Don't be overwhelmed by the rulebook. You need to know it, but don't memorize rules so much that you forget to just referee the game. Use your common sense and just call the game as you would want it called if you were playing. Ask yourself if the player gained an advantage illegally or not. Do not ball watch, learn from your mistakes, and have fun ! You WILL get better with more experience and don't think of yourself as a rookie when you work with an experienced official. You are just as important to the game as that experienced official. I just found this site. Lots of good info in here, I will be reading for weeks!

[Edited by dave30 on Nov 19th, 2005 at 02:38 AM]

I'd say the most important things are blow your whistle and vocalize what you are calling.

I disagree with this:


"Call the game as you would want it called if you were playing."

Doing that means you just may fall into the reaching/3 seconds/over the back basketball myths trap. I'd much rather see inexperienced officials making mistakes trying to apply the rules correctly, than ingraining the myths.

That aside, welcome.

How can you referee the game if you don't know the rules?

Just wondering where you're coming from on this one.

Welcome to the forum.

JR learned this one the hard way....

When JR started out reffing, Dr. Naismith used to ride his a** hard about rules knowledge.

:D

(I know, I know - I'm shutting up)

Good point, and a lotta truth in that one also, Canucklehead. I can remember a coupla situations in my first few years where I went into the dressing room after a game just sooooo proud of the job that I'd just done......and then an evaluator sitting in the stands would come in......... :eek:

You learn by your mistakes. If you don't make 'em, you ain't learning. Missing or blowing a call happens to everyone. It's hard to explain mis-applying a rule though because you just didn't know or understand it properly. Lord knows I got that pounded into my hard head often enough when I was starting out.

I'd actually argue that it's far better for a new official to "overcall" a game and to over-apply rules simply because doing so allows you to gain a better sense of judgement. At least if you're overcalling, you are calling what's there and you're applying the rules, whereas if you're letting too much go, it's much harder to go the other way, just like it's much harder to teach yourself the proper mechanics when you've been doing a partial job on mechanics. Sure you'll get a lot of frustration to deal with, but that frustration from the players/coaches will come anyhow, you might as well use it constructively.

I do not know how a brand new official all of a sudden knows the rules when they have not worked many games? Many rules are not learned until you experience situations. I guess JR thinks everyone passes a test knows what to call or what not to call.

Peace

2 Yr officials Take
 

So i basically am at the Frosh/JV level. Also do Adult Rec. For most of the last year I let way too much go. Very often my games got out of control. One reason is I started off way too loose. So about 2 months ago in Adult ball I started overcalling and wahlaa. The players seem to be playing better-not as much thuggery-and I get to practice my mechanics. LOL been doing some varsity scrimmages the last couple of weeks and I have been calling tight games. The fans, coaches, players have all of a sudden curtailed their complaining by say 60 % or so. It seems to me that they need someone to at least act in control in the games because they feel out of control. Now i may be blowing smoke up my own but I am liking my "new" way of calling and for this year i am gonna stick with it.

Worked a boys varsity today. So its me a 2yr ref, a total newby, and a average vet ref. The vet ref just overwhelmded the newby with things along the lines of advantahe/Disadvantage, squaring the shoulders to let your partner know whats going on,etc. He had no chance. So i told him just call everything you see and let the chips fall where they may. He blew his whistle a little more and by the end of the scrimmage he said he felt a little more comfortable.

So I am sticking with the newbys should blow the whistle and overcall.

Re: 2 Yr officials Take
 

That sounds great but to become a good official you have to know when to make calls and know when not to make calls. Just blowing your whistle every time something is close is not what is going to advance a newer official. As a matter of fact it might get that official held back. I would agree that in the short term the official might get away with calling every little thing, but officiating is also a competition. The officials that know how to call the game (using advantage/disadvantage) will be the officials that get the opportunities to move to the higher level a lot quicker.

Peace

Re: Re: 2 Yr officials Take
 

I do not know how a brand new official all of a sudden knows advantage/disadvantage when they have not worked many games? Many concepts are not learned until you experience situations. I guess JRut thinks every new official knows what advantage/disadvantage really is and how to apply it properly.

:rolleyes:

What I meant is not to memorize the rulebook and think that makes you a good official. You have to know the rules obviously, but common sense should play a big part. You have to learn to wait and see a play develop rather than apply the rules literally. If Player A is obviously fouled by Player B in the backcourt, but is able to pass the ball to a teammate for a layup, you have to have the common sense to know that you should let that one go. If a player is standing 1/2 inch over the line when throwing the ball inbounds, either tell him to move back or just let it go. Do not be too "nitpicky" just because it is a rule when common sense keeps the game flowing. If you are doing little kid games and a fourth grader takes a couple of steps before dribbling in the backcourt, let it go, it doesn't affect the game at all. I don't like the saying " a foul is a foul"...anytime,in any situation, but many people believe that is the case. I don't.

[Edited by dave30 on Nov 20th, 2005 at 04:53 AM]

Re: Re: 2 Yr officials Take
 

Rut, I think you're ahead of yourself, and it may be different based on the person, but I think it's a lot easier to begin to look at foul selection if you're calling too many fouls than if you're calling too few as a new official. As you see more plays, it then becomes a lot easier to hold the whistle on contact later on because now judgement comes into play. For a newbie, I think it's more important to blow every foul and work on learning rules and mechanics and not to worry about judgement. Judgement and selectivity will then come when the official calls a foul that doesn't impact the play and thinks, "Gee, maybe I could've passed on that." It's far easier than, "God that guy got hammered, maybe I should've called something." Obviously guys who call too many fouls will have a hard time moving up, but the guys who see a train wreck and don't have a whistle won't remain in officiating very long, and again, I think it's easier to learn and adjust by at first calling too many fouls, which will eventually lead to developing judgement.

Bottom of the Food Chain
 

I really am enjoying this thread.

JRut- I hear what you are saying. I also think for me right now its more important that I work on keeping my games under control. If in 5 years I still am calling everything well then I screwed the pooch somewhere along the way. And the games I have now are the games I will be getting for the next 4/5 years. So lots of time to figure out 'Stuff" like Adv/Dis.

SmE-Pretty close to my new found way of thinking. I mean I let it get to the point of Frosh girls were figuring out anything less than Assault & Battery, then they could do it. So this year my goals are

A. Keeping games under control. Game management with coaches.
B. Strong mechanics / strong presence. I have body postures issues.
C. Adv/Disad

Re: Re: 2 Yr officials Take
 

Ridiculous.

Many and close to all new officials are overwhelmed as it is, most have trouble even blowing their whistle that first game.

This is a progression, while some may progress faster, 99.9% need to crawl before they walk.

You have them in the 100 yard dash.:rolleyes:

Re: Re: Re: 2 Yr officials Take
 

BZ -- I agree with your principle, but I think it's an over-statement to call what Jeff says ridiculous. The fact of the matter, it seems to me, is that most people do go through stages of learning, the first of which is not calling nearly enough, the second is calling way too much, and then they sort of swing back and forth for a year or two, and finally settle down somewhere in the Mushy A/D Middle.

But I think there are a few refs who start from a different angle, and don't progress through the stages in the same order. Jeff may very well be one of them. I've seen a few, and then tend to be the ones who zoom up through the levels and are doing college within three or four years. Which, IIRC, is Jeff. These folks have a natural reffing ability that just needs fine tuning, and they understand A/D almost instinctively, like a muscian with perfect pitch.

Believe me when I say, I'm not one of the latter type!! But I've worked with a lot of beginners, and a lot of those hanging around at the lower levels of ability (like myself), and I think my generalizations of the two types are about on target.

So for Jeff to say that he thinks people can zoom into the 100 yard dash right from the start is a reflection on his own ref-learning path. But it's not ridiculous for him to believe that everyone is like that. After all, he hasn't seen the lower levels much.

Re: Bottom of the Food Chain
 

A. With freshman coaches you should have lots of opportunity to work on this.

B. Good plan for everyone at any level.

C. With freshmen girls this might be tough. Maybe work towards keeping a patient whistle but taking the obvious ones immediately. If that makes sense.

Good luck & have fun!

First of all I have a right to any opinion that I state. You do not have to agree with that opinion. We all do not come from the same experiences in our officiating life. I do not expect a new official to completely grasp much of anything, but I would expect them to start working on the concept of advantage/disadvantage early in their career. Those officials might be put into situation where they have to perform and if they do not step up they will not get many more shots.

Everyone can get into this lowering of expectations of younger officials, but in some conferences where I live younger officials only have a few years to prove they can work. If they cannot prove they can work, they will not get a shot. We do not have the massive shortage of officials in this area. I have heard multiple assignors say here they have 3000 officials to cover a single game; they do not need guys that cannot work. Officiating is the one thing where people expect us to be perfect the first time we work. No one cares if you are newer or not. If you cannot perform, they will find someone else. When we run camps we teach 3 Person in most of those camps and we expect people to grasp those concepts early. When they do not understand certain concepts (advantage/disadvantage as an example) they will not advance. In some cases they might be dropped from working HS games at all.

Peace

it was the opposit for me, I started running. Now I'm walking, my first games were blown apart, by me :P but I'm learning more and more how to put the bar, still quite new though

Edit: that was metaphoricly speaking, I'm still running litteraly :P and I was when I started (I'm not running backwards now though)

[Edited by crazy voyager on Nov 20th, 2005 at 01:27 PM]

Gee, my opinion and where I live, never saw that coming.

The vast majority of the country is dealing with a shortage of officials, I know where you live is completely isolated from the experiences of the rest of us, but...

In any case teaching advanced concepts to beginning officials is still ridiculous.

There is a reason first year medical students are not performing surgery.

New officials need to have the mechanics and the basic rules ingrained. When they are not worrying about the basics, they can absorb the more advanced.

If you feel they cannot grasp anything but "stand here and stand there" instruction, then you do that. When I work with newer officials I tell the exactly what I think they need to know so they can get better today. In all my associations that I belong to we do cater to the needs of newer officials, but they also hear the same things we teach the veterans. If you feel they cannot absorb more than very basic stuff than that is your problem. Officiating is not rocket science. We are not talking about saving the world thru officiating. Trying to equate officiating with a medical student is very stupid if you ask me. We are talking about a concept that is not only in the rulebook, it is what the rules are based on if any of us were to attend any camp or lecture on officiating. I would not expect a younger official to master a concept like advantage/disadvantage, but what is the harm in mentioning it? I know if I work a varsity game with a younger officials he or she better have some idea of what to call, it is not just his or her butt on the line. If they screw up, we all screw up. They are going to have to step up. Maybe the reason areas like yours does not have a bunch of officials is the fact you treat them like dummies and you do not want to share with them things that work. Maybe it is the old boy network trying to keep officials from passing them by.

Peace

New officials don't work varsity, so stop spinning what is being said. There is a MAJOR DIFFERENCE between first time on the court and inexperienced.

In most places that brand new official is working middle school and freshman games. Most times they have another new or inexperienced official with them.

Arizona is one of the areas in the country with the most growth in new officials and one of the highest retention rates in the country. I'm actively involved in our mentoring program, so perhaps before you start implying good old boy sabotage, you do a little research next time.

Their interaction with veteran officials is usually limited to meetings and quick evaluations and suggestions at the half and between games.

Not a time frame where you load up an official with a laundry list of do's and dont's. That time is best used with major issues or getting them in position to see the play.

Talking about a patient whistle isn't helping if they are not blowing their whistle or you can't even hear their whistle.:rolleyes:

My very first assigned game I worked was a JV/Sophomore Prelim game. Before I had my license I had a HS game scheduled. Now I worked some Junior High Games and even 5th and 6th grade games before the actual HS season started, but there was nothing holding me back from working HS game. An IHSA Official's license is so that officials can work HS games, not any game. I can work any game I like outside of HS without an IHSA license. Officials in my state will work anything

What is your point? So you think differently than I do on this. So what if you have a different opinion. You can do whatever you like in Arizona. I do not live in Arizona. You do not live in Illinois. We do not work under the same systems of assigning and officiating. We do not have the same level of basketball I can assure you of that.

All I said was why is mentioning a patient whistle a crime? I guess asking a question is too much for you to handle. If you feel that a newer official cannot grasp that concept, do not teach it. I on the other hand will mention it and I know many officials that grasp the concept of advantage/disadvantage very well. I know a couple of guys that work in the CBA right now because they understood that concept and many other concepts that were very advanced. I guess you would know.

Peace

We are not talking about you and your resume. Nor do we care how advanced the basketball is in the great state of Illinois.

You do know that the sun does not rise and set because of you, right?

The level of arrogance in your posts is unbelievable.

You are a credit to officials everywhere, and we are all honored by your brilliant opinions.

{sarcasm off}

There is a reason first year medical students are not performing surgery.

[/B][/QUOTE]Would that be the same reason that first year officials aren't performing surgery either?

Maybe? :D

3rd Year Official's Insight

This is my 3rd year call and I must admit my first year was quite challaging. I was a basketball player and got tired of not getting the calls I thought I should have been getting so I put on the strips and started with the young kids and worked my way up until I joined a boards. But the first thing I did was "go to camp". I had several camps under my belt before the high school season started and that helped me a whole lot. I passed the test with a 76 the first time and continue on throught the season and by my second year, I was getting a shot at some varsity games. I even dared to go to a college camp my second year and almost got picked up too. Now I am in my third year and I will most likely have a full varsity schedule and I am in the SEC Developmental League too. So the key is work, work, work and get a general understanding of the rules first and then take each rule and try to get a deeper understanding. Thats my 2 cents worth!

This is not about me this is about you and your lack of confidence in your own officiating ability and teaching skills. I do not recall that I was not responding to anything you said or asking you any question about this topic in the original threads. Byyeee Byyeeee. (NO sarcasm ;))

Peace

Would that be the same reason that first year officials aren't performing surgery either?

Maybe? :D [/B][/QUOTE]

No, not if you are JRut.

He was elbow deep doing open heart his first day, because that is the way they do it in Illinois.

Probably why the malpractice insurance is much higher there.:D

LOL...I call BULL$hiTT.

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. :D

They must love to get 'em young, dumb, and full of $h1# in the .... wait for it.... <FONT COLOR="red">SEC</FONT>!!! :D

not at all, I am not bragging or anything. I am in your corner, if you work hard you can achieve any goal. I only voice opinions of my own.

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?

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!

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

I think Rut makes some really good points about the development of brand new officials in that there can be dumbing down involved by focusing too much on baby steps and not enough on concepts (for instance: always stop clock, open hand for violations, fist for fouls should really only be said once) such as advantage/disadvantage and some philosophies. I think the more officials who are ambitious are exposed to philosophies, the better they will be and the more they will think about the things needed to move to a higher level. The baby-steps are easy, and far too much time is being spent on them, not to say exactly how to report a foul, or a silent count on free throws isn't important, but they shouldn't be hard for any competent official to grasp. From what I've seen at camps/clinics as well, a similar approach is being used to teach the 3 person system to vets who aren't accustomed to it. The result is officials who officiate games more concerned about what their positioning is than reffing the game. A more philosophical approach has helped me tremendously, and I think would be beneficial to others.

I went to a college camp this past summer and the assignor for a D1 conference said "I believe some officials just have the gift." I tend to agree with that point of view. Some officials whether we like it or not are always going to be freshman, JV and JH officials. Some officials are going to be a sponge and soak up everything they are told. Sharing a concept is not going not to hurt anyone. Just because you tell someone something does not mean at all that they will master that concept. At least they will know that is something they might have to learn at some point.

Peace

I still recall the look on my partner's face when I told him, "Yeah, it really is my first game (Girls JV) ever." I was just a warm body, and I knew it. But I got through it, and have stuck with it nearly 15 years. Newbys, find someone to work with who will build you up and not bring you down. They're out there, and they'll be good help to you.

Good points, SME, but unfortunately a lot of assignors and decision makers worry about the proper mechanics and floor positioning over the decision making. I have been in camp stiuations and heard observers marvel at a camper's positioning or 'proper mechanical form', but the person has flubbed three calls in their primary or the reach out of their primary to get something. Part of the problem with that thinking is that the philosophies are discussed just once, and the mechanics are focused on. Might just be in my area, but my two cents.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Read the rule book. I dont mean "become a rule book official," but a working knowledge of the rules will give you confidence and confidence will help your game. See below for more about the rules.

2. Devour the official's manual. I mean that. Read it more than the rule book. Learn the procedures. It, too, will give you confidence. For the most part, the stuff in the official's manual is the stuff you need to truly "learn." 95% of all the basketball stuff you will see will be stuff you already know--you know what a foul is, you know what stepping out of bounds is, you know there are 4 quarters, you know all that stuff. The "funny rules" like false double fouls and whether or not a technical is directly or indirectly charged to the head coach is great if you know, but as a rookie, you will have a senior partner there to help you with that stuff. But the stuff in the official's manual is ALL NEW. Unless you have reffed before, you dont know where to be at time outs or how to administer a DQ or where to stand for the jump or which place to be. That, probably, is why clinics spend so much time on mechanics. Because that stuff is new and it is teachable. Judgement, while also deserving of instruction, is to some degree a matter of whistle time.

3. Do your homework. If you want to be good, dont just rely on the book you are give. Go do extra research. Go get Referee Magazine's excellent book Basketball Official's Guidebook Crew of Two Officials. Here is the link.

http://www.referee.com/books/books/bbbog205.htm

That book is awesome for a new official and a good resource as you go along.

4. Work on your calls. Get a buddy or a spouse. Have them shout out a foul or a violation, like "push" or "charge" or "travel." Then blow it and report it. Partner says "travel." You say "tweet," then signal open hand up, travel signal. Or partner says "push" you say "tweet" then fist up, then preliminary signal, then go report, "white, 3-2, push, sideline out of bounds." That sort of thing. I know it sounds silly, but it really helps.

5. Get out on the court. The only time you work on officiating shouldnt be when you do it live. And you dont need a fancy clinic to work on things. Just get a senior official and another junior official like yourself and go to a gym or an outside court. Have the senior official dribble the ball and the two junior guys position themselves. This helps immensely. People can say "dont work on mechanics and positioning" but if you arent in position to make the call your judgemnet really doesnt matter that much--since you couldnt see it.

6. Get a mentor. This is tied to #5 above. But there is no reason why senior guys wont want to help the young guys. Some dont but many do. Heck, show up early and I'd work with a newer official on the outside court before we even had to be there for our game. No problem.

Basically, if you go the extra mile it will show. If you think you can just show up and learn on the job, you wont develop as fast as others. Plus, some have the gift for it and some dont, but there is nothing you cant overcome with a bit of work.

And finally

7. Dont worry about advancement. The only thing you can control is being the best official you can be. That is up to you. Advancement isnt up to you, it is up to your association. And if you are doing well, you will get noticied. If you dont get moved up, that may say somethign about your association, not about you.

8. Find out how the big dogs want it done. That said, make sure you get the word from teh assignor or the seniour guys how they want things done. Then do it their way. If they want a tight 3 seconds call (which I doubt they woudl, just making a funny example based on recent threads) then call a tight 3 seconds. If they hate patent leather shoes, dont get patent leather. I'm not saying suck up. You dont have to go kiss a$$. But find out how the people in charge want things done and do it the right way.

9. Have a positive attitude and respect what reffing means to the participants. Do it because you love it. This, I think, is key. People take this seriously. It is important to all the coaches and the kids playing. Heck, some of these kids wont go to college and these games will be the stories they will tell with their buddies (in greatly exaggerated fashion) for the rest of their lives. And you are a part of that. Make your preparation and your demeanor reflect that you understand this is both serious and fun.

10. Have fun. Smile. Dont just be a robot. Dont think you are a police officer. You arent.

Good luck!!!!

I disagree.

Ask any generally basketball knowledgeable person about the following:
<LI>Ball inadvertantly hittng the leg....most will call it a kick
<LI>Shooter making arm-to-arm contact with vertical defender....most will call it a foul on the defender
<LI>Defender sliding sideways and taking in the chest while sliding....most will incorrectly call a block
<LI>Player grabbing rebound over an opponent...most will incorrectly call a foul
<LI>Player dives to the floor and recovers the ball while still sliding....most will call traveling
<LI>Defender jumps staight up and is contacted by the shooter (check to chest)....most will incorrectly call a block.
<LI>Defender blocks the shot through contact on the hand...most will incorrectly call a foul.
<LI>On a throwin, the thrower shuffles the feet....most will incorrectly call a travel.
<LI>....

...and they'd be wrong most of the time.

Most of these situations will occur several times in every game. You don't have to get into the more esoteric rules, even the basic rules are widely misunderstood by those who have not studied the rule book.

I didnt say dont study the rule book. In fact, I said study it.

Wait, let me go check:

Yep, here is what I said:

"1. Read the rule book. I dont mean "become a rule book official," but a working knowledge of the rules will give you confidence and confidence will help your game."

:)

The point is, a rookie doesnt really need to know what a false double foul is.

But a newbie shouldnt be afraid to call a game. I see more newbies holding a whistle because they are overthinking. You know what a block is, call it. You know an out of bounds, call it. You know a travel, call it. The vast majority of the game are calls that you already know how to make if you know anything about basketball. Blow the whistle, newbies!!! And blow it with authority.



[Edited by cdaref on Nov 23rd, 2005 at 01:22 AM]

The problem is you cannot really judge accurately judgment. Of course I can have an opinion, but the officials on the floor is often times in the best position to see the entire play and see how and why contact (or anything else) took place. I do not think observers just overlook decision making, it is easier to judge mechanics related with the call. If you are in the proper position and use the proper mechanics, let us face it the call is often immaterial. After all officiating is a sales job. Having been an evaluator at times, all I can ask is what the officials saw and give them things to think about. I cannot tell them with much confidence from a completely different vantage point whether a call was correct or not. Unless the call was out in the open easily viewable evaluators would only be able to guess whether a call is correct or not. So unless a rule is applied completely wrong, judgment is just hard to judge sometimes.

Peace

I think you guys are slightly misinterpreting what I said, although the discussion is interesting. My point was not that mechanics and especially positioning aren't important in the development of an official, in fact I feel both are very important. As long as you are in a good position to see the call, and convince everyone you saw it correctly, often you can make the absolute wrong call and not have a problem. My point is more toward the developing of newer officials. I think that newer officials need to show the initiative to learn the basic mechanics on their own and should be able to absorb simple concepts such as proper reporting technique and fist for foul, palm for violation quickly, because these concepts simply aren't difficult to learn with a tiny bit of practice. I think the best way to develop as an official in terms of positioning and even judgement is to officiate, watch other respected officials, even college/NBA on TV and to talk officiating and ask questions. I know I learned a lot coming through the ranks as a newbie because I was exposed to more information and wasn't stuck on having to listen to the same ABCs constantly. And there is one way to evaluate judgement: the tape never lies, but often it shows why calls are missed based on positioning and focus.

I know exactly what you said.

You also said: Originally posted by cdaref
Here are a few ideas:
If you take a noob and have them call it as they already know it, they'll be wrong a substantial part of the time. They DON'T know what a block is or what a travel is. If that many people actually knew what a block or travel was, we wouldn't have so many players, coaches, and spectators disagreeing with them.

To expect them to call it as they "know" it will only propagate these all to common myths of the rules. The myths just gain that much more credence with actually being called in a game.