Did my first “official” game two nights ago, a girls’ freshman game. Had a very helpful veteran partner and things went pretty smooth. There was somewhat of a foul imbalance but one team was simply more aggressive and no one was griping about it. What a thrill it was to be handed a check for doing something I really enjoyed. I was a little worried about foul reporting (remembering the numbers, correct free-throw shooter, signals) because we didn’t practice these in the scrimmages but it all flowed well.

My partner mentioned that I got my palm/fist signal for violations/fouls crossed a couple times but otherwise was fine. Will be doing a JV game tonight then I debut at Referee for another freshman game next week. While I observed my partner’s duties at Referee and will be able to again tonight, does anyone have any tips about the responsibilities of the R? What do you emphasize with the team captains, scorers, etc.? Thanks!

Keep it as short as possible -- they aren't listening to you anyway.

freshman bball already?
 

wow, freshman bball doesn't start in my neck of the woods for another month at least. and JV bball too!!! again that level doesn't start for at least another month around here.

ditto what bob jenkins said!!!

First game- I'm afraid I still remember my first game, nothign high, I belive it was 13 year old girls, and I had an elite ref as my partner; so it could've been worse. But my own oart was dreadful, luckily a lot has happened scince then, you seam to have done really good though, and I agree- nobody really listens until you mention the world technical anyway- so keep it short

Rizzo,

Mixing these signals up is pretty common at the first crack at things. I remember I certainly did it and I'm sure everyone has at some point.

Pre-game conference, keep it as short as possible.

I'm with John, things around here don't start up for another few weeks -- highschool.

Junior high starts in about 3 weeks.

WOW !!

We won't see high school ball till December in CT.

I hate when that happens.

If all your partner mentioned was a few crossed signals, you must have done really well for your first time out.

For a frosh game, you might want to spend a little time at the scorer's table before the game to find out if you have complete novices (perhaps school kids) or maybe (if you're lucky) some competence there. If it's school kids, you might need to explain the REAL basics to them (when to stop/start clock and how to record a foul in the book etc.).

Z

My first game was with a good friend of mine, very good offical that got me interested. As a joke, before we walked out on the court I said "Do you want to announce that it's my first game?" I'll never forget his response, "No, they'll figure it out!"

Great little story Crack it! Made me laugh out loud. Rizzo, a habit I tried to get in is after you call a foul, report it, number and all to you partner on the spot. Then hustle up to the bench and report. I also sometimes repeat the number to myself as I go to the bench. I reported a wrong number in a V game once. Coach raised holy hell. My partners didn't see it but luckily, the scorers table had the right number (I reported the offensive players number on a block call instead of the defensive player) I'm glad I had the V table crew on that one.

I didn't understand the question.

During the girls season I tell the girls not to hang on the rims, they will stand there,and all of a sudden they will get the jest.

Second game
 

Girls start in the Fall here in Michigan (unless the courts decide otherwise) so it’s nice to get going already.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Did my second game (JV) last night and it was a little tougher/uglier. Lots more contact, one of the coaches was more “excitable” shall I say. Called a lot of fouls first half then ran into the Varsity game officials at the half who had observed the second quarter. They reminded us to talk more to the girls before calling all the fouls. Sure enough we did talk more in the second half and things settled down a bit. They also stated the one coach was on the floor a lot, something I wasn’t even paying attention to. We addressed that second half and all was well. Also, as trail on free throws, I was standing too far back and heading down court too soon on the misses (forgetting that I shouldn’t assume the defense will always get the rebound).

Observed my partner and the referee duties a little closer. He does the captains meeting at 7:00 and the meet and greet coaches with just 1:00 before the horn. I’m sure you all are right, the captains aren’t really listening much and my partner didn’t make it very long.

Great time again, learned a little more about diplomacy with the one coach (the other coach never said a word to us but his squad won handily) and earned some more mad money. The only downer was that I have to wait a week to work another game (as Referee this time).

Re: Second game
 

Next time ask them if they want to buy "foul insurance".

\

I usually tell them that during warm-ups.

Mregor

Speaking of crossed signals, does anyone use their left arm/hand for a foul call and right arm/hand for violation (or vice-versa)?

Yes, I use both left and right fists depending on where I'm standing.

Never heard of changing hands for violations and fouls. I am working on always doing mechanics with my outside arm to make it easier for the table and coaches to see. That's one of my areas I want to work on this season.

oh whoops, is he saying you use one hand for violations and one for fouls? If so I don't do that, I use the hand depending on where I'm standing.

I always use my left fist for fouls. However, for violations, I use either.

Cameron, can I ask why you do this and how you came to do it? Was it a suggestion at a camp?

I've been trying for a couple of years to develop this habit, but it's real slow in developing. The reason is that with a violation (especially oob), it's about 50/50 which direction the ball will be going. If you signal with the "wrong" hand, you end up looking dorky when you signal staying at the same end. But someone pointed out to me that if you signal with the hand closest to the table, it's very smooth to just use the same hand that goes up. But old habits die hard. I'm always so busy thinking about other aspects of the game, that "which hand" takes a low priority.

It looks even better to not go across your body and use the opposite hand. It may take some getting use to and some thinking but once you start doing it you'll get good at it.

Just don't raise both hands if it is a double violation.

Yes...a camp suggestion (for the violations). For fouls, it's just habit. No real need for specific hands on a foul since your focus should remain on the fouler/foulee for the immediate time and you're not typically indicating a direction (until this year's signal for team control foul).

I disagree, it does matter, although it is an advanced thing to do. Use your outside hand to call a foul, this way it "opens" you up to the play, it sounds wierd but definitely a little thing that only officials would notice. I know I'd notice if a guy was doing this and it looks sharp, but again a minor thing.

erhm, I've got no idea. I use a hand, some hand- and don't think about it anymore. I guess I mostly use right hand though.

Do you think it's a good idea to begin developing a system using the left hand (when it's oob) if the ball is going to your right and vice-versa?

When I'm raising my arm for a foul, the play is over and I'm squared up to the point of the foul. Neither hand will alter the view of the relevant play.

Wow, for your first game sounds like you are doing ok. I am struggling. Have done 3 games this season and at least once in each game I have made an unsure call. I end up looking like an idiot and the coaches really start yelling then.

After coaching and playing the game the last 15 years I thought officiating would come fairly easily. I keep watching the Varsity games and just admiring the automation of their calls. How long does it take before things become a little more automatic????

Seems like it took me about three seasons before it just kinda came "automatically". Maybe I'm just a slow learner. Just a matter of building confidence...that's what freshman & JV games are for.

When you're a veteran official. ;)

Remember when you were a tot, and you took your first layup attempt? How long before your layups became automatic? In a way, it's the same here. The more you do games, the more automatic it becomes. Each person is different, so I can't tell you after the 50th game you'll do fine. But find as many games as you feel comfortable working, and keep looking at ways to improve. Keep looking through this site for hints (if you can stay away from the bickering...) There are probably some hints you can take from your playing and coaching days that will apply to officiating as well. You have a good basis to start from, in knowing the game, now it's just a matter of getting used to coming over after being a member of the dark side... :D

Cheryl P,
Welcome to the forum.

Attending an Officials'Camp will boost your abilities and make your confidence soar.
Have fun with it.
mick

Update
 

My first official game ever was in early September and tonight I'll do my 14th and 15th game (freshman & JV). Things are going pretty good and I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience. Travelling to different areas and seeing different schools is great. I hope the novelty never wears off.

I've been fortunate to work with some great guys so far (no female partners yet but next week I will). All very helpful and patient with a "rookie". I almost don't feel like a rookie anymore and am getting a firm grip on many of the signals and nuances that go with making the calls (or no-calls as the case may be).

Had a rough game about a month ago (I may have mentioned this here but don't recall). It was my first game that was tied in the last minute. Coach was already livid at me for ignoring her screaming for a timeout (I simply wasn't paying attention to her) then I called an illegal pick in the backcourt on her team (during a press) and sent the offended player to the line. After one free throw, the coach called me over and said "Um, what about the new team control rule". Ooops! Oh well, live and learn.

Otherwise, I haven't been too embarrassed. Some calls I wish I had back but I seem to be sure of myself on most. A tad clumsy at times explaining things to coaches but I'm getting the hang of "ref-speak" in a way that satisfies them. I suppose this just comes with experience.

One area I wish to improve in is slowing down my whistle on the shots from in or near the post. I think I've blown the whistle too quickly several times on the defense when they were arms straight up and it was the shooter that was bringing the contact (arms/hands) by moving forward. I know the defense isn't always innocent when they hold their "straight up" position and look at you quizzically but in retrospect, I know sometimes I blow it. Any suggestions on this situation?

Thanks

Re: Update
 

Rizzo21,
Glad yer having fun out East.

When the contact is close at hand, concentrate on the defender's action. If there is contact and the defender did nothing incorrectly, you will have your no-call, or team control foul.
Do you know the *term* for that concentration on the defender subsequent to contact?
mick

Re: Re: Update
 

Catatonia?

Rizzo, sounds like you're having fun. Stick with it, you'll be anticipating coach's timeouts and making no calls & late calls with the best of them!

The term
 

I believe the phrase you might be refering to is "referee the defense".

One of my previous partners asked me had I ever done "X" school before. I told him no and he said "wait until you do"! Well, I did a doubleheader at school "X" last night and it was my most intense yet.

The freshman game was nuts. Lots of "officials" in the stands which are right on top of you and the home coach was crabbing from the opening tip. "Did you see the contact?", "Did you see the contact?" was all we heard. Yes, we saw contact but most of the time there was no advantage/disadvantage. Numerous times his girl would shoot from the post and, as I self-emphasized, I was "refereeing the defense" who were good about staying straight up. But every freaking time he wanted a foul...he had no clue!

Finally, it was tied with less than a minute and we went toe to toe about another no-call in the post. I demonstrated the defense's position and said no way is that a foul. I'm a patient guy and have maybe had a couple mild disputes with coaches and certainly never came close to whacking one. THIS guy was a sliver away in a TIE game with less than a minute! Fortunately, he backed down and I was able to resume my normal duties. It was actually kind of encouraged that I could stand up for my calls.

The second game was a bit better but it was a blowout. I could still hear the hecklers in the crowd but was also encouraged that I didn't care. I'm not saying I had my greatest night...I missed a few, was out of position a couple times but was happy that I could withstand that environment and, if assigned again there, would have no problem going back.

Re: The term
 

2 Things. We have all missed a few here and there and realizing you may have missed one or two will only help you improve and become more confident with time. Secondly, sometimes a little wink to the hecklers will go a long way. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone but there have been times where it has shut them up!

Rizzo, IMO you took WAAAAYYY too much crap from the coach in that first game.

Do not let a coach ride you an entire game. The only acceptable answer to "DID YOU SEE THE CONTACT??!!!" is a calm but assertive "There was no contact coach". Do not let him complain again without at least a stern warning that everyone in the gym hears. Be prepared to take him as soon as he opens his mouth to gripe again.

NO, NO, NO...I would not recommend this at all! Do not interact with the "hecklers" IMO...then they know they have your ol' rabbit ears. There's enough happening on the court to keep you busy...forget the hecklers. If it gets to bad, have game management handle it.

If you need a rule reference...just read this years POE 1.C. Pg. 69 of the NFHS Rule Book. "Officials should Never directly confront fans."

While your "wink" may not be a direct confrontation, it goes away from NFHS's general philosophy of interaction with fans.

Having said all that, sure there have been times when I have had fun with fans...but, it has been in rare situations and not in a hostile environment.
I guess you stated it wasn't for everyone ThickSkin...but, for a newer official, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Edited by RookieDude on Oct 21st, 2005 at 10:53 AM]

Agree with that completely. Forget the crowd.

Excellent! Keep doing that.

Other things you can do to improve:

* Find yourself a big mirror, and get in front of it...put your whistle on and go through all the "Official NFHS Basketball Signals". (They are in the back of your Rules Book)

* Come up with a game situation in your head and call it in front of the mirror...watch your mechanics...do they look crisp? Get the muscle memory down, so you don't have to think about your movements when you see a foul or violation.

* Take your TIME! Don't be in a hurry out there. Come to a stop...then call your foul or violation...or call your foul or violation ...then come to a stop. Either way, Hold it, Hold it, Hold it.

* Don't be "walking and talking"...stop completly to make your signals and when you are reporting fouls.

* Get the whistle out of your mouth...don't be walking around like the whistle is your "pacifier". You will look weak, IMO, if you're walking around with the whistle in your mouth...especially if you're holding on to it with one hand. (Don't believe me? Check out a new official...the whistle stays in and the hand comes up to the mouth as they walk around during a dead ball)

That's just a few things to work on for now...now go get' um. :)

All are very good recommendations. When I was first getting started, I was invited to a JV tournament put on by a school close to where I lived. The tournament served two purposes. It allowed the JV kids to get some games in but the main reason for the tournament was to pair up a veteran official with a young/new official. The entire game was recorded and after the game, the vetran official and the new official watched the game together and provided feedback to one another. It is probably the best learning tool out there for a new official. It is possible that if you worked with a veteran official that you would be able to obtain a copy of the game film and have him provide you with some feedback. Are there any other tournaments out there like this?

Yup, tape. Tape will help you improve faster than any other single factor. Tape yourself, go home and watch it. Now go to a varsity game and watch their mechanics and their judgment. Then go home and watch your own tape again. Great learning tool.

Hecklers
 

At the beginning of the game, there weren't a whole lot of people in the gym and there was one guy in the second row spouting quite a bit in the first quarter (my position as Trail was usually about 10 feet from him) and rabbit ears or not, anyone would hear him. Finally when he agreed with a call he stated "good call". As I inbounded the ball right next to his kneecaps, I had to mention, with a smile that "it's always a good call when it goes your way". We chuckled and he wasn't so verbal from then on.

When we came out for the second game and stood opposite the scorer's table during warmups, we were right in front of a group of the home fans that had been riding us earlier. They were making comments about us back and forth that I'm pretty sure we were meant to hear. Perhaps this was not according to Hoyle but I turned and smiled again and asked them if they were getting their money's worth. Most chuckled but one lady in particular went on and on about our calls (her team lost the freshman game) and we shouldn't even be paid, etc. etc. I had to bite my lip to keep from telling her we don't get paid enough to put up with people like her.

Re: Hecklers
 

And now you know why you need to always ignore all the fans.

Tape of yourself
 

I agree with rainmaker. I had my wife tape me several times last year and WOW . What and how I thought i was doing versus the reality was night and day. Biggest area I caught, early in the season, was rushing through the part of letting my partner know what I had called and where the ball should be thrown in. So I was able to slow down and get it right.

I am in my 2nd year now and will be taped about once every 10 days to just keep checking myself for procedures and mechanics. To chalk up some brownie points tape a Vet and give them a copy. They really just can't get enough of themselves. LOL

The times I've chosen to interact with fans, it has always worked out for the better. I rarely do it but you can tell when a word or two will improve the situation. There was a group of boys in the stands at a game I did last year that were trying to get to us. After a bit, I said something to them and the tone of their comments changed from getting more crude and vicious to more funny and lighthearted. It can work for you if you pick your times and approach carefully. Of course, a majority of the time, it's best to just ignore them.

I am so jealous. We dont start for a few more weeks. Oh man, I cant wait for the season to get here. :)

Although I wasn't there, I'd venture to make an educated guess that the hostile fan behavior was directly related to the behavior of the coach. Allow too much rope, and there are many ways to get hanged. Fans take their cues from the coach, if he's ranting, raving and berating, chances are his fans will feel and act based on his reactions, regardless of the activity on the court. Same with players. In a situation with a hostile coach, particularly in a sub varsity game, someone's gotta deal with him either through communication, or a technical foul if it persists. A lot of JV coaches emulate what they see on TV and will push the envelope as far as they can. Too many officials are unwilling to deal with them when they get out of line and that just causes problems in their games and throughout the season. I'm not saying look to T, just enforce the rules and do what you can to control the game. You have a hard enough time controlling one coach, let alone trying to deal with fans too.

Re: Re: Hecklers
 

I understand how all this could backfire, however, I found that this situation was overall a positive one. I enjoyed the brief interaction with those who smiled and even with the irate lady. I've been in the stands before and know what it feels like when you think you know it all. Then you become an actual referee and discover that you don't know half as much as you thought plus the angles are different.

Cues from the Coach
 

You are dead on with that. As a spectator, I did the same thing (watch the coach's reaction). My very next game was with this team/coach but we knew it was going to be a blowout (by this team). My partner was experienced and usually did varsity games (this was Freshman) and communicated with that coach before the game about the type of game we were going to call (EXTREME advantage/disadvantage only). He had no problem with that and the game was a blowout as expected. It was no fun at all to do this game when one team was so bad but at least he never said a word or argued with anything.