Any tips on officiating by yourself? I had to do this twice this week as my partner did not show up until the 4th qtr. Work between the free throw lines? Face the table or the opposite? Positioning for the end line throw in?

I always just move around, I mean you're going to miss stuff so try your best. I don't really follow any specific scheme.

Working a Game Alone:

1. Work alone!(Don't just take anyone out of the stands to help you.)
2. Talk to the table – help on whether the ball went in or not.
3. Pregame talk to the captains/coaches – enlist their help with OOB – go to the arrow if they disagree - players help getting the ball.
4. Work the game from opposite side of the table from foul line to foul line.
5. OOB – use long bounce passes - stay out from under the basket.
6. Administer foul shots from the trail position.
7. Work a bigger arc than usual but don’t get caught in transition.
8. Position yourself so you can see all players at all times.
9. Transition – trail the ball slightly, stay as wide as possible.
10. During time outs stay on the spot where ball will be put into play.

Great list.

if you can I prefer opposite table side. Table does offer some assistance and support on that sideline.

Make a few tight calls early to keep the players under control

Watch your stamina, slow down just a bit.

Relax and do the best you can. Don't focus on who's not there (missing partner) but remind yourself how great it is you're there or the game doesn't happen.

http://www.nba.com/jrnba/officials/o...section13.html

This link has some good advice, some of which has already been mentioned.

In one of the games I did solo it was a little kids game. One guard was right handed and always went to his right, the other was left handed and always went to his left. This worked out to my advantage as at opposite ends of the court they always came to my side opposite the table.

That depends
 

When I get stuck reffing solo, it depends on what kind of offenses and defenses I'm looking at. If somebody is running some type of a spread passing offense, I'll stick near the guards. If a lot is happening in the paint, I'll try to get a baseline look.

Re: That depends
 

Yup. I've found that in some games, I need to work baseline to baseline for a stretch. It's exhausting, but there are some games where nothing else will do. I've even called an extra TO or two, and extended half-time -- to make that most useful, though, use the extra time for stretching, and hosing off face and neck (literally, if possible.)

Since alot of the harder fouls happen underneath, it is important to position yourself as a lead from time-to-time. People will understand to a point about flying solo. I have gone trail-to-lead for a while and then done the opposite so that you see both offenses from both vantage points. The one thing I did NOT do that I SHOULD have was to collect the other guy's check.

I did a GV game this weekend when 2 other partners didn't show up. I got with the coaches and the captains in pre game and said "I'm by myself", and I looked at each coach and said "I can guarantee I'm going to miss some calls at your end, and I'm going to miss some calls at your end. I don't want to hear a whole lot of baloney. All throw-ins except after a made basket will be on the side line. If a ball goes out of bounds, I want honesty and sportsmanship if I need help otherwise we go to the arrow.." I worked top of the key to top of the key...my age won't let me go baseline to baseline, and stepped down on shots taken. I got in, got done, and got out. Also got a compliment from the LOSING coach.

I know the Conventional Wisdom in ref circles is that if you vbelieve them when they say you did a good job, you have to believe them when they say you did a bad job. But I always think that the exception is the compliment from the LOSING coach. For me, that one goes straight to the bank.

[Edited by rainmaker on Jan 9th, 2006 at 12:26 PM]

I agree Rainmaker. Best compliment I ever received was every player from both teams came up to me after the game and thanked me and shook my hand. Firsdt time in 25 years.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jdccpa
[B]Working a Game Alone:

1. Work alone!(Don't just take anyone out of the stands to help you.)
2. Talk to the table – help on whether the ball went in or not.
3. Pregame talk to the captains/coaches – enlist their help with OOB – go to the arrow if they disagree - players help getting the ball.
4. Work the game from opposite side of the table from foul line to foul line.
5. OOB – use long bounce passes - stay out from under the basket.
6. Administer foul shots from the trail position.
7. Work a bigger arc than usual but don’t get caught in transition.
8. Position yourself so you can see all players at all times.
9. Transition – trail the ball slightly, stay as wide as possible.
10. During time outs stay on the spot where ball will be put into play.

Great list posted at our refs meeting last night but one veteran disagreed with #4 suggesting that one should work from the table side so that the calls come from the same angle view as the coaches.

I don't stay on the opposite side the whole time - I'll go back and forth from table side to opposite side so I can get the best view of the play. I don't see how you can work a game from one side of the court the whole time. You're going to miss a lot more than you should. If you're hustling out there, everyone will know it and lay off you for the most part.

George Thorogood - I Ref Alone


I Ref alone, yeah
With nobody else
I Ref alone, yeah
With nobody else
You know when I Ref alone
I Lead and Trail myself

Every morning just before breakfast
I don't want no coffee or tea
Just me and a good Fox 40
That's all I ever need

Because I Ref alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I Ref alone
I make eye contact with myself

The other night I laid sleeping
And I woke from a terrible dream
So I called up the Rainmaker
And her partner Jurassic Referee

And we Reffed alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I Ref alone
My partner is myself

The other day I got invited to a tourney,
But I stayed home instead.
Just me and my 1995 Rulebook
I just read and read.

And I reffed alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I ref alone
I call Blocks and Charges by myself

My Assignor done give up on me
He says he has no trust
The only one who will hang out with me
Is good 'ole Cameron Rust

And we Ref alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I Ref alone
I beckon the subs in by myself