Help...Again

[ATLBrvs326]

Hey, I dont know if you guys remember me but I am a 16 year old kid trying really hard to become "good". I asked a question a couple weeks ago and you guys really helped me. First of all, you guys told me that parents and coaches would give me a hard time and also say dumb stuff. I have been working for 3 weeks now and have heard the dumbest stuff. There was one really stupid guy at a middle school game who made two "outsanding" (sarcasm in case your not catching on) calls. First was A1 walking ball up the court and hes yelling 3 seconds. Another one (same guy) was A1 throwsa ball in to A2 in backcourt with 8 seconds left in the game and since A was up at the time they were walking it up. With about 2 seconds left the guy is yelling 10 seconds. Anyways, the reason I am writing is I have a couple of questions that I know you guys can help with. I really want to become a great ref so what did you guys do to become great. Read the rule book three times? I just wanna know. Are there any really good books or websites that really helped any of you out I would like to know. Also, I want to go to a few ref camps in the offseason so I live in Atlanta, Georgia so do any of you know of some really good ones or a website I can surf. Thanks a lot guys.
Travis

[mick]

ATLBrvs326,
Attending your first officials' camp will help more than you can imagine.

[robertclasalle]

Attend and complete your state's certification course, IAABO or whatever it may be, and maintain your membership with annual tests, refreshers, meetings, camps, whatever they require. I like to go to games and watch my colleagues and observe what they do, what I like and don't like. Work as many games as you can. However, and this is a big however, in my experience (and some may disagree but this is my personal experience), if you want to get good at this, you are better off doing high school games, freshmen, JV, varsity. When I work rec league games in my area, I find that a lot of the refs follow lazy mechanics which really screws me up. Havings said that, rec leagues need good refs too, and it's a great place to learn. Stay tuned to this web site, you'll learn a lot here. Be patient, be humble (you'll see a lot of pompousness and arrogance on this site, try to ignore it), during a game, try to get the call right (this means admit when you're wrong), have a good pre-game with your partner. Your rules book should be dog-eared from overuse. My final advice that I try to live with: (1) every game, think of only one aspect of the game that you want to get better at, and work on that one thing that game; and (2) make your mistakes, but hopefully only once. Good luck, have fun, let us know how you're doing.

[Ref21]

If you want to work toward being a good ref, it may help to coach a basketball team for a couple of years at any level possible. It will help give you a different perspective. Listen to the veterans that provide suitable information. Also, develop a philosophy about how you are going to handle yourself on the court no matter the situation. Good Luck

[Dan_ref]

Yes, go to a good teaching camp.

Read the rule book more than 3 times.

Find a mentor who will actively work with you.

Work hard, ask questions, absorb advice, otherwise listen & keep your mouth shut.

[tjones1]

I'll even plug this website. There are a lot of good officials on this site that know their stuff. Be sure to ask questions on here if you have them, someone will answer them for you!

Work as many games as possible and as they've already stated, attend a camp or clinic. Good luck!

[refTN]

Camp is very important. I advise AAU ball in your area. You should be able to get almost as many games as you want. With that type of ball you learn to put up with alot of BS, and learn how to handle it. Your partners mechanics don't matter. Find someone who you think looks smooth, no matter whether it be your HS association, NCAA, or NBA and try to look as smooth as them. There are a couple of guys who I know who just broke into the college ranks that I worked with last year at the camp I went to that are from Atlanta, Josh Davis and Matt DiPiro. These are two solid officials. If you get a chance to come in contact with them talk to them.

Lastly, want to get better. If you want it bad enough and surround yourself with great refs, you too have a shot at being great.