What has been the biggest things most of us have remembered/taken from camps so far this summer?

For me it is:

Re-enforced the fact that calling across the paint is a no-no unless 1) it is on the inside where the C can't see it or 2) it is a foul that must be called and the C hasn't called it (Leads whistle will be delayed)

Trail must work out on the floor more for better angles and must be involved more.

Center should work high-side and on the floor more to get better angles than being squared up on the sideline free-throw line extended. Moving one or two steps opposite the play will often help and moving low on drives to the basket is often useless.

John Clougherty is toying with a mechanic that will require massive communication and awareness. It will work but all three officials must be attentive to situations on the court.

Details?

The trail needs to get on the court more (off of the sideline) to see plays. This will cause situations where a steal or turnover could cause the trail to get caught up in a group of players. If this happens and the C recognizes it the C will run down court and become the new lead, the old lead will cross the court becoming the new trail and the old trail will become the new C. I hope I explained it clearly. It will/can work if the crew is on the same page.

That's not really new, that is more a variation of the old 3 whistle. The old system kind of had L in the middle of the court with two C's or T's with lead adjusted going to new trail.

Last year, the state of Washington (using NFHS guidelines I believe) had the "wide-angle" position for the lead being almost out to the 3-point line. The college camps I know of have been teaching the wide-angle position to be closer to the old "2-window" (about half-way between the lane line and the 3-pt. line) this year. I'm going to a Washington HS camp this weekend and will be interested to hear if they have changed the wide-angle spot.

Z

I've been taught this (and have attempted to use it) for the past three years or so. As a matter of fact, the director of the camp where I learned this refs in the . . . wait for it . . . SEC! :p

I dunno - I think you're better off adjusting the trail back a step or two when he/she goes out onto the court to prevent this from happening. Are people going to get trapped every once in a while? Yes. However, I think we should work on conditioning and beating the fast break - even if the old C swings to new L, the old T (now C) is still going to be trapped in a group of players.

The only time I've used a variable T/C system like this was on a camp game I worked where a guy had a bum knee from a previous game. (Frankly, he shouldn't have been working, but that's a different post.) If he was T, and there was a fast break, C was supposed to jet to lead, with T becoming C and L transitioning cross-court to T. It plain didn't work. It may with better communication and pre-gaming, but I don't think this is a necessary change.

Hello Folks, I'd delighted to have been introduced to this forum, and welcome your feedback. Although I've been offciciating awhile, this is my first introduction to this exchange. I've been impressed with some of the threads I've followed in familiarizing myself with this site.

It is interesting to see this mechanic John Clougherty is considering being discussed. In reality, the need for this mechanic can often be avoided if the Trail will release at a forty-five degree angle relative to the end line, thus escaping the traffic jam, and assume normal (new lead) coverage. In those cases when this release technique still results in the Trail becomeing enmeshed in the transition play, changing positions and having the C become the new Lead instead simply means that the former C get on his (or perhaps her) wheels and get in front of the play to officiate effectively.

In my opinion, it means that it isn't very complicated, merely that we have to be attentive and do the hussle ... which is what we are paid to do.

For me it is:

- Staying in your primary area & only coming out of your area if your call will make the game better.

- Pregame, Pregame, Pregame - very important aspect of the game.

- working hard in trail & slot

For me it was:

- Walking through the drive

- Pinching the Paint

- understanding my primary but not being afraid to have a secondary whistle outside of it (ex. player goes up right in front of the L and I am at C, when this play is above the backboard have all the right in the world to go get it if there is a foul, but it better be a certainty play)

- Crew Dynamics

- Knowing when to make certainty and when to make a high certainty call.

- Understanding that you have to get fool the referee plays

- rotate on a player pause

- two sets of eyes plays

- message senders

- tempo calls

- validation of calls

Sorry I am young

If you learned this, then don't go to that camp again. They should not be putting down anyone based on age at either end!

PS What does it mean to "walk through the drive"?!

Since Tomegun mentioned it, I thought I would comment:


Working on the high side in the C. Especially when the play is right in front of you, and you have to decide which way to go.

I went to two camps, and heard two different philosophies.

At the Dale Kelley camp, they wanted us to go high in the C if the ball settled in front of us.

When I went to the D3 Supercamp, they instructed us that Hank Nichols himself has said he wants officials to go to the low side when the ball settles in front of the C.

It was quite a point of contention in both camps. Having done both, I choose go low. I'm not talking about a lot, just a step or two. The reason why is becuase the angle is better on the low side due to the angle of the players in relation to the basket. In the event that A1 drives towards the block to go to the basket, I can just take another step or two high to get a good angle on that play.

Some of the stuff we covered

Divide court into 3 "lanes"
- near sideline to near lane line extended - lane one.
- near lane line extended to far lane lne extended - lane two.
- far lane line extended to far sideline - lane three

Having said that:

If ball is coming into the FC from the BC in transition in lane 3 - New lead rotate even if the old lead hasnt crossed div line yet. In this case - old lead needs to be aware and bust it to C

Offense in front court - ball kicks over to lane 3 and defense is in a man, rotate even if it's a one on one over there. 95% chance a drive or a post man coming over for entry pass anyway.

If D is in zone, maybe wait until ball drops below FT line extended before you rotate.

But in all cases, find a reason to rotate. Two officials ball side.

Dont shoot across lane - The percentages I heard was you go from 90% correct to 50% calling out of primary.

Get out on the floor in T....WORK hard and fight for angles in T.

Try to Balance the Floor - Block down here, Block down there especially if it's a 50/50 call.

Let the defense block shots. We call too many fouls on what is really good D / incidental contact.

4 Prin of officiating....

1. Stay in your Primary (Esp Lead - dont shoot across the lane)
2. Call the Obvious.
3. Ref the D
4. Trust your partners

We watched a couple SEC tapes and I was amazed to hear even at that level.....STAY IN PRIMARY / CALL OBVIOUS / REF D / TRUST.

Wait for it....

It could be too late if you go low and then have to go high on a drive. I was also taught to go high or low depending on where the offensive player catches the ball around the arc. There will be times when one step low is appropriate but when a drive is happening you must get the proper angle to officiate the drive. That angle is NOT low in the majority of the plays that happen (never say never).

I would like to know what was taught about walking into the drive and pinching the paint. Closing down is a must all th e time but when plays occur being too close to plays at the lead cuts off vision. Again, we can never say never but a wider angle is often the best place to be for the best look at plays.

This is the sort of discussion I like because there really isn't something that is always right or wrong. Learning something that puts us one step in any direction whether a two or three person game could open up plays in a major way!

Well, this has been interesting, because I look at it from the NCAA-W perspective. Many of the things mentioned so far are consistent between both men's and women's, and can also apply to HS. Things like staying in you primary, trusting your partners, rotating to be on ball-side more often, making sure the C and T have strong games, etc. Also, for us this year they are teaching the T does need to be able to step out on the court if necessary to get the angle between the players. And the C has more of an arc to work rather than just a step down or up. But, I'm not convinced about that mechanic on stepping out so far that there's a chance on being caught within a group of players, then having to do a rotation on the fly. I understand the logic on needing the old C to be the new L so there is an official at the other end. But, doesn't that involve the C and L doing a little more ball-watching? On normal rotations, when done correctly, you can be aware of where your partners are and still concentrate on your primary. On a turnover in the T's area, does that mean the L and C have to look over to see if the T did or did not get caught up in the players? If they do, then who's watching their areas? Also, if the T gets caught up in the middle of a group players, then they are obviously too close and cannot see everything in their primary. So, to me, that adds up to ALL 3 officials not watching their primaries for a short amount of time. Sounds scary to me.

What do you mean by don't go to the camp again. They weren't putting me down they were making me better and helping me understand my calls and to understand why I make them.

Walking through the drive is where at L you are near the sideline and there is a drive to the hole down the baseline and you follow the drive so you can see between the players and when the player gets ready to go up you step back toward the sideline to get the proper angle most of the time because a kid who takes the ball baseline near the baseline is behind the goal so when he goes up he will have to jump at angle that will get him a look at the goal and when he makes that jump if you take that one step back toward the sideline you will be amazed at how good of a look you get.

Thanks for the explanation. I hadn't heard that phrase before, and it's interesting.

When I said don't go to that camp again, I meant that if they taught you to feel sorry that you're young, they weren't helping. I thought that's why you had "Sorry I'm young" on your list of things you learned. Did I misunderstand something?

Rainmaker- I just meant that my list was so long and I am so young that I had a lot to learn

Larks- The 4 principles of officiating is the bread and butter of the SEC, they are always saying them except there are 5 principles. They are

-stay in your primary
-ref the D
-Call the obvious
-trust your partner
-be a good partner

drothamel- If Mr. Nichols wants it than he's got it, but IMO if you go low your seeing nothing but your matchup and the backcourt, instead of being on topside, not at T but on topside working your arc and seeing your matchup and your secondary matchup. Tell me if you disagree or what your opinion on this is I would like to hear it and others. Don't get me wrong though, if I am wanting to work deep into the ncaa tournament then I am going to do as Mr. Nichols wants me to do but this is just my opinion.

[Edited by refTN on Jul 16th, 2005 at 10:31 PM]

RefTN, while I applaud your enthusiasm I think you should be careful to keep from being a clone. I have been to several camps and it is obvious that some guys are in the SEC program because of the way they run and their mechanics. The funny thing about it is even though they do games in the program the guys that move up to the SEC that I know of have their own style and work in other conferences.
I also think one thing that could be the most important is missing from your list of principles. We must get in the best position to see plays. There is no "one size fits all" for this but repetitive principles that will give good results over time.

Things From Camp
 

I have enjoyed reading these posts... especially since I was unable to attend ANY camps this summer due to personal stuff.

I definately wouldnt mind hearing from some more people on the things that they learned....no matter what level camp it was.

The only suggestion that I can make is in refernce to the " I'm still young " gentleman......

Even though you are young, you can teach those who are older/more experienced things. Many veterans sometimes get set in their/our ways....and need to hear what they new guys think/learn. Just remember to THOROUGHLY EXPLAIN exactly what you are speaking about.... because some of the terms may be completely foreign to some of us, but we may have knowledge about the concept of the term. In that way, we can help each other.

My 2 cents :)

Savaahn Ty
" Just a student of the game, always looking to improve "

Tomegun you hit that right on the nose. As far as I know all the SEC officials I have seen do have their own style because as anyone who has been to a John Guthrie Camp or talked to him they know that he wants you to follow those 5 principles and most of all like you said he always wants you to be in the right position to give yourself the best possible chance to get the call right.

If you get a chance or if you already have watched SEC tapes Mr. Guthrie reinforces position and those 5 principles all the time.

Like I said though Tomegun you are exactly right, but I think it is good to be a clone in some respects, I think it is great to be a clone in every aspect of the game except for your style and your personality. Aren't NBA refs just clones? I think they are because when I went to IIOC I did not hear one bit of conflicting information, they all said the same thing time and time again.

When I say clones I mean there are certain guys I can watch for about 10 seconds and know they work for coach Guthrie. It is the way they run and the mechanics. It has nothing to do with how they get into position or philosophy.

RefTN, I believe we were at IIOC together. (hint: my voice has returned and I am strong as ever!) When half of the current NBA staff and almost half of the NCAA tournament staff comes from a developmental program, one might have to say that "the proof is in the pudding".

This I have learned to be true, both from camp and practical application in games since:

*Going to camp and dedicating yourself (as opposed to club-hopping when you have an early morning game) will make you twice the official you were before you arrived

*Short guys do have a shot- it's all about getting plays right (shout out to Chuck Elias)

*Going topside at slot prevents one from getting into a stack and being straight-lined and allows the slot to see between players

*Calling only the obvious walks and not trying to read between the lines keeps us out of trouble with everyone

*There are opportunities for those who view officiating as a passion (not just those in the SEC developmental program)--take it seriously, practice mechanics incessantly, and good things can and will happen

* Pinching the paint (going to lane-line extended and stepping toward paint and down at a 45 degree angle on drive down middle of lane or from oppostite side towards lead) allows me to see a definite action area in that the play is coming towards the Lead and contact may occur in an angle that is not open to another official (and we get those plays right!)


*Start, develop, finish (AKA seeing the whole play) allows us to get plays right almost all of the time. I had an awesome play today in which the post defender flopped on marginal contact, went to the floor, got his feet tangled with the offensive post player, causing the offensive player to fall... delayed whistle and-BLOCK!!!

*Projecting rock-solid strength eliminates most all confusion and slams the door shut on questioning (I love ya Leroy Richardson...)

*Scorekeepers can deal with two-handed reporting if we as officals properly vocalize the number

*I love officiating!

Sleebo has hit it deep, deep to center field and it is gone!!!!!!

Perfectly said sleebo, and by the way I was the 19 yr old from where else but TN. If you ever want to talk I was #64 and my email address was one slot down from my name.

Was that camp not unbelieveable?

I love learning the art of refereeing from the best in the world!!!!

RefTN--

The step-down was part of a larger picture. Think about it in terms of the larger picture of the rotation. If the ball comes to you in the C and settles right in front of you (free-throw line extended), a switch should be coming. The instruction was to take a step down in order to better referee that play, since it will be the only one you have. Your partner should be coming across on the rotation in order to cover any post play on your side. Once the ball either swings back out, or there is a drive to the basket, you can officiate your play and then finish the rotation by moving out to trail. The reason for the step down, and not up, is that officials had a tendency to bail out on the play because of the impending rotation. The step down forces you to stay with that play, as you should. Also, I still think that the angle is better a tick on the low side than a tick on the high side, espcially because most players will keep the ball on the baseline side of their bodies, so that opens them up to you. Couple that with the fact that most defenders play defense in order to force their man baseline, and it just felt like, to me, that I had a better angle from the low side.

Like I said, two different camps, two different philosophies. It was quite interesting to hear the reasons for each of them. Now at least I know the options, and when I can use them.

drothamel-

Great point on the bail out, that does happen alot to undisciplined guys. It is like you said though different camp, different philosophy, and that is what I love about the game. We all need to be in the right spot to ref the play correctly and some people do it well one way and people do it well another.

I guess the reason I say go topside is because that is what my mentor taught me, but I also meant to say this:

You don't have to go total topside, just when the ball is rotated, step up and get two steps to the left/right or a little more if possible, and two steps behind. I am sure we were taught different things and I think that is ok. I think you were taught when the ball is in your primary, referee just the on-ball matchup, which puts you in an inside-out angle dropping down, and seeing just that matchup. I was grabbed and taught early on by mentor that if the ball is in my primary I need to be able to referee the on-ball matchup and the next closest matchup, as well as i need to be able to keep as many people in my field of vision as possible, so I step up and look having an outside-in look, which I was taught was the best angle you could get, but really who knows. I am sure your way works excellent for you, and if I am being taught that Hank Nichols wants this, then I am doing it.

I don't know anything about Mr. Nichols though and I don't know how he likes to work. If I had to say he wants things done by the CCA manual, which i am not certain by any means, tells you to dive down on that play.

I know Mr. Guthrie is an enthusiast of the pro mechanics. The thing that sticks out in my mind is that he believes that if the ball is right in front of the L's face behind the three point line, he would like the L to take a look at it and not only that but give a preliminary signal for a 3 pointer.

Great topic of discussion. please write back and keep it going. I love to learn different philosophies and have points and counterpoints.

drothamel what camp did you go to by the way?

[Edited by refTN on Jul 18th, 2005 at 03:28 PM]

Not all positive
 

I attended a HS 3-man camp this summer, mainly to get more familiar with working in the 3 man system. The camp will remain nameless as will it's location, but let's just say that an SEC element was present. At least I saw the SEC tapes of the plays of the week which were wonderful.

Although the camp was good, I felt out of place since I had more experience (years) than all but one of the clinicians and one camper! Of course we had the 5 year ref doing D-1, and another with about 7 years experience. Nothing personal, but how much experience can a 7 year official really have?

And how could I leave out the A-hole up and coming ref who thinks he is god's gift to officiating? I had the pleasure of working with this rump-swab 3 times, and at the end of game 3 nearly had to restrain my other partner from ringing his neck! This guy would rotate when the ball was in the air, and of course, that meant the other 2 guys were now out of position. The clinicians had a field day with this issue, that is until I pulled the clinician aside and asked him did he not see that this guy was rotating when the ball was in the air and that is why we had 2 Leads? His response was, "yea, I saw what he was doing." So, if you saw what he was doing, basically making his two partners look like donkey's, why did you ask us why were there 2 Leads 5 times in the first half?

Here's a few things that were reinforced. Mind you, they are not all positive.

My biggest gripe and this continues to this day, is one of consistency. What I was told at this camp was almost 90 degrees out of phase of what I was taught at a Northeastern IAABO camp! To me, this is a huge problem within the officiating community. There are just to many differences and this makes it awfully frustrating. I will illustrate a couple of issues.

Counting: Specifically the backcourt count. I thought it odd when I moved into this area when watching other officials count, they would extend their arms from the armpit out and up. I was always taught, and taught at the IAABO camp the count was from the waist straight out or slightly downward. This makes sense because I really don't want to hit a player in the head while counting. Now at this camp, it is from the armpit, out and up. FED mechaninc manual 'seems' to indicate a similar position, so maybe I was originally taught wrong. I was constantly criticized for my counts being to low, even when they were chest high.

Second mechanics issue: Reporting. Again, I was always taught to use your body as a background when reporting. Not so at this camp. I was constantly reminded of the 'box' which is a window from chest high to the top of your head extended to the side of your body. Again, I was critiqued for not reporting and using hand signals in the box.

Of course these seem like minor things and over time I'm sure I will adjust, but it is frustrating that there are so many different interpretations.

Now, in watching the clinicians work, it was the old axiom of "don't do what I do, do as I say", because all of them didn't even follow their own advice when it came to mechanics. I guess the 5th year guy doing D-1 has a 'right' to do his own thing, but it sends an awfully conflicting message to the younger guys. I do not understand the mentality that says you must do all the mechanics by the book, but then once you get to D-1 you can chuck it. Now why would one have to learn it if when one gets to D-1 they can do what they want? This has always bothered me. I have seen tapes of Hank Nichols and have seen him live, and his mechanics were about as perfect as possible. Impressive to say the least, but yet for the most part, they are a mish-mash in D-1 at present.

I fear that these issues will eventually drive me out of the profession as I am becomming more and more frustrated at the double standards that exist as well as the lack of consistency across the board. For my money, there are just to many theories, to many ways of doing things, one can never know exactly what is the correct thing. I am more than willing to do it by the book, but are we all reading from the same book?

The other annoyance was the term "game interrupter". Strictly a college term, but I was scolded for calling a hack from the slot on a player who prevented another player from taking a shot in the low post as he turned to me. Everyone saw it, but at the break, my call was classified as a game interrupter. I'm just glad that the coach next to me saw me make the call cause it was his player who got hacked. Anyway, press on.

Other issues. Call your area, period, unless the end of the world is near. We had a clear block charge with me in the slot from the opposite side of the court down the lane. Huge crash, I held, Lead froze IMO, and thus no call, but it was without a doubt a charge. In 2-man, I wouldn't have hesitated in making the call, but with 3-man, there are some fuzzy issues with calling your area only. Talked to the camp director at the break and asked him his opinion and what should I have done. Basically, I did the right thing and eat the whistle, although I didn't feel good with that answer since player A got away with manslaughter while the whole gym watched. So, I'm not so sure about this call your area only thing, but I can respect it.

Same game, earlier, I'm in the slot again, and player A drives and takes off from other side of the court slashing to the basket airborne. Arm gets ticked, and I mean ticked. Shot still got off without a problem. Lead again fails to call (this was a D-1 official). Player A turns to him and says he was hit, and thereupon was awarded with a T. I was then asked later if I saw his arm being hit, whereupon I said I saw it get touched, not hit, and furthermore, it had no effect on his motion or his release. I was chastized for not making this call from the slot. So, in this game I couldn't win for losing. Damned if I did, and damned if I didn't.

All in all, it was a good learning experience for me. It all wasn't bad. I got my 3-man stuff down, but I'm still at odds with the inconsistency that exists at these camps. To much power is being held by assignors, and especially so with college men and women working as clinicians at HS camps.

goose

Re: Not all positive
 

I understand why you feel that way, but this is really not fair for you to question someone's experience because it is not as long as you have worked. Some officials just get it. Some officials know what they are supposed to do and do it at an early age. Tiger Woods is probably the best golfer to ever play the game. Tiger is much younger than most golfers on the tour. How long he has been playing does not diminish his skill level. Maybe these officials played the game at college or coached for a long time? I do not know, but everyone that is good cannot work D1 ball.

There are always people at camp like this. I would not worry about it.

I was always taught to keep my count level with my shoulder. I do not think it really matters, there is personal preference involved in many things we do. Not a big deal where I see things.

I never was taught to signal in front of my body. It is harder to see and if the scorer does not hear you, they might confuse what number you had. What they taught you is the same thing we teach guys at the HS level here.

Life is not fair. I have heard Tom O'Neal talk about this several times. He says guys do one thing when they are going up the latter and change when they get there. The only thing I can really say is officials at that level (and even at the high levels of HS) are judged by the calls they make, not the mechanics they use. That is just the way it is. I am sure it has always been that way.

Of course we are not all reading from the same book, because the book does not clarify all these differences and possibilities.

This is another common term used where I live. I was not there to judge whether your call was a game interrupter or not, but I know that we try to pass on plays that do not affect the play.

What did your partner think? Maybe your partner had a different point of view. Now I was not there, but I had a call made during a college camp I attended last week and I passed on the call that was clearly in my area. When I asked my partner what happen, she clearly did not know see what I did. It was not a big deal, but I know I would not have called anything if I had a second chance at the same play.

That is camp. It is not unusual for one clinician to tell you one thing and another to say something completely different. That is just the way things work. It is up to you to decide if the information they give you works for you.

What is your suggestion for a change? Not sure it is going to change anytime soon, nor should it if you ask me. We cannot get clinicians and camps in my state to all agree on what to do, what makes you think it is going to change when you go to different camps across the country?

Peace

Re: Not all positive
 

There's a couple of different schools of thought on this one.

- Not in your area: pass!
- C needs to be aggressive & get what he can, sort of like F5 grabbing ground balls to his left in front of F6
- Anyone can grab the obvious call, especially when bodies hit the floor. Also known as 'game savers'.

In any event the C has the best view of arm contact and should take those, as in your second play.

Usually these issues are resolved during pregame, unfortunately pregames at camp are not long and sometimes the crew is not on the same page consistently. And if it makes you feel better, all bets are off if a crew member is not taking calls he should be taking - IOW trust your partner until he proves he can't be trusted. Maybe your clinician felt Mr Big Time couldn't be trusted? And *someone* needed to step up? Camp is camp. Absorb everything, use what you can in your game, file the rest for reference.

Dan makes a good point in saying that one should take what he/she can from a camp experience. That can also be followed with this thought: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." One may hear conflicting things from camp to camp, from camp to local association/conference, etc. It shows great mental processing ability and thinking on your feet to be able to successfully put things into your game and/or take them out from one game to the next. There is obviously a legitimate reason why a clinician or assigner asks an official to do things a particular way (at least in that individual's mind). Therefore, the camper or official must try to please the person in the authority position. This is a part of the challenging avocation of officiating. Congrats to all who attended camp(s) this summer or have done so in the past. It shows dedication that not many outside of the stripes truly appreciate.

One quick thought on going topside vs. going low at the slot: if we go low, does that not put one's back or side to some part of our primary (a player, a line of responsibility, or our partner(s) who can no longer see our eyes to ascertain what exactly it is that we are focused on? I would like to hear anyone's opinion who will offer.

My two cents (or less): I was a clinician at two HS camps the last two weeks. Personally, I don't care if the C goes high or low, or ever takes a couple steps onto the court to get a better view. What I saw that was a big problem is that instead of staying mainly parallel to the sideline, the C is turning their shoulders <i>so much </i>to the play that they are only able to watch a single matchup. They are no longer able to ref "one play ahead" and they are losing sight of their entire primary except for the ball matchup.

Z

Whether or not you should turn that way is one question but I think that two of your reasons are not a problem.<LI>It would make where you're looking pretty obvious.<LI>There's not much to worry about regarding the line. The ball is not going to jump over there before you can turn back.

Drothamel, I know of at least 7 D-1 conferences on the east coast which teach going top-side versus low-side. I'm not saying that to down HS ball at all. The fact is people officiate HS ball everyday because the assigner has to have a certain number of officials working as opposed to college assigners having people on staff that want to do the right thing for the most part.
Since we are talking about people who want to officiate rather than collecting a check we should dismiss any notion of bailing out. Bailing out is obviously something we shouldn't do, especially from the C.

Going low-side:

Cuts off your field or "cone" of vision and rotates it away from the basket.
Allows you to see space between two players
Allows you to see the ball when the dribbler has it on the baseline side of his/her body.
Creates a stack on most drives or at least too many to the hole.
Creates a possible stack on baseline jumpers.
Limits ability to pick up screens that come from the baseline
Limits ability to help L with out of bounds call
Severely limits ability to get angles on rebounding plays.

Going top-side:

Opens up your field of vision
Allows you to see space between players
Allows you to see ball when dribbler has it on the "top" side of his/her body
Allows you to make adjustments to get great angles on all drives to the basket
Allows you to see space on baseline jumpers
Allows you to see screens that come from either side of the player with the ball
Increases possibility to help L with out of bounds call on your side of the court
Allows you to make adjustments to get angles on rebounding plays
Allows you to become T quicker in case of a steal/turnover

Mechanically, this is one of the best improvements for 3-man crews in some time. If our goal is to get a higher percentage of calls right going top-side allows us to move towards that goal. This is not a one size fits all thing but it is something that works more than it doesn't.

Goose,

How much experience a 7-year official has varies throughout the country. For that matter, it can vary in the same city! This has little to do with how good an official can be. I think Zack Zarba doesn't have much more experience than that. I guess the NBA thinks he is good enough. :D

You mentioned a gripe and IAABO. IAABO, enough said. :(

If your counting, no matter how you do it, has the possibility of hitting a player then your method of counting isn't the problem.

While you may not understand the mentality behind some mechanics being put aside I hope you can understand that something must seperate us as officials so we can't all have the same exact mechanics.

If your were to "make it" and worked for more than one supervisor what would you do if they wanted different things? If you did a HS game one day and a college game the next day what would you do? Maybe adjust?

Game interrupters are something we should all work on. The worst game interrupters are a whole bunch of "and one" plays that could be held. On the flip side, we don't award free-throws enough when a player is beginning the shooting motion. We are quick to yell "on the floor" while the player is shooting the ball. The rule is the same for HS, college and the NBA. We don't do a good job of this. Notice I'm saying "we" which includes myself :D

I would like to know what you mean by "I got my 3-man stuff down." If this is as written then that could be why someone with 7 years has enough experience to be D-1. This official could already have his "3-man stuff down" and is on the fast track moving up.

Just some thoughts.

tomegun,

Just a few comments, but please don't take them personally.

The knock I had/have with a 7 year official being a clinician at a camp is this. Although his mechanics might be perfect (which they were not), he can't possibly have enough experience. There just isn't enough time to have seen what the 15-20-30 year official has seen. This does not make him a bad official, but I have to wonder about the experience.

Again, I'll use the simple analogy of a surgeon. Would you want a doctor operating on you with a few years of experience or one that say, has 30 years with the knife? More often than not, we choose the person with more experience. This does not mean they are necessarily better, but I think experience does count for something and surely in the real working world, experience does count. If it did not, then why is it necessary on every resume?

>You mentioned a gripe and IAABO. IAABO, enough said.

My gripe or should I say issues are not with IAABO but more with the differences across the boards.

>While you may not understand the mentality behind some >mechanics being put aside I hope you can understand that >something must seperate us as officials so we can't all >have the same exact mechanics.

I don't agree with this at all. We are to in effect not be seen nor heard. Why would I want to seperate myself from my fellow officials. The issue with a uniform mechanic code is to make us all alike, not seperate us. Why wear the same uniform if we are to seperate ourselves. On the contrary, we are taught, at least I was, that we should all look alike, talk alike, and work alike. No glasses, no overweight, same uniform, etc. So why throw out the mechanics? Why then even have a mechanics manual if we are to seperate ourselves? It sends the wrong message. I was always told that you were to be indistinguishable from your partner, and that you SHOULD NOT stick out.

If we all can't have the same mechanics, then throw them out.

>If your were to "make it" and worked for more than one >supervisor what would you do if they wanted different >things? If you did a HS game one day and a college game >the next day what would you do? Maybe adjust?

This is a bone of contention. As I said, the supervisors have way to much power. They have way to much control and quite frankly, interpret the game through their eyes instead of simply following the rules. FWIW, they have bent over backwards in my opinion to please the coaches.

As for HS and college, they are two different games. I would suspect that there would be differences and there are, and these are with the RULES. Mechanics should not differ all that much except when there is a rule difference. Other than that, what right does the college guy have in throwing out the mechanics manual just because he made it? I must confess, it is a sore spot with me. Kind of like smoking. Don't preach to me about the ills of smoking while you are puffing away. Back to the old "do as I say, not as I do." To me it just sends a mixed message.

>I would like to know what you mean by "I got my 3-man >stuff down." If this is as written then that could be why >someone with 7 years has enough experience to be D-1. This >official could already have his "3-man stuff down" and is >on the fast track moving up.

When I moved, I moved into an area that uses the 3 man system. Coming from an area that was strictly 2 man and having worked 2 man for some 19 years, has some drawbacks. I was thrown into the fire last winter in the 3 man system and ended up making my way through it due to some very forgiving partners. This spring I worked in tournaments every weekend that involved 3 man. I also thought it would be wise in attending a team camp that taught only 3 man, which is regarded as the best HS 3 man camp in the state. Since I needed more work and insight, I decided to attend and I am glad I did. I got my rotations down, and my coverage responsibilites down. Now all I need is more on court experience. That is what I meant when I said I got my 3 man stuff down.

As for the fast track to moving up, this assumes that all officals want to move up. Personally, I have passed that point in my life and other things are more important than the almighty schedule. I could care less if I move up at this point in my life. I officiate becasue I like it, not in hopes of moving up.

Over the years, I have seen far to many couples split up over moving up. I've seen far to many drink to excess all in the name of moving up. I've seen far to many shuffle their kids off to military or private school while they are away from home 6 nights a week and then wonder why is my kid so rebellious. Cat Steven's "Cat in the Cradle" is a constant reminder of my priorities.

Time has passed me. I've had my chances to move up and have turned both of them down. I'm happy where I am at. Of course, this is another bone of contention I have with the general position within the officiating world that says if you don't want to move up, there must be something wrong with you. Yea, I'm happily married and want to stay married. Yea, I'm not an alcoholic and have no intention in becomming one all in the name of moving up. Yea, I want to see my kids more often than peeking in on them while they sleep. So yea, I don't want to move up, nor do I need to move up. I just want to do the best job where I am at, and I can live with that fact.

Just some thoughts. Sorry to get off target.

By the way, it was Harry Chapin who did "Cat's in the Cradle", but the point is still absolutely valid. There is a delicate balancing act between parenting, career/job, officiating, hobbies, etc.

You are right in saying there should be uniformity in rules enforcement and mechanics. A team should be able to go to a different area and still expect to play the same game. Mechanics are important because that is our form of communication - a signal that means one thing one place and another somewhere else, means our communication is ineffective. But, in the highly competitive world of moving up the officiating ladder, being different is important. In a camp that has 100 officials competing for a couple of spots on the staff, you have to be a little different to stand out enough to get noticed. Yes, they still want uniformity, to an extent. But, if everyone did everything exactly the same, what would make a supervisor pick you out of the crowd? So, you need to be the same, only different. Some people can do it, many can't.

Not sure this is a good example. Some surgeons specialize in certain areas. I would rather have the surgeon that has had success at a particular area, then someone that has just been around a really long time. If an official is at the D1 level as a 7 year official, that is much longer than I have been at that level. He can teach me anything about officiating he likes.


Then are you saying that officials should have the same style no matter what?

What is your solution? Conferences hire who they want to assign their league and the NCAA assigns out of those conferences the officials they are going to use for NCAA Tournament. What solution do you have for this "problem" as you see it?

Well that is not going to happen anytime soon, nor should it. I can tell you are not a football official. If you were a football official you would realize the college mechanics are not even close to the same at the high school level.

When I started officiating I was exposed to 3 Man mechanics. I have worked 3 Man on a regular basis since the 2nd year of my officiating career. When I moved to my current area, I had more 3 Man experience than most 10 and 20 year officials. I was teaching many more veteran officials where to stand, what to do than they ever could tell me during the regular season.

Are you suggesting that guys that want to move up through the ranks do not like officiating? I want to move up and want to achieve a lot in officiating, but that does not mean I do not like what I am doing.

Not sure that is any different in officiating as it is with any profession or hobby. I know guys that like going to the strip club every night and it affects their marriage or relationship. Not sure these problems are just related to moving up in officiating.

You have not offended me at all. I just do not know what moving up has to do with being an alcoholic or not being a good husband or wife. I know a view husbands that put their children through school with the money they make from officiating. I think if you want to move up, you should convince your significant other what are the benefits of that extra money. I do not see how not moving up is going to keep your marriage or your kids happy.

Peace

Goose,

For someone who feels so content with the way he has situated officiating vis-a-vis the rest of his life, you certainly do protest a lot about officiating. Put differently, if officiating as an institution is so rife with problems, and it's not that much of a priority to you to begin with, why do some of these things bother you so much?


I still don't get your whole 'experience' argument. When you see five-year guys doing D1, dollars to donuts you're talking about people who have been getting top-level instruction for nearly their entire careers. This is worth years and years of experience. I have worked with countless guys in their early twenties who I would rather work with than some 20-yr vets I know. Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.

This is not limited to you, but I will ask you why you seem so fixated on signals. If your signals communicate well to everyone, then what's the problem? "Well, the manual says..." "But what about uniformity..." To these I say, so what? If an assignor is content with what you do, and you feel good about how your signals communicate to others, then what, exactly, is the problem?

I'll tell you what the answer is at the high school level in my state. Signals are given primacy because the powers that be don't know enough about actually officiating the game to be able to critique on anything but the most cut-and-dried of issues. Thus, approved signals = quality referee. Unfortunately, many of those officials with the "great signals" get exposed for the weak officials they are when post-season play arrives and the play is over their heads. I adapt and do what "they" want me to do, but I still think it's absurd--and does a great disservice to players and coaches--to put more emphasis on the cosmetic than on getting plays correct.

One caveat, though, is that I don't think that this is an example of assignors having "too much power." Assignors are what they are: distributors of games (read money), and to varying degrees, prestige. There's always going to be someone who distributes these goods, and to the extent that that's true, there will be some concentration of power. This is at best a problem without a problem, and at worst a problem without a solution.

As to your critique of the differences in expectations across assignors, all I can say to that is 'good luck.' Additionally, if you were to try to be progressive about the issue, to whom do you want to give the power to dictate which systems/theories will be given primacy in the standardization of assignors?

jb

This is a very good topic, and I applaud all those participating for keeping the conversation sincere.

My 2 cents:

1. Clinicians teach you technique, not experience. A 25-year Big East official can learn how to referee SEC ball from a 5-year SEC official. (Insert surgery analogy here)

2. Officials must distinguish themselves without standing out. Sounds strange, but the highest-ranking officials have mastered this subtle technique and I'm working on it.

3. If college presidents, coaches, and fans want the game played a certain way, then I don't have a problem bending the rules in that direction. If I can bend the rules for 8-year-olds when they take an extra step, then I can bend it for college kids. The presidents, coaches, and fans at all levels want to see a clean and fair game, not a lot of whistles.

4. Some guys I know would sell their soul for a D1 game. We all know them. Because we see others taking that path, that doesn't mean that we can't get there and still keep home happy.

Goose, I don't take your comments personally because I've been working more than 7 years. I have also officiated on the west and east coasts. A 3 year guy who wants to work on the east coast equals a 6 year guy on the west coast possibly. This can happen and I'm working with a guy (5 years of experience) tonight who I would work with in any game on any level that I have worked so far.

You are the perfect example of a lot of experience but not a lot of experience in the 3-man system. So this guy could have 6 more years of experience than you in the current system. By the way there are 19 and 20 year olds who attend camps in the SEC system which means by the time they are 7 years into their career they have been instructed by NBA officials for seven years.

If you want to blend in and not stand out then I would want to work my first game of camp with you because I will be me with my own style.

If you don't want to move up then:
1. Why are you complaining so much about someone who is in D1?
2. Why do you care at all?

If you think there is a link between the problems you mentioned and moving up then you must have lived in Mayberry! That is almost as crazy as someone saying they don't want their significant other to go to a club because they could have an affair. This could happen on a trip to 7-11 and so can the problems you mentioned.

Goose -- I attended one of the Dale Kelley camps this summer and one of the major points that the clinicians communicated to the campers was that Dale is looking for people with personality - not robots. Yes there are certains things mechanically that he wants to see, but he wants people that can manage a game. The best referees in the game today have acheived their level of success because of their personality, their ability to communicate, conflict resolution skills, ability to manage a game, etc. Each game is a different set of situations, challenges, and experiences. You have to adapt on a nightly basis. There is no cookie-cutter way to handle everything.

Here's an idea: keep a scouting report on supervisors, camp clinicians, etc. Write down what they feel is important or which mechanics they prefer. Reviewing these notes before each season, camp, or game will allow you look really good. Truthfully, you're goal at a camp should be to simply eliminate any reason for a clinician or supervisor to "scratch" you from their list. As a result, simply give them what they want and you'll do just fine.

Goose,

Your saying the words mechanics and uniformity in the same sentence. They don't go together anymore, trust me I am one of the younger ones on this forum, and I mean this as far as signals mechanics go. Officiating, especially at the higher levels it is about selling your call, looking clean and crisp while doing so, communicating well enough that your partners know what the call was, and admist all that having your own style, because for those of us who want to MOVE UP it is about two things:
GETTING THE PLAYS RIGHT(first and foremost) and looking athletic and clean while getting the plays right.

See I am one of those SEC kids that tomegun was talking about. All my mentoring comes from guys in the SEC umbrella, and these are the most UNIFORMED guys I know.... as far as getting the calls correct. They don't care if they use a hold signal and it is different than the one in the CCA manual or the NFHS manual, the supervisors are happy as can be if you get the call right and you communicate well with your partners(they care about a whole lot more than that, but it is too much to name).

The above is all the NBA guys stress. They want you to be in the right position so you can give yourself an even better chance at what they want the most:
GETTING THE PLAY RIGHT.

Don't get me wrong mechanics are great........ at the high school level, where 80% of the guys don't care about moving up, you need those because the guys who don't know hardly anything about the sport try to get into officiating and the supervisor takes them because he doesn't have enough officials already. You are on a forum where I am sure that at least 65% of the guys on here would love to get a call tommorrow to referee something higher than HS or the college level they are currently at. I wish it was just open to guys aspiring to moving up and wanting to understand the game better and why they missed calls instead of guys who say a guy with 7 years of experience is not good enough to coach a clinic. Zach Zarba is one of the best teachers I have had. He's not one of THE BEST IN THE WORLD because he has a lot of experience it is because he has had some of the greatest mentors and teachers this game has known. For the love of all things holy, his mentor was Ronnie Nunn. I would have to go out on a limb and dare to say he learned alot of what he needed to know in just a couple of years.

Last but not least the point you tried to make about a 7 year guy not having seen as much as a 15-20-30 year guy, is a good point, but in the case of SEC they don't want thay 15-20-30 year guy they want that 1 to 4 year guy and stick him with some guys who have done it a little longer than that and by the time his 7th season rolls around, as far as knowing how to officiate a game with all the great guys that taught him that were in the upper echelon of basketball officiating, he beats the he** out of the 15-20-30 yr vet who thought he knew all he needed to know and had seen almost everything.

I am sorry to rant at you like this, but I know we are coming from 2 totally different sides of the spectrum, because I am young and you are older. I just want you to understand that if a kid is caught early (like I was) and taught by some great people (like I am) and put in a great system (like me and many others are) they have a great chance to succeed in a short amount of time. They don't have to see every play, they just have to use the knowledge that these great educators of the games have given them and apply it to the best of their abilities to get the play right, and 9 times out of 10 they will get it right because it is a chain system where I am working with a guy who has done this for a couple of years and had that play a couple of years ago with a guy who had that a couple of years ago, so on and so forth. It is all about learning quickly and sitting down and having chats about plays. It is also about watching film. With the technology we have these days there is no reason a kid that wanted to work hard enough could see alot and if not all the weird plays a guy who has been reffing 20 yrs has seen in just a matter of 2 yrs or less. I watch film constantly and it has been the shining light for me. If you just eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff you can be that good, but you almost have to do so and I know people like Zach Zarba just to name one, that was bitten by the bug, and just fell utterly, and deeply in love with this profession and I reiterate the word profession.


And to think all I was going to say on this post originally was:

IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING THE PLAYS RIGHT!!!!

So much for that.

[Edited by refTN on Jul 20th, 2005 at 03:15 AM]

What level are <b>you</b> currently at, refTN? What experience do <b>you</b> actually have? Have you ever officiated an NCAA D1, D2 or D3 game in your life? Have you ever actually officiated a regular season high school varsity game in your life? If so, how many? Iow, what levels are you currently officiating and what levels have officiated in the past?

I await your enlightenment of me.

Mr. RefTN,

While a absolutely salute your enthusiasm, I would caution you against the tempation to imagine that you are qualified to work higher levels of this game because you have attended a remarkable camp. Further, there is no substitute for being a student of the game, and if that means watching hundreds of hours of game film a year, or perhaps getting in the trenches and working some high school or rec ball, then please be assured you aren't wasting your time.

Permit me to share a story from my own experience unrelated to basketball per se, yet the analogy is as appropriate to officiating as it was for me at the time.

I paid for a great deal of my college by driving trucks. For the most part, this meant hauling fresh produce out of the fields to processing plants or canneries. I worked for a company that hired college students almost exlusively, while most of the other companies had seasoned, experienced drivers. Since we all worked out of the same central dispatching areas, we came into contact regularly.

The guys in my company all had brand new trucks to drive with eight speed trasmissions (which is about as close to automatic as it was possible to have) Some of these trucks had fewer than 30 miles on them when we picked them up. A semi truck is consideren NEW until it has 100,000 miles on it and it takes time to break in -- a process which should happen slowely and gently. Instead, my fellow drivers and I all drove with our feet flat on the floor, driving as fast as we could possibly make the bohemiths go, with no consideration for the equipment or the risks we were taking ourselves. We often worked 60 to 100 without sleep.

As you may have already assumed, we had a reputation among the more seasoned drivers as being a bunch of Yahoos! We were discribed as an accident just waiting to happen. Not suprisingly, we all just kind of laughed at all these old geesers; thinking them to be jealous of our new trucks and the fact that we got a bunch of the best runs. What we didn't know was that my company owner used to bribe the dispatcher in order to get us those great runs because it allowed us a chance to haul more frieght, which was how he got paid.

It wasn't until I switched companies, and had one of those old geesers practically adopt me that I began to understand just how much of a YAHOO I truly was. I didn't even understand most of the fundamentals of being safe even though I had been driving for a couple of years.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying, establish a rapport with a very senior, experienced official whom you respect, and become his (or her) apprentice. Allow this mentor to guide your officiating, and potentially, your career. Despite all the wonderful things you have been exposed to thus far, there really is no substitute for experience, and the judgement which often accompanies it.

We may not all share your vision for rapid promotion, and for many, we may have discoverd other aspects of our lives which are equally important to us as officiating is: things that have helped us to create balance. We may not have been put on the fast track to instant succes, and yet, we don't lack a commitment to professionalism either. There is literally a plethora of experience available to you (and me) right here on this website, that were you and I to availe ourselves of this wealth of knowledge, we might discover it would help spring board us to levels of play we only imagine ourselves working right now.

To paraphrase a concept from "Illusions" by Richard Bach, ... everything I've written here might be wrong.

Keep working, growing, questioning, and forming your own ideas of how to best serve this game.

Jurrasic, breathe, ... breathing is good. LOL

You don't know true that statement really is. :)I awake every day just happy that I really am awaking that day.

Where is Goose? I hope he doesn't think people were trying to gang up on him. It wasn't my intention.

RefTN-

Slow your roll, playa!

While I understand your point, and while I can understand your perspective (I, too, am a relatively young one at 24), your post smacks of a bit of condescension.

I have always been of the opinion that there are dues to be paid, especially in this business. A lot of the recruitment in officiating is done on the basis of potential. Being part of a good system, having great mentors, etc. only builds potential. Potential is not a replacement for experience. I have a tremendous amount of confidence in my abilities as an official. I also understand that I can't have it all at once, nor should I, no matter how good I think I am. There are a certain amount of dues that must be paid before premotion up the ladder.

I approach it this way: I officiate varsity HS ball right now, and I would like to move up to officiating college in the near future. In order for that to happen, I need to make sure that I am the best HS official I can be. Once that happens, the transition to college will be much easier. I have seen an official or two that have gotten their shot a bit too early, and weren't able to live up to their potential. I don't want that to be me.

Are there exceptions, of course, there are always exceptions. Zach Zarba is a good example of that. There are also countless number of officials whose names are unknown to us, mostly because they had all the potential in the world, but not the experience to know how to use it.

I would also urge everyone to get as much exposure to as many officiating philosophies as possible. While the SEC may be the fast track today, it could be the road to nowhere in a few years. You just never know. Look at the ACC, now that Cloughterty is in charge, there are going to be some major changes coming in that conference. There are going to be some guys who won't be able to adjust, and those guys are going to be in trouble. I guess all I'm saying is, don't put all those eggs in one basket. From what I've seen, this business is far too fickle for that.

RefTN-

If the things you have been doing, and the people you have been meeting are working well for you, and helping you acheive your goals, congratulations! All I'm saying is be careful what you wish for, and definitely be careful about the mannner in which you share those wishes with others.

Drothamel is totally right about putting all your eggs in one basket. I was given the same advice and I'm following it. The ACC alliance is a good example. A lot of people were/are nervous about it and for good reason. All it takes is the right/wrong memo from the right person and any situation could change.

I agree with everybody that has written in so far. I wish I wouldn't have went on a rant like that but I had the similar problem with an old guy the other day and it kind of hit me in the heart.

Jurassic in three years I would have to say that in games total I have done near 600 games and about 35% at the high school varsity level. I know your going to rip into me so go ahead and let us get it over with. I love criticism.

I do apologize to everyone again. I, unlike alot of people on here, have not recieved perspective or priorities yet. All I want to do on this earth is referee basketball at the highest level imaginable, and nothing else. I don't have a wife or another job, etc. to have to prioritize with reffing. That is all I do. I feel that every day I don't ref it is a day wasted.

And don't get me wrong I don't want to move on too fast. I want to pay my dues like everyone else. When I do low level games people ask me what I am doing there and I reply "I am just paying my dues"

Mr. McCain

Your story is also head on. The thing that I do have that I think you don't think I have is an older mentor. I love this man with no doubt in my mind. Also like you said though I do put all my eggs in one basket, but that is how much I believe in the development program I am in, and how much I believe in my mentor. If nothing happens for me because I put all my eggs in one basket then so be it and shame on me for being so niaive(i'm pretty sure i didn't spell that right.)

So...... refTN- you're 19 years old; you've already refereed for 3 years - which means you started around the age of 16- and you've already done about .35x600=210 regular season high school varsity games. You truly are a <i>wunderkind</i>. 70 games/year is a fairly heavy varsity schedule- for sure.

In Tennessee, do you have to write and pass the NFHS test(s)- either part 1 or 2- to officiate high school leagues? If so, what marks did you get on those tests the last 3 years? If not, does Tennessee require officials to write any formal tests to qualify someone to officiate high school varsity basketball?

Don't most states require an official to be 18 and already a graduate to work high school games?

So it would seem he did those 210 games in one season.;)

Jurassic in three years I would have to say that in games total I have done near 600 games and about 35% at the high school varsity level.

RefTN, I find that now I'm curious too. I've known a couple of officials who began officiating college level games before they ever worked a high school varsity game. Is this the path that you have taken as well? If so, should I infer that the remainder of your 390 games have been at the college level?

Our state allows officials to officiate games at the age of 17. There is even talk of a mentoring program where kids in HS will be able to officiate while still in HS. These officials will not be allowed to work HS Varsity games though. This is still up for approval.

Peace

Jurassic you misunderstood me. I am counting all the games I have ever done. Camps I got hired for, AAU, rec ball. These games count as experience don't they?

The officials test I had to take to get in the assosciation I made an 88 on.

FYI, when you say high school varsity most officials think HS regular season and post season tournaments, not summer stuff with high school aged players.

Back to my original questions, refTN.....

How many regular season or playoff high school varsity games have you officiated?

How many regular season or pre-season exhibition college games- at any level- have you officiated?

Have you ever formally written the NFHS Pt. 1 or 2 exams, the IAABO exam, a certified state exam, or a university level NCAA exam?

You are a certified, dues-paid-up TSSAA official, right?

Just wondering.

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Jul 20th, 2005 at 08:47 PM]

He would have to have done that. Tennessee requires their high school certified officials to be at least 18 years of age and also be a high school graduate.

http://www.tssaa.org/Handbook/officials.pdf

I have done about 65 middle school REGULAR SEASON games, and no varsity high school REGULAR SEASON games to answer your question.

[Edited by refTN on Jul 20th, 2005 at 08:51 PM]

RefTN-

I don't know you personally, although I would definitely like to meet you, so I may be overstepping a bit here. . . but oh well.

Some of the best advice I can give another young official is-- find some balance. I know that you said that you don't have any other priorities right now, but I would suggest that you find them now, before you find them and don't have the time to appreciate or enjoy them.

When I started officiating, it was all I wanted to do. I still have a number of lofty goals that I want to acheive in officiating. It is still very important to me, but now I have a bit more balance in my life. I just got married in November. I am lucky in that I met my wife in High School, so she was accustomed to my athletic participation. She still attends most of my games (she usually skips the girls' games). I can tell you that having a life away from officiating makes your life inside officiating much easier to handle. It also makes you more appreciative of what you have.

Even having a job is a good thing. There are a lot of things that happen in my regular occupation that help me when I am on the court. It also teaches you some time management and some sacrifice.

Someone on this board has a signature line that says something like, "If all I am remembered for is being a good official, then I have failed," I think that is a very true statement.

I met a lot of guys this summer at camps that wanted to succeed so bad that they mortgaged their home lives for it. Sure, they are successful officials, but for what? Who wants to be around a guy who is a great official, but can't keep a job, never sees his kids, and avoids his wife?

I guess I may sound a bit preachy. If that is the case, I apologize in advance. It is just something that is important to me, and I think that alot of guys overlook it in that search for the next "big assignment." When I look back on my life, I don't want to have only "big assingments" to remember. Again, all I can say is good luck to you, I hope you do reach all of your goals, but just search for that balance. It will pay big dividends both in officiating and in life.

Thanks for the advice drothamel, but like I said I just haven't found those things yet. As far as a job, I get enough games to make enough income to make it through college. College is paid for. And, well a woman, I am still very young, and don't get me wrong I am looking.

I love what I do and I can't help it? I apologize because it makes me very on edge and people who dog it and hate on kids my age upsets me. Yes I am young, but that doesn't mean that my lack of years in experience has made me a liability. I have been eating, sleeping, and breathing this stuff for at least the last 2 yrs. I almost lost my scholarships from school last semester because I had my head in this forum, in my rulebook, in my casebook, and at games watching other refs more than in my school books.

Thanks again for the advice drothamel. I do need to get some more things in my life, but RIGHT NOW this is all I care about. If I find any of those things though I will write you. A woman would definitely be a plus, but this is kinda why I don't have one is because she would have to accept the traveling that I will do, and if she can't.. bye, bye.

refTN-

Fair enough. Like I said, I really would like to meet you. Since I am only in VA, perhaps our paths will cross one day.

Keep up the good work. Dedication is important; and it is obvious that you have the dedication and desire, espcially from your posts.

BTW-- I am assuming that you are attending Middle Tennesee State, the Blue Raiders, I believe. That is one other thing we have in common, I am a proud BLUE Hen, you a BLUE Raider. Two obscure Blue mascots.

How many times have you been to an SEC camp?
Has coach Guthrie given you any games in any of his leagues?
If so, which league?

I'm asking because I know a lot of guys who work for coach Guthrie and I know some guys who were at IIOC this year. You may very well be a natural on the court. However, the odds are always against that so if we are to go with the odds you have a lot to learn. Middle school games can be fun but they still don't have the atmosphere of a high school game. Of course a high school game doesn't have the atmosphere of a college game either. Your story could very well play out that you never do a high school varsity game but I doubt it.

When you go to these camps, what makes you so special? At this point you should know what the evaluators and your mentor have told you that makes you good. We have to stand out and when someone watches you for five minutes they will not be able to see the fact that you know the rules and they surely will not be able to see unique mechanics if you are like many others in the system. I don't think you will take that question the wrong way because I know you have been to camp and everything isn't roses there.

I would have thought you had at least some high school experience. Oh, well.

Tomegun I always have alot to learn. Always. I don't think any of the posts in this thread have, first of all, shown that i know all there is to know. I am always willing to learn. When it comes to basketball I am the most receptive person you will ever meet, and that is why I feel I am where I am at today. I say basketball I am a poltician and I will argue with a wall on things that I believe, but not when it comes to basketball. I am too young to do that crap.

I have a tape of a game that I did from IIOC and if you would like, I would love to send it to you for a critique, so you could tell me what I have that is special or what I could work on to make me special. From earlier posts I have read, I think you ref college, I would love to hear what you would have to say. Don't take this sarcasticly, I would sincerely like to send this tape to you, so if you want to you could send me your info to my email which is [email protected]. I will pay for postage and everything.

I haven't thanked you for the posts you have been writing, but I do appreciate them.

drothamel- who are the blue hens? Sorry for not knowing and good job on knowing the Blue Raiders. You need to because we are going to be a powerhouse in a sport someday, besides of course for our women's rugby team.

It would appear summer ball's about over and the start of the season is still a long way off....anyone up for a beer which may be the best place to have such a discussion.

Sure!

You buyin'?

refTN--

The Fightin' Blue Hen is the mascot of The University of Delaware. It is kinda wierd, because the depiction of the mascot is clearly male, but that is a different subject entirely. I love unusual mascots.

refTN, I sent you an email with the information.

You still didn't say where you are in the system. I know of the OVC and A-Sun but I forgot what the other leagues are. Peachbelt or something like that right?

Tomegun I just got into the program so I don't know where I am at yet but here are the confrences in the SEC umbrella: Florida Sun(NAIA), Sunshine State(DII), Southern States Athletic(NAIA), Peachbelt Athletic (DII), Ohio Valley(DI), Atlantic Sun(DI) and Southeastern(DI).

Did you get my email to send me the tape? I guess we will be able to meet face to face in Atlanta for the NCAA meeting.

I did get your email and I will have it sent out tommorrow or monday. Thanks for taking a look.

I don't know if I am going to come to the meeting or not.

I thought coach Guthrie requires everyone on staff to attend the NCAA meeting. Is that not the case?

Tomegun,

I just went to IIOC this year so I would have to say I am not on Guthrie's staff, but we were invited to attend the meeting in Atlanta.

In response to the comments that everyone has made here, as a young official, I think it's very easy to get caught up in the praise that you will receive, especially at camps, and if you have talent and a desire to learn, and also when you're better than a lot of your fellow campers. The hard part is stepping up and encountering a situation where you might get some criticism and you are not one of the elite campers. That feeling is not a great feeling, and that's where the strong support network, and things outside of officiating come in. It's very easy to get caught up in the praise and put everything into officiating when you're being told how great a job you're doing, but what happens when you've invested everything into something and you hit a bump in the road. In order to continue to succeed at that point, you need other things to help you keep a positive mindset that is necessary to overcome those obstacles. That's why I think the most successful officials always say officiating in not priority #1 in life. There's too much pressure already on us than for us to be impacted on too personal a level by failures on the court.

REFTN : After a quick look on Coach's website I sure don't see your name in the directory. Call me crazy, but if you are in his "system" you would have access to his website with a profile and contact information.

I have totally been misread, misquoted or something. Tomegun asked if I had done any of Guthrie's leagues or things of that sort. I told him that I am not on Guthrie's staff, but he did say that he was going to get the guys at IIOC set up on his website so we could see plays.