Advice for rookie officials

[refTN]

RookieDude,

This season was going to be my first year of officiating in an assosciation and I already had received a full high school varsity schedule, until I broke my leg and was put out for the first part of the year.

I totally believe irefu2, it is very possible. I was invited to this camp and had not even done a regular season HS basketball game, you just have to have people that believe in you, believe in yourself, and go to work.


I feel my level of experience does not hinder me at all when it comes to knowing rules and calling plays. There will be handling coaches and atypical situations that will catch me, but how often do those occur?

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by SeanFitzRef

They must love to get 'em young, dumb, and full of $h1# in the .... wait for it.... SEC!!!

I beg your pardon, I am neither of the 3 and you should at least know a persons potential before you make such a comment!

[SeanFitzRef]

Originally posted by IREFU2

I beg your pardon, I am neither of the 3 and you should at least know a persons potential before you make such a comment!

IREFU2, and then refTN. I love it. More power to you both.

Now I hope they teach a "SENSE OF HUMOR" seminar down there as well!

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by SeanFitzRef

IREFU2, and then refTN. I love it. More power to you both.

Now I hope they teach a "SENSE OF HUMOR" seminar down there as well!

Well like I said, this is a discussion board for individuals looking for "educated answers," not discouraging comments. If it was a joke, you should have stated so.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by RookieDude

Maybe I was just a slow learner...but, there was no way I was ready for a college schedule in my second year! And in all my years of officiating, I haven't seen a second year official ready for anything close to Varsity or College ball.

Heck, it takes two to three years to get a full JV schedule in my area.

IREFU2...IMO, you've been reading to many JRUT posts.

Why is officiating so different than any other aspect of life? It took you 10 years to get a varsity or college opportunity, why does everyone else have to wait that long if they know what they are doing?

I know of people that have reached the state finals in less the 5 years in certain states (I had an official tell me this story from Louisiana). On this very board there was conversation that talked about an official that was working in the NCAA tournament this past year (maybe the year before) and this official had not officiating more than 5 years (I think he was a former MLB player). I know another official that worked D1 Women's basketball and did not officiate 6 years when picked up. I know of an NBA Official out of Chicago that did not work any varsity ball and he got to the NBA within a few years. I do not believe this guy worked 5 years total and he was in the NBA. He attended a bunch of NBA camps all over the country and was picked up by the NBA. Teddy Valentine worked a D1 game before he ever worked a HS varsity game. I believe Tom Rucker (retired a few years ago) was picked up by D1 assignors and he did not work a HS varsity game (article in Referee Magazine).

There are many examples of people advancing or understanding how to officiate in short periods of time all over the place. Now if that does not apply to you that is OK too. But do not tell everyone that someone is incapable of understanding something you cannot.

Peace

[IREFU2]

Great Post Rut!!!

I agree totally and unfortunatley, in some cases it is easier to get picked up in a college conference then to get Varsity Ball on some boards. Once you get picked up in a conference, it gets even harder to get Varsity Ball! Catch 22?

[RookieDude]

Originally posted by JRutledge

Why is officiating so different than any other aspect of life? It took you 10 years to get a varsity or college opportunity, why does everyone else have to wait that long if they know what they are doing?

I know of people that have reached the state finals in less the 5 years in certain states (I had an official tell me this story from Louisiana). On this very board there was conversation that talked about an official that was working in the NCAA tournament this past year (maybe the year before) and this official had not officiating more than 5 years (I think he was a former MLB player). I know another official that worked D1 Women's basketball and did not officiate 6 years when picked up. I know of an NBA Official out of Chicago that did not work any varsity ball and he got to the NBA within a few years. I do not believe this guy worked 5 years total and he was in the NBA. He attended a bunch of NBA camps all over the country and was picked up by the NBA. Teddy Valentine worked a D1 game before he ever worked a HS varsity game. I believe Tom Rucker (retired a few years ago) was picked up by D1 assignors and he did not work a HS varsity game (article in Referee Magazine).

There are many examples of people advancing or understanding how to officiate in short periods of time all over the place. Now if that does not apply to you that is OK too. But do not tell everyone that someone is incapable of understanding something you cannot.

Peace

JRUT,
I believe we were talking about a SECOND year official...every example you gave was around 5 or 6 years of experience...and I would say they are the exception rather than the rule.

Hey, more power to those who can make the big time games quicker than my stupid a$$ did...I just didn't want those officials out there working hard to get a Varsity game thinking they are slower than the norm.

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by RookieDude

JRUT,
I believe we were talking about a SECOND year official...every example you gave was around 5 or 6 years of experience...and I would say they are the exception rather than the rule.

Hey, more power to those who can make the big time games quicker than my stupid a$$ did...I just didn't want those officials out there working hard to get a Varsity game thinking they are slower than the norm.

Dont sell yourself short. I almost did and it almost put me behind. Set yourself a goal and stick to it.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by IREFU2
Great Post Rut!!!

I agree totally and unfortunatley, in some cases it is easier to get picked up in a college conference then to get Varsity Ball on some boards. Once you get picked up in a conference, it gets even harder to get Varsity Ball! Catch 22?

What does being in the SEC development program actually mean? Are you currently being assigned college games through the SEC umbrella? At what levels? Are you carrying a full high school varsity schedule too?

Just wondering.

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

What does being in the SEC development program actually mean? Are you currently being assigned college games through the SEC umbrella? At what levels? Are you carrying a full high school varsity schedule too?

Just wondering.

I just means I am on a long list with others that were at the camp and I will probably have to go to other SEC Camps in order to get a contract. I am eligiable for scrimmages and I have full access to their website. As far as high school, at the end of my second year, last year, I had a full Varsity Schedule, plus post season and looking forward to the same this year.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by IREFU2
[ [/B]

I just means I am on a long list with others that were at the camp and I will probably have to go to other SEC Camps in order to get a contract. I am eligiable for scrimmages and I have full access to their website. As far as high school, at the end of my second year, last year, I had a full Varsity Schedule, plus post season and looking forward to the same this year. [/B][/QUOTE]Thanks. That was my understanding of what being in the SEC system was. Can you pick up D3, NAIA or other local assignments in Va without going through the SEC umbrella? Or does everything at every level have to come through them?

You're obviously doing something right if you're getting post season varsity games after 2 years. You're certainly ahead of the curve.

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by Jurassic Referee

I just means I am on a long list with others that were at the camp and I will probably have to go to other SEC Camps in order to get a contract. I am eligiable for scrimmages and I have full access to their website. As far as high school, at the end of my second year, last year, I had a full Varsity Schedule, plus post season and looking forward to the same this year. [/B]

Thanks. That was my understanding of what being in the SEC system was. Can you pick up D3, NAIA or other local assignments in Va without going through the SEC umbrella? Or does everything at every level have to come through them?

You're obviously doing something right if you're getting post season varsity games after 2 years. You're certainly ahead of the curve. [/B][/QUOTE]

I can actually do scrimmages, but until I get a contract, I cant do any college ball. I plan on hitting a couple of other confernces next year and maybe I will get a contract. The SEC is a great program and has a lot of structure in their camps. I dont know if you have ever been to any of there camps, but its worth the money and the look.

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by RookieDude

JRUT,
I believe we were talking about a SECOND year official...every example you gave was around 5 or 6 years of experience...and I would say they are the exception rather than the rule.

Hey, more power to those who can make the big time games quicker than my stupid a$$ did...I just didn't want those officials out there working hard to get a Varsity game thinking they are slower than the norm.

I am not denying that these are exceptions, but I for some to suggest that no one picks up certain principles of officiating is just strange from my point of view. I know veterans that cannot grasp the concept, why should I assume that is because of the years of experience to that student? I was told about the concept we have been talking about in my first year. I worked on the concept and by the end of my first year I was a lot better. I think you sell officials short when you think they cannot understand advice on how to get better. Now if you could not understand the concept, well maybe the people you are around are not capable to grasp that information. I can just tell you that I know officials that can grasp a lot of information. I know kids are being taught things in school that you or I were never able to learn. If someone cannot pick up information really well, it is not going to be because you shared the information.

Peace

[RookieDude]

Originally posted by IREFU2
Dont sell yourself short. Set yourself a goal and stick to it.

Gee...(Slapping my forehead)...I never thought of that!
Is that some of the great advice you're getting at the SEC camps? If so, I appreciate you passing it on to me...thanks!

[IREFU2]

Originally posted by RookieDude

Gee...(Slapping my forehead)...I never thought of that!
Is that some of the great advice you're getting at the SEC camps? If so, I appreciate you passing it on to me...thanks!

Nope, thats my philospy in life. Shoot for the moon and if you dont get there, at least you will be among the stars!