I'm attending my first referee clinic in July. Are there any do's or don'ts that I should do? What extra should come with me? Thanks

Do hustle, listen, and make adjustments as you get new ideas from clinicians. Don't say "but I think." Only explain yourself if asked. As far as things to take, make sure you have your full uniform, shoes shined and look like you're ready to take the floor. A notebook for class sessions isn't a bad idea either.

1. Have fun.
2. Positive attitude.
3. Take input with humility. When in Rome, do as the Romans want it. Sometimes they'll give advice to the whole crew that doesn't apply to you, just listen and apply what is applicable.
4. Listen up good during the "host's" sessions as they will give you lots of tidbits as to how they want the game called, coaches dealt with, game mgmt, etc. Then go do it.
5. Brush your teeth.

I'm sure guys will offer many more suggestions.

Brush your teeth? I knew there was a reason I wasn't moving up!

I suppose we will have to shower next!

To be honest, Dave, I didn't have a lot of fun at my first camp. I was just too nervous. I was really glad I did it, but I wasn't able to enjoy it at the time.

Having said that. . .

Notebook is a very good idea. You'll hear lots of stuff, and you won't remember it all in November. So write as much as you can.

Somebody mentioned "full uniform". I would highly recommend that you ask what the camp uniform is. You don't want to take pants, when everybody else is in shorts. Conversely, you don't want to take shorts and then have to drive to Walmart to buy two pairs of black polyester pants and then stay up till midnight removing the beltloops. (Take my word for it, this is the voice of experience. You don't want to do that.) Most summer camps only require shorts, although not all, as I discovered :rolleyes: If you're wearing shorts, I would recommend white ankle socks with your black shoes. Some guys wear black socks, I think they look geeky (although not as bad as if you wore them with white shoes, like my dad). Some guys wear tall socks, I think that looks too '80s.

You've got two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen to everything, but don't offer excuses or suggestions unless specifically asked. Some of the things you hear from different observers may contradict each other or you may just disagree with what was said. That's ok. Just throw it out. But don't try to dispute with the observers. I'm sure you know that already. You don't want to be the guy who says "Yeah, but. . .". Observers will quickly stop trying to help you if you give the impression that you "know it all".

Some of the best moments I've had at camp have come when I've been able to spend some time off the court with one of the clinicians, talking about non-game situations. One year, a D1 official spent a good 45 minutes talking to a bunch of us about what it's like to arrange travel, juggle multiple conference assignors, and fit in a job all at the same time. It was very casual, but great to listen to. Last year, a D1 assignor sat with just me and talked to me about her officiating career and how hard it was to give that up in order to take the assigning job. If you get that chance, I would highly suggest that you take the time to hang out with the observers off the court.

On the court, work as hard as you can. You'll make mistakes and that's ok. In each game, pick one or two things that you were told in the previous game and work on those. You won't be able to "fix" everything in one game, so just work on one or two things per game. Since you'll have a notebook, you may even want to keep a brief game journal, so that the next day, you can look back at what you might want to work on.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Be Fundamentally Sound.
Each evaluator is going to be different so try to catch on to what they want early and then apply it.
Don't be tired. I know this sounds weird but some of these camps can be ridiculously tiresome. Keep your energy level up.
Be ready to apply hypotheticals to the rule/case books. A lot of the clinicians I have had discussions with like to do what-if's. Make sure you do your best to cite the actual rule or casebook scenario.
These are all kind of small but everything counts.
AAR

But do it before you're supposed to be on the court! The first year that I went to Nunn-Better, one observer saw a camper brushing his teeth in the hallway with 45 seconds to go before the start of his game. The observer went ballistic. "Why aren't already on the court? Are you more concerned with your breath than working the game? Why didn't you do that ahead of time?" The other campers in the stands had a good laugh about it, but the observer was not amused at all.

I went to Arkansas this past weekend. I was going to see AAU games and other officials work and continue to add to my tool box of knowledge. Since, I live in Missouri. I found myself in the middle of a camp. Although, I did not pay to attend the camp I found myself getting valuable information some D1 official. I will be attending a camp of my own in June. It will be my first too!!!! I am excited! I keep a journal so I can reflect on things done well and not so well. BE LIKE A SPONGE!!!!!

truerookie, what part of Missouri are you from? Also, what camp are you going to?

Waynesville. One hours East of Springfield, two West of St. Louis. The camp at Illinois College June 24-26. Why?

DO:

- Hustle all the time.
- Ask questions.
- Be open to all advice/criticism from evaluators.
- Incorporate advice immediately in your game.
- Go to the camp to learn.
- Relax, it's only a game.
- Have fun, it's only a game.

DON'T:

- Argue with evaluators.
- Be a "yeah but" guy: "Yeah but HE told me to do it the other way!" You're probably gonna get conflicting advice, seek out the camp director to resolve these things without mentioning names.

In short, take in everything, try everything, take & use the things that work for you, keep the rest in your back pocket for future reference. Try and work on 1 new thing per game you work.

I forgot to add this: after the first night when you've heard the instructor and some of the clinicians talk, set yourself a couple of goals, write them down and ask your partners to hold you accountable to them.

My two cents, for whatever they're worth.

I agree with everything said so far, and want to reinforce the comments on listening. The last thing a clinician wants to hear from you is "Yea, but...". If they tell you something that is different than what your local association tells you, just file it away in your mind, but don't argue back. Also, Chuck's comments about talking to clinicians outside of your court time are good, and they can be very helpful, but be careful. Don't talk to clinicians after your game, for example, while they're supposed to be watching that next game. And don't monopolize their time after hours. It's good to ask questions, but I've seen well-meaning first-timers corner a clinician and talk to him for a long time about various off-the-wall stuff (like what happens if a team is up by 135 points, and there's only one player left because everyone else fouled out..:rolleyes: Be approachable, be friendly, ask appropriate questions, but don't be over-bearing.

The shorts vs. pants question is interesting as well. If this is your first camp, and you're going to learn, wear what is recommended and what everyone else is supposed to wear. If it's an evaluation camp, I've seen it work both ways. In other words, most summer evaluation camps I've been to recommend shorts. But there have been times a few people wear pants, and it has helped them because it makes them "stand out" a little from the crowd and it looks a little sharper than shorts. I have also seen it work against people as well, because I have heard comments such as, "Whay are you wearing pants? Apparently you can't follow instructions - the camp brochure said wear shorts." Some assigners might also be using the shorts to see if a ref has had knee problems in the past (scars, etc.). So use with caution, but err on the safe side by wearing what's recommended.

Above all else - learn and HAVE FUN! Meeting fellow refs is the best part for me.

Don't go there expecting to be praised and told everything you're doing right. You probably won't hear it, and it wouldn't improve your game anyway!

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.

I am in agreement with everything that has been suggested.

Don't forget to control the things that you can control. Use the mechanics that are in the book, be crisp with signals, hustle (don't rush, there is a difference), personal appearance (be fit, don't look tired). If you feel like your rules knowledge is lacking, start strengthening your understanding. When you are at a 'try-out camp' the last thing you want is to be weak in these areas, the clinicians and assignors will sniff out this type of referee early and it is quite possible that you will be left out when it comes time for hiring even if you are a top official in your area. If a situation with a player or coach comes up during a game you are working, recognize it and deal with it. Lastly, STAY IN YOUR PRIMARY, unless it is a god and country that got missed, even then have a patient whistle.

I also recommend being within earshot of the clinician on the floor of your next game, you might hear them say something to the crew or about the crew that will help you when its your turn.

I know it has been said, but if 'yea, but...' is in your vocabulary, put that away and try something like 'I understand/will'

Good luck!

Ooooooo! This is a good one. I should've remembered to say that. Always go to your game early and listen to the observer's comments. You'll pick up extra advice and also may tip you off to some of his/her pet peeves to avoid.

I've got to tell my story on this one...

A few years ago at a camp, I had a most humorous experience. There were two evaluators on the game. They had positioned themselves on opposite baselines. As lead on one end, I was being told to move "this way" to get a better angle. As lead on the other end, I was being told to move "that way" to get a better angle. After a while (several trips down the floor and a few switches later) there was a timeout. One of them spoke to me about why I still kept going to the wrong spot. I then told him that the guy on the other end was contradicting his instructions and I couldn't keep track of which evaluator was watching me on which end of the court. They had quite the laugh out of that one.