umpiring Little League). I did a few 5/6th games when I was 15 or so. However I had always wanted to umpire/referee ever since I was in Jr. High. So basically I'm following one of my dreams! And it's great too!!

Forgot
 

Happy (late) Birthday!!

I started doing Little league baseball at about 12 years old and progressed, and picked up different sportsfrom their I will turn 17 in december which at that time i can work high school ball cant wait.

31 for soccer (don't do this anymore), and 48 for basketball. BTW, I'm now 61 and a very Happy Birthday to you.

Thanks, all. I had a very wondervful birthday. Today I have my first Jr. High game. A bit nervious, but ready, I will be sure to post how it goes. Thanks for all the help..

I MADE IT :).. The game went really well, however, one of the things I think I need help or practice on is coverage. Where to stand and all of that good stuff. :)

Good for you. Just keep watching others and never stop learning ;)

I'm a soccer referee since I'm 12 (I swear!). I started refereeing basketball this season and I really enjoy it. These two sports are definitly different thrills to officiate! I turned 17 on October 29.

Happy (late) birthday brendan89! :)

Congrats! Get a copy of the official's manual. Talk to other officials. Go to high school and college games and watch the officials. Attend any camps or clinics you can find. All of these will help you learn the basics of positioning, etc. But the most important piece of advice I've ever been given is this: Go where you need to go to get the angle and see the play. If you're standing where the book says you should be and you can't see what's happening, you're in the wrong spot :)

Brandon, I'm 28 and this is my second year. I read the books and look online for tips almost every day. When I watch games now, I watch the refs. As I'm finding out, you can learn a rule by reading it, but you won't know it until you have to officiate it. That comes from working games.

These old guys (anyone 29 and up) know a lot so make sure you stay on boards like this.