Rookie Referees

[SMEngmann]

I say turn on CBS and watch and tourney game announced by Jim Nantz and Billy Packer, because none of us know nearly as much as does Mr Packer about officiating....

[26 Year Gap]

Originally posted by SMEngmann
I say turn on CBS and watch and tourney game announced by Jim Nantz and Billy Packer, because none of us know nearly as much as does Mr Packer about officiating....

I know it will never happen, but wouldn't it be awesome to have Wichita State meet Bradley for the NCAA championship? " Would you like that crow boiled, broiled or fried, Mr. Packer?"

[Corndog89]

Originally posted by Corndog89

Duane

How long does this course last? It sounds like only a few hours at most. I ask because if 12 years teaching experience has taught me anything its that students stop listening at some point before you're ready for them to, even if they're interested and enthused. With that in mind, pick out the 4-5 or so things you think are most important, and focus on those. Billy Mac's 29 most misunderstood basketball rules are great--I'm printing and keeping those for my own and my association's use--but there's way, way too much there for teenagers with no officiating experience. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND BASIC, especially since it sounds like there will be no on-court time ("theory course").

If the course is over a matter days, i.e., multiple sessions, build on what you taught in the previous sessions, but always with focus on the basics. You have to keep their interest to succeed.

Good luck...let us know how it turns out and what worked for you.

Duane

I just read your profile and only then did I realize that you're a teacher and didn't need my pedagogical lesson. My aplogoies...I have should have been more careful. I'm still interested in how the class turns out.

What history do you teach? Need any U.S. history teachers down under who can also call b-ball and misses rugby? Is this a job application? Okay...

[Oz Referee]

Originally Posted by Corndog89

Duane

I just read your profile and only then did I realize that you're a teacher and didn't need my pedagogical lesson. My aplogoies...I have should have been more careful. I'm still interested in how the class turns out.

What history do you teach? Need any U.S. history teachers down under who can also call b-ball and misses rugby? Is this a job application? Okay...

Hey no probs Corndog - thanks for the tips anyway!

I specialise in Modern European History (focusing on Germany). Unfortunately Australian schools don't teach much US History, except for WW1, WW2 and Vietnam. But we sure do need Basketball refs - so come on down!!

[Oz Referee]

Well the course went pretty well. We focused on four main areas:
- Game Administration
- Communication
- Violations
- Fouls

It was a small class (10 people) and thankfully all had played basketball for several years. So at least they had a rough knowledge of the rules and concepts of refereeing.

I'll keep you posted as to how they go. Next week they will all be refereeing between 1/2 and a whole game with me to get some practical experience and tips. Will be interesting to see how it goes.

Thanks heaps for everyone's advice - it was greatly appreciated and really game in handy.

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by Oz Referee

Hey no probs Corndog - thanks for the tips anyway!

I specialise in Modern European History (focusing on Germany). Unfortunately Australian schools don't teach much US History, except for WW1, WW2 and Vietnam. But we sure do need Basketball refs - so come on down!!

Thanks, Oz. Glad the course went well. If I could figure out a way to get down under to teach and call some hoops I'd be there.

C-Dog

[Oz Referee]

Originally Posted by Corndog89

Thanks, Oz. Glad the course went well. If I could figure out a way to get down under to teach and call some hoops I'd be there.

C-Dog

Hey if you want to come and visit I'm sure I could put you up for a night or two Bit far to come for the weekend though!

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by Oz Referee

Hey if you want to come and visit I'm sure I could put you up for a night or two Bit far to come for the weekend though!

Duane - That's most generous, but you're right, that is a long weekend jaunt.

[thereluctantref]

The first game I ever reffed, I did it informally without any training. It was for an alumni league game at my old high school. The thing I remember is that I kept on second guessing myself. I kept asking myself, "Did I really see that contact?" I ended up not blowing the whistle for the whole first half and heard an earful from players, and I deserved it. Not deserving because I didn't have former experience, but because I wasn't prepared for the job and wasn't doing it efficiently. My partner told me at halftime he understood that it was hard to make that first call, to hear that whistle blow and your own voice telling everyone what you saw. He told me that foul calls had everything to do with one player gaining an advantage over another through contact. I think even the first call I made, I wasn't sure if I actually saw the contact but blew my whistle anyway. It got much easier after the first whistle was blown.

[truerookie]

I would start off with mechanics, primary coverage area and basic ternminology.

This should give them something to think about before lunch and after lunch, do a check on learning to see what they have retained.

[ChuckElias]

Don't click on Lobo's link. It's spam.

[Texas Aggie]

I'd make a few introductions, and then get them out of their seats onto the court. That's where they will learn, either by going through the various signals, or learning about court positioning.

If you can tell them to bring whistles, even better. You can fold rules talks into the court by having some walk throughs with several people acting as "players." Set them up for free throws, jump balls, etc. and have folks rotate around as officials -- 2 and 3 man.

[coach41]

Oz,

How did your presentation go? I can emphatize with you. I was asked several years ago to do something similiar as you. I play in a adult church league and the players referee the games.

I tried to summarize "reffing" in about 2 to 3 hours of presentation and then the "refs" got a chance to work some scrimmages.

I would venture to say I had it worse than you. I had some young kids/old folks so the audience was diverse. Reffing experience was basically nil. Rules knowledge (as the officials know it) was probably nil as well.

I put together a word doc summarizing some items like "blow the whistle", "hustle", "see through the cracks", etc.

Honestly, I was pretty prepared but I don't think most people grasped the information. The lack of experience was the biggest hinderance. Most of the players would never ref outside of the league and so what works for "us" won't work for others.

[Oz Referee]

Originally Posted by coach41

Oz,

How did your presentation go?

G'day Coach,

Look the presentation went pretty well (I think). While none of the participants had any refereeing experience, they were all pretty experienced players, so had a sound grasp of the rules.

As well, Basketball Australia has put together a really good introductory package, with a video and power-point presentation that outlines the responsibilities of referees and some basic rules and mechanics stuff. Certainly made my job easier.

I suppose the real test will be next week when I get them on the court refereeing with me. I'll keep you all posted.