First Referee Clinic

[rainmaker]

Here are two things I'm going to say that are different from what others have said. There is a right way to say, "Yea, but.." and get away with it. Watch:

Eval: That was a terrible blocking call at the top of the key, two plays ago! The defense went straight up, and all the contact was initiated by the shooter. Ball didn't go in, no call.

You: I see. You saw the defender maintain good position, but I saw ... hm, I see ... so was I in a wrong position? Is that why I saw it wrong? Should I have stepped down to get a better angle?

Eval: No you had good position, but I bet you weren't reffing the defense. You didn't know where his feet were before he left the ground so you didn't know what was straight up.

Now you've learned something. It's not your judgment that was bad it was your focus. If you just nod and say, "Yes, yes" then you're working on the wrong thing.

The other thing I want to say that's a little different, is to go and work for praise and kudos -- for next year. What I mean is, even if you're the worst ref within 100 miles of the place this year, learn a lot, take it home with you, work on it, and then go back next year and listen for these magic words: "you've improved so much in the last year I wouldn't have recognized you." That's the best compliment anyone can give me, and it's really a great feeling. If you hold out for that next year, the criticism this year won't hurt as much.

One more piece of advice: try to get tape. Tape is the best career accelerator you can get. Take it home and have someone else eval your work. Study it. Use it. It's your best friend.