Training intramural officials

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by lrpalmer3
Most intramural games become hack-fest because officials don't want to and don't know how to face the whining and complaining of their "peers".

Amen.

You've never really lived the game of basketball until you've T'ed up/ejected someone you see around campus on a daily basis. Or, worse, a next door neighbor or the really cute girl in your psych 101 class.

As to training, we at GW do a 1 hour rules meeting (this year, complete with a demonstration of block/charge and "his feet are moving" by yours truly) and a 90 minute "field clinic." If all you have is 45 minutes, spend about 10 minutes covering how to blow the whistle and give signals (open/closed palm, travel, basic fouls, etc.). Then have them go out on a court and show them where to look. Run through a few transitions/switches/rotations/etc. (depending on 2 or 3 person mechanics).

Most importantly, build up your refs. They catch on rather quickly - tell the refs to have fun and to worry more about focusing on the game than on where exactly to stand. They'll pick up mechanics as time goes by.