Nothing has really been going on around here so I will start something up.

While at camp this summer, what is some of your goals? I'll start.

1) Getting full knowledge of mechanics.
2) Ways to get better angles.
3) Better Game Management.

Your turn.

I attend camps for two reasons.

1. Get noticed
2. Get hired.

That is it.

Peace

Not to screw up too bad!

Ditto...but of course to learn too :D

My goals in this order are:

1. Get more games in the conferences I'm in
2. Stay on staff in those conferences
3. Get hired in more D1 conferences
4. Although it might be impossible, keep trying to ref the perfect game

Goals:

1. Perfect mechanics and angles.
2. Get recognized and hired.
3. Have fun.

Oh yea, lose 10 lbs before 1st camp.

1) Get better games in the conferences I work
2) Get hired by other assignors
3) Get better at mechanics (NFHS or NCAA, depending on the camp)
4) Make contacts
5) Have fun

I really do not know what my goals are or what they should be because this is my first ever camp and boy am I nervous. I guess not screwing up too bad would have to be my biggest concern.

You know it is always said that we as officials are to not be noticed, but when we go to camp that is all we are trying to do and in the process hopefully get better games where we work. pretty wierd huh.

You're going to screw up. The observers will let you know in no uncertain terms that you screwed up. Your goal should be not to screw up the same thing twice.

Man, I know I screwed up at my first camp, and basically at some point every game. And at camp, those counselors let me know it too. It was tough love. But I had a blast and gained lots of confidence. I just go to have fun, learn, and make friends.

I'm with ya there. If I decide to go, haven't made up my mind yet. I probably will though.

I've been evaluated before and it only feels nerve racking for about the first 30 seconds, then you just ref good ol' fashion basketball after that. I know I'll have fun and I'm sure I'll learn the 300 reaons why I'm not ready to referee in the NBA yet.

Being my first camp, I would just like to learn as much as possible.

Or, worse, in two consecutive years . . .

All you guys are talking about the instructors letting you know that you messed up more often than not by tough love. I feel mine will be worst of all. I am attending the IIOC camp for the SEC, Atlantic Sun, and Ohio Valley Confrences. Just if that pressure isn't enough listen to the guys coming to be instructors. All are NBA officials:

Zach Zarba, Kevin Fehr, Leon Wood, Courtney Kirkland,

Leroy Richardson, Phil Robinson, Tony Brown, Sean Corbin,

Scott Wall, Anthony Jordan, Bennie Adams, Eric Lewis,

Olandis Poole.

To make it worse I have only worked three man once before. Tell me that doesn't help.

I don't know what IIOC stands for, but I went to Nunn-Better two years ago and Nat'l Pro-Am last year. Both those camps were run in conjunction with Mr. Guthrie's conferences. They were both very positive experiences. Soak it up.


Many of these guys were observers/clinicians at the camps I attended. I will tell you that Zach is a great guy. Very positive and LOVES to talk rules and situations. (He hung out with me for about an hour and a half during down-time of my USBL try-out a few years ago. Just the two of us. It was awesome.)

Phil is great to listen to. He's usually pretty laid back, unless he feels that you just aren't trying. Then he's "in your face" level of intense. But another great guy.

Sean Corbin is a great speaker. He talked to us about the elements of "professionalism" in being a top-flight official. Again, very approachable and great insights. I think Tony Brown was at Nunn-Better, but I honestly don't remember if I got much of a chance to talk with him.

Like I said, go and just soak it up.

Well, it will make things a little tougher for you b/c you're going to be worried about where you're standing instead of what you're looking at. Don't forget to officiate!! Having said that, most of the feedback will be about what you call or don't call, having a patient whistle, getting a good look.

Good luck, have a great camp. I'd love to hear how it goes for you, as I will not be attending that camp this year due to schedule conflicts.

Chuck thanks for the support. By the way IIOC stands for Identification Invitation Only Camp. It is great to hear that
Zach Zarba is such a great guy, and that Sean Corbin is such a great speaker because they are my two favorites.

I still can't help but be nervous. Officiating basketball is what I want to do for a living and I truly love it and I am scared to all hell that I will not be recognized or they will think that I am just horrible. But I was also told that knowing nothing about three man might be an advantage because they can teach me what I need to know instead of me already having bad habits. We'll see. Thanks again for the support and advice.

P.S. If you know anyone or anywhere I can recieve A cca manual or ncaa rulebook i would greatly appreciate the info.

I've only been to a few camps so far, but here's what I've learned.

Today is today. You are what you are. You have what ability you have. Go and do your best.

There are things you can control, and things you can't. Don't fret about what you can't control. Make the most of what you can control.

Stuff you can control includes:

• Hustle
• Rules knowledge
• Willingness to learn
• Never using the phrase "yeah, but"
• Trying everything they tell you (if it doesn't work for you, you can discard it later)
• Attitude

Some folks will get noticed for their ability, and may get moved along. Some folks will get noticed for their potential and attitude and hopefully will be remembered. But, at the end of the day, you'll come away knowing what you need to work on and what they're looking for.

Don't sweat the petty things; don't pet the sweaty things ;)

You are what you are. [/B][/QUOTE]Nope, I yam what I yam!!

http://www.everwonder.com/david/popeye/1.gif

I've done many grade school games, but I've only done one freshmen game, and no three man games. My camp would be varsity high school boys. Figure that one out.

I am still young though, last days of high school myself, and can learn new aspects of refereeing in what I believe to be pretty fast.

Back in the saddle thanks for the advice and you are right. I can't sweat the stuff I can't control, but I do and I need to get over it and just absorb every bit of knowledge at this camp that I can. My idols Zach Zarba and Sean Corbin are going to be there and I am going to try to learn everything I can from them.

Thanks again for the advice

IOW, stay away from Chuck. ;)

While you may look a bit out of place at first, it may be better to go to a camp with no 3-person mechanics experience whatsoever. (Depending, obviously, on the level of the camp - I wouldn't recommend this at an ACC tryout camp :p) It's often easier to teach someone from scratch than to try to undo the bad habits they've already picked up.

Hmmmm....a pattern emerges...

Maybe I'll just "wait for it" to reveal itself.